Megestrol and Blood Clots: What Users Say

• 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."

• Lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2019

For Unintentional Weight Loss (Underweight) "I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colon cancer on 8/7/2017. Surgery was performed on 8/25/2017 to remove the large cancerous mass. The cancer has spread to my liver. After completing chemotherapy in 2/2018, I went into remission in 3/2018. I was having problems gaining weight due to my lack of appetite after chemotherapy. I wanted help to find a way to increase my appetite. Megestrol was the answer to my prayers. I weighed 108 lb in July 2018. I spoke with my oncologist, and he agreed and called in a prescription. As of 3/23/2019, I currently weigh 140 pounds. I have eliminated white bread and white rice. I have decreased the amount of Megestrol I take. I am fortunate to not have issues with blood clots or heart problems. If you do, please consult with your doctor about the side effects from taking Megestrol."

• Dad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2015

For Unintentional Weight Loss (Underweight) "My father is elderly, disabled, debilitated, and has leukemia. He was given a prescription for the liquid form of this drug by his Hematology/Oncology P.A. Off and on, this prescription was used to stimulate his appetite. We were never told of the significant risks for use by the elderly, especially for those with cancer. We were told by the P.A. that this prescription could be used as needed, intermittently, without worry. A month ago, Dad had a life-threatening event which required an ambulance ride, a week in the hospital, and now long-term use of a blood thinner. Initial evaluation in the ER and subsequent conversations with the hospitalist indicated the reason for the blood clots in both lungs, both legs, and throughout the body was linked to this prescription."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Endometrial Cancer "On Megace for endometrial cancer, and I developed blood clots in my leg. Fortunately, I recognized it quickly, and a blood thinner was prescribed. Went off of Megace immediately."