Depo Provera and Cramps: 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."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took Depo-Provera injection many years ago. I never had a period or spotting from the first shot. I was on it for 6 years with no issues other than weight gain. I got the shot again on September 10, 2020. I started bleeding 10 days ago. The cramps are extreme to the point I don't want to get out of bed, which is not possible, as I have 3 children ages 8, 2, and 1, and am a stay-at-home mom. Over-the-counter medication does not help with the pain. There are too many of us experiencing the same things, and a lot of us have already taken Depo before with no issues."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve taken Depo a while back when I was around 17/18. I’ve never experienced bleeding like this. I recently got the Depo-Provera injection again because I have really horrible periods and extreme cramps, so I decided that I would go back on Depo. It was the worst thing I ever did. I experienced light spotting when I received my first injection, but I went in for my second around July 2020, and I’m still bleeding nonstop, and it’s getting very overwhelming because I can’t have sex with my boyfriend, or if I do, I have to take a shower first. It’s really annoying. I don’t recommend it to anyone, you’ll be depressed for months."

• Ado...
• February 21, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got this shot back in July. I went to the clinic for Depo Provera, and I really thought this was gonna help. I guess I was wrong. Ever since August, I have had irregular bleeding but not a period, just spotting and bleeding that happens at random times, and I always get blood on my underwear, and I don’t want to wear pads every single day. It’s been 7 months now, and I’m still having this problem. I know it’s normal to have irregular bleeding, but it should have stopped by now. This shot has been no help, and I’m always having cramps and bleeding, and I’m miserable. And if I stop the shot, I’ll bleed for even longer, and I really don’t want that. I don’t know what to do to make my periods regular and make my long periods never happen again. I don’t know if I should switch to the IUD 'cause I’ll probably have more side effects, and I’m sick of it. Never should have gotten this shot. Big regret."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "On Depo-Provera, I have been bleeding 4 weeks straight, nonstop!! I'm so crampy and wasn't bleeding up until I had the shot!! I had my son 10 weeks ago, so decided to try this and what a REGRET!!!! Is there a bad batch or something?! As I had the shot a few years back and never had this problem."

• Kin...
• July 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Please do not use this horrible injection. As a medical scientist, I cannot believe how Depo-Provera passed the human trials and is on the market despite all the life-threatening side effects. I was hospitalized twice with severe bloating and kidney pain. It caused water retention (edema) all over my body, feet, legs, face, and abdomen! Constant dizziness, nausea, and cramps to the point that I can't function at work or home. This injection should not be on the market! It really ruined my life and I don't want anyone else to experience this. The FDA has a website where you can report all the adverse side effects of any medication, and it encourages people to report by either calling them or submitting an online form. Please, whoever reads this, if you have issues with Depo, go now to the FDA's website and complain about the horrible side effects you have experienced. The FDA will investigate the safety of this drug and potentially retract it from the market! It is our human right to safe medication, and this drug violates that right."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Depo for twenty years and today have a full-blown period. I mean, horrible cramping and all. I have never once had breakthrough bleeding or even a drop in 20 years. I received my injection on Jan 4th."

• Eri...
• March 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo Provera for about a month now, and I absolutely love it! I haven't had ANY bleeding, no cramps, no headaches or dizziness, no mood swings, no swollen or tender breasts, no weight gain, nothing! I still have a sex drive and I feel perfectly normal. Most people with good side effects don't think to share their experience, so remember that everyone's body is different and your experience might be like mine!"

• bar...
• June 4, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo-Provera for 2 years this month. It was great! Had little to no periods, light spotting for a week before I had gotten my next shot. Didn't have to worry about taking pills daily. I had no side effects at all. I was actually losing weight. But, the last shot I had back in March, they informed me that there was a new type of Depo formula that took the place of the Depo that my body was used to. Ever since then, my period has not stopped. I gained 20 pounds in one week of water weight. My cramps have been terrible to where I can't eat. I feel as though I'm pregnant at all times. I go Tuesday to either get checked to see if I need to be off it. Anyone else experienced this since they've changed it?"

• 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."

• non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I only had one shot. It lasts 3 months. During those months I got my period the first month and not the other two. Now I came down to Trinidad on vacation before I was able to get my second shot. Now I've been bleeding for 3 months straight. I know this is abnormal. I have the worst cramps, and my whole body hurts."

• Ref...
• April 18, 2013

For Endometriosis "I love the Depo shot. No side effects at all. I read so many negative reviews before I took my first shot. I have experienced none of the side effects I read about in the reviews. I have not had any breakthrough bleeding as many people described. I have had no periods after the first shot. Before Depo, I had painful cramps before and during my period. No pain and no weight gain. I am so pleased with this form of birth control."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

For Birth Control "On 9/13/19, the nurse gave me the 1st Depo shot, but she didn't say anything about the side effects. I spotted until 1 week before Thanksgiving. Then I bled every other day. I gained a few pounds, had no sex drive, experienced vaginal dryness, and had some strong cramps. On 12/29/19, I went to the ER, and the doctor said Depo is making me bleed, and it should stop within a couple of months. After that day, I bled heavier every day, and I was getting tired of it. I went online to see reviews about this, and I discovered a remedy. I took two 1300 mg Evening Primrose oil capsules each day, and on the 5th day, my bleeding stopped. The FDA should never approve this shot. I hope one day the FDA will take this off the market. No lady should suffer like this after taking a medicine that should help them."

• Sky...
• May 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I do not recommend Depo injection! I thought getting on it was going to help my period issues, also the fact I was told I had endometriosis (which turns out I don't). When I got on it, I was fine for the first month and loved not having a period or the pain that came with it. By the second month, my moods started to change and I got very mean and aggressive towards people and anything they said. By the third month, I was a total train wreck! I would cry constantly, and I fought with literally anyone and everyone! I decided to get off Depo for the greater good of relationships with my family and my boyfriend. I thought getting off it was going to be a problem solver, but I got off it and it got worse! Multiply the other issues I talked about by 10! Which now also includes cramps, terrible emotional problems and thoughts, questioning my relationship (it comes in waves-I love him tremendously, and then my brain goes, do you?), and more, unfortunately. Please read reviews before getting on Depo!!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2013

For Endometriosis "I got on the shot in April 2012 for many reasons. 1. I worked at the YMCA in the pool, and I didn't want to worry about bleeding. 2. My cramps were torture! I wouldn't be able to get out of bed. During the first month or so, I did spot and have some cramps, but they eventually stopped. I love the shot. I did gain some weight, but that was somewhat my fault because I stayed inactive. But with a good diet and some exercise, you won't gain weight! Recommend it to everyone!"

• Lan...
• February 5, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started my first Depo-Provera shot at the beginning of January and have been bleeding lots of bright red blood for about 2 weeks now. After reading everyone’s reviews about the nightmare not ending even after stopping the injection, I’m really regretting this decision. I’ve had the worst cramps ever, and I’m bloated and feel exhausted every day. Having a full period for 2 weeks is ridiculous, and the fact this can last for months is stressing me out. I was very optimistic about trying out another form of birth control since I had issues with the combination pill. My doctor said I would experience just some light spotting until my body adjusted, which isn’t accurate. Please avoid this injection at all costs! It isn’t worth the possibility of being stuck with these horrible side effects for months until it’s out of your system and maybe even beyond that! This was the worst mistake ever and not worth it."

• Cv7...
• October 27, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been using the Depo for 2 1/2 years now. I noticed during the first year I would spot lightly when I usually got my period, and my cramps went away. After the first year, my period pretty much went away for the most part. However, when I do occasionally get spotting, it lasts for about 2 weeks, and it comes at random times. In the past year, I can recall it happening three times. For me, it still beats getting regular periods, and it has taken away my horrible cramps, so I deal with it. The pill always made me sick no matter what brand I tried, so that is another plus with the Depo. But everyone is different, and everyone will react differently."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the Depo-Provera shot going on 9 months, and so far I love it because I have absolutely no periods and only spotted maybe once or twice for a few hours, and that’s it. I haven’t gained much weight, even if I did. I was weighing around 115 when I was active, but since college and not being active, I’m up to 120. I cramp every now and then, but mostly when it’s almost time for my next shot! I’ve heard some bad things about it, though, so not sure how long I’m going to keep doing it, but so far I love it!!"

• Sha...
• December 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I've just gotten the second shot today, and I must say I love it. I haven't had my period, had the tiniest bit of spotting. I still get cramps when I'm due for my period, but nothing else. I have also not gotten pregnant at all. Probably the best decision I ever made."

• Wor...
• January 29, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I cannot stress enough about how bad the Depo is! I got the shot in Sept. 2019 and am still having horrible side effects. I am so bloated, sore breasts, and having intense cramping. I've been bleeding non-stop for almost 5 months now. This is so depressing! Along with that, I am having extreme mood swings and depression. I never had either of those things before. I wish I could go back in time and never get this shot ever. I only had one shot, I had no idea these horrible side effects would last so long."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo Provera for about 8 years, and I've loved it. I haven't had any cramps, but I do spot for a couple of weeks before my shot is due. I never gained weight, although I should note that I have a very high metabolism. However, my doctor recently had me do a bone density test, and the results were not good. I'm 25, and my bone density levels were very close to those with osteoporosis. Studies show this is reversible once you are off the shot, however, the studies are not clear about the long-term effects. So, unfortunately, my doctor no longer wants me on the shot, and I am currently looking into another form of birth control."

• 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."

• Ilo...
• December 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I LOVE Depo! Been on it for about 2 1/2 years, only side effects are some weight gain (5-10 pounds) and minor cramping once a month maybe. I used to have TERRIBLE periods, ever since my first shot, I haven't had a single period or spotting. It's nice only having to go in once every 3 months. Definitely 10/10!"

• NoM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Been on this shot since June 14. Started experiencing abdominal pain on July 2 and spotting on July 4. Severe abdominal cramps as of July 4 that continue. I turned up anemic when I had not been just 1 month before. As of today, I am still experiencing abdominal cramps periodically, continue to spot or have what seems like a full-fledged period, alternately, without any pattern. My gynecologist placed me on the shot to stop my heavy bleeding due to uterine fibroids. I will not take a second shot, as along with the heavy bleeding continuing as before, I have severe pain, extreme fatigue, and weight gain even after increased physical activity."