Medroxyprogesterone and Cramps: What Users Say

• Jos...
• January 23, 2020

For Amenorrhea "A drug I can rely on! I always get my period within 5 days of stopping Provera 10mg x 5 days. This time, it came on the morning of day 4. But get your diapers ready! It is extremely bloody! I am thankful for it kickstarting my cycle in hopes of a positive Frozen Embryo Transfer! I don't mind the heavy bleed and cramping. When you have infertility and amenorrhea, a period can be a blessing, it can mean new hope for the coming cycle (I am a glass half full type person!)"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this med several times, I am 48 years old going through menopause and have had abnormal bleeding off and on for 2 years. From what I understand, 10 days on this med is not going to make you stop bleeding. What it does is 'clean' you out first before it thins the lining enough to stop the bleeding. When I take it, I bleed worse for a couple weeks, clots come out and then it stops and stays stopped so all the ladies taking it for 10 days give it more time, please. The cramps are bad during the 'cleaning' phase also but trust me it will get better."

• Con...
• June 22, 2019

For Amenorrhea "I have PCOS and my doctor prescribed me with Provera for 14 days, 10mg per day, and was told by my doctor that it will help me regulate my period. I remember taking it on May 17, and I was on it until May 31. I was told that I was going to get my period after 3 days. I didn’t get it after that, but I had light spotting a couple of days after. I called my doctor, she said I should get it very soon. Finally, it came on June 9th, it was still very light. Days passed, and it started to get heavier. It’s June 21 now, and I’m still bleeding. I have called my doctor to check with her if this is serious as I had never bled this much before, of course, it was very alarming. She told me that I had to wait until it subsides and have an ultrasound. I am also experiencing mood changes, breakouts, cramps, breast tenderness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. The side effects are not so bad, but my main concern is the long period. Did anyone else have the same experience?"

• Ove...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been currently taking Provera 10mg for about 28 days now. At first it stopped the bleeding altogether for the first week. Then I started to spot again and bleed. Now the bleeding is getting progressively heavier and the clots are getting larger, like they are huge. This is a nightmare. I'm having to empty my 25ml menstrual cup every hour or two. Hoping to get a hold of my OB by Monday. I'm feeling very weak and I have lots of cramping."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

For Amenorrhea "I took Provera for 10 days at a dose of 10mg a day, prescribed by my fertility doctor with intentions to induce my period. My period was always regular up until recently. The side effects while on this drug were some pretty bad mood swings, mild cramps on and off, and breast soreness. A week after the dose ended and I still hadn’t gotten my period. Lo and behold, it arrived this morning. Thanks to this drug, we can now continue our fertility journey. Have patience - it can really work. Now I’ve got a heavy period with horrid cramps - but it’s worth it!"

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2021

For Amenorrhea "So let's talk about Provera. I was put on this for not having a period for 10 months. Just remember that during the time you don't have a period in most cases, your body is still producing that lining. I took it for a week (10mg a day) and got my period 3 days later. It is by far the worst period I've ever had. This is worse than any period I've had, even the ones I had directly after giving birth. I've bled through pads and tampons multiple times, and I'm only on day 4! I'm feeling nauseous, dizzy, and weak, normal daily functions are hard at this point. I also feel very angry and withdrawn to the point of where I just want to be by myself and sleep. Oh, not to mention the huge clots I've been passing. If this were considered a 'normal period,' I would have gone to the hospital by now. The cramps are horrendous also. I will say if you are trying to get your period, it does the job, just be prepared for one nightmarish period."

• ARS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2021

For Birth Control "The Depo is the worst thing I have ever put in my body. Ladies, please reconsider before using this. Along with so many physical symptoms (nausea, acne, fatigue, heartburn, bloating, cramps, bleeding constantly), the emotional symptoms are very prominent and worse than the physical ones. I believe this drug is destroying my relationship, I have no interest in sex or physical touch, I’m irritable all the time, depressed, and have a constant feeling of emptiness that was not there before the Depo. My personality and mood took a full 180 on the Depo. I am not going back in for my next injection. Something to also note is that the FDA is trying to pull this drug off the shelves. Please, if you’re considering the Depo, do your research! I wish that I did."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took Depo-Provera injection many years ago. I never had a period or spotting from the first shot. I was on it for 6 years with no issues other than weight gain. I got the shot again on September 10, 2020. I started bleeding 10 days ago. The cramps are extreme to the point I don't want to get out of bed, which is not possible, as I have 3 children ages 8, 2, and 1, and am a stay-at-home mom. Over-the-counter medication does not help with the pain. There are too many of us experiencing the same things, and a lot of us have already taken Depo before with no issues."

• Try...
• May 30, 2014

For Amenorrhea "Didn't have a period for 1.5 years - was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and hypothyroidism. As hubby and I have been trying to conceive, not having any periods has been difficult to judge any ovulation. Was put on Provera to induce a period before the doctor prescribes any ovulation medicines. Took Provera for 10 days, didn't have any side effects. But after I stopped, I felt nauseous, breasts were very sensitive, was over emotional/very irritable, and a bit dizzy at times. Had light spotting on day 3 and 4 after stopping Provera, then period starting on day 5. Day 5 and 6 were light-medium, but then afterwards was extremely heavy for 2-3 days with really bad cramping."

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had been having spotting for 3 months, so I went to my doctor for a transvaginal ultrasound, where they found I had a large polyp. Fast forward a couple of weeks, I had a hysteroscopy and had the polyp removed. I was prescribed 10 mg Provera for 14 days in order to kick start my cycle back into normal rhythm. My period arrived 3 days after I stopped taking them, and I am still bleeding 10 days later. The bleeding has been the heaviest I’ve ever had, with huge clots. I was changing my sanitary product every 30 mins, so I phoned my GP, who prescribed Tranexamic acid to help slow the bleeding. I am on day 10, still bleeding and with horrific cramping. When will this ever stop???"

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve taken Depo a while back when I was around 17/18. I’ve never experienced bleeding like this. I recently got the Depo-Provera injection again because I have really horrible periods and extreme cramps, so I decided that I would go back on Depo. It was the worst thing I ever did. I experienced light spotting when I received my first injection, but I went in for my second around July 2020, and I’m still bleeding nonstop, and it’s getting very overwhelming because I can’t have sex with my boyfriend, or if I do, I have to take a shower first. It’s really annoying. I don’t recommend it to anyone, you’ll be depressed for months."

• Ado...
• February 21, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got this shot back in July. I went to the clinic for Depo Provera, and I really thought this was gonna help. I guess I was wrong. Ever since August, I have had irregular bleeding but not a period, just spotting and bleeding that happens at random times, and I always get blood on my underwear, and I don’t want to wear pads every single day. It’s been 7 months now, and I’m still having this problem. I know it’s normal to have irregular bleeding, but it should have stopped by now. This shot has been no help, and I’m always having cramps and bleeding, and I’m miserable. And if I stop the shot, I’ll bleed for even longer, and I really don’t want that. I don’t know what to do to make my periods regular and make my long periods never happen again. I don’t know if I should switch to the IUD 'cause I’ll probably have more side effects, and I’m sick of it. Never should have gotten this shot. Big regret."

• Ove...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started bleeding July 15, and it’s now Sep 14. I went to my doctor, they did an ultrasound, they said everything looked fine, blood work came back fine, and that sometimes it’s just the way it is, not knowing why I’m bleeding so much! Anyways, I threw a fit with the doctor, told her bleeding during intercourse and so much is not normal! She tried to tell me it was the positions we were doing, and I said no, I just want to know why. So she prescribed Provera 10 mgs, 1 tablet a day for 10 days. I am now on day 6, and the bleeding went from a little to so heavy I am changing my pads every hour! My cramps are unbearable, and there are so many blood clots! I just emailed my doctor to see what she says, fingers crossed that she can help give me answers!"

• Jmo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2020

For Amenorrhea "I have PCOS and haven’t had regular (if any at all) periods for 2 years since coming off the contraceptive pill. Doctor prescribed me Provera for 10 days, and 2 days after finishing this 10-day course, I got my period. During the 10 days, I had a little breast tenderness, cramping, and moodiness, but very mild."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "On Depo-Provera, I have been bleeding 4 weeks straight, nonstop!! I'm so crampy and wasn't bleeding up until I had the shot!! I had my son 10 weeks ago, so decided to try this and what a REGRET!!!! Is there a bad batch or something?! As I had the shot a few years back and never had this problem."

• Kin...
• July 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Please do not use this horrible injection. As a medical scientist, I cannot believe how Depo-Provera passed the human trials and is on the market despite all the life-threatening side effects. I was hospitalized twice with severe bloating and kidney pain. It caused water retention (edema) all over my body, feet, legs, face, and abdomen! Constant dizziness, nausea, and cramps to the point that I can't function at work or home. This injection should not be on the market! It really ruined my life and I don't want anyone else to experience this. The FDA has a website where you can report all the adverse side effects of any medication, and it encourages people to report by either calling them or submitting an online form. Please, whoever reads this, if you have issues with Depo, go now to the FDA's website and complain about the horrible side effects you have experienced. The FDA will investigate the safety of this drug and potentially retract it from the market! It is our human right to safe medication, and this drug violates that right."

• Tan...
• July 7, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’m a 27-year-old woman. I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 25, but always had irregular periods. Last May, I had a tube removed because it ruptured due to ectopic pregnancy. Around April, I missed my period, and it did not come for a month and a half. Then I started spotting for weeks. I finally went to the doctor, and they prescribed a birth control pill, 2 a day for 2 weeks, which did not work and caused the bleeding to get heavier after I finished the pills. It also caused me to have lower back pain, tender breasts, and diarrhea every day. Now I’m on Provera 10 for 10 days. Currently, on day 3, the cramps are horrible, and the bleeding is super heavy, and I still have all the same symptoms, plus a headache similar to a hangover. I am so tired of bleeding and being told it’s normal. I feel so depressed and hopeless. I’m going to stick with it though, because it’s my only hope atm."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Depo for twenty years and today have a full-blown period. I mean, horrible cramping and all. I have never once had breakthrough bleeding or even a drop in 20 years. I received my injection on Jan 4th."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My doctor put me on 10 mg Provera for two weeks due to menorrhagia. I had been bleeding heavily for two weeks when I started with the medication. Provera slowed my vaginal bleeding down to a medium flow, sometimes even a light flow, but it never stopped the bleeding. On the 14th day and last day of Provera, I started getting bad cramps that lasted for two and a half days. A day after I stopped with Provera, it was like someone turned on a faucet. Blood is gushing out of me. It’s like when you sit down and urinate, only it’s blood gushing out of my uterus. It was really scary until I came on here and saw that extremely heavy bleeding seemed to be normal when you first stop with Provera. Luckily, I’ve been off work the last two days and stayed in bed or on the toilet. The third day of being off Provera is tomorrow, which is also when I’m back at work. Hoping the bleeding will have slowed down a little bit by then."

• Eri...
• March 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo Provera for about a month now, and I absolutely love it! I haven't had ANY bleeding, no cramps, no headaches or dizziness, no mood swings, no swollen or tender breasts, no weight gain, nothing! I still have a sex drive and I feel perfectly normal. Most people with good side effects don't think to share their experience, so remember that everyone's body is different and your experience might be like mine!"

• bar...
• June 4, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo-Provera for 2 years this month. It was great! Had little to no periods, light spotting for a week before I had gotten my next shot. Didn't have to worry about taking pills daily. I had no side effects at all. I was actually losing weight. But, the last shot I had back in March, they informed me that there was a new type of Depo formula that took the place of the Depo that my body was used to. Ever since then, my period has not stopped. I gained 20 pounds in one week of water weight. My cramps have been terrible to where I can't eat. I feel as though I'm pregnant at all times. I go Tuesday to either get checked to see if I need to be off it. Anyone else experienced this since they've changed it?"

• sie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2018

For Amenorrhea "So I was prescribed Provera because I haven’t had my period in over a year, and I had to take it for 5 days. I’m not sure of the dose, I think 5 or 10. I started on the 24th of July and stopped on the 28th. During the 5 days, I was getting like PMS and light cramping. After I stopped, it took me 6 days to finally get my period, and it was heavy. Like SUPER heavy. My periods are usually heavy, so it didn’t really faze me, and so were my cramps, but it’s horrible when you haven't had a period in a while, you kind of forget the pain. So I’m almost on day 9 of my period, and the flow is still going strong. I’m worried it won’t ever stop. My cramps are so bad it radiates to my back and down my legs, and it is constant all day, I don’t know what to do. My emotions are all over the place as well, I get in an uncontrollable rage and extremely sad throughout the day. Hopefully, it stops."

• sie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2018

For Amenorrhea "So I was prescribed Provera because I haven’t had my period in over a year, and I had to take it for 5 days. I’m not sure of the dose, I think 5 or 10. I started on the 24th of July and stopped on the 28th. During the 5 days, I was getting like PMS and light cramping. After I stopped, it took me 6 days to finally get my period, and it was heavy. Like SUPER heavy. My periods are usually heavy, so it didn’t really faze me, and so were my cramps, but it’s horrible when you haven't had a period in a while, you kind of forget the pain. So I’m almost on day 9 of my period, and the flow is still going strong. I’m worried it won’t ever stop. My cramps are so bad it radiates to my back and down my legs, and it is constant all day, I don’t know what to do. My emotions are all over the place as well, I get in an uncontrollable rage and extremely sad throughout the day. Hopefully, it stops."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I received my second Depo Provera shot early October after having it once before and while I was 17/18. My mood swings are horrible still, breast tenderness is outrageous. I also have had the worst cramping pain (worse than IUD pain). It was unbearable when I first started ovulating. I could not lay flat in bed, had a heating blanket and heating pad on my lower back and abdominal area for a week. I took Midol and ibuprofen like the doctors told me, and nothing has stopped this. I have clots coming out, they want me to come in again to poke at me. Just super put out and exhausted. I am sleeping up to 10-12 hours a day. It has caused me to have less ambition at my workplace too. I am very active as I am a CNA at the hospital, but I bleed through my pants at least two times a shift. My acne is horrible around my chin, and my stomach is sore from the on and off bloating. It brought tears to my eyes finding this page and seeing I am not alone in this."

• Mk1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 43, and the doctor says I am perimenopausal. My progesterone is not high enough. I did not have my period since November. My doctor prescribed me Provera. I have taken it for 5 days and started my period on the second day after taking the last pill. I started bleeding like a normal flow on Tuesday. I had minor cramping. Since Tuesday, cramping was getting worse and worse. And today, on Friday, I could not go to work as I am passing large blood clots. I have to change super pads every hour. I can't wait for this nightmare to stop. How long can this heavy part last? The last 24 hours were awfully heavy, losing too much blood. Should I go to the emergency room? Or should I wait? My doctor said to wait it out. But I am crying and feeling miserable."