Depo Provera and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I would rate this drug 0 out of 10 if possible. Yes, it helped with my periods (I didn’t have them, just a bit of spotting), and I didn’t get pregnant! I had my second shot two months ago, and I won’t be going for a third. I am EXTREMELY moody, depressed, anxious/nervous, and I always feel on edge. I have also been getting paranoid about my relationship. Has anyone else experienced paranoia on this injection? Definitely do NOT recommend!!!!!"

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I would rate this drug 0 out of 10 if possible. Yes, it helped with my periods (I didn’t have them, just a bit of spotting), and I didn’t get pregnant! I had my second shot two months ago, and I won’t be going for a third. I am EXTREMELY moody, depressed, anxious/nervous, and I always feel on edge. I have also been getting paranoid about my relationship. Has anyone else experienced paranoia on this injection? Definitely do NOT recommend!!!!!"

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I would rate this drug 0 out of 10 if possible. Yes, it helped with my periods (I didn’t have them, just a bit of spotting), and I didn’t get pregnant! I had my second shot two months ago, and I won’t be going for a third. I am EXTREMELY moody, depressed, anxious/nervous, and I always feel on edge. I have also been getting paranoid about my relationship. Has anyone else experienced paranoia on this injection? Definitely do NOT recommend!!!!!"

• key...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm approaching the third calendar shot for me, and now that I have begun to bleed unexpectedly, I've taken the time to evaluate myself. Since beginning the Depo-Provera in February, I've noticed a series of uncontrollable headaches, as well as a spike in my blood pressure. I was administered a better dosage of hydrochlorothiazide to reduce the effects of this blood pressure spike, but immediately preceding my dosage, I started experiencing this unexpected bleeding. Taken aback by such abrupt change, this makes me reflect on the changes my body has experienced throughout the short course of being administered Depo. I had even begun to experience anxiety here and there, not to mention fatigue. Later came the abdominal cramps and pains, with vaginal adverse side effects."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2023

For Birth Control "I first had my shot on 9/28/2022. I was told there were no side effects, so I went along with it and was all good for the next 3 months. When I was due for my second shot, I was a week late because I was experiencing chest pains and weird visions, so I went to the emergency room. The doctors did blood work and X-rays, and everything was normal. The doctor diagnosed me with anxiety. Never have I ever experienced anxiety in my life. I didn’t think much of it, I went and had my second shot. This is when shit hit the roof. 1-2 weeks later, I experienced dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, breathlessness, body aches, tiredness, irritability, vision changes, and a weird feeling like I'm going to die are some of the symptoms I've experienced. The worst of them all was severe, extreme, ongoing chest pains! I was diagnosed with Costochondritis and have had to have numerous tests to check my heart is all well. I’ve been in pain these whole 3 months and still am in pain. Has anyone experienced chest pain while taking this?"

• tnk...
• November 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I got this shot a few weeks ago, and my side effects are already horrible. I had anxiety before, but now it's so much worse. My mood swings are unreal, and my breasts have been so tender to the point where I can't touch them at all, and they've grown a ton. Not to mention the few pounds I've already put on in the short time. I will never take the shot again. I don't recommend this form at all. Once you get the shot, no matter how miserable the effects are, you can't do anything about it. Going back onto the pill once this wears off."

• M D...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Birth Control "Got the Depo shot in August 2019. Had underlying general anxiety that was manageable. Now it is full-blown anxiety that required me to be on anti-anxiety medication for a year, then pending review. Do NOT take Depo-Provera. That is only one of the major side effects it caused. Now also have more painful periods after it came back and just a general feeling of being unwell. And take note that I only took one dose that lasted 3 months. Horrible experience. The entire 3 months on it, I also had constant nausea and headaches."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have had irregular periods my entire life, but when I say Depo has made things even worse, I mean it. I got the Depo shot for the first time in January, a week after my period, and at the end of the month, I started spotting and cramping as if I was on my period, but my body couldn't pass any blood. Now it's a full month and a couple of weeks on Depo, and I have not stopped cramping or spotting since. It's scary because it really does feel like I'm on my period, but I just can't bleed. And when I do bleed, it's either dark brown or bright red. I don't think I'll be getting my second shot, not unless it can seriously change my cramping, bleeding, and anxiety."

• Jda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I got this Depo-Provera shot in May on the first day of my period, and it stopped. Ever since then, I have been moody, have had cramps all day. It’s June now, and I’ve started spotting bright red. I’ve been feeling anxious all the time as well. Please don’t do this to your body!"

• Mik...
• March 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Depo Provera was awful. I gained over 35 pounds. I couldn't stop eating. I was extremely depressed. I couldn't even drive over a bridge without getting anxiety. Unfortunately, it took over a year for me until it completely was out of my system. I feel like I wasted almost two years of my life on that stuff. I was also a slave to going to the doctor every couple of months. This thing NEEDS to be off the market, and I'm glad people are starting to come to their senses about Depo Provera. I do NOT RECOMMEND."

• mll...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Had this Depo-Provera shot in Jan 2019. Started spotting after a week and did not stop for three months. Was referred for a transvaginal scan, but they could not find anything. Decided not to renew the shot in April 2019 and started to get a period every two weeks from then. From August 2019, I have been bleeding every single day. I have not stopped, it is ruining my life and my clothes. Doctors refuse to acknowledge that there is something wrong. Along with this, I have experienced crippling anxiety and weird thoughts since August, having never been a sufferer of mental health issues before. Please, can anyone relate and tell me I'm not going mad?"

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2015

For Birth Control "Pros: Effective (always was on time for my injection). No period. No more PMS. Cons: Cramping on and off throughout a year on Depo shot. Gained 50 pounds within a year. Raised blood pressure. Nervousness and dizziness."

• Sto...
• May 4, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This is horrible! I have had the worst anxiety than ever before, and I haven't stopped bleeding for 2 weeks... (I only got this shot 3 weeks ago thinking it would be good). Would not recommend this to anyone..."

• dv4...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2016

For Birth Control "WARNING! I received two injections, and it was the worst 6 months of my life. This should come with EXPLICIT warnings, but didn't. I came down with severe anxiety and depression. My life fell apart and I had to leave town to regroup. My interpersonal relationships unraveled. I was so depressed I couldn't move. I saw a psychiatrist and he suggested that the depression could very well have been due to the Depo shot - he's seen it affect others like this as well. Also, I rapidly gained 15-20 lbs. It's been 8 months since my last injection and I am ECSTATIC to report my period finally came back. It can take that long to leave the system! This is a dangerous drug. Monitor your mental health closely. In fact, don't do it."

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Depo-Provera made my periods stop after about 7 months (amazing). It gave me relief from chronic migraines I've had for years. I only have occasional cramping now and have not gained weight. HOWEVER, the first two injections sent my moods wild. I was often extremely anxious and sad (this did go away!). I am doing great now and most importantly, I am not pregnant."

• Amy...
• December 24, 2019

For Birth Control "The Depo Provera shot destroyed my body. I took the 3-month shot and gained 30 lbs within the first two months of my first (and only) shot. I have huge stretch marks from how fast I gained weight. At the time, I was very active, eating healthy, and had a high metabolism. After the weight gain, my doctor told me I am at very high risk for heart disease now. I had anxiety attacks daily, and my depression peaked for the long 3 months. My depression continued to be horrible for the following months. I have had no luck getting pregnant for the last year since I took it. After the first 3 months, I had an extremely painful period that lasted a month. The Depo Provera shot literally pumps you full of enough hormones to last for three months. I would not suggest it to anybody. Here I am over a year later, with the world's slowest metabolism, and I can’t even look at myself in the mirror without seeing all the weight I gained. It plummeted me into depression and pain that I hope no one else has to experience."

• Mar...
• September 18, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot because I had really bad anxiety. My OB read my chart from my reg doctor and told me that I should be on some type of BC. I said okay. She recommended the shot. Such a bad choice now. I took the shot back in May 2017. I didn't have my period for the rest of that month. Then June 2nd came, I had a normal period. But after I thought it was done, I had spotting. Up until I started my period again. Then spotting up until my next period. We are now in September, I'm bleeding with big clots. Please do your research! It made me feel worse. My depression was worse and prolonged periods. I can't stand it. Losing so much blood makes you feel weaker and tired. Don't get the Depo shot."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo for 7 years because I couldn't remember to take pills regularly, it has worked, and I haven't had a period for like, 6 of those years. This is what scares me: that I won't be able to have a regular cycle coming off of it. I do want to conceive one day, and I'm worried that I won't be able to having been on it so long with no periods. I suffer from extreme anxiety and depression, but always have, and I don't believe that the Depo increased or decreased it. I have been with the same man for the past 9 years, so no protection nor 'pull out method' was ever used, and I have not ever gotten pregnant while being on Depo. It worked for me, but I am looking forward to coming off of it."

• 363...
• June 18, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My experience on this shot was awful, to say the least. I gained 40 lbs and became extremely depressed and started having anxiety. I only got the shot 3 times and gained that much weight. I am now struggling with body image due to this shot. It had a huge effect on my joints as well. I am now weak, always sick, have stomach issues, and am always tired. I never had any of these symptoms before starting it. Not to mention, it didn't help my period at all. I was having it for 3 weeks straight, and a day between then I'd start again. I was perfectly healthy, and it has ruined my life. Never take this medicine."

• 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."

• Mau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2023

For Birth Control "This was honestly the worst experience I've ever had with birth control. For some background, I went on Depo in March of 2022 when I was 17. I am someone who is allergic to synthetic estrogen, and I only had three options for birth control: the pill, the Depo injection, or an arm implant. I was concerned I would be a careless teenager with the pill and forget to take it, but man do I wish I had. So, next, I tried the injection since, according to my doctor, it was less invasive. At the same appointment, they injected me with the Depo injection. I am a 5'9 competitive athlete pole vaulter who was always 140 pounds and super fit. Within less than two months, I gained 20 pounds and was diagnosed with bone thinning, muscle weakness, depression, and anxiety. I had NEVER had any issues regarding any of these things. I only ever took one injection, and it ruined the rest of my athletic season. I had to go on rest because of the intense fatigue that came with bone thinning. I still have complications more than a year later."

• Mmm...
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I took the Depo shot right after the birth of my baby, and then I had really bad anxiety and depression. I had to get on medicine, but I would go to the ER thinking my body is ready to shut down, just thinking I'm about to die. They did every test they could just to tell me everything is fine. I can't even drive without me going into a panic. And I've been bleeding for 3 months straight with blood clots that come every time I use the bathroom. I would never in my life get this shot again, it is so scary and it makes me dizzy too. I can't wait to feel normal again."

• Pol...
• June 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I am 17, 5'5" weighing 145 lbs. I started the Depo shot a little more than 3 months ago. The first time I received the shot, within 3 months I've lost 9 pounds. Normally I get nauseous from birth control, but the only con I've experienced was anxiety. I recently just got the second shot, and the amount of anxiety attacks is ridiculous. Lost my appetite for a week, lost a few pounds from that. Before I took the shot, I rarely had anxiety. Also, I spot once a month extremely lightly, rarely get cramps. No bad mood swings!"

• So...
• June 3, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo for 6 months now, it's almost time to get my third shot. After my very first shot, I had no bleeding at all for two months, just random cramps that were kind of annoying. Then, at the third month, I spotted very lightly for a week, then bled normally for about a week, then bled really, really heavy for a few days. Then it stopped, and I got my second shot. Two and a half months with no bleeding after the second one, then spotted lightly for over a week and no heavy bleeding. It seems to get better, so I can't wait for the bleeding to stop completely. Also, the only other side effect I have noticed is increased nervousness/anxiety. I have had a few anxiety attacks at night, and I thought I was having a heart attack, but it was nothing."

• Deb...
• April 30, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Awful experience on Depo. Only had one shot - never again. Bleeding non-stop for 3+ weeks. Serious mood changes and anxiety. Total loss of libido! Been to the docs twice, but nothing can counteract it, so stuck with it making me feel lousy till it wears off. Do not recommend this contraceptive to other women. I would rather be sterilized than feel the way I do!"