Depo Provera and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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 :("

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2015

For Birth Control "Taking the shot was a mistake. My period started at the usual time, then didn't stop for just under 3 months. The doctor said it was normal and should even out after the next shot, so I took a second one. After a few weeks, my period started back up and has been going for about 3 weeks now. My sex drive is dead. I had taken NuvaRing in the past and continued to have a regular 5-6 day period. I also still had a normal sex drive. Depo-Provera feels like a hormone overdose, and it's awful. No pregnancy, but I don't want to have sex because I'm bleeding all the time."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my first Depo-Provera shot in May of 2019. I had really heavy and painful periods, I was told that the Depo shot would likely stop my period altogether and I wouldn't have to worry about the pain anymore. It's almost November, and I have been spotting every single day since May. I'm due for my third shot in December, and I was told it can take up to a year for your hormones to fully regulate. I have some friends who have gone on it, and they love it, their periods have stopped completely. It seems to have regulated my mood swings because I was a basket case before. But the lack of sex drive and the permanent period might be the most annoying part of my life. Thankfully, I have a ridiculously understanding boyfriend. I'm starting to think the whole idea behind it is that if you just bleed a little bit constantly, then your uterus is completely uninhabitable for an egg, but also you feel disgusting constantly and never want to have sex. Birth control mission accomplished."

• Lpl...
• November 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on the Depo for about 9 months now and am happy to say I will not be getting another shot. I received my first shot 2 days after giving birth. I have not had a period (besides the constant bleeding for 6 weeks after delivering) but do get brown discharge instead, which doesn't bother me. The only thing I HATED was the weight gain. I gained about 3-5 lbs after every shot, and it's been VERY hard to get rid of. I also have no sex drive. But besides that, I haven't experienced any other side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Depo since having my first child. It’s been nearly 4 years, but I’ve come to realize it’s put a crazy toll on me. I love this as a form of birth control. Never had a scare and was always on time every three months. But in most recent months, I’ve noticed quite the change in my body. I’ve gained a tremendous amount of weight (40 lbs), with 17 of those lbs within these last 6 months. I am built small, I am 5’2”, my starting weight was 120, but I am now 160 on average. I cannot look at myself in the mirror, which is causing low self-esteem, no self-confidence, and straight-up anger. I have terrible back acne, joint pain in my knee, lack of sex drive, and I am always tired! I used to be extremely sexually active with my partner, and it’s now gotten to the point where he’s wondering if it’s him. I am always tired and ready for a nap or to lay down. I can’t work out, especially squats, because of my knee pain. I’m choosing to make a switch before anything gets worse."

• Sca...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2014

For Birth Control "So, I started this because I'm terrible with remembering to take the pill daily. I absolutely LOVED the fact that I only had to go in every 3 months to get it done. The shot was very minor, with little to no pain. For the first three months, it was heavenly, I had no side effects and no period whatsoever. But the road after that was hell. I gained a total of 40 pounds (in 6 months) due to the fact that I was hungry all the time. I was very moody and depressed also. Not only that, but I basically lost all my sex drive, and the majority of the time on the shot I spotted, and when I wasn't spotting, I was on my period."

• Ban...
• July 13, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the depo injection end of December 2018, and to this very day I'm still bleeding. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't get it. It ruins your sex drive and whole attitude. It's a horrible thing to go through, bleeding every single day and so, so heavy. It really is awful."

• Car...
• June 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I used Depo Provera for over 20 years. Yes, you're reading right! TWENTY YEARS! I had a great experience overall. After the first shot, I was bleeding for about a month and then no more bleeding ever! I absolutely loved that side effect. I never got pregnant, so it was 100% effective for me as birth control. I did gain a lot of weight, 75 pounds since I met my life partner almost two decades ago, but other factors might have contributed. I did not experience any mood changes, and my bone density screenings were always fine. A couple of years after I started the Depo, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but I don't know if using the Depo could have contributed in any way. My sex drive did diminish, though. I do think that this was probably related to the Depo because last year I had a hysterectomy, so I stopped the Depo, and I noticed a dramatic increase in sex drive. Still, I think it is a great birth control product."

• Cok...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 3, 2017

For Endometriosis "Suffered with super heavy, painful periods for years. Was finally diagnosed with endometriosis and an ovarian cyst 9 months ago. Absolutely no cramping after the 2nd shot, no more periods, and I'd probably rate this a 10 if it wasn't for the weight gain (not massive, but still . . .) and low sex drive. Never had an issue with naturally occurring lubrication (if that's what you want to call it), but I do now. And I don't have orgasms like I used to. Worth it? Definitely yes, because like I said, no more menstrual pain AND I don't have to buy tampons anymore when I was used to using super plus size ones at least 6-10 times a day. FYI, my insurance wouldn't cover it for a medical condition, but does cover it for birth control. Go figure."

• Ale...
• May 16, 2018

For Birth Control "A lot of people that I'm seeing have said bad things about this specific birth control, but I have had absolutely no problems with Depo Provera. I have been taking it for a year, and in the past year, my mood has been evened out, my acne has cleared up, I have had no weight gain, and my period is completely gone. The downside is my sex drive has been lowered, but I do not wish to have kids for a while, and if that is the only negative side effect of this drug, I do not really mind. Don't say 'don't use this - I had a horrible experience' because literally EVERYONE reacts differently to birth control. I would definitely recommend trying it, and if you don't like it, go back to your doctor and discuss different birth controls to try."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took my first shot in April, and the first month I didn't have a period. But in month two, spotting started off and on. Then I started getting huge clots like a miscarriage. Now, in month three, I am bleeding heavily every day and clotting like crazy. It has ruined my sex drive and almost ruined my marriage. I haven't had sex with my husband in 2 months. I've gained 10 pounds. Please do not use this without doing your research. NEVER AGAIN, BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE !!!!"

• Ken...
• October 23, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had my first Depo shot in July 2016, and I have never had periods, which to me was great because I hate the cramps I get during periods. For the past 3 months, I have been having terrible mood swings. No sex drive, but the worst was the past week: painful cramps that I couldn't get out of bed. I don't recommend this to anyone."

• Ugh...
• October 12, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Got my first and last Depo shot in September. I got the shot during my usual spotting that happens right before my period. After the shot, spotting stops, period is a no-show, and my PMS symptoms go away. Sounds great, right? Ten days after the shot, I start getting brown discharge that has gotten heavier and occasionally more pink with no end in sight (19 days and counting). This is accompanied by cramps, ache, and zero sex drive, but who'd want to have sex with all that nasty brown discharge? Now I know how the shot is so effective at preventing pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 17 and have been on the Depo shot for over two years. No periods besides occasional spotting, no pregnancy, no weight gain (I've actually lost a few pounds). I am a little more moody, and my sex drive has decreased, but I am most concerned about the long-term bone density loss. I take calcium supplements daily. It is well worth it!"

• Mis...
• June 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I loved Depo. I used the generic from age 16-21. My insurance stopped covering the shot. I miss it! On my first shot of Depo, my period got shorter and lighter each month, and on my second shot, I don't think I had a period. I know by the third shot, I trusted Depo. I threw away my emergency period travel purse before the end of the first year and never had a single drop of period for 5 years. Miracle. No condoms, no pregnancy. It helped my acne. My negative side effects were it changed my personality. I felt less social, lower libido (still functioned well), and some doctors tried to diagnose me with depression. I experienced sleep paralysis once every 6 months. Those negatives don't outweigh the positives for me!"

• Emy...
• February 5, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot in Aug. of 2015. My husband had just gotten home from the army, and we did not want children until I finished college. The 1st shot cycle I did not get my period, but we were still using other forms of contraceptive just in case. During the 2nd shot cycle, I started lightly spotting, but the doctor told me that was normal. I noticed the spotting was not going away throughout the entire 3 months and decided I did not want to go in and get my 3rd shot. I had gained weight, was irritable, and my sex drive had significantly decreased and was beginning to take a toll on my marriage. It has now been exactly 32 days since I should have gotten the 3rd shot, and I am still bleeding extremely heavily, every day, and absolutely miserable."

• 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."

• Flo...
• March 25, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This was the worst thing ever! I had hot flashes, my period was nonstop, I just bled for months. And the worst thing was I had a low libido, I was not interested in sex and could not get wet when aroused, and I was only 19! This shot was terrible."

• soj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 19, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo for about a year. My periods used to be very heavy, but now they are very light. The downside is that they last about 2-3 weeks. I've gained about 20 pounds and experienced some pretty crazy mood swings. My libido has completely crashed, and I almost always need to use lube. I got Depo-Provera because it fits my lifestyle; there's no way I could take a pill at the same time every day."

• mor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the Depo two times now. The first time started in 2012, and I took it for 2 years. I had no problems at all with it. Then, in February 2015, I decided to get back on it, and the first shot went well until towards the end of it, and I started spotting. Didn't think too much of it since I had been off it for a few months, I thought it was just normal. Got my second shot in May. It has been a terrible experience. I've bled literally the whole 3 months. My boyfriend and I can't have sex because that just makes it worse. My sex drive has plummeted. I'm due for another shot sometime this month. Not gonna get it. I actually have a doctor's appointment tomorrow regarding the bleeding. I don't recommend! No one should have to go through this!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• Rac...
• March 16, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I've been on the Depo shot for about 5 years now and have had hardly any problems. I still get period cramps, but no bleeding after the first year. The only issue I have with this medicine is that for about the first year, your period is all over the place and your sex drive is a little lacking, but otherwise it's pretty great. I recommend you get the shot every 11 weeks, though, because on the 12th week, you may start spotting and bleeding and having period symptoms-even if you had your period a week ago. So, I've had a pretty good experience with it."

• 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."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had a termination on the 15th of Jan as I already have a baby and I am not ready for another one. Whilst I was in theatre, they injected me with the Depo shot. Since that day, I have been bleeding non-stop. It has officially worn off (15th April), and it's been 3 weeks since I should've gotten the next shot, and I'm still bleeding. As my body gets closer to its original cycle, it gets heavier, then it fades out to me only changing 1 pad a day. I have become so moody and so heartless, I have no sympathy whatsoever (except for my daughter). I honestly cannot stand my partner 90% of the time. I hate having sex, and I also have no sex drive. When will it stop? Or is my body messed up forever?"