Medroxyprogesterone for Endometriosis User Reviews (Page 3)

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

"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."

• yda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2016

"I have been on Provera 10 mg for almost 3 months now. My first monthly period was painful and heavy. My second was regular, plus I clotted a lot. With my 3rd cycle, I only spotted off and on for 3 days. I haven't seen a cycle since. Besides the cramps and the spotting every now and then, I highly recommend this medicine. I have to take Provera 10 mg daily for 6 months to remove precancerous cells off my uterus. I have a 12-year-old son, and now my husband and I are praying for another child, which will be his first biological child. Has anyone besides me missed a cycle while on Provera? I have taken two home pregnancy tests a week apart, and they both said the same thing (negative)."

• Meg...
• April 5, 2015

"I started my first injection over a month ago for my severe endometriosis. The day after, I started noticing terrible mood swings, as did my family. I would get angry and freak out at the tiniest things. Usually cry over nothing. It lasted for about 4 weeks, and my moods have simmered down, but not as much as they should. He said to consider Zoloft because my hormone levels aren't normal, and I have anxiety. I have been spotting every day for the whole month and still notice some pain, but not as bad as it was before I started the injections. My ob-gyn said this was normal and assured me after the third injection this would go away. Hopefully, it does. I can now say I'm not living in hell 12 times a year."

• Ano...
• August 23, 2016

"Got recommended by the surgeon that did my laparoscopy to try Depo out after severe pain and bleeding, being bed bound for at least 4 days every month and suffering daily from the endo and interstitial cystitis, which I have alongside. It has been a godsend for me. It does take a toll with mood swings and energy, but I think the conditions contribute to that themselves also! I have probably 10 days tops every 3 months before the shot is due that I'll get very bloated (a good 4/5 lbs worth on the scales!) and feel sicky and not right with spotting, but as soon as I have the shot again, all gone! I'm happy with feeling a bit rubbish once every three months with much less pain rather than every couple of weeks doubled over! Thank God for Depo!"

• HML...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2015

"I was recently put on Depo Provera as a last-ditch effort prior to undergoing a full hysterectomy to relieve serious pain from endometriosis. While it has been effective for relieving the pain, I have been heavily spotting or more for over 2 months now... every day. I decided not to get another shot, and I am now experiencing random horrible stabbing pains in my ovary (not like the endometriosis pain). Pain aside... 2 months of feeling too gross to have sex - I feel bad for my husband! I was on Depo for years during my younger years and never had any issues. I stopped taking it because I thought I was going to be able to have children; that turned out to not be the case, so I thought it couldn't hurt to try it again... bad choice!"

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

"I had been on Depo for 5 years as a birth control method. I knew that there was always something wrong with doctors. They just told me that I had bad period cramping and basically to deal with it. It is only now, after I stopped the Depo to try and fall pregnant, that doctors have now tested me for and confirmed that I have endometriosis. The pain that I am in now is crazy, but I am not going to go back on it in the hope that I may just by chance perhaps fall pregnant! It worked really well for me when I was on it, though I had no cramping as my periods had stopped completely."

• lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2019

"I had Depo-Provera for only 6 months. It was the worst thing, literally. I got it in the first place to get rid of my period since lately I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed, and I was missing too much work and daily activities because of it, so my doctor recommended it. In less than a month, my weight went up to 10 lbs out of nowhere. Even if I tried to exercise and eat healthier, my weight would still be going up. I had terrible acne that left me scars on my face, no sexual drive at all, total dryness down there, horrible bone/joint pain (even while taking the corresponding dose of calcium supplements), even depression. The only good thing was being able to not suffer from my periods at all, but now my body is a disaster. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2020

"I cannot explain how bad the Depo-Provera is. I got this shot once in Sept. 2019 and am still having horrible issues from it, and it is now the end of May 2020. While on the shot, I bled every single day until Dec, when I had a huge bleed out. Since Dec, I have been bloated every day. Doctors now think I have an ovarian cyst that was caused by Depo. Also, I have been extremely moody since Sept! My moods and anxiety are so up and down. Never had these issues before. Another terrible side effect is my skin. My skin is extremely oily, and I believe this issue was caused by Depo. I've been through tons of shampoos, and nothing will solve my oily scalp/skin issue caused by this horrible drug. I'm shocked the side effects have lasted this long. I'm not sure when they will go away. But this drug has cost me hundreds, if not thousands, in medical bills. Very aggravated. This should not be given to women. Skip the Depo, please, unless you want to deal with all of this!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 8, 2021

"I freaked out reading reviews the first time I got the injection, but I've had a great experience. We're all different, and I just happen to be someone who didn't have a good experience with Nexplanon, but loves Depo. I'm going on my second year now, and I've gained no weight. Most importantly, my endo pain is finally gone, and I feel myself. It even helped my insomnia, which I had no idea was related to hormones. The two side effects I've dealt with were smaller breasts for a couple of months after the first injection, and irritability the day after I get the injection. That's really the worst of it."

• Tae...
• December 9, 2015

"I have was dx with endometriosis back in 2010. I have had 4 chest tube surgeries within 3 years. I was also dx with catamenial pneumothorax, which you can Google to get more info about, but it has a lot to do with my period, etc. It all goes together. But I have been on birth control pills, Lupron, and now on the Depo. And I must say the only thing that helped was the Lupron, besides the side effects of hot flashes, cold sweats, etc. But the pill was a no-go. I didn't like how it made me feel, and I have been on the Depo shots for a few months, but I must say it worked in the first few months, but now I have been bleeding for the last 4 months nonstop, and I am just stopping everything because I'm so over trying different things - it's so frustrating."

• bek...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 22, 2021

"I got my first injection in January this year for extreme periods (lasting months at a time) and cramping (so bad that I used to faint). Doctors didn’t want to do endometriosis discovery surgery, so they put me on the Depo-Provera instead. Within 2 weeks of the first injection, my personality completely changed; severe depression, zero sex drive, anxious, irritable, gained 35 pounds, extreme fatigue - the list goes on. I stayed on the injection because there was nothing else the doctor would do. I can’t leave the house without putting in an “emergency tampon” in case I start gushing blood in the grocery store. I still have severe cramps and crazy random bleeding, and the depression is getting worse. I finally switched doctors and have started transitioning off the injection and onto 5 mg progesterone instead. Do not get this injection unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. Totally ruined a year of my life."

• Kay...
• October 15, 2015

"I loved how convenient this was, one shot every three months, but look into any birth control before you put anything in your body. I thought all was well for about a week, and then I started heavily bleeding. I bled nonstop for the whole three months, and my gyno told me that the bleeding wouldn't stop anytime soon, even if I switch birth control. I've read that the bleeding is caused by the progesterone only in the shot, so some women need an estrogen supplement or a different method of birth control that contains estrogen (I'm on the patch now) to counteract the bleeding. My cramps were not as bad on the shot, but they were still there and occurred more often than before I started on the shot."

• IZz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 25, 2018

"I have endometriosis diagnosed 6 years ago via laparoscopy, but used Depo for birth control at a young age, at age 18 years old. I used it for 2 years (no periods), gained 30 lbs, depression, then had a hard time getting pregnant. I’m not sure if Depo had anything to do with getting endometriosis later in life. Now, I’m 40 years old, and I’m taking it again for endometriosis. It helped the pain, no periods, some spotting, but no sex drive. I have mood swings and am hungry all the time. I decided to have a hysterectomy soon, tired of endometriosis and periods. Good luck, people."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2016

"For starters, I've been living through endo for 9 years now. But, after two surgeries for ectopic pregnancies, my periods and pelvic pain hit an all-time high, so I decided to give the Depo shot a go. Day three after getting the shot, the bleeding/spotting started and never let up. I was constantly wearing a pad or panty liner. No bueno. Along with the spotting was off-and-on cramping, GI issues, and an insatiable appetite. I was basically having my period every single day. This went on for 4-5 months, and let me just say to women worried about gaining weight, NO! Try something else. I gained 23 freaking pounds, and now my body doesn't want to let go of that weight. All in all, this did nothing but make my severe periods moderate and constant."

• Sca...
• November 7, 2013

"When I was 7, I started puberty, I started my periods and all the other signs of becoming a 'young woman,' and I have been having pain since then. I've had 2 operations, abnormal periods, and extensive ones that have lasted 8 weeks and 21 weeks. I'm 18, and I've been on this injection for nearly 2 months, and I've had nothing but pain. I'm heavier on my period than I've ever been, and I'm constantly tired, moody, emotional, and sick. I can't hold a meal down, and I've lost 2 stone because of this and am now classed as underweight. I can't even hold anti-sickness tablets down. I was told to continue to take the pill, and then during my break I shouldn't get my period, but I have, and they've been causing that much pain I can't even walk properly."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2010

"I have been on this for the better part of the last 10 years! I loved the convenience of only having to deal with it 4 times per year. I also was lucky enough to rarely have a period (maybe light spotting once a year). However, in the last 6 months, I've been having heavy, irregular periods, so I am looking into different treatment, but I will miss the ease of the shot!"

• Pur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2021

"I am 48 years old and have been on Provera on and off for a year. About a year ago, I had my period and it wouldn't stop, it was very heavy with large blood clots, so the doctor prescribed Provera to help stop the bleeding. It did two days after taking it. My Obgyn suggested that I have the Mirena IUD. I did so and have had spot bleeding, sometimes really heavy, since having it placed in. I had to have it removed a month after due to the fact that my body was rejecting it, and I started breaking out in rashes. That was on Sept 17, and I have been on Provera 10 mg once a day. It's been 7 days, and I am still bleeding heavily with huge clots. I contacted my OBGYN, and she said to give it a couple more days, and if it doesn't stop, I am going to call her back. I am so done with this. I have been bleeding non-stop since August 6th. I feel like I have no life, I'm attached to the toilet constantly and constantly having to shower because it smells so bad, and I feel so dirty. I hope Provera starts to help soon."

• InP...
• December 22, 2017

"I was on the Depo for a few months and hated it. I got it to help with my endo, and it did help a little. At first, I had a heavy period for 6 months, the pain was still there, but not as bad, and I was able to go into work fine. I stopped taking it though because my period kept getting heavier and heavier, and I can't afford it without health care insurance. Once I stopped getting Depo, my period had stopped altogether. I felt so good. Pain was rare. That was eight months straight. Well, I recently got my period back. I've actually had 2 heavy periods in ONE month. Like extremely heavy bleeding through all my clothes. I'm changing super tampons every hour. The pain is so much worse than it has ever been before. Idk what to do."

• BAB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2018

"I've always had very heavy periods. I have 24/7 severe pelvic pain, worse with periods. I've tried 2 surgeries, 4 rounds of Lupron, and birth control pills, none of which helped the pain, but pills made periods fewer and Lupron made them stop. The doctor recently had me try Depo and told me I wouldn't have a period! I had 2 periods before the 2nd shot. The doctor said most people don't have periods, but those that do have lighter ones. I told her they were just as heavy, more painful, and lasting 2-3 weeks! She made me do a 2nd shot. I had another VERY heavy and painful 2-week-long period! My PA wanted me to stop the shots and start a 3-month pill pack immediately, even though it wasn't time for my next shot. After 2 pills, my period stopped!"

• Joj...
• March 10, 2017

"I have been on Depo for a year and 3 months and have had no issue until now. It worked perfectly after I had my laparoscopy when I was diagnosed with stage I endometriosis. Now after this past month, I've had bleeding, and I have had 4 flare-ups... more than I had before my laparoscopy had been done. Went to the doctor with severe abdominal pain, nonstop bleeding, and he had to take every gynecological test your mind can come up with, all of them came back negative. Doc is suggesting I go onto Lupron with add-back therapy since it's a lot stronger. Didn't have any side effects with the Depo at all. I just hope with my new medicine administration of Lupron on the 24th of this month, I will feel some much-needed relief."

• Ble...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2019

"Never ever taking this injection again. I am bleeding so bad I don't think I will have any blood left, and it won't stop. I had the shot in November 2019. I have other symptoms as well. Please, please, please stop bleeding, and for me, I've loathed periods, and this is causing my life to be miserable. And like all the others, my sex drive is gone. I will not get the second shot and will be telling my doctor, "Imagine bleeding from your butt and wearing multiple pads every day to ensure no accidents happen, and for this to last nonstop". My doctor said by the second and third shot, your period would stop. WHAT? Would he put up with that?!"

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2016

"I've had a horrible experience with this shot. I only wish I had read all of the horror reviews before getting it to save myself a year of hormonal problems and a scarred face from a cystic acne breakout. Once I got the shot, I got online and started reading the reviews and was horrified because part of me knew I made a huge mistake-and oh did I. I bled for 6 months straight! I was practically drinking liquid iron by the glasses because of how much blood I was losing after getting the shot. I got the shot because of painful and heavy bleeding periods! But it only made it much, much worse. I finally went back to my docs, they put me on a patch that stopped the bleeding."

• boo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 25, 2022

"I was on the Depo from age 15 to 21. I had no side effects (except for some minor spotting toward the end of the three-month period) and did not have a menstrual cycle. However, my last several injections have been ineffective. I've been having a menstrual cycle with no bleeding and tons of painful cysts for about a year. I'm not sure if the formula was changed or what, but I've since switched to the implant."

• ham...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2021

"I initially started taking the Depo-Provera 7 months ago due to lengthy, painful periods. Only bleeding on the 2 weeks leading up to the second injection. After 5 months, I started getting horrible pelvic pain and ended up in the ED. I was discharged after 3 hours because I was on the Depo, so they ruled out endo. Pain continued for another 3 weeks. Pain meds don't help. The pain stopped for about two weeks. Then it started again. I was sent to the ED again and was told it is likely endometriosis. I was sent to my GP but was told I shouldn't be feeling endo pain on the Depo. I still haven't gotten a laparoscopy. I am being told I need a Mirena. Overall, the Depo seemed worth it at first. No periods and no pain caused by periods is wonderful, but I am still experiencing endo pain. It really does depend on who you are and where you are in your life. Sometimes I wish I had my period back so I could get answers about endo. I suffer from PTSD and GAD, but the Depo didn't make it worse. No weight gain."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

"Although my Depo experience was in 2008, I thought I would chime in. I did not want to go on Depo-Provera, I had been suffering from endometriosis for years, and I had major concerns as I also suffer from multiple mood issues. I finally relented and booked a desperate appointment. I was to have 6 injections. When the nurse injected my first dose, her exact words were, “You’re going to go crazy for the first few weeks.” WOW, great to know now that you’ve just injected me. Exactly 2 weeks after my injection, without thinking, I had a suicide attempt. I had also written a suicide note, which I have no memory of. I’m not sure how, but I woke up the next day. Although very sick, I faked health to family and friends but could not get out of bed. I was rushed to emerg a day later, where the doctors were shocked I was alive. Took a year to recover."