Medroxyprogesterone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Que...
• November 26, 2019

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I highly recommend the Depo-Provera shot (especially if you would like to gain some weight)! I decided to take the Depo shot because I kept forgetting to take the pill (this later led to a pregnancy which was followed by a miscarriage because of stress from the situation I was in). I didn't know anything about the Depo-Provera shot and was never given any kind of pamphlet on it. I was at 105 lbs when I first started the shot. Now I'm at 132 lbs. I've been on the shot for 2 1/2 months. My anxiety is worse (I'm on medicines for anxiety), I've had throbbing headaches (I also have medicine for this), and my periods are super weird. I'll barely bleed most of the time I go to the bathroom. It's almost like I don't have a period, but the cramps come and go. So far, it's doing its job and preventing pregnancy. However, my sister has friends who gained 100+ pounds being on this shot, so I was suggested to keep the late-night snacks to a minimum, but I choose not to and it's not really affected me."

• bal...
• February 27, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "It is effective. However, the weight gain of 30 lbs, now I need to lose 60 lbs. The headaches, dizziness, and tiredness. Feeling hungry constantly and occasional numbness in my hands and feet. I am thinking of trying Implanon, but the reviews don't look so great. Would prefer getting my tubes tied, as we have a nice-sized family. I have been on it for 13 months since my youngest was born, and I hate that I eat and feel pregnant even though I am not."

• Kir...
• October 3, 2020

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started Depo-Provera in January 2020. I was bleeding for 3 1/2 months, the end of February through 2 weeks in June. It was very light. It would go away, and I would have sex, and it’s around for like 3 or 5 days and it’s gone. After June, it stopped completely. I was so happy, like HAPPY HAPPY. I still felt cramps and stuff, but no period. So today, October 3, I see I’m spotting. So I guess I’m going back to the 3 months of bleeding. I would not recommend this, only if you want to gain weight. But it really does make sure you don’t have babies because of bleeding for so long."

• Ste...
• December 19, 2012

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I've been on the Depo shot for over three years now. I was so happy to get rid of my period. I've had none of the side effects that people have mentioned, such as depression, migraines, or loss of libido, actually, I think it increased mine. Haha. But the only thing that I've noticed was the weight gain, and it was only maybe 5 lbs a year, so it wasn't that noticeable. The only thing that I've noticed is that as you are ending the year and getting your first shot for the new year, you tend to bleed irregularly for a week to two weeks. But I've had nothing but positive things from this shot."

• Jui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I had my daughter in February this year. I received the shot the day I was released from the hospital. The shot didn't hurt and didn't quell the after-pregnancy bleeding. I believe that was inevitable. This shot hasn't made me gain weight at all. I'm 119 lbs when I was 173 lbs when I was at my last check-up before I had my child. The real problem with this is that I am a fricken mess. I cry at the drop of a hat. I have ZERO appetite and have to force myself to eat. BUT I have longer, thicker hair, and my body hair didn't change. I'm blonde, and it'd be easy to tell. The serious downside is that I've been on the shot for 4 months and HAVE NOT STOPPED BLEEDING! Good lord! It's been 4 months of ruined panties and tampons."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2016

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've now had 2 Depo shots. About 4 weeks into my second shot, and I've been bleeding now for 14 days. It's weak, but just isn't stopping. It's not painful, but more annoying than anything. Experiencing ongoing mood swings and gained 5 kg in the first 2 months with no other change to diet/exercise. Unsure if I need to keep taking the shot to let my body adjust or to stop now. Have read stories of getting pregnant later can be much harder after Depo too. Lots of uncertainty, wish I had researched more before starting and perhaps tried the IUD first."

• LS6...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 31, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo for almost 12 years now. Bled/spotted non-stop for the first 6 months and a little after that. The side effects normalized after a full 12 months. Initially, I gained weight, but only in the first few months. When it's close to being time for my next injection, I get PMS symptoms, and every now and then, I get 'unusual' (unusual for me) side effects with an injection, but it usually is only for 3 months and goes back to normal with the next one. I do, however, experience spotting/bleeding after sex sometimes. I've heard it can be from cervical capillaries that are made more sensitive from the drug, but I don't know that there's firm research on it."

• Jes...
• September 26, 2017

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I’ve been on the birth control shot for almost two years now, I absolutely love it. The beginning of the shot sucks, you bleed a lot, and it almost never stops. But after a little while, it takes your period away. I haven’t gotten a period since probably May of this year (no, I’m not pregnant, I’ve made sure). It hasn’t made me gain weight or have any other problems! I would highly suggest it."

• Tif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 9, 2014

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I am 25 years old and have been on Depo-Provera for around 3 years. I have very little side effects and absolutely love not worrying about pregnancy or periods! I can't imagine going back to having a monthly period, I am very content with my light spotting every three months, a week before my next shot. I never plan on having children, so I have no problem staying on this long-term. I've been losing and gaining 20 pounds on and off many years before I started Depo, and considering I do not exercise, I cannot blame any weight gain on this. My only concern is bone density loss. I eat calcium-rich vegetables daily and take vitamin D, but may start calcium supplementation as well depending on my results from a bone density screening."

• Fan...
• September 7, 2017

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "Absolutely hate the Depo Provera shot! I gained so much weight, it's disappointing! After I had my baby, I went back to my regular weight, which was 130. I had my baby on 2/27/17 and went back to the clinic for my 6-week ob postpartum, and then the nurse asked me what I was going to use for contraception. I answered 'condoms,' and she responded with, 'You know some condoms can fail - how about some birth control pills, shot, IUD, and the Nexplanon? These are our top four popular birth control options, of course, we have more, but definitely recommend these!' As she mentioned all of them, she started giving me information about the four options, so then I decided on the Depo because I'm not good with remembering to take pills every day, and at the same time, I definitely don't want something in my uterus or in my arm, at that point, Depo sounded perfect. I noticed a lot of mood changes, hungriness, and weight changes. I was depressed, emotional most of the time, was extremely rude to my husband, and I was tired all the time, all I wanted to do was sleep. I was hungry all the time, I was eating every 2 hours. I could not control my hungriness, and at that moment, all I wanted to do was eat and sleep. Then I started noticing I was getting thicker around my waist and decided to check my weight, I had gained 40 pounds in 3 months and the first time taking it! I never went back to get my second Depo. I honestly don't recommend any birth control. I know everybody's bodies are different, but still, they are bad for us, believe it or not!"

• ken...
• September 23, 2016

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "When I started getting the Depo shot, I was 15. It was a lot easier to do that than have a 15-year-old remember to take a pill every day. The only downsides to this shot were the constant hunger and the going back to the doctor every 3 months to get another one. I did experience weight gain, but I mean, come on, if you're going to eat more, then you have to exercise more. I took it for 3 years and had not gotten pregnant. Just use common sense, and you will absolutely love the shot!"

• duo...
• February 19, 2017

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Terrible, wish I could give a -10 lol. Had first and last shot beginning of July 2016 and been bleeding ever since! Mefenamic and tranexamic acids have done nothing. Anyone who has bled for months, please tell me when things got better for you because I am losing hope. I don't know whether it's the doctors are ignorant about what this can do or that they are more concerned about keeping unwanted pregnancy to a minimum, but it is scary how little they know about this drug. The side effect they kept making the most noise about was weight gain rather than the possibility of bleeding for months on end."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2012

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I started Depo as an alternative to the pill due to the fact that I kept forgetting to take it. At first, it was a miracle. My period immediately stopped. I did gain a bit of weight, but it wasn't anything that I thought about too much. But after my third round of the shot is when problems started to occur. I became incredibly unstable. My moods were unbearable to the point where it almost cost me a relationship. I was constantly depressed, no sex drive, and the scale kept climbing even after efforts to eat healthier and exercise. I decided to go off of it, and everything just stopped. I feel normal again. My weight dropped."

• Lov...
• September 21, 2013

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I am 18 years old and weigh about 120 pounds. I got the Depo-Provera shot in July 2013. When I went to get the shot, the nurse told me I may have no weight gain or cravings. She also told me to take 1200 calcium every day. The day after I got the shot, I felt like I had the flu the whole day and was miserable. As for the first month, it was bad. My body ached, and I felt sick to my stomach about every week. The second month, I was sick about 3 days a week, with my body hurting and sick to my stomach. I also lost my urge to eat. Throughout the 3 months, I was moody, my friends and family couldn't stand to be around me. I gained maybe 2 pounds."

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2019

For Amenorrhea "This was the worst medication I’ve taken in my entire life. I took the oral (10-day supply) in June 2018, and honestly, since then I’ve been feeling not like myself until the end of 2018. My hormones were completely thrown out of shape, and every day felt like a near-death experience. Sure, I’ve dealt with clinical depression before, but that was 5 years ago. I consider myself a really motivated, happy, and optimistic person until I took the medication. Every single day, I felt like I had terrible PMS (CRAZY weight gain, hair loss/thinning of hair, bruising, brittle skin, erratic mood swings, etc.). I went to 4 gynecologists and even 2 endocrinologists because I was convinced that something was wrong with me. All of them just did a ton of blood tests on me and were very unhelpful. I would NOT recommend this medication for ANYONE!!!!! I was very disappointed in my doctors and this experience. They NEED to get this medication off the market because it absolutely messed me up."

• Pri...
• February 5, 2017

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "My experience with the Depo shot was great! I love it! I've been on it for 2 years now, and I am currently still receiving the shot. Honestly, I've experienced no type of bad side effects from the Depo shot. I didn't gain any weight, didn't become depressed, or have mood swings, it didn't lower my sex drive or cause me any discomfort with my periods, etc. I literally haven't, and still don't experience anything bad with the Depo shot to this day! I love the Depo shot because it's something you don't have to worry about taking every day. It's quick, easy, and comfortable. And works amazingly at preventing pregnancy! I 100% definitely recommend anyone to give the Depo shot a try!"

• Mag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2017

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I gained so much during the injections. I weighed 120 and was happy with my weight. Just after 6 months, I weighed 145. I got off it because the weight gain was too much. My pants won't fit, shirts won't fit. I seriously need new clothes. I am so self-conscious now, and I never was before this. I just switched to the IUD, and I love it. I'm still trying to lose the weight. Right now, I weigh 143 and it's so hard to lose the weight. I exercise every day and eat healthy, but it's a tough process. I don't recommend going on this birth control. Go for something else."

• JTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2020

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I got on Depo on January 15, 2020. Ever since I got on it, I have had bleeding since then. I am tired of having to use tampons and pads just so I don’t ruin any of my clothing. Depo is very effective, in my opinion, but when I first got on it, I was moody and emotional for no reason! My hormones were off track, but as of now, it’s good! I have not experienced any weight gain, so I have to say I am okay with this. Just not with the consistent bleeding."

• Cas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 8, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this shot for just about one year. I have had one period since being on it, which lasted almost a month, not heavy by any means, still very annoying. Not noticed any weight gain, but I always go up and down, give or take 3 pounds. I would recommend it, everyone is different and has different side effects, so it is unknown how one person's body will take to it. But worth testing it out. Hated the pill!"

• Kae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2020

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "In 2012, I started on the Depo, and it was great. No period, but I gained weight, so after a year, I discontinued the use of the injection. Fast forward to March 2020, I decided I would get on the injection again, and it was the worst decision of my life. After I got my first injection, my period stopped for about 45 days, then bam, I started spotting. The spotting turned into full-blown bleeding. I may have a day or two when I'm not bleeding. When I try to have sex, I start to bleed heavily. I went to the doctor, and I've had ultrasounds and exams, and they all came back normal. My doctor put me on a low-dose birth control two weeks ago. I pray that it helps. The doctor suggests that I have an ablation or hysterectomy, which I do not want, but this bleeding has to stop."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2016

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I received my first shot in March 2016 after being on the pill for 5 years. At first, I loved the shot. I didn't have to worry about taking it at a set time every day (which I was terrible at), and my period has completely gone away. About a week before I was due for the second shot, I noticed an increase in my acne on my face, chest, and back, as well as some spotting. That was the first week of June 2016, and I haven't stopped spotting since. My acne has also gotten significantly worse, and I have never struggled with acne like this before in my life - even as a teenager. My stress level has increased significantly, and I've gained over 20 pounds since June 2016. I will NOT be going back in November to get my 4th shot."

• SBR...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 28, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I have been on this shot since I was 16, I am now 22... So, 6 years. I have gained about 20 pounds!!! That is my HUGE complaint about it! It works great! I have never even had a pregnancy scare. My sex drive is very healthy, my mood swings aren't wild, I do not have a period/spotting or anything. When I first received my first shot, I bled for three months straight, not heavy but had a period, then never again after that! You have to make sure you're taking a calcium pill every day! This shot will be my last since I am wanting to have a child sometime in the next year or two. I was told by my doctor getting pregnant after being on Depo will be a challenge.. So overall I gave it a 4 rating because it is effective, but the weight gain is horrible."

• mem...
• April 9, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This shot has saved my life. I was very hormonal with terrible, painful PMS. This shot helped with all of my symptoms, including my constant back pain. I don't really think the weight gain is a big issue because I know I gained 5 pounds around my period anyway. I have energy to do more important things now, and it has helped my depression significantly. It may not be for everyone, but it definitely is helping me tremendously."

• Ari...
• May 4, 2015

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I am 18 and have been on Depo since I was 15 due to severe menstrual bleeding. When I first got the shot, I noticed my bleeding kept lightening up until my second shot, and it stopped altogether. I eat like a pig, but that's not really a big deal for me. During the first 4-5 months, I lost 40 pounds, and slightly over a year later I've gained 20 back. I know a lot of girls fidget and carry on over the weight issue, but if you exercise daily and eat appropriately, it won't turn into a big deal. I definitely recommend this to my friends who either have bleeding issues or just don't want to get pregnant. Works perfectly in both cases; at least for me!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 19, 2019

Medroxyprogesterone for Birth Control "I’ve been on Depo since having my first child. It’s been nearly 4 years, but I’ve come to realize it’s put a crazy toll on me. I love this as a form of birth control. Never had a scare and was always on time every three months. But in most recent months, I’ve noticed quite the change in my body. I’ve gained a tremendous amount of weight (40 lbs), with 17 of those lbs within these last 6 months. I am built small, I am 5’2”, my starting weight was 120, but I am now 160 on average. I cannot look at myself in the mirror, which is causing low self-esteem, no self-confidence, and straight-up anger. I have terrible back acne, joint pain in my knee, lack of sex drive, and I am always tired! I used to be extremely sexually active with my partner, and it’s now gotten to the point where he’s wondering if it’s him. I am always tired and ready for a nap or to lay down. I can’t work out, especially squats, because of my knee pain. I’m choosing to make a switch before anything gets worse."