Depo Provera and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Sad...
• November 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My experience with Depo has been terrible. I have gotten a total of 3 shots, so it's been nine months since I first got the shot. I have not stopped bleeding since the first day I got it. I constantly have to worry about wearing a pad and tampon because my period has become so heavy that I have to wear both. Not only have I experienced having my period every single day, but I have to pay a $25 copay every time I go get the shot. I'm also cranky and have zero sex drive. This is destroying my relationship with my boyfriend. I also feel depressed all the time. My primary care physician finally told me to go to an OB/GYN, and the OB put me on a high-dose birth control pill. I start that on Sunday and cannot wait for this feeling to go away."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot, and I have been bleeding nonstop! I am bleeding very heavily and through overnight pads. I have bought pads every week for two months. I have also gone through mood swings where I am very depressed and then very angry. I will never take the Depo shot again."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I got this Depo Provera shot for birth control at my 6 weeks postpartum appointment. I didn’t read any side effects, which is my fault, I should have done my own research. The first month I bled for 3 weeks straight, heavy flow. I noticed my mood was all over the place, and depression was at a high for me. I gained about 15 pounds just being on this for 3 months. My knees hurt when I sit on the floor, and that has never happened before. My anxiety is through the roof. I’m always on edge and have lost so much sleep. My sex drive is so dead right now, it hurts to have sex. Literally, it hurts. I only did one round of this shot, and I won’t be getting a second one. Please do research and talk to your doctor about this shot before getting it!"

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Stay away from Depo. I get Depo in Sep 10, 9 days before my period. I didn’t have my period for two months. Now I have been bleeding for 8 days. I expelled a clot that looked like placenta. I was super scared! My depression is getting worse. I’m always so mad with my husband, and I have less patience with my baby! I feel so bad! I gained about 10 pounds in less than two months! I have never felt pain in my periods, and now I feel like I’m having a baby."

• 123...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Depo for almost 4 years (age 15-19). I never really realized the side effects that it had created until getting off of it and looking back. Although Depo was really beneficial in some ways, it also hurt me in other ways. For one, I became very depressed and sluggish, and I was just sick all the time and didn’t know why. I was never sad, just out of energy always. I also gained so much weight, which I knew going in would probably happen. However, this medicine helped me out a lot too. Before I began Depo, my period was so, so heavy and very painful. After using Depo, I stopped having my period and the cramps went away, along with getting sick from my period. It also helped so much with my hormones and mood swings, I was less grouchy all around. If you’re thinking about using this drug, just weigh your options and remember the results are different for everyone, but it’s definitely an option I think people with painful periods should look into."

• sar...
• June 23, 2018

For Endometriosis "I hate this shot, it ruined my life. I had very severe side effects that started the day after I got the shot and have not stopped. My old provider refused to admit that my pain was due to the shot. I have constant cramping, constant bleeding, migraines, my hair is falling out, my depression is worse than ever, increased anxiety, insomnia, muscle soreness, joint pain, and mood swings. I was told that this shot would stop my period, it did not, it just made my period last for 10 months, and it is still going. I will never get this shot again, and I do not recommend this shot for anyone."

• Laz...
• November 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I stopped taking Depo because of the depression and lack of sex drive it was causing me. I had the spotting in the beginning for about 3 months, and after the second shot, I felt dizzy all the time. I'm in the process of getting it out of my system, and it's an absolute nightmare. Since skipping my last shot, I've had heavy spotting and headaches almost every day. I can't sleep through the night at all, and I've been having an increase in nightmares that I'm certain is related to the birth control. My dreams were never this bad before. My hair also started thinning badly, and I had to cut about a foot of it off. I loved my long hair. DO NOT get this shot. The side effects are not worth the risk."

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo since I was 13. I am about to be 21 now. I never spotted, and after I got my shot, my periods were officially gone. I was actually recommended to try Depo because my friend was on the pills and got prego and decided to do the shot and never got pregnant. But now that I'm at the age of possibly wanting a child, I don't know how long it will take to conceive. I did suffer from depression after the shot, but I never gained weight. I actually did the opposite. I lost 50 lbs the first year. Spotting during your first shot is actually normal, the shot is trying to force the periods to stop, which will cause cramps, so it's normal! I just got lucky. I definitely recommend this."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2009

"I have been on Depo Provera since April 2009, and now it's December 2009. I had an okay experience. The best thing about it was that it stopped my period right away, which was really nice for sports. I did not gain weight, have nausea, or sore breasts, but it really lowered my sex drive, and it made me drier than normal for the first few months. I think it caused some hair loss, but not too much. My boyfriend said I was really moody on it, which has really interfered with our relationship. (I think I had some depression because of that). I am switching to the NuvaRing in two weeks, and hopefully, I will be less moody. All in all, Depo Provera was okay. I would recommend trying it at least to see how you react to it."

• SJe...
• March 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Horrible form of birth control. Convenient, yes, but bled continuously while I was on it. Gave me severe depression when I have never had any depression before. Gained weight steadily with no change in diet, so Depo is the cause. After 3 doses and no improvement in side effects, I stopped this nightmare."

• mar...
• July 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m 18, and I took my shot in Nov. 2018. My gynecologist told me I may lose my period, but gave me no info about the side effects. A month after the shot, I started feeling depressed. I lost my period, and after experiencing a change in mood swings, my body, and my period, I decided to not get the second shot of Depo, which was scheduled in Feb. 2019. My period didn’t come back naturally, so I went to my gyno in Apr. They gave me progesterone pills to take to start my period. I took the pills for 10 days, and my period only lasted a day. 3 days later, I felt itching down there. It’s not an infection or an ST, or anything they can determine through biopsy or a culture. I’ve also had a month-long period. My last visit, I was told it may have to do with hormone imbalance. So, I was given a new birth control pill, Sprintec, to regulate my period and hopefully end the itching I’ve had for months. I fully believe all of this was caused by the Depo shot, and my body has not been the same since."

• eas...
• May 1, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the shot for two years now, and overall, it's been great. I couldn't remember to take a pill every day, so my doctor suggested the Depo Shot. When I first got the shot, I bled for almost two months straight. After that, nothing, besides some spotting when I'm up for my next shot. However, I have noticed I've lost some of my hair, my depression worsened, and I experience major mood swings from time to time; I didn't gain any weight. My doctor just notified me of the risk of osteoporosis and suggested taking 1000 mg of calcium and 400-800 mg of vitamin D per day. This is suggested after receiving the shot for 2+ years. Either way, I wish I knew this sooner. I would have been taking those vitamins since day one."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I just had my 3rd shot, and I'm very happy with it. Before I got on the shot, I had tried several different pills. They all made me have mood swings and depression, and I felt tired all the time. My doctor talked me into trying the Depo shot, and it has been amazing. I feel full of energy, and I haven't had any mood swings, and the best thing is I haven't had a period since!!!! The only side effect that I don't like is the weight gain. I have been working out like crazy to prevent the weight gain, which I haven't gained any weight, but I can't lose any. So basically, I'm working out just to stay the same. This sucks, but if this is the worst of the side effects for me, then I can deal with that."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2012

For Birth Control "I thought this would be a great option. Well, I was definitely wrong. I was on the patch when my parents found out I was on birth control, subsequently, they took the rest away. I went to my school clinic and received the shot the same day for free. I did not have to worry about prescriptions or about hiding my patches anymore, which was great and all. Until the first week in, I felt fine, then something just dramatically changed with me. I had no sex drive, pain during intercourse, 10 pounds of weight gain for the first two months and 5 for the third month, and spotting daily. I also had terrible mood swings and migraines. I felt depressed from the weight gain, I wasn't me anymore."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I started the Depo shot a year ago. Originally, I bled for 3 weeks with a few days off. After my second shot, I bled for 2 weeks and had 2 weeks off of my period. Then, once my period started up again, it never stopped. So, I've been bleeding since the end of January, which makes almost 9 months that I've been bleeding/spotting with not even one day off. There were times when it stopped for a few hours, but I guess if it came right back, it never actually stopped. I didn't gain weight, I've struggled with mild depression, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, lots of nausea, and abdominal pain. My last shot was at the end of March. I'm getting the pill tomorrow to help regulate my hormones. I'm afraid of all birth control now, but I hope this works."

• Kay...
• February 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I am only limited to a few options because I am on seizure meds. Before the meds, I responded very well to the pill! This is my 3rd Depo Provera shot, and I feel like a completely different person for the worse. I have no sex drive, I have panic attacks daily, my hair started falling out, I literally sit in my room depressed when I'm not working, my vision changed, I have upper back pain and neck pain, I am tired all the time. I miss the girl I used to be before this injection. My blood work is perfect, I've had several tests done. This drug is a poison, and I can't wait until March for me to decline to never get it again!"

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2019

For Birth Control "The Depo shot is the worst birth control anyone can take. DO NOT TAKE!!!! When I first got my shot, I immediately started feeling sick and was in and out of the hospital for two weeks due to throwing up everything I ate and not being able to function. I wish someone would’ve told me about the shot. However, it didn’t make me bleed for months like it does a lot of girls, but the feeling that the shot caused me and the depression. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Do yourself a favor and choose a different form of birth control, PLEASE."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2012

For Birth Control "My experience on Depo has been a nightmare. I have been on it for almost a year, I will be bleeding for a month straight, then it will stop for a week or two (if I'm lucky), then it's right back to bleeding. I have also had awful headaches, bad body aches, severe abdominal cramping, mood swings, random depression, and chest pains."

• Cou...
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I initially got this shot because I was told that it would completely stop your period. Well, it's been 3 months now, and I haven't stopped bleeding! The first 2 weeks were great, then I got my period and haven't stopped bleeding. It's not a heavy period or anything, just consistently light blood/brown stuff. It has been the most annoying thing ever! Not only has that been bad, but this shot made me super depressed, emotional, and moody! I'm honestly surprised my boyfriend is still with me! Lol. This has been such a horrible experience, and I will definitely not be going back for another shot. I can't wait to have my normal period back for just a week each month. I will take a week of cramping over this shot any day! I really wanted to like it."

• Ley...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Please read!! I got Depo Provera 2 months after I had my daughter for birth control. Worse decision ever. I know everyone reacts differently to a drug, but trust me when I say stay away from this. I got only one injection that lasts three months, but that was enough to destroy my mental health. It was horrible, made me gain 10 pounds in just three months, gave me the worst depression and anxiety of my life. Two years later and still no recovery, my doctor had to put me on antidepressants. Please read the reviews before you get the injection because after you get it, it will be too late!! This drug should be out of the market. I give it one star. It is awful, don’t do it."

• Aan...
• December 21, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "4 months on Depo and I absolutely HATE it. I got my shot in August, for the first week, everything was fine. Then I got what I thought was my period, when, in fact, I have no idea if this was my period or the bleeding Depo causes! Ever since August, I had this bleeding that lasted literally up to the day I was supposed to get my next shot. It stopped on that EXACT day I was scheduled for my appointment, but I had to reschedule 2 weeks later. So once I got my 2nd shot, I figured this bleeding wouldn’t come back, right? Well, no longer than a week later, I started bleeding again, and I’ve been bleeding for 11 days now. I regret this shot so much, and I’m mad with my doctors for not discussing the side effects with me in the first place. Not to mention, the entire 3 months I’ve had mood swings, random bouts of anger/depression, and my sex life has gone downhill due to bleeding. I will not be getting my next shot at all, in fact, I’d rather switch to pills or leave birth control alone COMPLETELY."

• cie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2018

For Birth Control "This drug is good for preventing pregnancy. But the side effects are terrible. I’m currently on my second shot, almost a month in. My first shot, I was moody as hell. I also had irregular spotting. I had even worse cramps than I had on my period before I got the shot. Pamprin and Midol didn’t even help. The second shot gives me IBS symptoms and depression. It’s like certain foods trigger diarrhea, gas, and bloating constantly. But before, I had no problem with this. I’m convinced it’s the hormones. Makes it difficult to get wet too. My sex drive is high as it’s always been, but I just can't get wet, and sex is painful. I’m not getting another shot. Can’t wait for the 13 weeks to be over!!"

• Mua...
• June 18, 2015

For Birth Control "This was a huge mistake for me. Do not take it. I wish I read the reviews before I got it. I only got one shot, which lasted for 3 months, and only in three months I gained 10 pounds! My lifestyle didn't change, I was working out pretty much every day and eating healthy, still I got bigger than before. Everything got worse when I discontinued the shot. I got super sad and cried for no reason, my energy is 0 right now, I just want to be in bed all day. I am sleepy during the day. The acne seems to increase a lot, even in unusual areas like my scalp. My period is super messed up, I bled for two months. I don't want to have sex. I knew about the side effects before, but I didn't know that it gets worse even stopping the shot. This is too much to handle."

• kar...
• May 29, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started the Depo Provera on June 20, 2014. This was going to be my first time on birth control, and I thought this would be an easy way, not having to worry about taking a pill daily, and I heard eventually it would stop your period to begin with. Boy, was I ever wrong. When I started the Depo, I got the shot while I was on my period, so it ended like it was supposed to. The next month (July), my period came early, and it did not stop until September. It was the WORST choice I've ever made. My whole summer was ruined because my period was so heavy. I went through depression, which I never have before! I did not get another shot! I'm glad I made the choice to stop. Now, over a year later, my body is back to normal. Thank God."

• Roy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

For Birth Control "My 1st Depo-Provera shot was in August, and I have been sick since then. It stopped my periods, but I'm spotting, I'm forever exhausted, I get a horrible headache and pains when I'm hungry, my mood swings are so terrible, and I always want to be alone. I'm so depressed and anxious, and I feel like a zombie. My next shot is on the 18th, and I'm not going, I'll seek alternative contraceptives. I'm not a sickly person, but this shot has got me sick for 3 months."