I got the shot January 16th 2013. A couple weeks later my mood had shifted for the worst. I began to be extremely emotional, have irrational thoughts, cry for no reason, get mad at little things, sometimes get paranoid, depressed, and a few times I've had emotional breakdowns where I just yell and nothing makes sense in my head. Sometimes I feel like I can't even control my thoughts or make rational decisions. It doesn't help that my boyfriend since December has to bear the brunt of it because I feel like this shot is hurting our relationship. Has this happened to anyone else? I feel like I'm losing my mind and theres nothing I can do about it. Some please tell me I'm not alone in these side effects.
Provera - How Long does it take for the Depo Shot to get out of the system?
Question posted by cabanna531 on 28 Feb 2013
Last updated on 15 November 2019
Added 28 Feb 2013:
This shot is making my life a nightmare and i will never get this shot again.
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46 Answers
Amber_dillon
9 Nov 2019
Me and my fiancé have been trying to get pregnant but I was on the depo shot since 2015 and just got off of it this year, I’m wondering if I could still get pregnant since I was on it for four years, my doctor gave me birth control pills but if we are trying I don’t want to take them. My body hasn’t been the same since I have gotten off of it, i have been having really bad hot flashes, I have mood swings like crazy, I cry for no reason, I can’t sleep at night and I have been having chest pains. I will never put my body through that again it was horrible.
LousArk
15 Nov 2019
I had to use Vitex to rebalance my hormones after years on Depo. It got my periods regular again. You can't use it if you're using hormonal birth control, though.
Sychrade
22 July 2019
I've had the exact same reaction as you, I'm very sorry to hear what you've been going threw. This needle completely rewind me relationship and put it in the dust. I'm no longer with the person I was with because of that needle..it's absolutely horrible. From my own personal experience it takes about a year to fully get out of your system, if your lucky 13 months. But I was literally a miserable mess when I was on this needle..very horrible. I'm sorry once again. I got the needle last year (never got another one) and honestly I still feel like I'm having all the side effects of that horrid needle. I'd never get that needle done again if I were you :(
Halleyscommet
16 Feb 2019
Don't worry you are not alone. I just switched from the depo shot to the paraguard non hormonal iud because of the drastic side effects. I went into my doctor, and she asked me what are my side effects with the depo shot. After I just said I have been getting really strong migraines she stopped me and said "I can tell you this much that that is not your depo shot." To my face every though the only time I get them is two weeks after the shot is reintroduced into my body. I also try to keep a normal look, but my sex drive had gone out the window so much that my boyfriend of 4 years somehow thinks that I'm not attracted to him anymore. It's getting to be too much, so I made the switch to nonhormonal
kiana123
5 Nov 2018
I was on deposited for five years I felt the same way it was taking over my body my sex drive decreased gained lots of weight got off of it and body still the same haven't had a period since then got put on yaz birth control pills so hopefully it helps.
LousArk
5 Nov 2018
If you don't need the pill to protect you against pregnancy, then I suggest looking into Vitex, instead. It rebalances your hormones, & helped me get regular periods back after Depo, when everything the doctors tried, failed. You can't use it if you're using hormonal birth control, though. Do some research into it, as it may work for you, too.
Miss tee
22 May 2018
Yes, I can totally relate. I usually don’t post on forms. However, being that this drug as effected my life so much I felt a need to. Like you I noticed going through changes but didn’t understand why? I’m a person who is bubbly, outgoing, caring, and has NO self Esteem issues in fact I can be overly confident but after taking the depo. All that has changed. I use to get long period that last 2 weeks so when I started dating someone in December 2017 I looked into getting on birth control to regulate my long dreadful periods. So i chose the drop because it was a one time thing. But little did I know the next three months of my life was going to be hell!! My boyfriend and I at the time we’re having so many issues due to my inconsistent emotions. For no reason I would text him the craziest messages. Message that would reflect my low self esteem and depression. Eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore so we broke up.
Mind you in the short period of time that we dated this wasn’t the first break up. It was like a emotional roller coaster. By March he had enough. Amongst other stressor I had going on in my life like moving, being fired from work, school and upcoming graduation. Luckily I was able to let go of the relationship and seek self help for myself. I needed to get it together!! So, I went to the doctor and was told this was normal side effects from the depo. So my next question was how long before I get myself back?? Which I got several answers. By the End of March my spotting stopped and shortly my mood was little better. I began to listen to motivational speakers like TD jakes and Trent Sheldon and gain the confidence back and focused on doing the things that I enjoyed doing. It’s only May and I’m a changed person. I’m back to the loving caring person whom I’m known to be. I now have a more positive outlook on life. I share this because I want those whom went through the same thing I went through to know that there is hope and this only temporary and shall pass!! Stay away from this drug and move on you will be fine!!
Chantel41
15 Feb 2018
Wow thank god I had this injection and let me tell you it is the worst thing that I ever did .. I cry every day all day emotional wreck can't think straight - feel like I don't know my own mind feel like I'm mad crazy ?? I am normally a hard strong person this has changed me to the point I have lost friends and a boyfriend over my moods do not take this and am pleased you have said the same now I know I'm not mad .. I feel aggressive angry upset and crazy can't wait to be normal again .
Angelbear444
19 Jan 2018
Month wise how long does it stay in your sytem. Ive been on it for about a year and i gotten my last shot Nov.4 2017 im thinking about skipping this shot coming up in Febuary.
carawess
29 Jan 2018
I am wondering the same thing. I have been on the depo for the past 2-3 years. I have had all of the extreme side effects that everyone else has been describing. I’ve been to multiple doctors and none of them could tell me what was wrong with me. I’ve had scans and blood tests done and they never found anything. After all of this time, I’m finally realizing that all of this was because of the depo. I was supposed to have my next shot a couple weeks ago, but didn’t get it. I would recommend switching to another birth control and letting all of this start to leave your system now. I switched to Lo Loefrin Fe and I have so far not had any problems. The best part is that this birth control has very little hormones and doesn’t have all of these horrible side effects like the depo does. I’m ready for it to be out of my system for good, but I’m also wondering how long it’s going to take.
Melissa Flowers
13 Nov 2017
Will i end up hurting myself by stopping this medication?
carawess
29 Jan 2018
If anything, stopping the depo would be helping your system.
Abbiejade
14 Sep 2017
I have just came across this and many other similar posts that I can relate so much. I have been on the injection for around 5 years and have experienced extreme anxiety for most of this time. Im not sure if the depo is the cause but I would imagine it doesnt help. I want to come off it but Im scared. How is everyone managing?
Coconutgirll
21 Sep 2017
I've been on this toxic hell for 9 months and I'm feeling like I'm dying.
My bones hurt I've gained alot of wight I'm depressed and have high anxiety.
I feel dead but unfortunately alive.
carawess
29 Jan 2018
I have been on the depo for the past 2-3 years. During this time, I have had all of the severe side effects that everyone else has been describing. I’m so tired all of the time that I can’t function much at all. The anxiety and depression have been extreme. The tiniest things will make me upset or mad, constantly feel ill, etc. But with all of my symptoms, I went to multiple doctors and had scans and blood tests done. Every time, they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. It was just a few weeks ago that I found out all of these horrible symptoms I’ve been having for the last few years were because of the depo. I recommend getting off of it immediately. I was due for my next shot a couple weeks ago and instead of getting it, my doctor switched me to Lo Loefrin Fe. It’s a pill with very little hormones and doesn’t cause any of the horrible side effects that the depo has.
I wish I could tell you how long it takes before it’s out of your system for good, but unfortunately I’m wondering the same thing myself. Coming off of it hasn’t been any different for me than being on it was. I can notice a very tiny change in my happiness slowly coming back. But not feeling much different yet. Don’t be scared to come off of it. It’s the best thing you could do for yourself!
Youngann1999
20 Aug 2017
I took 4 shots of the depo and i was due for a new shot three days ago but now i want to become pregnant. Please help. I heard prenatal and omega red fatty acid vitamins help but not sure
Laekinw11
14 June 2017
I had only 3 shots got off of it in March still haven't got pregnant having horrible side effects and they never told me I would have any of this.
carawess
29 Jan 2018
Have the side effects gone away now that you’ve gotten off of it? I’ve been on it for the past 2-3 years and am just now realizing that all of my side effects were due to the depo. Like you, no one told me about any of these horrible side effects. I was due for my next shot 2 weeks ago, but didn’t get it and won’t be getting it again. I’m just wondering how long it’ll take for all of this to go away.
whitney gallup
12 June 2017
The same thing happened to me when i got the shot! I am warning everyone i know and meet about it in the future! seems that it could be very very dangerous for people like you and i or worse. i really hope you find a way to make things better! <3
Coralee27
13 May 2017
I think it's happening to me I'm hope that's not it
Natpat81
4 May 2017
I've been waiting for a long time to be able to answer this question! My period just started today. My last depo injection was 17months ago! My last period was in dec 2008, baby was born sept 2009 and I was on depo as soon as I was able to. So 6 years on it. I gained 60pounds in 6 years... not sure why it took me so long to get off it. That was pretty much the only side affect and main reason for wanting to come off of it. I was getting worried about my cycle not coming back and I've never been so excited to start my period again! I feel like a teenager!
Katkai16
18 April 2017
You're not alone! Everything you named I've been dealing with for 8 months now. No period since August 2016 which was 8 months ago. 1st shot Feb 2016. 2nd shot May 2016. Stopped August 2016. Its now April 2017. Again everything you said plus some. I've lost weight & have basically withered to nothing. I weighed 122 at first shot and since August dropped to 90 lbs. I eat and eat and can't seem to get past 95 lbs. I either don't sleep or can't sleep enough. Dr. said it could take up to a year & a half to get out of my system. But what happens if I don't have that long. My marriage is on the rocks and I never know what I'm doing from 1 min to the next. Can anyone help?
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depo-provera, provera, birth control, contraception, side effect
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