Depo Provera and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Wor...
• November 8, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Depo stopped my period when I got my first shot. Almost a week later, I started spotting. I had been consistently spotting for about three weeks. Then I just started bleeding more. It wasn't bad, but it's progressively gotten heavier with large clots. Been over 8 days now. I've had headaches, acne, increased appetite, no sex drive, painful sex, fatigue, chills, abnormal bleeding. Worst decision I've ever made."

• Ken...
• August 28, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I've had two shots so far. My period has been heavy when I get it, and I spot all month long. I've experienced depression in the past, and it seems like it's gotten worse on the shot. I've actually attempted suicide since I've started the shot. My sex drive is crap, and my mood swings are crazy. I don't recommend this shot to anyone."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the depo to help regulate my period. Worst mistake of my life, my period has been on all month! I got the shot in June 2019, had a month period in July 2019. My doctor said it was normal since I was in the beginning stages. I decided to give it another try and got the second shot in September, my period has been on the whole month of October 2019. This is awful, my hair is thinning, I’m depressed most of the time, and plus my sex drive is slacking up to the point my boyfriend will not even tolerate my moody behavior. Depo is awful, please, ladies, stay away from this birth control!!!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worst decision ever! Everyone I had talked to had good experiences. So I decided to go ahead and get it, despite my gut feeling and all of the horror stories I had heard. I have been bleeding for almost three months now, and it is heavy. I have no energy, no sex drive, and constant stomach and head pains. I spend a ridiculous amount on pads and tampons, have destroyed all of my underwear, and to top it all off, can't afford health care, despite working 40+ hour weeks. PLEASE DON'T GET."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on Depo for 3 months, was bleeding for 2 months, gained weight, no sex drive, weakness in my knees, depressed from all this... I was due for a second time in May. I'll choose anything else except this shot. The pharmaceutical company makes $$$$$, guess that's why they won't tell you the worst part of it. I suffered."

• 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!"

• 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."

• MsT...
• December 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on the shot for 7 years, no cycle, no other children, and no weight gain. The only side effect that I think I'm having now is a low sex drive because I can't get into sex like I used to. I don't like taking pills and forget to with vitamins, so I know they wouldn't be a good idea. But I do think being on the shot for so long actually messed with the hormones because my face tends to break out every other week, but other than that I love it, but it's time to get off!"

• 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."

• jen...
• November 26, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on this shot for almost 3 years now, starting out just to help with abdominal pain and now for use of birth control. I love that I have never had a period, let alone spotting, no cramps, nothing. Just recently, I have been having terrible headaches that make me nauseous. I have gained at least 15 lbs, which is very depressing, and sex drive... well, that's long gone (which seems very odd for a 20-year-old). Reading the reviews helped a lot, thank you!"

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worst experience ever. First time on any form of birth control, and the shot has scarred me to stop using birth control in any form. Took my first shot back in September 2016. Started spotting in late October 2016. Eventually, I had to stop using panty shields and start using pads. I'm still bleeding (January 11, 2017)... I lost my BF because sex has been so difficult and painful. Saw a gynecologist, he told me to switch to the pills, it should regulate it, but I just want to stop using overall and get my body back to normal. I thought since my three months are up, the bleeding would stop, but no such luck. I just hope that eventually everything goes back to normal. I miss my regular five days of my period. I miss seeing my discharge."

• sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got this shot in March 2019. It is the worst mistake I ever made in life. It is now September going on October, and I am still bleeding. At first, it was every single day for about 3 months. I didn't get a second shot. I started to spot every now and then after 3 months, and then I stopped bleeding for a few weeks. Now I bleed for 2 weeks straight and get a few weeks break, and then 2 weeks again. Currently, approaching my second week of bleeding while typing this, and the bleeding is very heavy to the point where I am afraid to even sit down. Highly not recommended. No sex drive, cramps, moody, depressed, weight gain, and the list goes on."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on the Depo shot for about 8 months now. My doctor decided to put me on a form of BC to try and control my overactive hormones. I chose to go with the Depo shot as I knew it would help me gain weight (and I was underweight before the shot). I started gaining weight within the first 3 months of being on Depo. Which was a great thing for me at the time! On the downside, though, I did start to have night sweats and hot flashes along with a decreased sex drive and depression/anxiety."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2020

For Birth Control "In high school, I was on the pill, then, a few years ago, I had the Nexplanon implant, and after side effects and complications with that, I switched to Depo-Provera. It was a huge improvement from the implant, although it came with some minor side effects that I wasn't aware of. It has helped manage my anxiety and also my depression to a lesser extent and has been effective at preventing pregnancy. I have no period and only occasional mild spotting. However, my sex drive took an almost unbearable nosedive. That's the only awful thing, also uncomfortable vaginal dryness. Other than that, I'd recommend it."

• Joj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 28, 2019

For Endometriosis "Best birth control drug I have used for my endometriosis treatment. I was on it for about 2 years the first time and had switched to Nexplanon, but it didn’t work as well. I have since switched back to Depo Provera and have enjoyed the same benefits as I had before. I have never experienced any weight gain or lower sex drive from any birth control I’ve ever been on, and I was diagnosed at 17 (I am turning 24 in August for reference)! This drug has been great, as none of the other methods, including the pill, have worked. This has been the only medication to provide any sense of relief from pain and ovarian cysts developing. This medication has also been the only drug to effectively put my body in “medical menopause,” which the doctors told me I needed to experience a remission from endometriosis after my surgery at 17. I will never look back after using this medication. It’s also convenient that I just pop into the doctor once every 3 months for not even 5 minutes."

• Yea...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I started the shot around Feb and went into the clinic not knowing what I wanted. I decided on the shot there and then, but then read more reviews after I got it that freaked me out - depression, loss of sex drive, anxiety, etc. I'm pretty moody as it is, so I was terrified of what I had put in my body. I did bleed and spot for about 3 weeks after, which I think is totally normal because that has happened to me in starting any new birth control (pill & patch). Then I started to realize that my body was taking really well to it. I never noticed any major mood swings aside from the emotional being I already am (know yourself!). Got the second shot & still going good! I'm sure there are long-term effects though that could be considered."

• Ble...
• April 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I am not able to use oral contraceptives containing estrogen, as I have migraines with auras (which puts me at a highly increased risk of stroke). As such, I have been getting Depo-Provera shots for the past 2 years. I have not gained any weight at all while on the shot, and my weight has remained extremely constant. I stopped getting periods altogether after the second shot and have had very light spotting only a few times (lasting less than a day). My only issue is that my sex drive has decreased slightly, but not severely enough that it has significantly affected my relationship with my boyfriend. I think the shot affects everyone differently, but for me, it is the best option available, and I have not had many side effects using it."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the shot in mid-June. On July 18th, I started getting the signs of a period. I went through all the symptoms for a week with no bleeding. I finally started bleeding, but it was dark brown and tar-like. It's September 18th, and with only a week break, I have been bleeding this whole time. My skin is breaking out horribly (never used to break out). Can't lose weight, increased appetite, period symptoms the whole entire time (moodiness, lethargic, etc.). No sex drive. Like 100% non-existent. Cannot tell people enough: DO NOT GET THIS SHOT."

• Ste...
• December 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on the Depo shot for over three years now. I was so happy to get rid of my period. I've had none of the side effects that people have mentioned, such as depression, migraines, or loss of libido, actually, I think it increased mine. Haha. But the only thing that I've noticed was the weight gain, and it was only maybe 5 lbs a year, so it wasn't that noticeable. The only thing that I've noticed is that as you are ending the year and getting your first shot for the new year, you tend to bleed irregularly for a week to two weeks. But I've had nothing but positive things from this shot."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I started Depo as an alternative to the pill due to the fact that I kept forgetting to take it. At first, it was a miracle. My period immediately stopped. I did gain a bit of weight, but it wasn't anything that I thought about too much. But after my third round of the shot is when problems started to occur. I became incredibly unstable. My moods were unbearable to the point where it almost cost me a relationship. I was constantly depressed, no sex drive, and the scale kept climbing even after efforts to eat healthier and exercise. I decided to go off of it, and everything just stopped. I feel normal again. My weight dropped."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Depo shot definitely stops you from getting pregnant, but it messes up everything else... sex drive, mood swings, and while on the shot, my period wasn't bad, but once I stopped it, I didn't get my period for 4 months. Then, out of the blue, I started bleeding like crazy. Now my period comes whenever. I can't even tame it... I won't bleed for 5 days, then out of the blue, I start spotting or bleeding, especially after sex, which is causing issues with me and my partner because he gets disgusted with the blood, as he should!! So now my partner is afraid to have sex with me because he doesn't know if my period will come down in the middle of it... horrible experience."

• bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for 2 years. I'm 5'3", 120 pounds naturally. I weighed up to 130 while on the shot. It is extremely effective for protection against pregnancy. Although I have no sex drive, terrible mood swings, and weight gain in the abdomen, face, and buttocks. The pros would be clear skin and effectiveness against pregnancy, but I wouldn't recommend it for short-term birth control or for women who gain weight easily. It took my body almost a year to regulate itself after stopping."

• Kat...
• November 1, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've had it, and I have breakthrough bleeding here and there, very light but lasts for a while. I've noticed a slight shift in mood, and I haven't broke out as much. Still cramps around period time, but rarely bleed, but my sex drive has depleted completely. I hate it. Excellent at preventing pregnancy, but that's only because you lack the motivation for sex."

• Pri...
• February 5, 2017

For Birth Control "My experience with the Depo shot was great! I love it! I've been on it for 2 years now, and I am currently still receiving the shot. Honestly, I've experienced no type of bad side effects from the Depo shot. I didn't gain any weight, didn't become depressed, or have mood swings, it didn't lower my sex drive or cause me any discomfort with my periods, etc. I literally haven't, and still don't experience anything bad with the Depo shot to this day! I love the Depo shot because it's something you don't have to worry about taking every day. It's quick, easy, and comfortable. And works amazingly at preventing pregnancy! I 100% definitely recommend anyone to give the Depo shot a try!"