Depo Provera and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• rik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I took this shot about 2 months ago and was excited for it. I had read many good things about it, and I am quite a forgetful person, so a shot once every three months was great. Little did I know, though, that it would not be great for me. I had my period for 17 days. It finally went away, but now I have my period again, hoping it won't last 17 days again... Just like a previous reviewer stated as well, I was super energetic and lively, and this shot has made me quite withdrawn and quiet. I really hate that. I also feel myself becoming a little more emotional over small matters that I would laugh at before. This wasn't the birth control for me."

• Net...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After I had my baby, my doctor suggested that I get on birth control. The depot is easier to take one every three months. So, I decided to go with that birth control method. I got the depot shot on September 6th, 2015. Come October, I get my period, it's an irregular period. I usually bleed for 3 to 4 days. Now I bleed heavier and longer. It's been 8 days and counting. I'm not due on December 6th for another shot. I'm definitely not continuing this depot shot. I've been depressed, very emotional, moody, and my attitude has changed since I've been on this shot. I constantly argue with my boyfriend. This shot has a lot of bad side effects, but I haven't been feeling like my normal self since I've been on this shot. I wouldn't recommend this shot to anyone. Please go with other options."

• Deb...
• April 30, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Awful experience on Depo. Only had one shot - never again. Bleeding non-stop for 3+ weeks. Serious mood changes and anxiety. Total loss of libido! Been to the docs twice, but nothing can counteract it, so stuck with it making me feel lousy till it wears off. Do not recommend this contraceptive to other women. I would rather be sterilized than feel the way I do!"

• pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worst decision ever!! Got the Depo shot after 6 weeks postpartum, thinking it was the most convenient birth control method. Oh, so wrong. Got it 4-17-15, started bleeding 5-1-15, a month after I am still bleeding. Limited sex due to period bleeding, it's not pretty. Terrible mood swings. Increased cravings for sweets and junk food, dizziness, very tired and sleepy. Well, it's a horror story. I am not going back for a 2nd shot, no way. I will never get another shot of this medicine that transformed me into a nonstop bleeding witch."

• Car...
• October 26, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took the 3-month Depo shot in May this year. I have been bleeding nonstop for the last 5 months. I have been to the doctor twice and been given tranexamic acid and taken the entire two boxes to no avail. This week, the bleeding has gotten so heavy that I'm soaking through tampons in less than 3 hours. I'm taking iron tablets and folic acid so that my body doesn't crash. As for sex... that's out of the question, so I don't see a point of this form of birth control. I hate Depo. I hate how I had a normal and very regular cycle, now I'm a mess of mood swings, craving junk food, gaining weight, and I hope this strain doesn't compromise my relationship with my partner. Never use this drug, it will mess you up."

• Use...
• March 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this shot for 5 years, almost 6 now. I had had no serious problems. I gained about 40 pounds, and I am having trouble losing it, but that is it. When I first got on this, I actually lost weight and was the smallest I'd ever been, but I decided to try to switch to the pill (hated it) and then got back on Depo, which is when the weight gain happened. I had major mood swings, but am now on another medication to help control that. It definitely works, and I love not having a period! Just hate the weight gain. This is definitely a birth control I would recommend."

• Jan...
• August 17, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Had only one shot. I was spotting for 3 months every day, experiencing cramps, dizziness, nausea, and mood changes. I never took another shot, yet I am still spotting and I still have abdominal pain, irregular bleeding, and my mood is changing rapidly. I would never recommend this product to anyone. What's more, I think it should be taken off the market immediately."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo-Provera for about 6 weeks now. As for my period, it's been amazing. I haven't gotten my period once, and I've gotten spotting once, and it lasted around 2 seconds. Unfortunately, about once a week, I get excruciating migraines to the point where I can't see. Also, I am having such bad hair loss, I'm starting to get worried. I'm also finding some foods I love are making me nauseous, and I've become slightly claustrophobic. The worst of all, though, are my constant mood swings. I am constantly mad over nothing at my boyfriend. Almost every other day, I seem to get really mad out of nowhere. It's like I'm not myself. Depression isn't really an issue, but it comes with my mood swings. I also have no sex drive whatsoever."

• Kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Depo-Provera for about nine months. I would bleed consistently for a month and a half... consistently. The other month and a half would go by fine. Sometimes the bleeding would start at the beginning month and a half, and sometimes it would start at the ending month and a half. This caused me to get so many bacterial infections (my doctor said the bleeding was throwing off my pH). I was cranky and depressed for no reason. Yes, it did prevent me from getting pregnant, but the side effects I could not deal with!"

• kma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2013

For Birth Control "Been on this for about a year and a half. I actually do like it because it's convenient, and you only have to get it every three months. I, however, have gained about 25 pounds. It makes you want to eat everything in sight and makes you an emotional being. It did not mess with my libido, which is a good thing. I don't get my period, just usually spotting about two weeks before I'm due for another shot."

• Tzh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Depo shot again after being off birth control for 8 years. The doctor talked me into it, although I warned her I go crazy. By crazy, I mean extreme mood swings, severe depression, and suicidal thinking. I thought, okay, maybe now that I'm in my 30s, birth control would be different. I am the same person I was when I was a teenager. Depo and all hormonal birth control cause severe mental health issues for me, my mother put me on birth control as soon as I hit 15. Soon after, I was diagnosed and put on various psych drugs. It took many years to believe in myself and stop listening to doctors that hormones don't cause issues that severe. Well, they do. And I made the mistake of trying it again. I won't be getting my next shot this month. Do the rhythm method, ladies. Hormones are a disaster for your mental health and your body."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "From the day I started the Depo, til this second, I have not stopped bleeding. I’ve been on the Depo for 5 months and not looking to take the 3rd round. It’s affected my mood, it’s affected my sex drive, it’s affected my relationship, and it’s affected the way I feel about myself. It’s always heavy bleeding, and when I finally feel like it’s going to stop, it gets worse. I’ve ruined every pair of underwear I own. I feel so gross and disgusted with my body that I don’t even want to have sex, and my partner’s been understanding, but it’s hard for him as well. As soon as I wake up, I just want to go back to sleep and always wake up in the WORST mood, which affects my relationship with my partner and family. My doctor recommended getting the Depo, but then wouldn’t see me for medication to stop the bleeding, he has the nurses help me when I’m there. I DON'T recommend the Depo at all."

• Jas...
• April 29, 2021

For Birth Control "In the past, I haven’t been the best at remembering to take birth control pills, so I figured this would be more convenient. I was aware of side effects like spotting and gaining weight, but I suffer from really bad cramps, and this was supposed to diminish that. For the first few weeks, I was fine; I had one period, and it was very light. But a month later is when things really started to kick in. I’ve always suffered from anxiety and have had my episodes of depression here and there, but this was unreal. I would have the worst mood swings, going from being intensely paranoid and borderline panic attack to suddenly feeling next to nothing. I felt so empty and numb and started questioning if I really even loved my boyfriend or if my life was even worth it... I just didn’t feel like me at all."

• Lim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2023

For Birth Control "I'm 17, and this is the first birth control I've been on. I had 150 mg of the Depo injection at my OBGYN office. I've only been on this injection for a few weeks, and side effects are already kicking in. The first day I even got it, I had abdominal pain, body aches, and piercing sensations around my body. My arms and legs have started to ache, I've had mood swings, a feeling of emptiness, increased feelings of depression, severe anxiety, and headaches. I was not told all of the side effects, and this injection was almost glorified by my doctor. She only told me I might retain water weight, lose hair (I haven't), and miss my periods. She never spoke of anything else I've been experiencing, as well as everyone else it seems. I don't recommend this injection, I'm planning on switching to a different method, like the Annovera ring, after research."

• Mid...
• October 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Depo Sep 30. Three days after I finished my cycle, it’s been about one month, and my periods completely stopped. I did not gain any weight, but I also eat very healthy and hit the gym six times a week. I do, however, feel the mood swings and sudden spikes in sadness on random days."

• Sic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I loved the idea of taking one shot and not having to deal with pills. The birth control pills never worked for me, they made me sick and did not prevent pregnancy. I've had four shots so far, the first one was great, I had no period for the first month, but then the second month I had heavy bleeding and what my doctor described to me as 'my vaginal wall falling out of my body.' It was horrifying, I will spare you the details, but needless to say, it scared the crap out of me. I continued with my shots, listening to my doctor, she told me that my body just had to get used to the shot. I'm due for a shot next week, and I've decided to go without. The shot has caused me mood swings, bleeding uncontrollably, etc. No more Depo!! It's horrible."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my shot on May 4th, 2019, and I bled from May 9th all the way till August 30th. I finally stopped bleeding, and on September 4th, I started bleeding again and stopped on September 7th. I still have cramps from May 4th: crippling pain and mood swings, and on edge about everything. The Depo-Provera shot is the worst decision I have ever made."

• Dep...
• December 27, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worst thing I've ever done in my life while only trying to do the right and responsible thing. Now I wish I had done more research before I took the shot. I don't understand. I have been bleeding for 8 months straight, not one day off. It is heavier, more than light, the blood clots are huge, and I can't get pregnant because I haven't had sex in 7 months due to the bleeding. The cost of the pads, diapers, plugs, whatever you want to call them, is so ridiculous. I'm now on iron pills and vitamin C, as my iron levels are so low I am borderline for a blood transfusion. A normal count is 12.5, mine is 7.5 - under 7 you need a transfusion. My mood is horrible, and it's affecting my marriage, my job - hell, even strangers. I am not a nice person, and it's killing me, literally. DO NOT get this shot. It's a real-life nightmare that has no end in sight."

• Lal...
• July 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo Provera shot for 2 years. Absolutely hated it. The two years that I was on it, I had rapid weight gain and gained 30 lbs in two years. My mood swings were awful and became much more depressed. Also caused my anxiety to become worse. Wouldn't recommend this birth control to anybody."

• Vic...
• July 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the Depo-Provera for 7 months, and I haven’t stopped bleeding since. I’ve actually lost weight rather than gained any. I’m 20 and weigh 109 lbs when I got the shot. Now I’m 21, weighing 93 lbs. I know I’m eating, but my appetite just isn’t as normal as it was before. When I first got the Depo shot, I didn’t bleed for a good bit, it felt like I was backed up, and my tummy felt bloated, and I just felt sluggish. A month after I was supposed to get my period, BAM! I started bleeding and am still bleeding now. I’m experiencing heavy periods and horrible cramps. Besides the long, agonizing period pains and stains, I’ve also dealt with eerie mood swings and depression, I’d really feel so many emotions in one day. I stress so much over things that can be fixable, and I jump the gun a lot too. What I’m saying is I don’t feel like myself at all. The Depo-Provera can affect people in different ways, but for me, I probably won’t go back to get my 3rd shot, which is this August."

• Lou...
• June 29, 2017

For Endometriosis "I recently tried Depo Provera for my endo, and it worked great for my heavy periods and also the pain. I barely have any flare-ups like before. But my hormones are going crazy or I'm going crazy. I'm irritable all the time, and I get so mad over nothing. Wondering what's worse to go through: pain or the damn mood swings....."

• 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."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This Depo-Provera has to be the worst experience of my life. I took this medication back in September on the 7th. I was perfectly fine up until October 1st, the spotting began. I thought it was my period, but something was off, it was dark and minimal. It continued for weeks and weeks. I started taking ibuprofen to help stop it, and it worked. I finished a whole bottle of 100 pills, and it didn’t stop. Then the pills have stopped working, and the spotting got heavier. I went back to Planned Parenthood, and apparently this is 'normal.' This is horrible. I never went back for a second shot. Not to mention they prescribed me the mini pill to 'help' the bleeding, but it hasn’t done anything, so I stopped taking it. It’s been 86 days, and there are no signs of it stopping anytime soon, and it's devastating. I’m also so emotional because of this medication. I cry at least 3 times a week. I just want this nightmare to end."

• Aid...
• February 4, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After having my third baby, I decided I needed birth control that was more long-term. I decided on the shot because it was hassle-free. However, this has been a nightmare. I have been bleeding constantly for a period of 3 weeks. I delivered my last baby via c-section, and the amount of bleeding I am having now is equivalent to what I was having postpartum. I am also very cranky and go into rages of anger where everything upsets me. I have had panic attacks where I feel my heart racing and can’t catch my breath. I already suffer from celiac disease, but it seems like Depo has aggravated it. I am having flare-ups and experiencing IBS symptoms. I have three children, and all these symptoms combined are taking away from my quality of life. I am constantly cranky, cramping, panicking, or having IBS symptoms, and I just want it to stop so I can enjoy my life and babies. This is horrible!"

• Kle...
• February 23, 2017

For Birth Control "Everyone is different! However, I do not suggest this medicine if it can be avoided. Due to an abnormality in my blood, my only BC option was the Depo shot. I have been miserable since day one, and it's not getting any better. I read all the reviews against it, but I was set that it would be different for me. Hard no! My acne tripled in severity. I experience shortness of breath and muscle fatigue on the daily. The mood swings have been out of control, and ultimately I no longer feel like myself. This has really impacted my life, and I strongly urge you to avoid."