Medroxyprogesterone and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2018

For Amenorrhea "Stopped taking it 2 weeks ago. I've had cramps, backache, a huge zit on my face. I am 50 in December. Haven't had a period in a year. My gynecologist gave me Provera due to a thicker than normal lining. Don't know what's next? Just want some relief. I'm so bloated it's not even funny. Look pregnant. This medicine didn't work for me."

• M D...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Birth Control "Got the Depo shot in August 2019. Had underlying general anxiety that was manageable. Now it is full-blown anxiety that required me to be on anti-anxiety medication for a year, then pending review. Do NOT take Depo-Provera. That is only one of the major side effects it caused. Now also have more painful periods after it came back and just a general feeling of being unwell. And take note that I only took one dose that lasted 3 months. Horrible experience. The entire 3 months on it, I also had constant nausea and headaches."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2016

For Amenorrhea "I'm 18 and had very regular periods every month for 4 years, and they stopped for no reason. Played the wait game, and before I knew it, 3 whole years had passed. 5-day, 10 mg Provera challenge starting July 1st, and on July 9th, 4 days after my last pill, got my period. Not a terrible period for me like everyone else. A little heavy, mild cramping, but my periods used to be worse. Also, does anybody know if it's true if my periods come back on their own after 3 Provera cycles? Read that in a few places, but I don't know if it's true."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo Provera for about 8 years, and I've loved it. I haven't had any cramps, but I do spot for a couple of weeks before my shot is due. I never gained weight, although I should note that I have a very high metabolism. However, my doctor recently had me do a bone density test, and the results were not good. I'm 25, and my bone density levels were very close to those with osteoporosis. Studies show this is reversible once you are off the shot, however, the studies are not clear about the long-term effects. So, unfortunately, my doctor no longer wants me on the shot, and I am currently looking into another form of birth control."

• D R...
• April 25, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was put on Provera for abnormal bleeding due to uterine fibroids. It didn't help with the bleeding, only made it worse. I had clotting the size of a golf ball and bad cramping...was told by the nurse it can take up to 10 days for it to work, well, I was on it for 14 days and nothing changed."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have had irregular periods my entire life, but when I say Depo has made things even worse, I mean it. I got the Depo shot for the first time in January, a week after my period, and at the end of the month, I started spotting and cramping as if I was on my period, but my body couldn't pass any blood. Now it's a full month and a couple of weeks on Depo, and I have not stopped cramping or spotting since. It's scary because it really does feel like I'm on my period, but I just can't bleed. And when I do bleed, it's either dark brown or bright red. I don't think I'll be getting my second shot, not unless it can seriously change my cramping, bleeding, and anxiety."

• twi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 39 years old. My whole life, I had normal periods. Some months, the cramping was awful, but they were regular, same time every month. Then, about 2 years ago, they began coming earlier every month. I was having 1, twice a month. I saw my gyno 5 months ago (July), who did an ultrasound and said it all looked normal. I was back in October, the bleeding was getting worse. He prescribed Provera 10 mg once a day to start. When I began bleeding again, he said it would stop the bleeding, so I did as instructed and bled for 10 days straight. It stopped only to return 9 days later for another 9 days, stopped for a week, then started again the 17th of this month (November). This time, it started brown in color. It is the 30th, STILL bleeding."

• NoM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Been on this shot since June 14. Started experiencing abdominal pain on July 2 and spotting on July 4. Severe abdominal cramps as of July 4 that continue. I turned up anemic when I had not been just 1 month before. As of today, I am still experiencing abdominal cramps periodically, continue to spot or have what seems like a full-fledged period, alternately, without any pattern. My gynecologist placed me on the shot to stop my heavy bleeding due to uterine fibroids. I will not take a second shot, as along with the heavy bleeding continuing as before, I have severe pain, extreme fatigue, and weight gain even after increased physical activity."

• Ilo...
• December 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I LOVE Depo! Been on it for about 2 1/2 years, only side effects are some weight gain (5-10 pounds) and minor cramping once a month maybe. I used to have TERRIBLE periods, ever since my first shot, I haven't had a single period or spotting. It's nice only having to go in once every 3 months. Definitely 10/10!"

• Cic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2020

For Amenorrhea "I was prescribed this drug, Provera, due to not having a period for several months and wanting to get pregnant. I was given a 10-day supply, and I had painful stomach aches. So bad that I didn’t take it the last 2 days. My period came just a few days later, and it was not heavy but pretty normal. Around the 4th day, my cramps became unbearable. Never experienced such pain before. The doctor wants me to continue to use this drug if I don’t see my period again next month. I’m not sure I can go through with it again."

• Jda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I got this Depo-Provera shot in May on the first day of my period, and it stopped. Ever since then, I have been moody, have had cramps all day. It’s June now, and I’ve started spotting bright red. I’ve been feeling anxious all the time as well. Please don’t do this to your body!"

• Hya...
• July 4, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I do not like this medicine. I've only had one shot so far. I didn't come on my period for two months, now on the third month, I've been on for 2 weeks already. The pain is worse than my normal cramps. I'm not getting my second shot. I'm only 16."

• Rer...
• August 5, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Well, I have been prescribed this medication before, and I have had to go through blood clots and heavy cramps. But this time it's even heavier cramps and blood clots, and using about 20 pads in 2 to 3 days. I feel so weak, and it feels gross to even move or go anywhere in public. I'm also taking ibuprofen every 3 to 4 hours. What do y'all prefer for taking for the pain? Thank you, everyone, for your input. Have a great day."

• nen...
• November 5, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had a miscarriage in August 2014, and in September 2014, I got on the shot to help with my periods, but it's not working. I started my period on October 20th, 2014, and I'm still bleeding heavily as of November 5. I have headaches, and the cramps are crazy, I've never cramped or bled this much."

• GYP...
• June 20, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 62 and have had spotty bleeding for the last 12 years, after menopause had definitely set in. Recently, the bleeding has intensified with cramps and small clots. Obviously, something is wrong, but I need to get the bleeding under control first. The doctor prescribed Provera 10 mg once daily for 10 days. It seemed to stop the bleeding if I took it to the exact hour every day, but if I missed a dose by a couple of hours, then bleeding again. So, I doubled the dose and started taking 1 tablet every 12-18 hours, which helped, mostly. The cramps have lessened but not disappeared. And I've had a dull headache for a week, with some relief as time goes on. How long am I going to have to take this drug so I can stop wearing a pad? Yuck."

• Rac...
• August 7, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I found this site and comments of great interest. My daughter had a shot earlier this year and complained of continuous bleeding (not spotting), feeling bloated, nausea, headaches, cramps, and very depressed and emotional. She went to another doctor who has put her on antidepressants and pills to supposedly stop the bleeding, a week on, still bleeding. My daughter is 24 and has changed from a lovely, bubbly, happy person into an ill zombie who sits on the sofa all day, fatigued and in pain. I certainly intend to seek legal advice."

• Mee...
• June 13, 2020

For Birth Control "So I took my shot in May 2020 after my period came off, and at first, I had tenderness where they injected me in the butt. It's June now, after two weeks, I started feeling period pains but not a period, just cramps really bad and nauseous, because when I get my periods, I have to boo-boo a lot, throw up, and I get hot and cold and cramp really bad and have no appetite. Like I would not recommend, but if you have cramps bad, drink some tea with ginger in it and honey, the ginger helps so much almost instantly. Love you guys, God bless."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo Provera since October. I had to switch to this as I was getting migraines from the pill I was on. I've just gotten my third injection 2 days ago. It's the best choice I ever made!! I know a lot of people get bad side effects, but I got none, I got no bleeding, and my periods have stopped completely, which is a bonus as I used to get extremely bad cramps. I have had an increased sex drive, which is a good benefit, and if anything, my boobs have gotten a small bit bigger, and I've maintained my weight! I was put on this merely for contraception as I'm 18 with a boyfriend, but I couldn't recommend this more. I read reviews before I got it and was terrified, but it's worth a shot if you're unsure!"

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2021

For Amenorrhea "Back in 2011, I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and prescribed Provera to induce a period and Clomid to force ovulation. We were coming to the end of my medications, and I was told I’d be referred for IVF as it wasn’t working. I took the last dosages of medications, and now I have an 8-year-old daughter because of them! Currently on day 6 of a 10-day prescription again, as I’ve not had a period in nearly a year, and I have now been diagnosed with PCOS. Starting to feel cramps and am finding that I’m quite easily agitated."

• 9r9...
• September 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Very effective, but bad side effects. I'm 17, and I've had two doses of it, but I won't be continuing it. I have gained weight that is impossible to lose, I get head rushes, and I feel dizzy almost every time I stand up, and lots of cramping. I stopped getting my period, but one every month to two months, I have a few drops of blood, but that's it. I'm not happy with the shot, but it was effective."

• All...
• August 13, 2015

For Endometriosis "I have been on the shot for almost two months, and I absolutely hate it. When I got the shot, I was actually due for my period and never got it. I ended up getting my period about two weeks ago and have not stopped bleeding. I cannot have sex, I can't wear white pants because it's so heavy. I can't go to the bathroom (number one or number two) because it hurts so bad. I have had horrible cramps, I don't sleep, I'm exhausted all the time, and I am constantly feeling grumpy. At this point, I almost feel like nothing is going to help my endometriosis. I'm 22 years old and due to be married in a month, and I can't even have sex because it hurts so bad... I would not recommend this shot, it's a waste of time and causes false hope."

• Ska...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had my first Depo shot November 25, 2015. I was good for a week with no bleeding. I was supposed to go get my second shot February 25, 2016, but decided not to as I bled and still am bleeding today, 03/13/2016. Cramps are really bad, clots are bad. I wish I had never had this shot. The doctor doesn't tell you that this could happen for months on end. If they did, I guess most of us would have thought twice about having it. I am full of regrets, and I'm more depressed than I was before. I hate the bleeding, it makes me feel disgusting and dirty as it's never-ending on a daily basis. My mood swings are at what I would call a dangerous level. I would suggest that women thinking this is the best contraceptive out there to think twice and read what has happened to us."

• Dia...
• October 6, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 24, and I went on Provera on the 25th of last month because I was bleeding since the 5th of September and soaking through my pads every two to three hours. For me, Provera slowed down my period and stopped it for three days, and now I'm just bleeding all over again, still bleeding through a pad in about one to one and a half hours now, and it hurts worse. I have cramping, bloating, nausea, and clots that are much bigger, about the size of a golf ball, and I have been clotting ever since I started bleeding again. I had blood work done, it came out normal. Next is an ultrasound, and after that is a pelvic exam. I need help, not more issues. I started bleeding on the 2nd of October, not even a day after my last pill, and I've been getting dizzy and lightheaded."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2010

For Amenorrhea "I am 24 years old and on my 8th day of taking the pill. I cannot wait until it is over. I was ordered to take the pill because I want to see why I wasn't having a period, which was abnormal for me. I haven't had a period in four months, though I was always regular. The doctor said there was no harm in me not having a period and that it was probably caused by the birth control shot I had three years before, but I should take the pills just to see what happens. The pills seem to have made my PMS worse. That includes menstrual cramps, cravings, fatigue, and moodiness. They were more horrible when I first started the pill and have calmed down a little now, but the symptoms are still there."

• JD3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2023

For Birth Control "I am month 2 on Depo, and I would rate it a zero if I could. Since receiving the injection, I have suffered migraines and/or headaches daily. I'm so exhausted I can't make a day without a nap, mood swings daily, a loss of interest as I have no energy, feeling unwell all the time, hot flashes galore, been on my period for a month, and it's major cramps. I wish I would have read about the side effects. I will never get another one and keep telling my husband I regret it daily. I just want my life back, I was hoping it would help with my periods, that is why I was prescribed it, and it backfired. Yuck."