Medroxyprogesterone and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo Provera shot for 9 months. I liked that it made my periods go away temporarily, but unfortunately it was horrible for my skin and clogged up my pores. My face went from dry to super oily all day, and I was dealing with cystic acne all over my face. I also didn’t love that Depo Provera is linked to loss of bone density."

• lax...
• October 12, 2015

For Birth Control "Oh man. First shot was great, only minimal bleeding. The second shot, however, increased my acne, caused mood swings, caused lots of breakthrough bleeding (especially after sex and during intense exercise) and worst of all, made sex painful! That's definitely not a side effect you see listed. I have a sex drive, but no matter how wet I get, when he puts it in, it's like a burning sensation, and it burns afterward too. Wish it worked out because I love that it is no effort, only every three months."

• Mar...
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take it!! I took Depo like 9 years ago, and I was fine! I had a baby in Dec 2018 and decided to take it again, so I got the shot in July 2019! About the middle of August, I started to feel horrible! I went back and forth to the doctors, I did blood work and everything came back great! I was nauseous, moody, had flesh-like clots falling out of me, acne, super oily skin! OMG please trust me! Be natural, guys!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for almost 2 years since my doctor didn't want me on the pill because I have high blood pressure due to my first pregnancy. Well, it backfired, I gained 30 pounds after starting the shot, became extremely depressed, had mood swings, and my sex drive was completely gone. Also, I am blonde, and my leg hair turned brown. I have been on the shot for almost 4 months and have started spotting very little, and I have acne on my back, migraines, and wicked cramps."

• Cou...
• January 22, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 20 and took one shot back in October. My husband and I decided on trying for a baby within the next year, so I did go for the second shot in December. The first month was great, but ever since then I will go almost a month bleeding off a week or so, then another month, and I have the worst cramps ever. I am just now starting to get over the mood swings and depression. My face broke out bad, clearing up now. I also gained 20 lbs, and I know that was from the shot because I eat right and exercise. I will never take this again and will never recommend it to anyone. Now hopefully, it will hurry and be completely out of my system so we can start making babies."

• Chr...
• March 29, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Took the Depo shot for the first time earlier this year. Completely changed my personality and my body. I break out easily. I bleed all the time. I spot all the time! Made me bipolar and just overall horrible. When will it wear off?! When will I get my normal period and be back to normal?! I've been off 3 months now."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2017

For Birth Control "WORST SHOT EVER!! I just had one shot done and didn't even give the second shot after 3 months a try. Gave me horrible headaches, acne that's so huge I look disgusting to even go out in public, pain on my right ovary 24/7, made me super mad and angry to the point my boyfriend broke up with me, and I'm even off the shot now and still have pain on my ovary. It's been 7 months, and I only had one shot just once and still no period. It's really upsetting, and it makes me suicidal. It also made my boobs tiny, I don't know how that's possible, but they went from C cups to A cups and still not back to normal."

• 070...
• March 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I opted for the depo shot when I was 16. I was horrible at remembering to take medicine on time, so I chose the shot. This is my experience. I can only speak for myself. I got the shot in May 2006. I stayed on track with the shot due to the reminder I had a doctor's appointment on such and such day. I had light, 3-day periods. Never a day longer, never a day shorter. I had no weight gain. I had no cramps. I had no breakouts. I did not experience any dizziness, shortness of breath, or headaches. I didn't lose my appetite. I had no troubles. Then, like a genius, when I turned 18, I chose to get off the shot, which was due in February. By April, I had a positive pregnancy test. It wasn't hard for my body to change from even after almost 2 years."

• D D...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2016

For Birth Control "My daughter took this drug only one time, and the side effects were horrible. She is never taking another. Her injection was in late June. In that time, she has gained 17 pounds, where with her level of diet and exercise, she should have been losing weight. She has horrible acne, where she's never had it before. She's constantly tired despite getting more sleep per night than she has in years, and she's irritable and depressed. Her doctor thought it was worth a try because she had such painful periods, but here's the thing: DP is a hormone. It disrupts the hormonal balance in your body (which is why you can't get pregnant), but hormones are not something that you should mess with. One little shot, and the side effects can last for months."

• sgu...
• July 6, 2016

For Birth Control "This was the biggest mistake of my life. My doctor and I thought it might help balance out my hormones and help my migraines. It did the opposite. I had migraines for days on end with no relief, not even from sleep. My skin has been clear with the occasional pimple. My entire face is now covered with acne and my back. My period was more painful than ever the one time I had it on the shot. It caused back and hip pains. I also gained 25 pounds. I only got the shot once. It's been 5 months, and I'm still waiting for it to leave my system completely."

• Gli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

For Birth Control "Had this when I was younger with no issues. Now I'm 36, it made me crazy, acne, facial hair, mood swings, periods non-existent. No sex drive, depression, anger, extreme fatigue. It seemed like my body couldn't cope with anything as well as it did before. After having two injections and no reprieve from the side effects, I've stopped taking it. It's been over a month since the last Depo-Provera injection was due, and my periods still haven't returned, and I still don't feel like myself. I don't recommend this, as I feel like it's been changed since I got it when I was younger, it seems very strong now. Before I went on Depo, I had a copper IUD, which was far better. Beware of this, it's awful and can't be reversed."

• kt ...
• December 8, 2016

For Birth Control "19 y/o, been on Depo for a little over a year, it's great. I haven't noticed any extreme side effects. I've been really sluggish and lethargic, but I was already depressed before the Depo shot, so I can't say if it's related or not. Also, I started smoking around the same time, so it could just be that. I've had acne since I was 11, and since taking Depo, it's cleared up a bit, but I don't know if it's from the Depo. The only thing that sucks is I'm pretty sure my sex drive has been affected by the shot, but it's not a big deal. I missed my last shot because I moved, so I'm thinking of switching to the implant because I hate driving 45 mins to the closest PP, but Depo has worked so well for me, I don't know if it's worth switching at this point."

• Che...
• August 14, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Was bribed with a $20 Smith's gift card and free Depo to use Depo and be a Depo guinea pig. I started Depo March 31st, 2016. The first month, no problems. Second month, spotting and a light period every other day. Third month, mood swings, hormonal acne, heavy periods, nausea, vitamin deficiencies, low on iron. One day, I put a super tampon in with a pad under it, went to work right after, and bled through my underwear and pants at work. This was not even ten minutes after getting to work. Had to go home very embarrassed. Soaked through pad after pad after pad. Again, had to leave for very lightheaded and nauseous, found out my vitamins were low. Bled the entire third month. So I decided not to get the second shot. Have been bleeding since June."

• A-R...
• September 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had it for two years now. It works great, I haven't had any surprise pregnancies. But I have gained 40 lbs since then, despite exercising 3-5 times a week and controlled eating habits. The first few months, I felt really fatigued and got a lot of large acne flare-ups, and my appetite increased like crazy - I was never satisfied or full. I gained 10 lbs those first few months. I've had no bleeding at all, which was nice. Those are my only complaints. I will be getting off the shot because with all my physical activity and limited eating, I still gain weight."

• Deb...
• November 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Depo for only a few months. I will say you're better off being pregnant. You feel every symptom of pregnancy and even get a prego tummy. Seriously, everyone asks me if I am pregnant. It's so embarrassing. The symptoms are the worst. I've had the worst acne breakout, pains in my stomach. I can't stop gaining weight in my stomach. The good news is it does prevent pregnancy, but it's honestly not worth everything you go through. Like those weird medications that say you may die, but it's 60% effective. All I am saying is Depo will change your life, and in a not so lucky way. I would have rather just been pregnant. Instead, I look and feel pregnant with no baby. Mind you, I am a skinny person, very petite. It's extremely noticeable."

• Apo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm a 30-year-old woman. I got the shot on August 9th. I have been bleeding since. I decided not to continue. Yes, it's effective at making sure you don't get pregnant because you can't have sex. It's a double-edged sword. My face has broken out, and I have a very good eating regime, and my weight is up and down, mostly up."

• 123...
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from a hormonal contraceptive to Depo Provera in January of 2013, never had any problems (weight gain, acne, irregular bleeding) for the first year and a half and only bled about a week or two before my next shot was due. Starting about 8 months ago, I was bleeding almost 2 months before every shot, and the last shot I received in March, I continued to bleed 2 weeks after getting the shot. I also noticed an increase in extreme depression and anxiety. I have also spent the last 6 months dealing with breakouts (which I never had before) and an increase in keratosis pilaris on my face (not sure if it's related to a hormone imbalance). I would never recommend this shot to anyone."

• 123...
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from a hormonal contraceptive to Depo Provera in January of 2013, never had any problems (weight gain, acne, irregular bleeding) for the first year and a half and only bled about a week or two before my next shot was due. Starting about 8 months ago, I was bleeding almost 2 months before every shot, and the last shot I received in March, I continued to bleed 2 weeks after getting the shot. I also noticed an increase in extreme depression and anxiety. I have also spent the last 6 months dealing with breakouts (which I never had before) and an increase in keratosis pilaris on my face (not sure if it's related to a hormone imbalance). I would never recommend this shot to anyone."

• Lad...
• August 23, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the shot to control my bleeding and cramps from fibroids, so I thought... however, this has been the worst decision ever. I have had heavy bleeding and tons of blood clots. I only took the shot once and won't be getting it again. Also, it has increased the acne on my face, I'm suffering from severe depression, and my sex drive is gone. Lastly, this keeps me from wanting to have sex anymore because it's embarrassing... who wants to have sex with a bloodhound! I feel incredibly stupid because I normally do my research, but I let the doctor talk me into it as she claimed it was the best option due to my challenge with high blood pressure. This was the worst decision ever and I won't be getting it again. I'm stuck riding it out!!"

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I stopped this after 2 years after I bled for 6 months straight. My hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes are falling out, my arm and leg hair got thicker and longer, and I grow hair in a vague beard pattern, and the hair in between my eyebrows grows extremely long now, and I have to shave it. My skin and hair are now extremely oily, even more oily than it was in the summer, so this doesn’t make any sense. The acne I got in one/two months after stopping this has left tons of scarring, and I’ve needed to get an antibiotic for it. I wanted to start taking it again just to get rid of these horrible symptoms, but I know it will just be worse next time I try to stop. The bleeding threw off my pH balance, and I have had to fight odor down there since then. Horrible drug. Hopefully, these symptoms will subside, but it’s been two months."

• Amy...
• June 13, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the pill for 4 months. I was on the pill but was taken off because I suffer severe migraines and have a family history of blood clots. I also have PCOS, and my doctor said this is better for me. The first shot I got, I bled severely 2 days after and was in so much pain and got hormone therapy, and that helped. Then I got spotting a few weeks later, and that lasted on and off. I got my second shot just over a month ago, no bleeding for 3 1/2 weeks, and now I've been bleeding lightly on and off the last 2 weeks, only old blood, but hopefully this will stop soon. Apart from that, no side effects other than some pimples. Hopefully my body gets used to it by the 3rd or 4th shot, and the bleeding stops for good."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "3 stars because it does the job. Very effective at preventing pregnancy. Convenient to only go every three months for forgetful people like myself. And it completely stopped my period from the first shot! However, too many negatives. I’ve always been slim and just 9 months on Depo, I gained 25 pounds without any changes in my lifestyle. My depression was bad, I got more acne than usual, and I had absolutely no sex drive. After getting off of the Depo, it took me three months to get my period back and get back to normal."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Depo-Provera for 15 months, and the only negative side effect I experienced was weight gain, which is why I recently stopped. I loved the ease of the whole process and the high efficacy of the drug. I had 2 periods my entire time on the shot (yay!), didn't spot, it didn't break me out, didn't mess with my mood, BUT I gained a lot of weight (which did plateau). When I got off, I immediately got my period, and my skin broke out worse than it has in the last year. I also am experiencing a definite decrease in energy. Overall, I recommend the shot, and I may go back on it in the future, but pay attention to your side effects!"