Depo Provera and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• one...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the shot once and it was terrible. I experienced crazy depression and mood swings, as well as acne that refused to go away no matter what I did. It was effective at birth control, but I wouldn't wish these side effects on my worst enemy."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 19 and have been on Depo for about 1.5 years. Yes, I get moody, but I have a mood disorder, so it could be that. Yes, I break out, but it's not absolutely horrible, and I kind of always have had acne. I think I may have spotted a couple of times, but only for a couple of days (so far). Unsure about bone density since I haven't had a test done yet. I love not having a period or having to remember to take something more often than every 3 months. I think it's important to keep on schedule with it (none of this off and on stuff). No weight gain at all on it. Definitely no lowered sex drive. Only complaint: it can be scary not getting your period. But you can always take a test. Also remember, it's different for everyone."

• bea...
• November 27, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "One month after the injection date, I am experiencing the most painful period ever. I can't leave the bathroom for fear I will bleed through everything. I am changing my tampon every hour (or less). I have been taking muscle relaxers to try and ease my pain, but they don't do much. I have never had a menstrual cycle like this. Usually, the first day is heavy, but then it isn't so bad. On the Depo shot, I have been bleeding for several days. I am making an appointment with another gynecologist on Monday to see if there is anything I can do. I am so upset that the doctor didn't warn me about the side effects before giving this to me. There is also acne, weight gain, and severe cramps (without my period) that I had to deal with the first month."

• ame...
• November 3, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience with Depo has been wonderful! I had horrible cramps and long, heavy periods before I started the shot. After about 5 months, I stopped having a period at all, which was great. No surprises! Also, I lost about 13 pounds on it. I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo-Fe. The pills made me gain weight, the weight loss without trying was fabulous. I don't feel tired or achy. The only negative was I have had some acne return, it's nothing that a touch of makeup can't fix... But from having 100% blemish-free skin to a few pimples is a little annoying. I will continue to stay on the shot until I decide to start thinking about having kids. Until then, I'll deal with a couple of pimples and enjoy my skinny, period-free life :)"

• CAI...
• November 3, 2009

For Birth Control "Well, I've been on Depo for almost 8 years now, and the only benefit is I have no 'that time of the month,' but I've had major weight gain, no sex drive, and I break out more than I have when I was in high school! It's a good birth control, but this last shot I had is my last. Not good for my health, you would have to try it yourself and see if anything happens to you. I suggest watching it closely."

• Che...
• September 16, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on it for about 12 months. I'm supposed to get my next shot, but I'm not. I would rather get my regular cycle back than the Depo. I had a lightish period for 8 months, with a few days every so often that it would stop but start again at night. I was told that after 8 months it should stop. After a few weeks of month 9, it was still going. Finally, it stopped for a good month. I was so glad, I thought it was over. I was wrong. I've had a period for 2 months straight again, but this time it's a regular 2-month-long period that hopefully stops. I just want to go back to a normal cycle again. I've also been moody, impatient, gained some weight, more acne. I wasn't like that before. The Depo sucks."

• lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2019

For Endometriosis "I had Depo-Provera for only 6 months. It was the worst thing, literally. I got it in the first place to get rid of my period since lately I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed, and I was missing too much work and daily activities because of it, so my doctor recommended it. In less than a month, my weight went up to 10 lbs out of nowhere. Even if I tried to exercise and eat healthier, my weight would still be going up. I had terrible acne that left me scars on my face, no sexual drive at all, total dryness down there, horrible bone/joint pain (even while taking the corresponding dose of calcium supplements), even depression. The only good thing was being able to not suffer from my periods at all, but now my body is a disaster. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone."

• Dan...
• June 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had two shots already, and so far it's been almost perfect. I actually switched to this because I'm slightly underweight, and I've heard many stories about women gaining weight on the shot, so I switched in hopes that I would. So far I haven't noticed any significant weight gain, the only side effects I've had are headaches for about the first week after getting the shot, and I started getting acne on my face. I've never had acne, so this was kind of disappointing for me. It's nice not having to remember to take a pill every day, and my periods are already almost non-existent. Plus my insurance covers this, so the prescription is free, and there's no fee when I go to get the shot!"

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2024

For Birth Control "I was on Depo for about 10 years, then decided to get off starting November 2023 to 'reset my soul.' I started getting my period again, which seemed normal to me in February 2024. From February to now (July 2024), my periods have been 5-7 days, once a month. Why? In July, I have had my period all month! My face has been breaking out all month, cramps here and there, nothing serious, and my nipples are sore literally all month. It’s not heavy but not light, it’s literally like a regular period, but I have never dealt with it for a whole month before. Everyone, including my nursing school teacher, says it definitely can be hormone changes due to being on Depo for so long, but damn, this is not fun at all."

• Adx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2013

For Birth Control "Love this medication. I suffered with painful periods and ovulation and terrible mood swings, which all got worse after having my kids. I tried various birth control pills, but without a great improvement - especially with mood. I just had my third shot, I only gained 2 lbs since the first shot, and I no longer have a period. I've had some slight acne, but happy to manage that - overall, for me, it's been great. Very happy. I should add that I am taking calcium and Vitamin D also."

• Amy...
• August 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the shot almost 2 months and loving it. Since reading all the bad reviews, ever since I got it, I've watched what I've been eating and started swimming 5 days a week with occasional abdominal workouts and have seemed to have lost weight with the shot! No period yet, so happy about that though, and very easy to use. Acne has cleared up, mood swings practically gone, and have been generally happy! I would recommend it to anyone who is like me and forgets things very easily."

• KDa...
• March 9, 2011

"I had extreme pain from endometriosis, along with multiple surgeries, including an appendectomy, when a huge cyst ruptured and irritated it. I was barely able to work due to constant doubled-over pain and a ruptured cyst. Now I'm on Depo, I got the shot in early January and am due at the end of March. So far, I haven't gained too much weight, although I notice some water weight. I only started spotting this month for a week, the next week was heavy bleeding, now I'm back to spotting. I just started getting a bit of acne, but nothing too bad. My beautician and I noticed some areas where my hair thinned out, and my hair is already kind of thin. I'm trying the low dose for March, and I'm going to take Vitamin B complex to see if this helps."

• Blo...
• April 8, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my first dose on Feb. 24th. I cramped for about 3 weeks. I started to spot around March 20. I've been bleeding heavily on and off since March 22 to present. It's horrible. I have serious mood swings. My face has broken out badly. And I'm always tired and constantly eating. My body feels weak, maybe due to loss of too much blood. I won't be getting my second dose in May!"

• Wee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had nothing but issues, but I have not had a pregnancy scare at all, and that's why I rated it 3/10. I received my shot September 19, I got my period October 14, bled for 21.5 days, and then 2.5 days later started to bleed again for, so far, another 10 days. In 34 days, I've bled 31.5 days. It's absolutely draining, my hormones are out of control, and it's impeding on everyday life. I'm being treated for acne with spironolactone, and my cystic acne came back with a vengeance. If I knew any of this would be a potential side effect, I would've just waited for my referral to my gyno and dealt with the 1 BC method rather than 2 (condoms). Overall, this has been a TERRIBLE experience, and I can't wait until it wears off. (I only had one shot)."

• kns...
• May 5, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control I have been on so far! I used to be on the pill, and it made my periods irregular, made me gain a crazy amount of weight, made my acne worsen, made me super emotional all the time, and many other bad side effects. I was off birth control for a couple of months and was back to my normal self and actually lost about 50 pounds. My doctor thought I should take birth control again and recommended that I switch to this, so I took a chance. I had one period after I got my first shot (about 8 months ago) and haven't had one since. The only bad side effect that I have had with this shot is I gained a little bit of my weight back."

• Car...
• September 14, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The first couple of times I took it was fine, the side effects were minimal. I stopped using it for a few months, and I went back to it, and this time was the worst one. I took it in June, and by August my period had already begun. It came with bad acne, I gained weight super fast, and since then I've had my period! It's horrible, I feel tired all the time, and cramping for 6 weeks now. It feels like it's never going to end!"

• Sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I cannot put into words how terrible my experience with the Depo shot was. I’ve basically been bleeding since Oct. 1 (first day of the shot), and it is now Dec. 10. The headaches I’ve had are outrageous, the back pain is terrible too. I would get random nausea spells, and towards the end, I've been breaking out like crazy! I cannot wait to switch to something else in 7 days because the Depo shot has ruined my life! I will never, ever, ever get back on it. I’m hoping the pill will work for me."

• Ash...
• February 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I love the Depo shot. I’ve been on it almost six years. I haven’t had any issues with it other than minor acne, but I’ve always struggled with that my whole life. However, I know this isn’t for everyone, but it works best for me. You have to take calcium every day to make sure your body isn’t losing out on it."

• Cou...
• January 22, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 20 and took one shot back in October. My husband and I decided on trying for a baby within the next year, so I did go for the second shot in December. The first month was great, but ever since then I will go almost a month bleeding off a week or so, then another month, and I have the worst cramps ever. I am just now starting to get over the mood swings and depression. My face broke out bad, clearing up now. I also gained 20 lbs, and I know that was from the shot because I eat right and exercise. I will never take this again and will never recommend it to anyone. Now hopefully, it will hurry and be completely out of my system so we can start making babies."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo Provera shot for 9 months. I liked that it made my periods go away temporarily, but unfortunately it was horrible for my skin and clogged up my pores. My face went from dry to super oily all day, and I was dealing with cystic acne all over my face. I also didn’t love that Depo Provera is linked to loss of bone density."

• lax...
• October 12, 2015

For Birth Control "Oh man. First shot was great, only minimal bleeding. The second shot, however, increased my acne, caused mood swings, caused lots of breakthrough bleeding (especially after sex and during intense exercise) and worst of all, made sex painful! That's definitely not a side effect you see listed. I have a sex drive, but no matter how wet I get, when he puts it in, it's like a burning sensation, and it burns afterward too. Wish it worked out because I love that it is no effort, only every three months."

• Mar...
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take it!! I took Depo like 9 years ago, and I was fine! I had a baby in Dec 2018 and decided to take it again, so I got the shot in July 2019! About the middle of August, I started to feel horrible! I went back and forth to the doctors, I did blood work and everything came back great! I was nauseous, moody, had flesh-like clots falling out of me, acne, super oily skin! OMG please trust me! Be natural, guys!"

• Gli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

For Birth Control "Had this when I was younger with no issues. Now I'm 36, it made me crazy, acne, facial hair, mood swings, periods non-existent. No sex drive, depression, anger, extreme fatigue. It seemed like my body couldn't cope with anything as well as it did before. After having two injections and no reprieve from the side effects, I've stopped taking it. It's been over a month since the last Depo-Provera injection was due, and my periods still haven't returned, and I still don't feel like myself. I don't recommend this, as I feel like it's been changed since I got it when I was younger, it seems very strong now. Before I went on Depo, I had a copper IUD, which was far better. Beware of this, it's awful and can't be reversed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for almost 2 years since my doctor didn't want me on the pill because I have high blood pressure due to my first pregnancy. Well, it backfired, I gained 30 pounds after starting the shot, became extremely depressed, had mood swings, and my sex drive was completely gone. Also, I am blonde, and my leg hair turned brown. I have been on the shot for almost 4 months and have started spotting very little, and I have acne on my back, migraines, and wicked cramps."

• kt ...
• December 8, 2016

For Birth Control "19 y/o, been on Depo for a little over a year, it's great. I haven't noticed any extreme side effects. I've been really sluggish and lethargic, but I was already depressed before the Depo shot, so I can't say if it's related or not. Also, I started smoking around the same time, so it could just be that. I've had acne since I was 11, and since taking Depo, it's cleared up a bit, but I don't know if it's from the Depo. The only thing that sucks is I'm pretty sure my sex drive has been affected by the shot, but it's not a big deal. I missed my last shot because I moved, so I'm thinking of switching to the implant because I hate driving 45 mins to the closest PP, but Depo has worked so well for me, I don't know if it's worth switching at this point."