depo-subQ provera 104 and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Jud...
• March 6, 2015

For Endometriosis "I've had endometriosis my whole life. Six surgeries. I was on Lupron 2x. Birth control pills. Finally, the depo was my last resort. The first time, it made me bleed every day for 7 months. I didn't give up on it. It made me gain weight because it increases your appetite, and you don't realize it until you go off of it. I still didn't give up. I've been on it now for 5 years, and I have joined Weight Watchers and increased exercise. I have not had a period in 5 years. I don't miss the agony, the pain, the hospital visits, being bedridden for 3 days a month. I love the Depo, and now I'm making progress with losing weight, so I'm happy."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 23, 2019

For Endometriosis "I have been on this for almost 2 years now, it was working great, no side effects, and also keeping my endometriosis under control (the main reason it’s all I can use). Suddenly, I started having large gushes of blood while not on a period with the depo-subQ Provera. I would spot for a few days, then stop, then a large gush, heavy enough to bleed through my oversize pad and my clothing. I have had many ultrasounds, MRIs, and still no answer to why this started after being on it for so long. If anyone else has experienced that, I would love to know if you have found a cure. I need the depo to help my endometriosis, so unfortunately, I can’t use any other form of birth control."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2011

For Endometriosis "I've only taken one shot, it has been somewhat of a last-ditch effort to provide some pain relief from endometriosis and polycystic ovaries. The first month was great, no pain and very little spotting. The second month has been horrible, I had a period for 2 1/2 weeks, and the other 1 1/2 I had spotting along with horrible (at times) pain that even Lortab won't fully control. The doctor gave me estrogen to stop bleeding, and that took a week. As of now, I am not taking another shot. I told my husband that I can feel this bad for free. If this third month goes okay, I may reconsider. I've tried everything, and it's bad... looks like hysterectomy is the next step."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2011

For Endometriosis "I've had endometriosis for over 20 years and have had about enough of the pain and the accompanying anemia from blood loss. In the last 5 years, my blood loss from the endometriosis has increased tenfold, and I have developed severe iron deficiency anemia. My OB/GYN and I decided to try Depo again (last time was in the early 90s), and I had my first shot in July of 2011. August was HEAVEN! No period, and my iron levels tested almost normal. I was human again! Now it's September, and I have had a 'period' (in quotes, because it's more like a normal woman's period) for over 15 days, and I feel like I have been hit by a Mac truck. No endometriosis pain, but my iron levels are so low from bleeding that all I can do is sleep. When it works, it's fantastic."

• Ell...
• March 1, 2016

For Endometriosis "Was on depo shot for 9 months. First, I had lighter periods, and the endometriosis pain was better. Second month, I had a light period, but it was all month. And then after that, the pain was less, and there was no bleeding. I started to gain weight. Almost 50 pounds. I already have back pain from a herniated disc, so I did not go and get my last shot. Endometriosis pain is back ten times worse. And I have been bleeding almost nonstop since September 2015, and it is now March 1, 2016. I'm gonna go back to the doctor and have a hysterectomy. I cannot stand the bleeding or the pain."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2015

For Endometriosis "I started on the shot in 2013 to help with the pain from endometriosis. My cycle was pretty regular, but I was in constant pain. The first year went pretty good, with no side effects. After the first year, I started bleeding heavily and continued to for three months. I was put on estrogen, and the depot shot went from every twelve weeks to ten weeks. After three months of this, I underwent a uterine ablation. The bleeding stopped, but the pain from the endometriosis is still an everyday problem, and I have put on 45 lbs, my blood pressure has gone up. My doctor and I have decided the depot shot is no longer an option. The shot worked, I suggest monitoring your health while on it."

• Mes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I don't know what to do anymore because I'm staying with my husband 24/7. We can't have sex because I'm bleeding nonstop. It has been 3 months now. I would like to know if there is something I can do to stop it."

• daw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2018

For Birth Control "DON'T get this shot, because it hurts your body. It's not like you can stop taking this drug. It causes a wide array of problems, and you don't know if they will affect you until you get the shot. I have had pretty good experiences with changing birth control before, and had no abnormal bleeding, no painful periods, no nothing, so I thought it would be OK. Literally the day I got the shot, I started my period again (it had just ended, too), and I didn't stop bleeding for 90 days. For the entire 3 months, my entire uterus and vaginal opening was in complete agony. I couldn't stand being touched, and my husband got really angsty. I had the worst cramps of my life, too. The DAY the shot wore off, everything was better."

• Res...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

"Please never go for the depo-subQ Provera 104. I've been bleeding since I stopped my first depo. I feel like I've been bleeding since forever. I know my husband isn't happy with that since we cannot have sex like before, but then he is very much understanding. Thank goodness. But I wonder when the bleeding is going to stop. Unaccountable number of pads, I am so sick and I feel frustrated. Doctor prescribed me some pills. It works, but the next period again is the same. I don't want to take pills over and over again. What am I going to do? How am I going to make it stop? I am so sick of it. Tired. Frustrated. Angry."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I highly recommend depo-subQ provera 104. I was on it for a little over 2 years (which is not recommended). I didn't have a period, which I loved, and I only had to go in and get it every three months, which was also very nice. The only reason I stopped Depo was in order to try and get pregnant. Once I am done having kids/take a break from having kids, I will definitely go back to Depo. I also didn't have many side effects from Depo, just breakthrough bleeding some months."

• Dee...
• October 23, 2019

"I took this crappy depo-subQ Provera 104 after I miscarried my son in 2004. They gave me the Depo in February 2004, and I didn't stop bleeding until September! Every time I thought it was going away.... BOOM, I'm bleeding heavy all over again to the point that my iron became low, it was way too much bleeding. Seven months, SMH, and I see it hasn't changed years later."