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

• kel...
• February 26, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 15 and got the shot about 2 months ago. So far, my periods have remained regular. On the downside, I now feel hungry ALL the time. All I do is eat. I have these irresistible cravings now. I'm noticing weight gain, of course, because I'm stuffing my face, but I'm miserable if I don't eat what I'm craving or when I'm hungry. Also, I've been having excruciating headaches. I already have migraines. I had them for years before I got on the shot, but they had stopped when I started a new medicine. Now they're back since I'm on the shot. It's terrible, hopefully, the cravings, appetite, headaches, and also these mood swings I've been having get better. If not, I'm switching."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I have just hit the 2-year mark of being on the shot, which they recommended to stop at this point. I am unsure what birth control to choose next. I have endometriosis, and the shot has helped so much by stopping my periods, but it has also caused almost all side effects it can cause. Weight gain, drowsiness, headaches, fatigue, awful acne, swelling in my legs and ankles for over a year, you name it, I've experienced the side effects. I do recommend it for endo patients with severe pain and bleeding, but those who don't have endo I wouldn't recommend it as the side effects would not be worth it."

• Aug...
• January 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 23 years old. I'm due for a 3rd shot the end of this month, but I don't think I'm taking it. I've had severe headaches and backaches. My eyes hurt going outside, so I have to wear sunglasses in winter! I haven't had any periods, just spotting now and then. I've gained a lot of weight while being on it because I seem to always be hungry. I have no sex drive whatsoever. I'm extremely moody. I wouldn't recommend this shot to anyone. I've heard nothing but bad things about it since being on it. And I didn't know that this shot is also used for cancer patients too. I'm going to stop the shot because of the bone strength loss and possible infertility caused by this shot."

• Mon...
• February 5, 2019

For Birth Control "It did what it was supposed to, which is stop my periods and prevent pregnancy, but it gave me some pretty bad side effects. I have only had 3 shots so far, and I am definitely ending it and going to try an IUD. 1. Weight gain, I gained 15 lbs even though I work out every day and I am pretty good about eating. I have been craving chocolate and ice cream a lot, but this wasn't a huge deal to me, though. 2. My acne has gotten worse. I went on Accutane 4 years ago, and I didn’t break out until I started this birth control. It definitely sucks to have my acne back. 3. Constant headaches. 4. Dizziness. 5. Memory loss. This is the reason I am changing birth controls. I can’t remember anything. I work at a small restaurant, and I used to be able to remember a table with 4 people's orders, and now I can’t even remember drinks. I can’t stay focused. I constantly feel emotionless. I feel like I am not all there. What sucks the most is I have to wait until it expires to feel better again."

• Sha...
• March 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I started the Depo shot January 9th, 2016, on my period, and two weeks later, on January 22, 2016, I started my cycle again and have been bleeding for 3 months and am still bleeding. I will not be going for my second injection, which is in two weeks. I also have headaches and get dizzy often, and it has been hard for me to get wet since I started. I will not recommend this to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2013

For Birth Control "I started the birth control shot in 2013, the day before my 20th birthday. To say the least, it was a terrible decision. The shot was great in some ways. I did not have a period the entire time I was on the shot (3 months) and through my 1st month on the pill after. My periods were always irregular, though. It was also nice to be free from worry about contraception. The bad overwhelmed the good, though. The first week that I was on the shot, I had bad headaches. Not migraines, but they were painful. I spotted lightly halfway through the 1st month and continued for 2 weeks. At 3 weeks, I became horrifyingly depressed. I wouldn't have survived if I hadn't known that it would likely be better once I stopped the shot."

• Kim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for 7 years. I have gotten dizzy, bones weakened, had headaches, but eventually, that stopped and I had a great experience because I didn't have a period anymore. I recently switched to the Mirena because I gained too much weight, and my bones were weak. Plus, it's not good to be on the shot that long. I have had the Mirena for a week now and am about to get it removed because my boyfriend can feel it, and I want to try the pill, although it's not that effective."

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I am currently laid in a ball in absolute agony after stopping the depo 2 weeks ago. I started it in October 2015, and the first 9 months were fabulous. On approaching my 4th injection, I started bleeding, nothing major, but it was constant, and I have been like this for the last year. I have maybe 4 days a month of not bleeding. The GP has put it down to stress. I have put on 2 stone since starting it, contrary to the GP's belief that I am eating too much and not exercising enough, and I feel utterly miserable... However, nothing compares to coming off it... Excruciating and constant headaches that feel like a permanent hangover, nausea, extreme hunger, skin so oily that my head is covered in, but the bleeding is something else. Just don't start."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "It feels so horrible. I got the Depo shot on March 16, 2021, and two weeks after I started to bleed lightly and haven’t stopped bleeding ever since. Recently, I’ve been experiencing nausea, depression, bad headaches, and fatigue. I don’t know if any of that is normal, but it’s honestly terrible. I do NOT recommend."

• Bee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had been on the Depo-Provera injection for 10 years, but unfortunately, I had to stop taking it as I had a DVT in my leg last July, which was misdiagnosed as cellulitis and given antibiotics, which then resulted in PE's in both lungs. I ended up in the hospital for 4 days, my right ventricle had swollen and was struggling to pump oxygen around my body. I was lucky as I do a lot of fitness and my heart was healthy, so I recovered within 2 weeks, thankfully. So I am not to take the Depo anymore, my last injection was October last year. Well, what a nightmare of a time I am having. My breasts are sore for about a week every month, getting frequent headaches. I never know when I am going to bleed as it happens at the beginning, middle, and end of the month. Luckily, I have not been caught short, but as I write this, I have been bleeding for 9 days solid and it is not letting up. Blood is still very red, slightly clotting on day 2 or 3, but coming off Depo-Provera has been such a nightmare for me."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo now for about two years and have had nothing but negative side effects. The only positive thing about Depo Provera is that you don't have to worry about missing a pill. I've suffered major headaches, weight gain, mood swings, hot flashes, irregular bleeding, cramping, breast pain, and a change in sex drive. I thought this would be a great option for me because I wasn't always on top of taking birth control pills. After trying Depo out for two years, I have finally decided that all these symptoms are NOT worth it. If you plan on getting the shot, do your research and know the symptoms that it comes with."

• Sta...
• January 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I have severe swelling on my vagina every time I have sex, and it's extremely painful and embarrassing. Please don't get this shot. I've been on the shot for two weeks, and this has happened. I'm scared it will happen every time I have sex. And the body pains are even worse, shooting down my back and headaches. I've never had any of this before using Depo. I was talked into birth control by my doctor, and it was a big mistake listening to her. I'll never be on another form of birth control ever. I've had too much bad luck with a lot of them. :' I wish I could get this out of my body, but I have another three weeks."

• Ano...
• October 21, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 19 and have been having heavy and painful periods since forever! I got my Depo shot last month and I spotted yesterday at school. I was with my boyfriend, but glad I took a good shower that he didn't notice... I hope!!! But the same thing happened today morning too!! All that's happening is my head is hurting a little, but it started off brownish to a proper red. I really hope it's not for long!!!! But in terms of weight gain, I have been eating a lot more, and my mood is a bit harder to control. I won't take the shot anymore, I'll go for the pill, but I would recommend dealing with the cramps and flow unless the doctor says something."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had my 1st shot on Sept 2nd. I have had nonstop bleeding since. Other side effects include extreme fatigue, chills, headache, menstrual cramps almost daily, depression, and painful urination. I want my life back. I have made 3 calls to my clinic and can't get past the front desk. All I get told is there is nothing they will do about it until after I've had my 3rd shot. Please, if you're considering this shot, don't do it."

• Dai...
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This drug was absolutely awful in my opinion. For the first couple of weeks, I had little to no symptoms. Around week 6 is when all hell broke loose. It began with tingling and numbness in my hands and feet and crazy intense headaches. It interrupted my workday, where I had to leave the office a few times to lay down. Then, I started getting crazy joint pain so intense that when I woke up each morning and got out of bed, I would scream from the pain (my pain tolerance has always been high). Next came the shoulder pain, I felt like my shoulders were full of knots that wouldn't go away. Sexually, it took its toll on me too. Week 10 came the irritability and EXTREME FATIGUE. This drug is awful, I don't recommend it whatsoever :("

• fie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2016

For Birth Control "Getting off the depo... Ever since I've got it, I've had horrible headaches every single day, the only thing that helps is Excedrin Migraine. I've gained 20+ pounds, and I'm extremely moody and tired all the time, and I spit out of nowhere. I loved the shot at first, but I'm getting off of it."

• suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I received my first Depo-Provera injection in January of this year (2021), and after one regular period, I haven’t bled at all. I also started to feel just absolutely awful-every pregnancy symptom you can think of, I have it. Exhaustion, headaches, nausea, food aversions/cravings, acne, hot flashes, aching limbs, stuffy nose, dry, itchy eyes, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, increased discharge, having to pee all the time. Pregnancy tests have been negative, but it’s pretty clear that either this drug failed and I’m pregnant, and it’s messing with my test results, or the drug has caused me to experience all these symptoms as side effects-which sucks. Whichever way you look at it, it’s an awful, terrible drug-either it’s ineffective or it’s making me feel pregnant."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm on the third shot of Depo-Provera. I have no more periods, but the side effects right now are horrible. I have headaches, my stomach is hurting painfully most of my time. I've been having hot flashes. I did get dizzy yesterday. But I haven't gained any weight, in fact, I've lost 5 pounds, but my only concern is my stomach pain, it gives me nausea. I never vomit, I only feel like it. It's huge cramping and sometimes bloating."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Had my child, may I went back to my doctor in July, got the depo shot. Within that month, before going back in September to get my second shot, I bled for about a few days and it stopped. I was sexually active, so I thought maybe it’s from that, so I cut back on my activity. It then turned into bleeding for weeks leading up to my second shot. I told the doctor, stated things should begin to slow down after it’s been in my system for a while. I’ve had no intercourse with my significant other since, and it slowed the flow, and it is now November and it finally stopped, and finally had intercourse unprotected with my significant other. I’m supposed to get my shot in December, and I’m refusing to take it. I’ve had random headaches and just been monitoring if I bleed. I still have yet to see anything besides discharge, brown-like, after bleeding stopped. Hopefully I’m not pregnant again, but I’m going to take a test to make sure. If need to be on birth control, just take the pills."

• tif...
• May 18, 2012

"I loved how convenient the shot was and how cheap it was. I only had to pay my $20 co-pay, and the injection was fully covered by my insurance. However, the cons outweighed the pros for me. My menses became very irregular, I'd have it for two months, then not get it one month, and then have it for another two months again, and it was very, very, VERY light in flow. I had abdominal cramps, headaches, dizzy spells, depressive episodes, and I wanted to eat everything in sight. Also, I started having chest pains, and my chest felt very heavy. I went online after getting curious as to what the side effects were, and I came across this website. I found all of my symptoms listed, plus many more."

• Daf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

For Birth Control "My doctor suggested it after my third child, so I decided to get it. I missed the first period after taking the shot but started for the second one. I've been bleeding for a month straight now. It's increased my appetite, making me gain 20 pounds in 2 months. I've recently started working out, so I've been trying to lose it. I've never had an acne problem, but now my face breaks out terribly too. I've been moody, with crazy headaches. It is a hormone, so obviously, it's going to have some hormone-related side effects. Read the pamphlet, check out reviews... Remember, it's an injection of hormones into your body, doctors don't know exactly what the side effects you'll have, if you have any. Basically, you're a human lab rat."

• Amb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Oh my goodness, I got such bad eczema as a result of the Depo shot. It's been 3 months since my last shot, and I'm never using it again. I started using it last year in October. The side effects were awful: trouble sleeping, hair loss to the point where I had to shave my hair, eczema got so bad I was always scratching, and the doctor's cream made it worse. My skin felt like it's on fire, bad mood swings and dark thoughts, I became overly sensitive, short-term memory loss, headaches, felt so much pain wearing high heels (probably the bone loss side effect), dry skin, I gained a bit of weight too, the non-stop bleeding for the first 3 months after the first shot. NEVER GOING ON DEPO AGAIN!"

• Whi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I hated the Depo shot at first. The first month I got my shot I had no side effects, after that, for 2 months, every single day I was bleeding. I had severe headaches that made me nauseous and messed with my eyesight. It made me super angry towards people, and I barely had energy. I just got my second shot yesterday, and my bleeding stopped the next morning! It was amazing. I hope everything starts to even out. The shot may suck at first, but if you keep with it, it’s worth it."

• Ang...
• October 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my first shot in August this year, 2016, because my boyfriend from the US will come, and we don't want to get pregnant. At first, it was awesome, I felt better, no heavy menstrual period, cramping, and headaches. But after 3 weeks from the shot, I started to experience spotting, and it never stopped. It is really uncomfortable wearing a whole bunch of panty liners the whole time. And, of course, during sexual intercourse, it was very messy, and we needed to use newspaper to cover our bed before sex. Having sex with spotting is not good. So I will not get another shot, I had to stop this. Never do it again, it's scary when you have blood or spotting continuously. My boyfriend told me to get checked and must see a doctor right away."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I have started this shot in January of last year, 2018, because my now-boyfriend for contraception and still are, but I gained a lot more weight than I wanted. Before the shot, I was 174, and after the shot, I was 224. At first, it was liberating not having my period, as before the shot I was a heavy bleeder. Now I started spotting out of nowhere, and it has been going on and off, same with the headaches. I was due for another in August, but I am not going back to get more, also due to the bone density. If I knew the side effects, I wouldn't have ever gotten it."