Medroxyprogesterone and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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?"

• Tab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 21, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was 47, and one day my normal period wouldn’t stop for 3 months. It then got really heavy. After two doctors' ultrasounds and blood work, my doctor put me on Provera 10mg once a day every day. After a month, I stopped bleeding altogether. I did this for 6 months and had no problems. Then I stopped taking them and expected problems, but went 8 months without a period. I thought finally menopause had arrived. I’m 49, almost 50 now, and guess what showed up today. I’m calling today to get another prescription. The only issue I had was really bad headaches."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2021

For Birth Control "Took this in October. Started bleeding at the start of November and still consistently bleeding now 7 months later. Only took one injection. I gained weight everywhere even though I'm active and healthy, lost my sex drive, which has always been very high. Nausea every day to the point of throwing up. Insomnia for weeks on end. Raging emotions, sad and crying one minute, angry and shouting the next. Hot flashes, blurry vision, throbbing headaches, and joint pain. I was not told any side effects in the clinic, only that it stops periods and lessens cramps. I wish I was given a leaflet to make an informed decision. 7 months later and I'm losing weight slowly, sleeping better, and had been having sex occasionally, but it's a bloody mess and hit and miss if I climax at all. I just want the period to end. I would recommend ginseng as a mood booster and evening primrose oil to regulate your hormones. These brought back my libido a bit and made me less suicidal. Never again!!!!!"

• Sup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this at all! It is effective at preventing pregnancy, but the side effects for me are not worth it at all. I have been on it for about 2 months now, and I am suffering every day. Before the shot, everything was fine with me, but about 2-3 weeks after I got it, I started getting terrible stomach pains, headaches, bad acne on my back, which I've never had before, and before the shot, I've never gotten a UTI, but since I got it, I'm constantly getting painful recurring UTIs no matter how much water I drink. I even had to go on antibiotics twice, and they came back. My sex drive is so low now because when I have sex, I am in so much pain, and I know I don’t have diseases, infections, etc. because my doctors even did tests, and they all came back negative. This is just the absolute worst thing I have ever done! I would rather get pregnant 10 times than get this shot again!"

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was bleeding heavily for a month with extremely large blood clots that made it difficult and stressful to even leave the house. It was seriously affecting my quality of life and emotional well-being. My doctor prescribed Provera 10mg twice a day for ten days. After the second dose, the blood clots had completely disappeared. By the third dose, no bleeding at all. This medicine was like a miracle for me. I am happy to have my life back. I noticed I am having a headache, but it's not that bad. I'll take a headache any day over the suffering I endured with that excessive bleeding/clotting."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was bleeding for 7 weeks lightly, and then all of a sudden it came, and I was passing large clots and a lot of blood. My doctor put me on Provera 10mg twice a day. I had a horrible headache and felt tired, but my period did stop, which is great."

• And...
• January 29, 2021

For Amenorrhea "I took Provera because I have irregular periods, and I was told it would help induce my periods. I took 10 mg for 10 days. I had a mild headache the first two days, then my body got used to it. I had my period a day after my 10th pill, and it was regular, nothing abnormal. I would recommend it."

• Sas...
• March 25, 2009

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 47 and this is my second time on Provera. The only side effects I have noticed are intense night sweats. I am hotter than usual. The day after my first dose, I was nauseous and had a headache like a hangover. It has happened a few other times during the 10 days. I do think that I can live with 10 days a month of Provera because I was bleeding a lot. I was stuck at home. At least now, even if I don't feel good, I can still leave home."

• Pip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This shot has caused me so many issues. I got it only once. Before the shot, I had abnormally heavy periods that lasted 6 days, and to be honest, I'd rather go back to that. My body has had so many issues. The first month, things were fine. The only issues I had within the first month were headaches and nausea (the nausea got extremely severe at times, I actually had to grip onto my boyfriend just to get stable or lie on the floor). Then came the second month, excessive spotting. I also got major depression and hated everyone. I am currently on my third month of the shot, and I am still spotting heavily and sometimes bleeding. Due to the shot, I am now anemic and facing heading to the ER, but I can't because I do not have insurance."

• al4...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the shot since the beginning of May. I've been bleeding constantly for 7 months, with very frequent headaches. I almost thought I was anemic at one point due to the shot. However, it was very effective in preventing pregnancy, but definitely not worth all the other symptoms."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For Birth Control "This has ruined my life. Took my Depo-Provera first shot on April 12th, 2019, and being on it, I have massive mood swings, memory loss, headaches. I used to have 2 jobs and now have no desire to work. I used to be a very, very driven woman, and now I don't even want to leave my house/bed. I would never recommend this to anyone. I have never been in such a dark place in my life and have constant thoughts of death. My sex drive is gone, and my relationship is in danger, and so are my jobs. This makes me feel bad, evil, horrible, nonstop. It's hard to smile, laugh, or have any joy at all. Please do not take this medication ever. It is just not worth it."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 46 and live in the UK. I've just been put on this Provera medication today. I have had numerous blood tests and have been told that I am on my way to menopause, kick-started after having my left ovary removed due to a cyst in 2015. I have been lucky in the sense that periods weren't too bad for me growing up, but over the last couple of years, they have been very irregular. Lately, though, I have had quite heavy flooding and am awaiting an appointment to have a hysteroscopy. My last period finished on Christmas Eve, and since then I have had spotting every day, sometimes a lot. Hot flushes, headaches, and erratic sleeping patterns. I am taking prescribed iron tablets and vitamin D, as I feel exhausted. So, today the doctor put me on Provera, 2 tablets a day. I am hoping that they will help."

• con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2023

For Endometrial Hyperplasia, Prophylaxis "I am a 64-year-old woman who is 15 years post-menopausal. A polyp was removed from my cervix. I had an ultrasound of the uterus with a biopsy. The biopsy came back okay, and the lining of the uterus measurement was 15. Ultrasound showed probably a polyp. I had a hysteroscopy with D&C and the removal of a polyp. The gynecologist would like to do a hysterectomy. Since my test results came back as simple hyperplasia, my insurance questioned that suggestion. I was put on Provera 10 mg for the protocol of 90 days. I repeated the ultrasound and biopsy. Ten days after taking Provera, I started spotting light bleeding. A week later, I had a heavy period with large clots. My doctor prescribed Lysteda for 5 days, blood work, then back on Provera. No thank you. I am exhausted! I am struggling with my concentration, worrying about being able to change my pads before leakage, and feeling tired and weak, with headaches and chills. I won't take Provera or Lysteda. I am done with my uterus and had all this trouble. I don't want any more drugs. Hysterectomy time!"

• 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."

• dee...
• November 13, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 58 years old and haven't had a period in 8 years. Two years ago, I started spotting for a few months. The OBGYN did a uterine biopsy and found negative results. At the end of Sept/2019, I started bleeding, not spotting. They did another biopsy to find negative results again. I really put my foot down for them to do a hysterectomy, otherwise, I don't think they would have suggested it. From what I read, this should stop the bleeding. Prayerfully, it will. The OBGYN put me on Provera: 2 pills twice a day for 7 days, then down to one pill twice a day. My bleeding slowed down a bit, but never completely stopped. I'm scheduled to have a D&C and hysterectomy in two days to see what's going on. They have definitely seen a polyp but want to put a camera up there to see if there's anything else. The Provera gives me a headache and seems to make me bleed more than I was. But I can't be sure."

• kmc...
• October 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 29 years old, and I have had 3 jabs of the depo in the last year and a bit. MY PROS: No period pain every month. No babies (three is enough for us). No worries about tampons, etc. My CONS: headaches a lot, mood swings - I am a little depressed and snappy at the kids. I don't want to get intimate with my poor husband at all, and my face is covered in acne (not really, but for me, YES). I have gained weight!! (5 kg). I was supposed to have my next jab in June this year, and I didn't go for it, and I still don't have my period 5 months later!!! I think for me personally, it is no good."

• jez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 28 years old, I have been on the Depo shot for 3 months now to regulate my periods. My first 2 months, I didn't get my period at all, no side effects except a headache for the first week. Now into my 3rd month, and I have had my period for going on 3 weeks straight, and it's really stressing me out. I have been irritable these past weeks, major mood swings, and lost my sex drive. And no changes in my weight, but pretty sure I will not continue this method of birth control."

• 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."

• fel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2014

For Amenorrhea "My first birth control experience was a disaster; I was taking Tri-Sprintec. Tri-Sprintec made me gain 20 pounds, acne, increased my periods, and did the exact opposite of what it was supposed to do. After one year of searching the internet for an alternative option, I came across the Depo-Provera shot. I have been on it now for 9 months (so this is my third shot), and I have come across no weight gain/no periods, and I think I am one of the few women who has been so lucky. The only thing is, for the first month of EACH shot, you have bloating, some pain, a little headaches, etc. It goes away for me after that. Nothing I can't handle compared to the periods I was getting before. Everyone is different though, but I highly recommend this!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2015

For Amenorrhea "I hate this medicine. Took for 10 days and did get my period the last day. 1st day was light, but since then it's been cramps that I can barely move and heavy, heavy bleeding. On day 6 and in the last 24 hours, I've leaked 3 times. Once was in a 1-hour period from the last leak. It causes your period, but be warned, it can be horrible. Was told to expect heavy, but this is ridiculous right now. On top of everything, I'm 27 and having hot flashes from side effects, massive headaches while taking the meds, and PMS, which I never have."