Depo Provera and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the Depo shot for almost 10 months now, and it hasn't been too bad. The only problems I've had are severe mood swings, nausea, and headaches daily. I'm a sick person anyway, so I'm not sure if I've gotten other side effects, but I do know those are from the Depo. My periods are now pretty much gone. My second shot, I had a period for about 2 months, but it wasn't heavy. I plan on getting off of it, though, after this shot wears off because I have been reading a lot of bad things about the shot. Severe mood swings, depression, anxiety, hair loss, osteoporosis, infertility, etc. I eventually want to get pregnant, but you can lose all options if you continue the shot for an extended period of time, and I don't want that to happen."

• Mar...
• January 19, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worst decision I have ever made. I have fibroids, and I got the shot on 11/11/2019 to help me with the heavy periods problem, so my period was gone until 1/11/2020. I started bleeding, and it’s the worst nightmare. I have even been having painful cramps, heavy bleeding, horrible and continuous blood clots, headaches. Seriously, I’m praying every day for these symptoms, “side effects,” to go away. So I definitely do not recommend getting the shot, it’s been a nightmare for me."

• Kat...
• February 21, 2014

"I literally received this shot a few days ago, and I can already feel a difference. I was on the pill with no problems but had to stop taking it because of the migraines that I get and the possible risk of taking the pill. My chest is very sore, I'm tired, getting random headaches, and sort of down (mood). I'm not as talkative, it's almost like my personality just disappeared overnight. I definitely don't feel like my usual self. I wanted to see some reviews to see how quickly others were feeling side effects and what they are experiencing. It seems like these symptoms have a possibility of going away... not sure how long I want to wait, even though I still have a minimum of three more months."

• bal...
• February 27, 2015

For Birth Control "It is effective. However, the weight gain of 30 lbs, now I need to lose 60 lbs. The headaches, dizziness, and tiredness. Feeling hungry constantly and occasional numbness in my hands and feet. I am thinking of trying Implanon, but the reviews don't look so great. Would prefer getting my tubes tied, as we have a nice-sized family. I have been on it for 13 months since my youngest was born, and I hate that I eat and feel pregnant even though I am not."

• Cat...
• May 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 18 years old, and I've been on this since I was 15, two months before my sixteenth birthday. I have done loads of research on this shot, and after taking it this long and reading everyone's complaints, I have reached a final conclusion that this shot has deteriorated my health tremendously. I have always had problems with feeling depressed, but ever since I got on this shot, I've been feeling so horribly suicidal and anxious, my mood has been affected so badly too. I am always stressed or not really sure about what or how I feel. I have really bad abdominal pain, and not to mention the worst headaches and dizziness of my life. I am constantly dizzy and fatigued, and I gained lots of weight. It prevents pregnancy, yes, but not worth it."

• Que...
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I highly recommend the Depo-Provera shot (especially if you would like to gain some weight)! I decided to take the Depo shot because I kept forgetting to take the pill (this later led to a pregnancy which was followed by a miscarriage because of stress from the situation I was in). I didn't know anything about the Depo-Provera shot and was never given any kind of pamphlet on it. I was at 105 lbs when I first started the shot. Now I'm at 132 lbs. I've been on the shot for 2 1/2 months. My anxiety is worse (I'm on medicines for anxiety), I've had throbbing headaches (I also have medicine for this), and my periods are super weird. I'll barely bleed most of the time I go to the bathroom. It's almost like I don't have a period, but the cramps come and go. So far, it's doing its job and preventing pregnancy. However, my sister has friends who gained 100+ pounds being on this shot, so I was suggested to keep the late-night snacks to a minimum, but I choose not to and it's not really affected me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2014

For Birth Control "My first shot of Depo was great, no mood swings or any other side effects other than some very light spotting. Happy with my first shot, I got a 2nd, but it didn't turn out as the first shot did. I'm happy because there's no mood swings or really any mental side effects, which is why I switched from the pill. However, I was told my period would completely go away or just be light spotting, but for some reason I have now been having a normal/heavy period for over a month now, which is concerning. I've also been experiencing a lot of headaches and cramps that can get so bad they'll sometimes wake me up from dead sleep. I'll be going to the doctor soon to get off of this, blood loss is not fun :c don't think this is super common though."

• Alu...
• November 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I got a total of 3 Depo shots. So in a few weeks, I'm due for my 4th, and I decided to not take it. First of all, YES headaches, depression. I wouldn't say mood swings because I only was sad/upset/angry/tired, never wanted sex, always complaining about something. I was very unhappy for the past year and just NOW realized that the hormone shot was the reason. Did not help me gain weight like I wished (maybe a couple of lbs). Very bad abdominal pain, yes, period for the whole first month. I would not recommend it. Moms, stay away, this makes you a ZOMBIE!"

• Ceb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I just had my first shot 2 months ago. I have not been myself, constant headaches, serious contraction pains, loss in sex drive. I have been bleeding for almost a month. I feel sick all the time, no energy, and I am experiencing hyperpigmentation on my face. I have become so dark, also I can't sleep well and loss of appetite. I can't wait for it to wear off. I am not getting it again. I hope I return to my normal self after it wears off."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Depo for about a year and a half. I was loving this form of BC until about 3 months ago. I started having massive and debilitating headaches that would last 2-3 days after getting shot. My last shot (a month ago) I started bleeding 2 days before I got my shot and have been bleeding ever since. It's rather a heavy flow and goes from being brown for a few days to bright red with clots (with horrible cramps) for a few days then back to brown blood and keeps alternating. I have never even spotted from the beginning of taking this drug until this last month. I have an appointment in a week to get a PAP and lab. Will update on how this goes."

• Roc...
• December 2, 2015

For Endometriosis "Do not get this shot! It tried to ruin my life. Heavy sporadic bleeding, mood swings, depression, headaches, body aches, no sex drive, terrible cramps. I have little/no emotion for almost everything. I only had 2 shots. I just want to get back to my normal :("

• J89...
• October 30, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took this birth control about a month ago, and at first I loved it. I was spotting for about a week after I got it, and then I stopped for maybe a month. 11 days ago I started spotting a brown colored period blood. Now it's very prominent, heavy, and red. I've been on this period for 12 days now, and I'm sick of it! I'm very moody and ALWAYS hungry. Always tired and always have headaches. I'm never irritable, and this is not me. I've gained 4 pounds. And yeah, this medicine helps prevent pregnancy, but only because you can't have sex. You're always bleeding and moody! Who wants to have sex under those predicaments? I would never recommend this medicine to anyone! And I sure am never ever getting it again!"

• kek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this drug! The side effects are awful! I woke up feeling the worst nausea every morning, to the point where I would sometimes vomit. It causes awful headaches. I had a really large clot once, along with killer cramps. My period was still irregular. Yes, it was not as heavy, but it did cause spotting for a majority of the 3 months I was on it. My skin (which happened to be getting clearer!) was breaking out throughout the 3 months and in places that I never used to break out in. Also, I went from being one of the happiest people to majorly depressed with anxiety and mood swings. I now have the worst panic attacks. It will also make your sex life become horrible! Please don't take this! Read all the reviews before you do!"

• HBM...
• April 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 16 years old, and I have been on the shot since July 2013. I haven't had any of the side effects like having unusual cramps, headaches, or acne. The only problem that I have is I spot on and off for about 2-3 weeks right before I'm supposed to get my next shot."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on the Depo shot for a year and a half. I love it because I'm not getting any periods, and it's not like the pill, having to remember it daily. However, in the course of being on this shot, I have gained 70 pounds. I'm always hungry, and I get very moody. I also have extremely bad headaches. I'm switching to the NuvaRing because my weight gain is unbearable, and my headaches are chronic."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2019

For Birth Control "Got the Depo Provera shot back in September of 2019 after I couldn’t stand my heavy, painful periods while on the pill (took that for two years). Once I got the shot, I never got another period. It works so great for me! I get headaches every now and then, but for me I’ve always had bad headache issues, and the Depo didn’t make it any worse. I haven’t noticed any weight gain, but I don’t work out like I should anyway."

• TNV...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo full-time since I was 22. I'm now 34 and still on it. I am so in love with this birth control, it's almost like an addiction for me. In the beginning, I did have some side effects with the first few rounds of shots: headaches 4 to 5 days a week, but nothing a couple of Tylenol couldn't handle. Some slight weight gain and mood swings. After a week on the first shot, my periods stopped completely. I have not had a full-on period in 12 years. I have spotted a few times, but that happens maybe twice a year, and even then, it's only for a day at the most. I'm still having mood swings, but those only seem to be during the week of when my shot is due. It absolutely fits into my plans of NEVER having a child. It's the best!"

• nec...
• January 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I am 4 weeks into the shot and feel horrible! My sex drive is gone, side pains, cramps, headaches, and so tired all the time. My mood swings make me feel like I am crazy! Oh, and now I have this metallic taste in my mouth. I just want to sleep all day because of the constant cramping. I feel horrible. My face is changing too! I am Black and my face looks so dry and discolored."

• Thi...
• February 3, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been bleeding for 5 months now. I only got one shot, and ever since I didn't get the second, it's been nonstop heavy bleeding for two months. All I can ask is when will the bleeding, depression, and headaches stop."

• emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After 5 years of not getting the shot, I decided it was time again. Endometriosis is very painful, and it had returned, so it was time. The last Depo Provera shot was great: no periods, no weight gain, no hormonal imbalances. This time, I have the hormones of a pregnant woman, and I've been bleeding heavily for two weeks since giving myself the shot. I don't have cramping too bad, and my face has cleared, but this hormonal imbalance, headaches, and heavy bleeding are kicking my butt-I'm even more tired than normal."

• Ray...
• January 26, 2020

For Endometriosis "I was put on the Depo shot a year ago to help treat my extremely painful periods. It stopped my menstrual cycle, so for a year I've been able to avoid the terrible pain I was in every month. However, the side effects have been awful. My whole face is covered in painful acne, and I didn't have this problem before the shot. I've experienced terrible headaches, I've spotted the whole year I've been on it, and had other discharge as well. My anxiety is through the roof, and it has worsened my depression. My advice is to stay far away from the shot if you can avoid it. I can say it's been nice not having the terrible pain endometriosis was causing me every month, but the other side effects are almost just as bad. I just had my last shot and will never take it again."

• Dan...
• July 1, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "It's been about three months for me, but these last three months I've been bleeding for two weeks straight every month, and this month it's going on three weeks. It sucks. I'm having bad mood swings and real bad headaches."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I am so thankful for this birth control. I switched from the pill to Depo because the pills gave me horrible anxiety and depression. Immediately after I switched, I was myself again. After two doses, my periods stopped. I know birth control affects everyone differently, but I have had no negative side effects at all. My only complaint is after every injection, I would get a headache for a couple of days. I'm 21, and I just hit the two-year mark, and my doctor recommended that I switch to a different BC this month, and I'm so sad and nervous... I am worried about getting the negative side effects of a new BC after being worry-free and comfortable for 2 years."

• loc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I didn't get pregnant, which is the only reason I'm rating this a 2. I have been bleeding for 56 days straight as of today. Since I got the shot, I have experienced severe fatigue, 1-3 hour long headaches, appetite issues, inability to get out of bed, and horrible cystic acne."

• Kur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2015

For Birth Control "So, I've been on Depo for two years now. And I'll say, it has been the worst! I've gained 12 lbs. I have constant headaches and backaches. I'm very moody. I spot one month after getting the shot up until I get the next shot, then it repeats. I have bad cramps and lots of hot flashes. I'm getting off the shot next month because this just isn't the BC for me."