Medroxyprogesterone and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 23 and was on the shot for 6 months. Before, I was on the pill but didn't like the side effects and remembering to take it every day. The first month on the shot was great! Then slowly things went downhill and got bad. I was getting acne on my back, which I never got before and was really insecure about, and my periods were getting longer. I decided to get the second shot because I knew my body had to get used to the hormones. Then I got very intense cramps that would wake me up in the night and make me feel sick. My period would last 2 weeks! Before, I had a very light and short period and light cramps. These new changes are too much for me, so I didn't get the third shot. Going to try the patch."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I loved the shot. So simple and worry-free. Consistently on Depo for over 3 years. Gave me no problems at all. Periods stopped almost instantly and haven’t had one since. No cramping, no bleeding. I did gain weight but also who’s to say that isn’t my own fault. I’ve had acne most of my life and it didn’t really get better or worse. The only reason I can’t give this birth control a full rating is because I saw that the long-term effects of the shot lead to substantial bone resorption and weakness. So I will be changing my method of birth control."

• Ron...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 14, 2021

For Birth Control "Depo Provera was a big mistake. I was on the injections for over 5 years. Everything was perfect at first. I was 19 years old and didn't want to get pregnant. No periods, it was perfect. But 5 years later, I started to have headaches, breakouts, mood swings, and I gained weight, so I decided to come off it. The GP told me it would take my body about 6 months to get back to normal. I remember that 3 months after stopping the injection, I started my period, which lasted a month, and eventually I had to go to A&E because it was getting worse, and I was very weak. It will be 4 years since I stopped the injections this year, and my estrogen is constantly low since, to the point where my GP is worried that I may start menopause early. My periods are late. I am only 28 years old. I regret taking Depo Provera, and because of my experience, I tell everyone not to take it. The injections prevent pregnancies, and I never got pregnant while on this, it definitely works, but I now pay the price."

• Avo...
• August 1, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my Depo shot the 27th and started bleeding the 18th, and it's been 2 weeks and still hasn't stopped. It cleared up my acne, but the bleeding is beyond annoying. What's the point of being on birth control if you're bleeding and can't have sex? I would not recommend this. I'm going to the doctor's tomorrow to see what I can do about the bleeding, and then as soon as my third month is done, I'm switching to the pill."

• jlw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for a year. I spotted for months at a time, which didn't seem like a good trade-off for no period. I also experienced mood swings that I couldn't seem to control. My acne got out of control, and I had breakouts in areas that I didn't normally have issues with. Then, to top it all off, I gained about 15 lbs while on this shot. To me, the pro (convenience of getting one shot every three months) didn't outweigh the cons."

• jlw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for a year. I spotted for months at a time, which didn't seem like a good trade-off for no period. I also experienced mood swings that I couldn't seem to control. My acne got out of control, and I had breakouts in areas that I didn't normally have issues with. Then, to top it all off, I gained about 15 lbs while on this shot. To me, the pro (convenience of getting one shot every three months) didn't outweigh the cons."

• Exp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm in my 40s, and I started Depo after my son was born 25 years ago. It was fairly new to Canada at the time, so there weren't any long-term studies. I remember there being some spotting initially for the first few months, but after that, I haven't had a period or any PMS since. There may have been a small amount of weight gain in the beginning, but with diet and exercise, it's been easy to negate that side effect. My mood and sex drive have been relatively stable over the years, and really have only had the odd breakout every so often (may or may not be related to Depo). Over the years, there became concern for bone density loss, so my doctor had me have a bone density scan a few years back. Thankful to say that there has not been any bone density loss due to the Depo shot. Now that I'm getting older, I just make sure that I take a calcium supplement. All in all, I'm satisfied!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Horrible experience. Was on Depo for a year, last shot ran out in May 2018 and I am still suffering now, October 2019, from the hormonal imbalance that it has caused. Rapid heart beat, fatigue, head pressure, acne, allergies... the list goes on. Stay away if you are considering it."

• Jes...
• May 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my baby the end of January, took the shot in February. It made me break out so much, lost some hair, and I am angry all the time. Aside from that, I never really got the bad symptoms, I barely even bleed. It's now May, and I'm due for my second shot the last week of May, however, I started feeling very lightheaded and nauseous. I took a pregnancy test, turns out I am pregnant. I'm so upset because I just had my first daughter and am unsure if I want to continue this pregnancy. It might have been my body, but I wouldn't trust the shot."

• one...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the shot once and it was terrible. I experienced crazy depression and mood swings, as well as acne that refused to go away no matter what I did. It was effective at birth control, but I wouldn't wish these side effects on my worst enemy."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 19 and have been on Depo for about 1.5 years. Yes, I get moody, but I have a mood disorder, so it could be that. Yes, I break out, but it's not absolutely horrible, and I kind of always have had acne. I think I may have spotted a couple of times, but only for a couple of days (so far). Unsure about bone density since I haven't had a test done yet. I love not having a period or having to remember to take something more often than every 3 months. I think it's important to keep on schedule with it (none of this off and on stuff). No weight gain at all on it. Definitely no lowered sex drive. Only complaint: it can be scary not getting your period. But you can always take a test. Also remember, it's different for everyone."

• bea...
• November 27, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "One month after the injection date, I am experiencing the most painful period ever. I can't leave the bathroom for fear I will bleed through everything. I am changing my tampon every hour (or less). I have been taking muscle relaxers to try and ease my pain, but they don't do much. I have never had a menstrual cycle like this. Usually, the first day is heavy, but then it isn't so bad. On the Depo shot, I have been bleeding for several days. I am making an appointment with another gynecologist on Monday to see if there is anything I can do. I am so upset that the doctor didn't warn me about the side effects before giving this to me. There is also acne, weight gain, and severe cramps (without my period) that I had to deal with the first month."

• ame...
• November 3, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience with Depo has been wonderful! I had horrible cramps and long, heavy periods before I started the shot. After about 5 months, I stopped having a period at all, which was great. No surprises! Also, I lost about 13 pounds on it. I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo-Fe. The pills made me gain weight, the weight loss without trying was fabulous. I don't feel tired or achy. The only negative was I have had some acne return, it's nothing that a touch of makeup can't fix... But from having 100% blemish-free skin to a few pimples is a little annoying. I will continue to stay on the shot until I decide to start thinking about having kids. Until then, I'll deal with a couple of pimples and enjoy my skinny, period-free life :)"

• CAI...
• November 3, 2009

For Birth Control "Well, I've been on Depo for almost 8 years now, and the only benefit is I have no 'that time of the month,' but I've had major weight gain, no sex drive, and I break out more than I have when I was in high school! It's a good birth control, but this last shot I had is my last. Not good for my health, you would have to try it yourself and see if anything happens to you. I suggest watching it closely."

• Che...
• September 16, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on it for about 12 months. I'm supposed to get my next shot, but I'm not. I would rather get my regular cycle back than the Depo. I had a lightish period for 8 months, with a few days every so often that it would stop but start again at night. I was told that after 8 months it should stop. After a few weeks of month 9, it was still going. Finally, it stopped for a good month. I was so glad, I thought it was over. I was wrong. I've had a period for 2 months straight again, but this time it's a regular 2-month-long period that hopefully stops. I just want to go back to a normal cycle again. I've also been moody, impatient, gained some weight, more acne. I wasn't like that before. The Depo sucks."

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

For Endometriosis "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."

• Dan...
• June 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had two shots already, and so far it's been almost perfect. I actually switched to this because I'm slightly underweight, and I've heard many stories about women gaining weight on the shot, so I switched in hopes that I would. So far I haven't noticed any significant weight gain, the only side effects I've had are headaches for about the first week after getting the shot, and I started getting acne on my face. I've never had acne, so this was kind of disappointing for me. It's nice not having to remember to take a pill every day, and my periods are already almost non-existent. Plus my insurance covers this, so the prescription is free, and there's no fee when I go to get the shot!"

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2024

For Birth Control "I was on Depo for about 10 years, then decided to get off starting November 2023 to 'reset my soul.' I started getting my period again, which seemed normal to me in February 2024. From February to now (July 2024), my periods have been 5-7 days, once a month. Why? In July, I have had my period all month! My face has been breaking out all month, cramps here and there, nothing serious, and my nipples are sore literally all month. It’s not heavy but not light, it’s literally like a regular period, but I have never dealt with it for a whole month before. Everyone, including my nursing school teacher, says it definitely can be hormone changes due to being on Depo for so long, but damn, this is not fun at all."

• Adx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2013

For Birth Control "Love this medication. I suffered with painful periods and ovulation and terrible mood swings, which all got worse after having my kids. I tried various birth control pills, but without a great improvement - especially with mood. I just had my third shot, I only gained 2 lbs since the first shot, and I no longer have a period. I've had some slight acne, but happy to manage that - overall, for me, it's been great. Very happy. I should add that I am taking calcium and Vitamin D also."

• Amy...
• August 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the shot almost 2 months and loving it. Since reading all the bad reviews, ever since I got it, I've watched what I've been eating and started swimming 5 days a week with occasional abdominal workouts and have seemed to have lost weight with the shot! No period yet, so happy about that though, and very easy to use. Acne has cleared up, mood swings practically gone, and have been generally happy! I would recommend it to anyone who is like me and forgets things very easily."

• KDa...
• March 9, 2011

"I had extreme pain from endometriosis, along with multiple surgeries, including an appendectomy, when a huge cyst ruptured and irritated it. I was barely able to work due to constant doubled-over pain and a ruptured cyst. Now I'm on Depo, I got the shot in early January and am due at the end of March. So far, I haven't gained too much weight, although I notice some water weight. I only started spotting this month for a week, the next week was heavy bleeding, now I'm back to spotting. I just started getting a bit of acne, but nothing too bad. My beautician and I noticed some areas where my hair thinned out, and my hair is already kind of thin. I'm trying the low dose for March, and I'm going to take Vitamin B complex to see if this helps."

• Blo...
• April 8, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my first dose on Feb. 24th. I cramped for about 3 weeks. I started to spot around March 20. I've been bleeding heavily on and off since March 22 to present. It's horrible. I have serious mood swings. My face has broken out badly. And I'm always tired and constantly eating. My body feels weak, maybe due to loss of too much blood. I won't be getting my second dose in May!"

• Wee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had nothing but issues, but I have not had a pregnancy scare at all, and that's why I rated it 3/10. I received my shot September 19, I got my period October 14, bled for 21.5 days, and then 2.5 days later started to bleed again for, so far, another 10 days. In 34 days, I've bled 31.5 days. It's absolutely draining, my hormones are out of control, and it's impeding on everyday life. I'm being treated for acne with spironolactone, and my cystic acne came back with a vengeance. If I knew any of this would be a potential side effect, I would've just waited for my referral to my gyno and dealt with the 1 BC method rather than 2 (condoms). Overall, this has been a TERRIBLE experience, and I can't wait until it wears off. (I only had one shot)."

• kns...
• May 5, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control I have been on so far! I used to be on the pill, and it made my periods irregular, made me gain a crazy amount of weight, made my acne worsen, made me super emotional all the time, and many other bad side effects. I was off birth control for a couple of months and was back to my normal self and actually lost about 50 pounds. My doctor thought I should take birth control again and recommended that I switch to this, so I took a chance. I had one period after I got my first shot (about 8 months ago) and haven't had one since. The only bad side effect that I have had with this shot is I gained a little bit of my weight back."

• Car...
• September 14, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The first couple of times I took it was fine, the side effects were minimal. I stopped using it for a few months, and I went back to it, and this time was the worst one. I took it in June, and by August my period had already begun. It came with bad acne, I gained weight super fast, and since then I've had my period! It's horrible, I feel tired all the time, and cramping for 6 weeks now. It feels like it's never going to end!"