Depo Provera and Acne: What Users Say

• ARS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2021

For Birth Control "The Depo is the worst thing I have ever put in my body. Ladies, please reconsider before using this. Along with so many physical symptoms (nausea, acne, fatigue, heartburn, bloating, cramps, bleeding constantly), the emotional symptoms are very prominent and worse than the physical ones. I believe this drug is destroying my relationship, I have no interest in sex or physical touch, I’m irritable all the time, depressed, and have a constant feeling of emptiness that was not there before the Depo. My personality and mood took a full 180 on the Depo. I am not going back in for my next injection. Something to also note is that the FDA is trying to pull this drug off the shelves. Please, if you’re considering the Depo, do your research! I wish that I did."

• Sup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this at all! It is effective at preventing pregnancy, but the side effects for me are not worth it at all. I have been on it for about 2 months now, and I am suffering every day. Before the shot, everything was fine with me, but about 2-3 weeks after I got it, I started getting terrible stomach pains, headaches, bad acne on my back, which I've never had before, and before the shot, I've never gotten a UTI, but since I got it, I'm constantly getting painful recurring UTIs no matter how much water I drink. I even had to go on antibiotics twice, and they came back. My sex drive is so low now because when I have sex, I am in so much pain, and I know I don’t have diseases, infections, etc. because my doctors even did tests, and they all came back negative. This is just the absolute worst thing I have ever done! I would rather get pregnant 10 times than get this shot again!"

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I received my second Depo Provera shot early October after having it once before and while I was 17/18. My mood swings are horrible still, breast tenderness is outrageous. I also have had the worst cramping pain (worse than IUD pain). It was unbearable when I first started ovulating. I could not lay flat in bed, had a heating blanket and heating pad on my lower back and abdominal area for a week. I took Midol and ibuprofen like the doctors told me, and nothing has stopped this. I have clots coming out, they want me to come in again to poke at me. Just super put out and exhausted. I am sleeping up to 10-12 hours a day. It has caused me to have less ambition at my workplace too. I am very active as I am a CNA at the hospital, but I bleed through my pants at least two times a shift. My acne is horrible around my chin, and my stomach is sore from the on and off bloating. It brought tears to my eyes finding this page and seeing I am not alone in this."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wish I could give this a ZERO star. They warned me that I could have some abnormal bleeding, but nobody warned me that I'd be bleeding enough to support the Red Cross. My blood count is low, which it never has been before. Not to mention the acne, the attitude, the sore breasts, and the emotional instability to go along with it. The REAL reason this works as birth control is because nobody on this medication is doing anything even remotely related to sex (oh yeah, I forgot to mention - no sex drive). Even if you had a sex drive, it's a bloody war zone! Nope! Hopefully, someone, anyone really, will read this and think, 'nope, I'll go a different route,' and I will have saved someone some MAJOR heartache and struggles."

• chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2012

For Amenorrhea "I have a really hard time taking estrogen birth control, and I decided to get the Depo shot. After reading the reviews, I was so scared I canceled my appointment to get it. After thinking about it, I decided to just go ahead with it and see what happens. I've been on it a little more than 3 weeks, and I've noticed that I am a little more tired, and I have some pimples that are starting to go away. Other than that, I haven't had any spotting, tender breasts, sex drive changes, etc. Usually, before my period, I eat non-stop and have cravings, and it's nice to not have that! I will write again to update how it's going in a few weeks. I wanted to let people know not to be terrified. It may work for you, and if it doesn't, just don't get another shot."

• kmc...
• October 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 29 years old, and I have had 3 jabs of the depo in the last year and a bit. MY PROS: No period pain every month. No babies (three is enough for us). No worries about tampons, etc. My CONS: headaches a lot, mood swings - I am a little depressed and snappy at the kids. I don't want to get intimate with my poor husband at all, and my face is covered in acne (not really, but for me, YES). I have gained weight!! (5 kg). I was supposed to have my next jab in June this year, and I didn't go for it, and I still don't have my period 5 months later!!! I think for me personally, it is no good."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I would recommend this to everyone. My experience on the shot has been great. This is about my 9th month now, and I never had to deal with any crazy side effects like weight gain, acne, etc. However, in the first 3 months, I did have mood swings, but they were never worse than any normal mood swings (for example, period mood swings). I never got my period, bleeding, or any spotting until 6 months after I started the shot! And even then, my period was very light and quick. Be sure to drink a lot of milk or eat dairy to replace the calcium that gets stripped from your body by taking the shot. If you don't replace your calcium, your bones can become weak or you can experience more side effects. Just take care of yourself :)"

• Adv...
• September 1, 2020

For Endometriosis "I have been on the Depo-Provera injection for close to 3 years for endometriosis. It has made a huge difference. Pain is gone or super mild. No periods. Downside, the injection site is always sore for a few days, as well as my legs after injection. I may spot for a little after injection as well. I can tell the injection is wearing off towards the end of the three months because I start feeling my endo pain and I start getting acne. Have I gained weight on the Depo? Yes. But I don't believe it to be because of the Depo. For one, these past three years I have dealt with a lot, and I mean a lot, of stress. Marriage issues, loss of a parent, moving, job stress, etc. I'm definitely an emotional eater. But these past six months I pulled myself together, started exercising, and eating healthier. I have lost 30 lbs!"

• Bee...
• May 26, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Omg! Do not get it if you haven't already. I got my first shot like 3 weeks ago and lost all sex drive and have been bleeding constantly. My partner and I used to sleep together every time we were together, and now I can't because of this blood. My hair is falling out too, my face is breaking out, I feel cranky and have no energy, I have no sex drive and the bleeding. This man-made drug is clearly no good for us women and should be taken off the shelf!!!"

• Fig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the shot on March 20, 2016. I had 2 weeks before the bleeding started. At first, it was spotting, but every day. Then it was heavier bleeding. Then it got so heavy I was changing an ultra tampon every 45 minutes to 2 hours, even at night. I was at my doctor's, exhausted from lack of sleep, crying, anemic, with hormonal acne, horrible back pain from constant period pain, and terrible mood swings. I only had the 1 shot. I refused any more. It's currently August, and I am still bleeding. There is no sign of it ending! I would not have this shot again, even if they paid me!"

• Ano...
• September 19, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been using the shot for a little over 6 months, and from the moment of starting it, I have not stopped bleeding. If I could go back and reconsider my decision, I would not take it. Horrible, so uncomfortable. My acne is on 100, my mood is even worse, but the bleeding has definitely been what has made me regret this. I don't recommend this to anyone!!!!!"

• fel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2014

For Amenorrhea "My first birth control experience was a disaster; I was taking Tri-Sprintec. Tri-Sprintec made me gain 20 pounds, acne, increased my periods, and did the exact opposite of what it was supposed to do. After one year of searching the internet for an alternative option, I came across the Depo-Provera shot. I have been on it now for 9 months (so this is my third shot), and I have come across no weight gain/no periods, and I think I am one of the few women who has been so lucky. The only thing is, for the first month of EACH shot, you have bloating, some pain, a little headaches, etc. It goes away for me after that. Nothing I can't handle compared to the periods I was getting before. Everyone is different though, but I highly recommend this!"

• LX3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "When I got this, all the clinic told me was, 'We have the Depo shot, it's a shot you get every 3 to 4 months. You won't have a period, and it is 99% effective.' Of course, that sounded appealing. But this was one of my worst decisions. It's not like the pill where if you feel side effects, you can just stop taking it. I took this shot in Feb 2017, it is now May 2017. It is about time for my next shot, but there is NO way I am getting it. I have bled every single day since Feb. Not a lot, but enough to where I have to wear a pad every day. I've never had acne issues, but now it is constant, my sex drive has almost completely gone away, and your period won't go back to normal for up to 12 months after the last shot. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2020

"My first and last injection! Got the shot in March. Spotting brown sludge every single day in April and May. Now it is June, heavy bright red bleeding! I just want this drug out of my body. I have experienced every single side effect: weight gain, acne, prolonged spotting and bleeding, and depression! Depo is like a poison in my body. These side effects are ridiculous, and there's nothing you can do but wait it out!"

• rai...
• September 23, 2013

For Birth Control "Depo-Provera has changed my life. I am now period and yeast infection free, which is a HUGE deal for someone who has suffered from yeast infections 1x a month for the past 4 years, as well as heavy, painful periods. Haven't had a period since my first shot, which was 7 weeks ago. I am a healthy 28-year-old, aside from suffering from migraines. I have not had any side effects from Depo-Provera, no acne, hair loss, weight gain, etc."

• Jad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I hate to be another bad contributor, but... I basically started out fine. No period for the first month. Then I was bleeding for the next two months. The worst part gave me the most ridiculous acne of my life. I have never broken out on my jawline and cheeks before this shot, so that was very strange and painful. I have been off of Depo and switched to Trinessa and am on my fourth pack. I still am trying to get my skin normal and regulate the hormone change. And I'm waiting for the dark spots from my acne from months ago to disappear. It's nice to not remember a pill, but because I had such bad side effects, I didn't even try to get my second shot."

• Lon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo for 3.5 years now, and the first entire year I had spotting almost every day. After that, I would only get my period about a week after I would get a new shot, which lasts at least a full week but is very light. I love this birth control because I don't have to remember to take a pill every day. I didn't experience weight gain, I actually lost weight after taking the shot, but I did experience some acne, which I am not sure is because of the Depo or just minor adult acne. I definitely recommend this method for birth control!"

• Kok...
• April 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I am 21, and since I first received the shot in January, I have been bleeding ever since. Sometimes light, sometimes like an actual period, with cramps and migraines. Also, this medicine has completely jacked up my hormones. I am angry ALL the time, ALWAYS sad. I cry every day, over the smallest issues, or for no reason. I am happy, and in a split second, I will feel very low or even have suicidal thoughts. I experience extreme mood swings and flip out on my boyfriend-coupled with less sex from the bleeding. It's very frustrating. I am hoping that this is just my body still adjusting to the medicine. I haven't had any weight gain or acne though (knock on wood)."

• Leg...
• June 26, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got this April 2016 and have experienced extreme depression, rapid weight gain, irregular bleeding for weeks, acne, increased breast size, decreased sex drive, and horrible mood swings. This has been the worst time of my life."

• Sar...
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "Honestly, everyone's bodies work differently, and I've heard horror stories about every type of birth control, but this one has been really excellent for me. I've been on the Depo shot for 5 years now (planning on switching soon). The shot does sting a bit, so be sure it's injected into your hip instead of your arm. The first month I spotted nonstop, but I haven't had a single period since. No pregnancy scares. Very gradual weight gain for me, 25 lbs over the past five years. Cleared up my acne, have plenty of libido. I give it 10/10."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2022

For Birth Control "The absolute worst thing I have EVER tried in my life. It has made my life a living hell for the past 6.5 months, and I still live in hell. I have gotten 2 shots of Depo and refused to go for the 3rd shot, which was due a little over 2 weeks ago. I have gained 20 lbs so far, and it’s gotten even worse since I stopped the shot 2 weeks ago. Depression, acne, and mood swings are horrible, but the worst of all was the constant heavy bleeding for 5 months EVERY SINGLE DAY! I became severely anemic that I could barely walk for 10 minutes due to extreme fatigue and exhaustion. No sex drive and no desire to do anything at all! Just sleeping half of the day and feeling tired without doing anything. This shot has been the worst nightmare for me. I wish I had done my research before getting it. I now regret it 200%."

• Wor...
• November 8, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Depo stopped my period when I got my first shot. Almost a week later, I started spotting. I had been consistently spotting for about three weeks. Then I just started bleeding more. It wasn't bad, but it's progressively gotten heavier with large clots. Been over 8 days now. I've had headaches, acne, increased appetite, no sex drive, painful sex, fatigue, chills, abnormal bleeding. Worst decision I've ever made."

• Lis...
• July 10, 2019

For Birth Control "The Depo shot has ruined my life! I took the shot one time in February 2019. I was in school but had to drop classes because the side effects were so horrible! I suffered extreme anxiety and depression to the point of really dark thoughts. Before the shot, I would cry for my boyfriend because I missed him, and since the shot, I have doubted if I love him and feel indifferent. I was also very close to my family and had a very deep, tender love for them, and I also feel indifferent with them. I had very violent thoughts, a little paranoia, and weird dreams. I became physically ill due to the anxiety and loss of appetite. I lost 7 pounds in 3 days. It caused nasty back acne. I did not get another shot when I was due in May 2019, and it's been two months since I was due for the next shot, and I am still struggling. I don’t feel like myself, I feel like a ghost, and I just exist. I believe I am still suffering from depression."

• HOP...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 2, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My experience with this medication started when I was 14 years old. I knew nothing about this medication, and I wish someone would have sat down and told me what exactly this medication does! I decided for the third time to try to get off this medication, I finally decided this time it was enough, so my last shot was October 2016. The beginning was great, I was happy-go-lucky, outgoing, had my life back after having a breast reduction. No period, no cramps, gained a few pounds, but it was worth it at the time for freedom. Now, at 23, I've been in the hospital and given three pills at once. I've soaked through over 10 pads a day and blood clots after blood clots: depression, weight gain, acne, severe cramps, dizziness, tiredness, and withdrawals from this medication."

• TLC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I started out using this medication for birth control reasons. I never had an issue with acne or anything like that before or after starting this medication. I didn’t notice excess weight gain or any of the so-called 'common' side effects. The only thing that happened was I stopped having my period completely after a month or so. And I was okay with that since I’ve always had painful menstrual cycles. I was on this medication for 5 years but was told that I had to change birth control methods due to bone density issues that others have had. I cannot wait to get back on it when I can."