Medroxyprogesterone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• 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."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I would recommend this to everyone. My experience on the shot has been great. This is about my 9th month now, and I never had to deal with any crazy side effects like weight gain, acne, etc. However, in the first 3 months, I did have mood swings, but they were never worse than any normal mood swings (for example, period mood swings). I never got my period, bleeding, or any spotting until 6 months after I started the shot! And even then, my period was very light and quick. Be sure to drink a lot of milk or eat dairy to replace the calcium that gets stripped from your body by taking the shot. If you don't replace your calcium, your bones can become weak or you can experience more side effects. Just take care of yourself :)"

• 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!"

• Adv...
• September 1, 2020

For Endometriosis "I have been on the Depo-Provera injection for close to 3 years for endometriosis. It has made a huge difference. Pain is gone or super mild. No periods. Downside, the injection site is always sore for a few days, as well as my legs after injection. I may spot for a little after injection as well. I can tell the injection is wearing off towards the end of the three months because I start feeling my endo pain and I start getting acne. Have I gained weight on the Depo? Yes. But I don't believe it to be because of the Depo. For one, these past three years I have dealt with a lot, and I mean a lot, of stress. Marriage issues, loss of a parent, moving, job stress, etc. I'm definitely an emotional eater. But these past six months I pulled myself together, started exercising, and eating healthier. I have lost 30 lbs!"

• 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."

• PBa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 19, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I agree with AB. I’m 48 years old and have been on the Depo injection for over 6 years and no periods at all. I woke up this morning and here we go. I took my most recent injection approximately 3 weeks ago. I always take them like I am supposed to. I agree and feel like something has possibly changed in the medicine. I have also gained 20 lbs over the past 6 months and that is not me at all. Anyone have any clue what’s going on???"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I LOVE Depo-Provera! Only 1 shot every 3 months. Unlike the stupid pill, which I keep forgetting to take. Weight gain is the only negative thing for me, which I don't really care for. No mood swings, no period. So I'm super happy with my shot, yay!"

• Ang...
• June 6, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "31 years old, have been on Depo-Provera for about 3 years now due to terrible, awful, debilitating periods - the kind that made it hard for me to go to work. I did get spotting the first few months, but after that it was FREEDOM. No periods whatsoever. I didn't have any weight gain - still around 100 lbs and no other problems. I'm going to get NovaSure soon because I don't want to have to bother going to the pharmacy every three months, and I'm worried about the whole bone density thing - although my doctor said she was on Depo for 8 years without any problems. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a long-term but temporary way to get rid of periods. Don't suffer."

• 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."

• Zam...
• September 7, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo for 1 year and 5 months, and first, my periods would last 2 weeks, 3 days instead of 5-7 days. After my 3rd shot, I had no more periods, but lately, my last 2 shots I've been spotting due to getting my shots at the 12th week instead of 10-11 weeks. I've had no complications in spite of the 20-25 lbs gain weight from the shot. This September, I'm due for another but have decided with my fiancé to put a hold on the shots. Just remember, ladies, everyone's body is different, so what may work out for me won't on others. If one birth control doesn't cut it for you, try another, the one that suits you best. Good luck."

• ann...
• July 25, 2012

For Endometriosis "It has been almost 6 months since my shot, and I have been on my period the whole time. I gained 45 pounds, and I was the most depressed I've ever been. I went insane with mood swings, my already bad pain got worse, and I had head-splitting migraines, among other things. I don't recommend it to anyone. It should come with a prescription for Xanax and some weight loss pills to try to stay on top of things."

• Mik...
• March 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Depo Provera was awful. I gained over 35 pounds. I couldn't stop eating. I was extremely depressed. I couldn't even drive over a bridge without getting anxiety. Unfortunately, it took over a year for me until it completely was out of my system. I feel like I wasted almost two years of my life on that stuff. I was also a slave to going to the doctor every couple of months. This thing NEEDS to be off the market, and I'm glad people are starting to come to their senses about Depo Provera. I do NOT RECOMMEND."

• 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!"

• Oki...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been on Depo Provera for almost two years and never experienced bad side effects. No mood swings, weight gain, or periods. As of 2021, all of that changed. In late March, I started bleeding a normal period that lasted over 2 weeks, then stopped when I got my next injection. Then in end April, beginning June, I started bleeding again for over a month, even after I got my next injection. The bleeding stopped after a week of that last injection. Now it’s the beginning of July, and I’m bleeding again. Not only that, but my body feels weak. I can see myself gaining weight. They definitely altered the drug. Just read an article that Pfizer is stopping the production of Depo Provera, so maybe that plays a role. But it’s not okay that they didn’t tell us if they altered the drug. It originally makes our bones weaken, what if the new version is even worse?"

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2020

"My first and last injection! Got the shot in March. Spotting brown sludge every single day in April and May. Now it is June, heavy bright red bleeding! I just want this drug out of my body. I have experienced every single side effect: weight gain, acne, prolonged spotting and bleeding, and depression! Depo is like a poison in my body. These side effects are ridiculous, and there's nothing you can do but wait it out!"

• Bec...
• August 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I started the shot when I was 17, about to be 18. I am now 20, about to be 21. Very effective at preventing pregnancy. However, I have terrible mood swings, migraines, and weight gain. When I started taking Depo, I was the healthiest I have ever been. Slowly but surely, I put on the pounds and my depression became unbearable! The first year, I didn't gain much, maybe ten pounds, and went from a size 4 to a size 6. I weighed 135, now I weigh about 170. It's horrendous! I just switched birth control yesterday, so I hope it treats me better than Depo Provera!"

• ang...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 3, 2025

For Birth Control "I am 39 and have been on Depo since the age of 16, personally love this contraceptive. Immediately my period stopped and hasn’t come back at all, which is heaven. No weight gain has occurred, and never has there been even a pregnancy scare, and my boyfriends over the years haven’t used condoms. My OBGYN told me the shot is even slightly more effective than your tubal ligation. I do make sure to exercise regularly and have a calcium-rich diet. I have been injecting myself for years now instead of the extra trip to the doctor, and it’s extremely easy. If you want total peace of mind and don’t want to remember a daily pill, I absolutely recommend trying Depo-Provera."

• rai...
• September 23, 2013

For Birth Control "Depo-Provera has changed my life. I am now period and yeast infection free, which is a HUGE deal for someone who has suffered from yeast infections 1x a month for the past 4 years, as well as heavy, painful periods. Haven't had a period since my first shot, which was 7 weeks ago. I am a healthy 28-year-old, aside from suffering from migraines. I have not had any side effects from Depo-Provera, no acne, hair loss, weight gain, etc."

• Lau...
• July 17, 2013

For Birth Control "(July 17, 2013) Just received my second Depo-Provera shot yesterday. I am very pleased with this form of birth control because it is so quick, convenient, and nothing has to be done before or after sex. Personally, my only downside is weight gain. I've gained about 10 pounds and have a love/hate relationship with my newer curves (although I must say my boyfriend doesn't seem to mind them). I have not gotten my period since starting the Depo, but only some light spotting a few days before I was due for my next injection. Overall, I am happy and will continue using Depo-Provera for birth control."

• Jor...
• September 20, 2014

For Birth Control "Honestly, the best birth control I've been on. I had to switch from the pill to the shot due to medications I am on, and I have had no problems with this birth control. Of course, I gained a couple pounds, but that's just a given. I gained maybe five pounds, so nothing drastic. Will continue to use!"

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my first depo shot the beginning of March. After a week, I started bleeding with ceasing. I had to buy Depends because the bleeding was so heavy. I've gained 15 pounds since receiving the shot. I called my doc and got the whole 'it's a common side effect.' I started researching and came up with ibuprofen therapy: 3 800 mg a day for 3 days. I also read about birth control pills, which will stop it as well. I started the ibuprofen Friday, and it stopped. Saturday, I wiped, and it was a little pink. I continued ibuprofen Saturday all day, no bleeding. On Sunday, it was a pale pinkish. I took a birth control pill Sunday. Monday, which is today, no bleeding, no pink, just a little brown. Took a BC pill this morning, no pink, no brown so far."

• Che...
• August 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I felt like I had to review this because I almost didn't start it since all the reviews were truly horrifying. I have been on Depo for a few years, and so have two of my best friends. We all absolutely love it. I haven't had a period since the first shot. I never experienced any weight gain or hormonal changes. Best of all, my bleeding and cramps from hell finally went away. I started taking this not for birth control, but to get rid of my extremely painful periods that started all of a sudden once I turned 30. I'm not saying don't believe the horror stories, just remember, people usually only review when they have bad experiences. I like this way better than the pill, and I don't have to take it every day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2014

For Birth Control "When I was 16, I had the worst period. Major cramps to where I couldn't go to school, bloated super bad. So my doctor recommended the shot. I got it. And since then, I've had not even the slightest spotting. And it's been 2 years. One night, the condom broke completely, and I was so worried. But I didn't get pregnant. I've gained 5-10 pounds over the course. But I for sure recommend."

• dv4...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2016

For Birth Control "WARNING! I received two injections, and it was the worst 6 months of my life. This should come with EXPLICIT warnings, but didn't. I came down with severe anxiety and depression. My life fell apart and I had to leave town to regroup. My interpersonal relationships unraveled. I was so depressed I couldn't move. I saw a psychiatrist and he suggested that the depression could very well have been due to the Depo shot - he's seen it affect others like this as well. Also, I rapidly gained 15-20 lbs. It's been 8 months since my last injection and I am ECSTATIC to report my period finally came back. It can take that long to leave the system! This is a dangerous drug. Monitor your mental health closely. In fact, don't do it."