Megestrol and Headaches: What Users Say

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed megestrol 40 mg, 2 pills a day, after having a very heavy period for 3 months straight with tennis ball-sized clots and horrific pelvic pain. I’m now on day two, and the bleeding is almost non-existent! I'm down to just some very light spotting. I will take the tummy ache, headache, and gassy feeling over bleeding to the point of soaking through an ultra tampon and overnight pad in 30 minutes. My hysterectomy will be my long-term fix, but we had to stop the bleeding before the surgery. Can’t wait for October to permanently end periods once and for all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "For several years, I have been experiencing very heavy and clot-filled periods, sometimes lasting as long as 21 days (the heavy part would occur from day 2-4), and I was bleeding past super large tampons and pads every 30 minutes (I would wear both). I was also experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath, which forced me to the hospital a few times. There were no heart issues, however, I was severely anemic and received several blood transfusions, my lowest blood level being 5.4. An ultrasound determined that I have fibroids and was prescribed megestrol acetate, and although I have light daily spotting and headaches, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me. When I do have a period, it's just slightly more than spotting."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this drug exactly 4 weeks ago for stage 1 endometrial cancer. I’ve gained 17 pounds, mostly water. Trouble breathing, wheezing terribly. 4 doctors agreed this was the only option, now they are pushing me off of the other since my side effects started. Vision is blurred, and headaches are terrible. I was healthier with the cancer. This drug is horrible. It can cause scar tissue in your lungs on top of so many other things. It’s a very dangerous drug. Be careful. Pulmonologist in 2 days to go for a CT scan with contrast. This drug should be taken very seriously. The ER doctor said it could very well be a blood clot, but still wouldn’t do the CT scan. Ugh! It’s frustrating. Good luck."

• Sar...
• December 11, 2015

For Anorexia "I always have been 85 pounds, even when I passed my teen mark. When I went to see my gastro doctor, he prescribed this. The first month, I was finally able to eat snacks. I ate and ate. And at times I would eat too much, I couldn't eat for the next meal. I gained 20 pounds, but since I didn't fill out much, my stomach got bigger instead. The side effects I had were not having a period. After my medication ran out, in 3-4 weeks, my period came, but it came twice, one week skipped after the other. Then I experienced severe headaches for weeks. After that came a strong depression that I could finally feel, it made me want to cry. Then I got the refill, and it stopped the depression. But after I finished taking it, a daily small depression came back."

• Nog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

For Unintentional Weight Loss (Underweight) "I was put on 40 mg of megestrol a day for being underweight and having no appetite. I desperately wanted to gain weight (I’m 5’2” and 85 lb). Today is day 18 of taking this drug, and I have experienced no change in my appetite whatsoever. I’m still giving it 10 stars because technically weight gain is not the purpose of the drug. My side effects were headache and chest pain the first week, which went away, and extreme thirst at night and some light gas. Really bummed I couldn’t gain any weight on it though."

• Kat...
• August 6, 2016

For Endometrial Hyperplasia "Began taking this medication in April and still on it in August. I was bleeding heavily for 5 months. A biopsy revealed hyperplasia with atypia. This medication stopped my period but gave me intense night sweats, headaches, breast pain, and weight gain. I'll be having a hysterectomy in September."