Megestrol and Bleeding: What Users Say

• My ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Was on a straight period for 3 months, not just a regular period either. I went through about 10-14 pads a day, and I had to double them so over 20 pads a day, heavy clots. I was white as a ghost, constantly sleeping. So I finally went to the hospital and they admitted me instantly. I had 3 blood transfusions within the first 24 hours being there, my level was a 3! I started the megace the next day and my period stopped that night. Well, I just had a D&C done 4 days ago and I just started bleeding and cramping so bad. This medicine is amazing and I highly recommend it. But now I have to go back to the hospital tomorrow morning because my Dr is afraid of me losing too much blood, and I am having a partial hysterectomy (soon). The megace actually made me lose 10 lbs within the first couple of weeks! Also, it's been 2 months I've been on the medication twice a day. I'll update after my hospital visit tomorrow."

• KDa...
• November 7, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Feb 2017, I started having abnormal uterine bleeding. Huge clots, bright red blood. After 10 days of increased bleeding, I saw my OB. I was put on megestrol and told I needed a biopsy to clear out cancer. It was highly suggested that I get a uterine ablation. I did months later, which did not work. I had to continue on the megestrol. It did sometimes stop the bleeding in the very beginning, but then from time to time I would get some very light bleeding. This summer, I decided to stop taking the Rx to see what would happen. For about 2.5 months, no bleeding and no pills! I was so excited and thought it was all behind me, and then one day the blood showed up again. I tried not to panic and waited 2 days before resuming the pills. It's Nov 2019, and I am still having bleeding issues. It seems the megestrol does not completely work anymore. I still bleed sometimes light and sometimes a little more. It's so frustrating to deal with this."

• Lad...
• January 8, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I usually never write reviews, but this medicine was great!!! I had been bleeding for two months, heavy bleeding and clotting!!! Thought I was dying! Prior to the day I was prescribed this medicine, I woke up in a pool of blood. I ran to the bathroom to clean myself up, and blood clots started coming out. My boyfriend rushed me to emergency. I was weak and exhausted from losing so much blood over those two months. My blood levels were very low. Of course, they kept me. They started me on Megestrol, and my bleeding slowed down that day!! After going home, my bleeding was completely gone by day three. And didn't return. I just saw my OB and was inserted an IUD (Mirena). So far, it sucks!"

• CeC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Ever since I got on the Depo shot, I've had issues. I've been bleeding heavily for months, now have blood clots, and the amount of fibroids has increased. I started 40 mg of megestrol once a day a week ago. It definitely slows down the bleeding, but it seems to wear off. If I take it early in the morning, I have no issues all during the day, barely going through a tampon, but come nighttime, it's heavy again. I just emailed my doctor about this. Maybe I need to use it twice a day, although I don't like the idea of adding more of this chemical/hormone to my body so as to not cause a higher risk of side effects. I'm very much considering ablation or even hysterectomy to just be rid of it all, I am terrified though."

• cha...
• August 12, 2018

"Okay, so my doctor put me on megestrol only after putting me on progesterone for bleeding. The progesterone made me bleed like a stuck pig, so she moved me to megestrol, or rather, progesterone. The bleeding stopped for 2 to 3 weeks, so 'hello love life, I'm a happy girl.' Just have to wait to see how much it has worked as far as my hyperplasia situation. Hopefully, I won't need a hysterectomy. Anyway, for the past couple of weeks, the bleeding came back like a light. So 'goodbye love life,' and with it came heavy period pain. It was almost like I was ready to give birth, that's how bad the cramping is. My doctor said she has 'no idea why' I'm cramping because this is not a side effect. I know there's more women out there who have the same experience I have had. Does anybody else feel like a goddamn guinea pig?"

• mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After the second week on this medication, I went from having a 7-10 day cycle to bleeding every day with clots. The doctor increased the dosage, and I got worse. I stopped taking it, and now I'm almost always hurting. The bleeding hasn't stopped, and I'm miserable. The worst thing ever was taking this medication."

• 60...
• October 8, 2013

For Endometrial Hyperplasia "I have endometrial hyperplasia without atypia, and my insurance refuses a hysterectomy. I have been on megestrol now for over 2 1/2 months, 40 mgs twice a day. Hot flashes, insomnia, and bleeding, BUT I have been shedding the excess tissue of my hyperplasia. I go back in 2 weeks for yet another biopsy and will see if the hyperplasia is gone. One other effect is very strong urine from this medicine. I had tried regular progesterone, and I could not tolerate it. Major bleeding and egg-sized clots. So far, megestrol is working for me. Time will tell, but I am hopeful of being able to stop taking it."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Given megestrol 40 mg twice a day after D and C. I started bleeding after 45 days of using it, weight gain, too much anger. Also, even hair started falling out. Very bad experience with it. Doctor gives me progesterone 200 mg, and still after taking it for 9 days, bleeding is still on. I don't know when this will stop, but I have the progesterone for 14 days and then stop it and see what will happen!"

• Lio...
• October 30, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking this medication for heavy bleeding. I was having periods that lasted 9 - 10 days, it went to 2 weeks, then 3 weeks, now a month and counting. I noticed that when I skipped a dose or two, the bleeding decreased. So I did some research and found that one of the side effects was increased bleeding. I also had night sweats and felt thirsty all the time, like I was dehydrated. An ablation has been recommended, but now I'm not sure if it's needed due to the side effects."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Today is day 2 taking the medicine. I have Von Willebrand disease, and I’ve been bleeding and passing clots since Feb 5th nonstop. In the last year, my cycle was regular up until now. The bleeding has stopped, but I’m still weak from all the bleeding. I had an iron treatment on Thursday, so hopefully it helps soon. As for the pill, everything has stopped, hopefully, I can get back to regular, and the doctor can figure out what’s going on with me. This is so scary."

• kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2023

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had a D&C in January 2023, and they found 4 polyps on my uterus lining and a lot of thickness. I was prescribed this medication at the beginning of February. My ob-gyn put me on megestrol 40 mg 4 times a day due to endometrial hyperplasia. Starting on March 21, 2023, I started bleeding, so I came off the medication due to my ob-gyn saying I shouldn't be bleeding at all. Well, I went into the office in April, and he wants another D&C and told me this should stop the bleeding. Well, I had the D&C 2 weeks ago, and guess what? I am bleeding worse than I ever bled, with clots, extreme cramps, and heavy bleeding. I honestly think this medication has messed me up big time. I have been bleeding for 2 months, and my ob-gyn still doesn't understand why I am bleeding. He said I shouldn't be bleeding at all. All he can say is I am a special case and prescribed the same medication again for another 3 months, and I am not going to take it again! Bad side effects!"

• kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2023

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had a D&C in January 2023, and they found 4 polyps on my uterus lining and a lot of thickness. I was prescribed this medication at the beginning of February. My ob-gyn put me on megestrol 40 mg 4 times a day due to endometrial hyperplasia. Starting on March 21, 2023, I started bleeding, so I came off the medication due to my ob-gyn saying I shouldn't be bleeding at all. Well, I went into the office in April, and he wants another D&C and told me this should stop the bleeding. Well, I had the D&C 2 weeks ago, and guess what? I am bleeding worse than I ever bled, with clots, extreme cramps, and heavy bleeding. I honestly think this medication has messed me up big time. I have been bleeding for 2 months, and my ob-gyn still doesn't understand why I am bleeding. He said I shouldn't be bleeding at all. All he can say is I am a special case and prescribed the same medication again for another 3 months, and I am not going to take it again! Bad side effects!"

• T-o...
• July 30, 2009

Megestrol for Endometrial Hyperplasia "At the six-week point, I began bleeding and have been bleeding heavily for two weeks. Also, swelling of feet and ankles, as well as a weird 'whooshing' sound in my ear. I think the Megestrol turned on me."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started taking megestrol in July for heavy menstrual cycles. When I first started taking it, I thought... wow, this is my miracle drug. Stopped the heavy bleeding to almost nothing. That took place for about 3 and a half weeks. I then noticed I had been on my menstrual all that time. The 4th week, while still taking megestrol, I had the biggest blood clot! I was like, OMG! After that, it slowed back down, but I still get blobs of blood. And did I mention I have been menstruating 57 days and counting? Before megestrol, the longest was 22 days. My doctor didn't seem shocked. I have been begging for a hysterectomy! I had to take megestrol for a month first, second get a D & C, then they will see if insurance covers surgery. OMGGGGG, I have no life."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Given megestrol 40 mg twice a day after D&C. I started bleeding after 45 days of using it, weight gain, too much anger. Even my hair started falling out. Very bad experience with it. Doctor gives me progesterone 200 mg, and still after taking it for 9 days, bleeding is still on. I don't know when this will stop, but I have the progesterone for 14 days and then stop it and see what will happen!"

• Tam...
• September 24, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was bleeding very heavily, I could soak through a super plus tampon and a huge after-pregnancy pad within minutes. I was passing clots so big they wouldn’t fit down the shower drain. My doctor put me on 40 mg of Megestrol once a day over 3 months ago, so far, I had 2 days in a row of light spotting. I love this stuff! I’m actually taking this instead of getting a full hysterectomy. My only concern is I had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery about a week ago, and I’ve had some pretty intense uterine pain with heavy bleeding and blood clots since. I stopped taking the Megestrol for a few days thinking nature would run its course, I started taking it again, and the uterine pain started back up. I hope this surgery didn’t wreck Megestrol for me."

• Kay...
• July 6, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’m 24 years old, been bleeding for 3 1/2 months, just got prescribed this pill on Thursday, and today is Tuesday. I only stopped bleeding for one day, and my bleeding hasn’t changed at all. It’s actually gotten a tad bit heavier. Idk what to do, my gyn told me it’ll take 2-3 days to stop, and it’s going on day 5 of taking this pill. I'm a tad bit worried because it took me literally 2 months to even be seen by my gyne because it was so backed up."

• Fai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 29 and hope this works. Bleeding for months at a time, no energy or appetite has really been draining. It is day 2 of the 40 mg once a day. I felt great for the first time in a while. Was able to get out of bed, cook, and do a little grocery shopping. Not feeling 100% yet, I'm just grateful for any improvements right now."

• LMD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

For Endometrial Hyperplasia "This is my story: had failed IVF. Abnormal uterine bleeding from the last miscarriage, on and off menstrual period, not heavy at all. I technically not ovulating and rarely menstruate. In June 2019, I went to see RE for a water ultrasound to R/U polyps, and yes, my suspicion was right. Polyps removed, found advanced hyperplasia grade 1, placed on Megace 160 mg daily. First month, October 2019, no bleeding, second month, November, started spotting, and I called my doctors and was told it was normal. Until today, 12/9/2019, I am spotting. No heavy flow or clots. I read an article that this medication regulates periods if there was amenorrhea, but for those who are menopausal. So, now I am unsure, at my age of 42, I am menopausal. I am very confused."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2020

For Unintentional Weight Loss (Underweight) "So I started taking Megestrol 40 mg 5 mls one time a day to gain weight. No, I don't have cancer/AIDS/anorexia, I simply wanted to gain weight. So my OBGYN prescribed this horrible drug with all of these chemicals/side effects, and I've been bleeding ever since. Before taking it, my periods were normal and on time. Now I might have to get a blood transfusion because I've been bleeding for 10 days straight. I hate that I ever took this drug. I'm going to have a talk with her tomorrow, and it's not going to be pretty."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started bleeding 2 weeks after taking it. It was like a little bit. It felt like I peed myself, and when I was able to go to the bathroom, it was all over my legs and running down. I was so glad that I was wearing black pants when it happened. It was a nightmare. Still currently on my cycle. Been on it 11 days and counting. These do not work. I was so excited not to have periods only for me to feel like something is wrong when nothing was. Just a heavy period that’s lasting more than 5 days."

• Jvm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2023

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm curious if anyone has been tested for von Willebrand disease in light of experiencing abnormal bleeding and clots. It wasn't until years later, when my child was diagnosed with hemophilia, that I realized my prolonged bleeding wasn't normal. As it turned out, I have the gene for the disease in my family, and heavy bleeding is a sign of it. My hematologist and gynecologist are working together to find a solution, and DDP or other medications have helped to alleviate my symptoms. Testing for von Willebrand's disease has made a big difference in my diagnosis and treatment."

• Jvm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2023

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm curious if anyone has been tested for von Willebrand disease in light of experiencing abnormal bleeding and clots. It wasn't until years later, when my child was diagnosed with hemophilia, that I realized my prolonged bleeding wasn't normal. As it turned out, I have the gene for the disease in my family, and heavy bleeding is a sign of it. My hematologist and gynecologist are working together to find a solution, and DDP or other medications have helped to alleviate my symptoms. Testing for von Willebrand's disease has made a big difference in my diagnosis and treatment."

• sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2023

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Been taking megestrol for almost 2 months now and have been bleeding for 26 days. This stuff is not working!!! About to stop taking it."