Megestrol and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Jay...
• April 24, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had heavy bleeding for several years, but within the last 3 years, I ended up in the hospital twice, in which I had to get several blood transfusions. I have only 1 fibroid, the size of a dime. I've had a DNC and ablation surgeries. I was prescribed megestrol in January after leaving the hospital. I was told to take 2 pills a day instead of 4. In February, when my menstrual came on, it has not gone off since, even though it is light. So I was told to take 4 a day, no change. I am getting tired of wearing pads every day. The side effects are some mood swings, every night, about 3 times, I wake up drenched in sweat. I've gained over 20 lbs. I really do not want a hysterectomy, but it seems I have no choice."

• Csh...
• May 13, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After 2 years of D&C, IV iron, and blood infusions on progesterone with no help, a fill-in doctor wrote me a script for megestrol. It changed my life. The other one made me emotional and unreasonable, carb craving and food obsessed all day, every day, to where I put on 20 lbs, bloat and gas, and an odd-smelling discharge. On this one, I have stepped down to 10 mg a day from 20 mg 3 times a day, and it's changed my life. No bleeding, no mood swings, my appetite is back to normal, and the bloat is gone. It's like I'm not taking progesterone at all. I understand that if you quit taking it, the second time doesn't work as well, so unless something drastic happens, I'm staying on it."

• Csh...
• May 13, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After 2 years of D&C, IV iron, and blood infusions on progesterone with no help, a fill-in doctor wrote me a script for megestrol. It changed my life. The other one made me emotional and unreasonable, carb craving and food obsessed all day, every day, to where I put on 20 lbs, bloat and gas, and an odd-smelling discharge. On this one, I have stepped down to 10 mg a day from 20 mg 3 times a day, and it's changed my life. No bleeding, no mood swings, my appetite is back to normal, and the bloat is gone. It's like I'm not taking progesterone at all. I understand that if you quit taking it, the second time doesn't work as well, so unless something drastic happens, I'm staying on it."

• kap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2017

For Endometrial Cancer "Gained over 25 lbs. On it for uterine cancer. It helped stop horrible bleeding before my surgery and also gave me back my appetite. Since then, weight loss had been very stubborn, and I became 'thick' all over, the kind of fat you see on Santa's belly. My mood swings were bad, I was constantly irritated and lost my filter when it came to reacting. I was constantly tired as well, but that could have been cancer-related fatigue. It's been 8 months now since taking megestrol, and I have lost maybe 10 lbs."

• Gem...
• March 25, 2018

For Endometrial Hyperplasia "I was diagnosed with complex endometrial hyperplasia about 2 weeks ago. I actually ended up in the ER from blood loss. I almost died. Had to have 4 blood transfusions. Had an emergency D&C and tests came back complex endometrial hyperplasia. I've been on this medication, 40 mg twice a day, now for 2 weeks. The only things I'm experiencing are constipation, insomnia, and mood changes. My doctor wants me back in 3 months to do a biopsy and also get an IUD. In 3 months, we will see how I'm doing. I hope it goes away because my fiancé and I want to have a baby, but everything has been put on hold until the doctor gives us the 'okay'. I only gave 7 stars because I haven't been on it long enough or had a check-up yet to see how it's working. But for me, it's been pretty mild."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2017

For Endometrial Hyperplasia "I was diagnosed with complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia on 8/9/17 and began megestrol on 8/12/17. I slowly began experiencing common symptoms such as weight gain and increased appetite, but then I slowly started experiencing increased mood swings, irritability, insomnia, itchy body, and shortness of breath. What made me finally call the doctor on 9/19/17 was being up at 3 am with the inability to breathe. I was informed to discontinue due to allergic reactions. On 9/21/17, I began with joint pain and swelling in my hands and wrists. By Friday, 9/22/17, I couldn't function for myself at all. My entire left arm and both hands were useless, and I ended up in the ER where I learned this is all allergic reactions as well."