Depo Provera and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Birth Control "DON’T DO IT. I’m a nurse, had my Mirena removed as 5 years had passed and wanted something short-term for birth control. Thinking of baby planning... My gynae suggested Depo, she didn’t give me any huge information, but I took her recommendation. 3 weeks in, I started crying for no reason and hysterically. I became anxious to leave the house. I had achy hips, bloating, weight gain, and hot flushes. When speaking to doctors and pharmacists, they explained I was in ‘temporary menopause’ and I’d have to ride it out. I’m now 7 weeks in and still not feeling myself. My emotions have improved, I still have pain and bloating. Dreading coming off the Depo and wished I’d conducted my own private research. Will not be taking the next injection, let alone ever again. I’ve also been told ovulation can take months to return, which horrified me as I told my gynae I wanted short-term contraception as I was hoping to start planning for kids in a year max."

• nic...
• November 17, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’m so glad that I have found this page. I had my regular period the week before getting my first Depo-Provera injection, and the week after, I started bleeding, and it has been 3 weeks where I have not stopped bleeding. I looked at other websites that told me I was either pregnant or had an infection or a serious medical issue. Seeing this did not help the fact that my hormones were already all over the place from this injection, and it stressed me out and gave me serious anxiety. Until my first shot, I was regular on my period. And now I haven’t stopped after 3 weeks, it is constant, luckily not too heavy, but it’s not showing any signs of stopping. I wish I saw this page before. I’m not going to be having a second injection."

• Loo...
• December 7, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had my first Depo-Provera shot at the end of August after trying various brands of mini pill. After two weeks of getting the shot, I was bleeding for two weeks, felt anxious and tired all the time. I was actually going to give up on this shot and not go for another one, but I found as time went on my anxiety went away, and I also stopped bleeding, so I had my second shot and up to now feel absolutely fine, and a big plus, not had a period for over six weeks now. I used to get terrible period cramps but have also been free of those too. I’ve found the longer I am on it, the better it gets."

• Lou...
• November 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I recommend no one ever tries this. I had my first injection and felt fine for 3 months (at least I thought I did). After my second injection, I felt completely different. Since having my second injection, I don’t feel like the same person. I have had 4 panic attacks and am suffering with bad anxiety. I am constantly worrying about my health and diagnosing myself with all sorts of side effects of the injection. I feel like a severe hypochondriac at the moment. Not only has it messed with my mental health, making me constantly worried, anxious, and stressed, it has caused me to get cystic acne. 2 weeks into my second injection, I saw 3 spots appear on my face (I’ve never had spots in my life). How wrong was that, causing them to get bigger and painful? The more the injection wears off, the smaller they seem to get. I have not yet been to my GP about my problem yet, as I want to let it wear out of my body and pray I get back to my normal self and my skin gets better - do not get it."

• Lim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2023

For Birth Control "I'm 17, and this is the first birth control I've been on. I had 150 mg of the Depo injection at my OBGYN office. I've only been on this injection for a few weeks, and side effects are already kicking in. The first day I even got it, I had abdominal pain, body aches, and piercing sensations around my body. My arms and legs have started to ache, I've had mood swings, a feeling of emptiness, increased feelings of depression, severe anxiety, and headaches. I was not told all of the side effects, and this injection was almost glorified by my doctor. She only told me I might retain water weight, lose hair (I haven't), and miss my periods. She never spoke of anything else I've been experiencing, as well as everyone else it seems. I don't recommend this injection, I'm planning on switching to a different method, like the Annovera ring, after research."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on the Depo shot for about 8 months now. My doctor decided to put me on a form of BC to try and control my overactive hormones. I chose to go with the Depo shot as I knew it would help me gain weight (and I was underweight before the shot). I started gaining weight within the first 3 months of being on Depo. Which was a great thing for me at the time! On the downside, though, I did start to have night sweats and hot flashes along with a decreased sex drive and depression/anxiety."

• Lal...
• July 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo Provera shot for 2 years. Absolutely hated it. The two years that I was on it, I had rapid weight gain and gained 30 lbs in two years. My mood swings were awful and became much more depressed. Also caused my anxiety to become worse. Wouldn't recommend this birth control to anybody."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the Depo shot for almost 10 months now, and it hasn't been too bad. The only problems I've had are severe mood swings, nausea, and headaches daily. I'm a sick person anyway, so I'm not sure if I've gotten other side effects, but I do know those are from the Depo. My periods are now pretty much gone. My second shot, I had a period for about 2 months, but it wasn't heavy. I plan on getting off of it, though, after this shot wears off because I have been reading a lot of bad things about the shot. Severe mood swings, depression, anxiety, hair loss, osteoporosis, infertility, etc. I eventually want to get pregnant, but you can lose all options if you continue the shot for an extended period of time, and I don't want that to happen."

• Ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I was forced on this by my mother when I was 16. I had normal, regular periods before that point. I'm 24 now, and I can confidently say that the three injections I got 8 years ago destroyed my regularity, elevated my depression and anxiety to the point where I was suicidal, and I'm still, to this day, suffering from it. It just ruined everything for me. I still don't have a normal period, my endometriosis got worse, and my periods show up sometimes three times a month or none for 4 months. It elevated my risk for developing ovarian cysts, which I have a family history of having, and doctors don't know how to fix it. Parents- DON'T DO THIS to your kid. They don't deserve it. Let them decide what they want. It's not worth the risks. Please don't let them suffer like I suffer."

• Don...
• April 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I wish I would've listened to the reviews before getting this shot. It has caused me to have severe anxiety and panic attacks. I can only hope that I'm able to go back to normal after these hormones are out of my system. Additionally, my acne has worsened, and I'm hungry all the time. But none of that compares to the anxiety. I haven't felt like myself in weeks. Absolutely do not try this shot if you are able to get another method of birth control."

• Yea...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I started the shot around Feb and went into the clinic not knowing what I wanted. I decided on the shot there and then, but then read more reviews after I got it that freaked me out - depression, loss of sex drive, anxiety, etc. I'm pretty moody as it is, so I was terrified of what I had put in my body. I did bleed and spot for about 3 weeks after, which I think is totally normal because that has happened to me in starting any new birth control (pill & patch). Then I started to realize that my body was taking really well to it. I never noticed any major mood swings aside from the emotional being I already am (know yourself!). Got the second shot & still going good! I'm sure there are long-term effects though that could be considered."

• Cat...
• May 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 18 years old, and I've been on this since I was 15, two months before my sixteenth birthday. I have done loads of research on this shot, and after taking it this long and reading everyone's complaints, I have reached a final conclusion that this shot has deteriorated my health tremendously. I have always had problems with feeling depressed, but ever since I got on this shot, I've been feeling so horribly suicidal and anxious, my mood has been affected so badly too. I am always stressed or not really sure about what or how I feel. I have really bad abdominal pain, and not to mention the worst headaches and dizziness of my life. I am constantly dizzy and fatigued, and I gained lots of weight. It prevents pregnancy, yes, but not worth it."

• Han...
• September 25, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Please do your research before you get Depo-Provera. I know my doctor never told me about these side effects that could happen, and they did! I started taking this shot about 9 months ago. At the beginning of this month, I took it again, and I will never take this shot ever again! I’ve been having hot flashes, constant dizziness (sometimes I feel like I’m going to fall over), and extreme anxiety (panic attacks), and I feel so tired all the time. The more research I do, the more I realize that this Depo shot is most likely the cause of the way I’ve been feeling. I started taking this because I have excruciating periods (which the Depo did help with my periods), but all these other side effects from this shot are affecting my life on a daily basis. All I can do now is wait it out and hope I get better, but my life has been so bad lately. This shot might be fine for you, but all I’m saying is do your own research first!!"

• MiM...
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm sharing this with everyone who is considering the Depo-Provera shot. I have been bleeding constantly for 8 months straight, and every shot I've taken my doctor told me, 'Oh, just wait for the next shot,' over and over. The spotting eventually became a heavier flow of bleeding and big amounts of blood clots. The cramps are so bad that I couldn't walk, it feels like all the area below my belly button was slowly ripping apart. It has changed me emotionally too. It increased my anxiety and depression and just really dark thoughts. It has changed my personality drastically. It also caused me to pass out twice. The cramps' symptoms are usually sweating, shaking, and a lot of pain. It has caused emotional and physical pain and risks to life. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE DEPO SHOT. One of my friends also took the depo shot and now she can't get pregnant anymore, ever. So please do yourself a favor and try different birth control methods and not risk using this one."

• Que...
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I highly recommend the Depo-Provera shot (especially if you would like to gain some weight)! I decided to take the Depo shot because I kept forgetting to take the pill (this later led to a pregnancy which was followed by a miscarriage because of stress from the situation I was in). I didn't know anything about the Depo-Provera shot and was never given any kind of pamphlet on it. I was at 105 lbs when I first started the shot. Now I'm at 132 lbs. I've been on the shot for 2 1/2 months. My anxiety is worse (I'm on medicines for anxiety), I've had throbbing headaches (I also have medicine for this), and my periods are super weird. I'll barely bleed most of the time I go to the bathroom. It's almost like I don't have a period, but the cramps come and go. So far, it's doing its job and preventing pregnancy. However, my sister has friends who gained 100+ pounds being on this shot, so I was suggested to keep the late-night snacks to a minimum, but I choose not to and it's not really affected me."

• jma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I would NOT recommend this birth control. I was not aware of the effects I would have when coming off Depo-Provera. I did well on the injections (I had 3 injections), but when I came off of it, I was a completely different person. I am anxious, can’t think clearly, and have major mood swings. I have never been the type to be anxious about anything. I’ve always been a happy person. The only good thing about it was that it completely prevents pregnancy. I would strongly suggest starting on the pill or any other contraceptive. Everyone’s body is different and can react in a different way, but I would not risk starting this method when there are much better options."

• tir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on Depo from the ages of 17-21 with absolutely NO problems, NO bleeding, it stopped my periods completely, NO side effects. I went back on the Depo August 2013 (currently ages 25-27) and have been getting the shots every 3 months on the first date they are due. I have been spotting/bleeding almost the whole time. When I have sex, it seems to make me bleed more. Everything has been ruled out, and it's just been blamed as a side effect of the Depo from my doctor. I also managed to get pregnant and have a miscarriage while on the shot/on time with each due date. The longer I am on this, the more side effects I am starting to get (acne, SEVERE depression, anxiety, and mood swings). I recommend for younger only."

• Jen...
• July 20, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This is an update from my last post on the 6th. I started bleeding again on July 1st and am still bleeding today. No sign of stopping. From all this experience, it's making me feel so depressed. I keep crying, wanting my body to go back to normal. So far, I've scheduled an appointment to discuss the side effects, but that's not until August 15th. AND this is from only having 1 shot in February. So 5 months in. But for sure I don't want to be treated with any other synthetic hormone. I'm so done. I wish there were more updates with these other ladies' experiences or if there was an end in sight. I feel so stressed out over this."

• kek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this drug! The side effects are awful! I woke up feeling the worst nausea every morning, to the point where I would sometimes vomit. It causes awful headaches. I had a really large clot once, along with killer cramps. My period was still irregular. Yes, it was not as heavy, but it did cause spotting for a majority of the 3 months I was on it. My skin (which happened to be getting clearer!) was breaking out throughout the 3 months and in places that I never used to break out in. Also, I went from being one of the happiest people to majorly depressed with anxiety and mood swings. I now have the worst panic attacks. It will also make your sex life become horrible! Please don't take this! Read all the reviews before you do!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the first shot on August 10, 2020. After weeks, I started to bleed. I did not get the second shot. I am still bleeding like I'm on my period every day! I wish for this nightmare to end! I also have anxiety and panic attacks. I don't know me anymore."

• Lay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the depo shot in early May 2019, and this shot is ridiculous. I don’t want to attribute all issues as they may only be coincidental, but I will list everything that has happened. - prolonged bleeding at first (I expected this) - crazy mood swings - intense anxiety The shot has since “worn off,” and I’m still experiencing - anxiety - mood swings - bleeding every other week. In general, I feel like garbage, and I felt fine prior to having this shot."

• Lay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the depo shot in early May 2019, and this shot is ridiculous. I don’t want to attribute all issues as they may only be coincidental, but I will list everything that has happened. - prolonged bleeding at first (I expected this) - crazy mood swings - intense anxiety The shot has since “worn off,” and I’m still experiencing - anxiety - mood swings - bleeding every other week. In general, I feel like garbage, and I felt fine prior to having this shot."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wish I could go back in time. I would have never ever gotten this shot. I was 16, no parents, not legally an adult, and the doctor didn't explain anything about the shot to me. Just told me I needed it because I was sexually active. I got the shot once, then stopped. Everything was fine. I got back on it, no problems, no period, no side effects, nothing until I stopped the shot. It's been almost 2 years and I still bleed for 7 months at a time. I now have depression and severe anxiety. I just want this to end. I spend so much money on feminine products, it's not even funny."

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot in August 2019, and I have been bleeding nonstop since!! It is now October, and I am still bleeding to this day. The side effects from this are very distressing, and I noticed a complete change in my personality and mood as well. I became so anxious and depressed from this injection. My entire family noticed my mood swings. I would cry for no reason the first month, it’s just awful. Please beware of the side effects and really do your research before getting on Depo!"

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I am due for my second shot this week and will not be getting it. I chose this BC due to its convenience and ability to stop my period. I’m 21 and have found Depo to be extremely effective in the aspect that I am not pregnant. I was an extremely outgoing and happy 21-year-old with absolutely no anxiety or depression before starting this BC. The Depo shot has absolutely wrecked me as a person. I have experienced extreme anxiety attacks weekly, and my mood has never been worse. I have become extremely unmotivated and sad at all times. This BC has caused so many mental and emotional breakdowns and is honestly ruining my life. I have no inclination to do anything anymore (I was a total social butterfly before), and these emotional episodes have even caused suicidal thoughts that I have never even been close to experiencing. I would not recommend this method of birth control. I will be switching to a non-hormonal IUD option and pray to God I start feeling like myself again soon."