Depo Provera and Depression: 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."

• Kek...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 22, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo-Provera for 20 years and was very happy, but then when I moved out of state last year, I started bleeding. I've been bleeding for over 2 years now, and I am so depressed over this annoyance, and my hubby is too. I really want sex, but with the blood clots and non-stop bleeding, I feel like I'm going crazy. I have tried everything the doctor has given me, but it just won't stop, and I'm sick of it. I'm mad and wish this bleeding would just go away so I can try to be happy and work on my depression. Somebody, please help me to stop this bleeding, 2 years is too much."

• 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."

• Ney...
• May 30, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 18 years old. I never been on any other birth control but the 3 months on Depo-Provera... I bled for 2 months as well as depression. I was PMSing the full 2 months. Caused problems in my relationship because of it."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the 3-month Depo Provera injection. I experience irregular bleeding (having periods after every 2 weeks and spotting in between). This occurred for 3 months 'on the Depo Provera.' I did not go back for another shot because I switched to a copper IUD straight after the 3 months were over. I bled every single day (and not spotting) for nearly 3 months and 2 weeks. I guess it took nearly three months for the shot to wear off for the bleeding to stop completely. Worst nightmare. Was always tired, hair started to fall, experienced depression, low sex drive. I discouraged all my friends from taking this."

• 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!!!!!"

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2009

For Birth Control "I had nothing but negative effects from the Depo shot that are continuing even after the duration of action of the Depo. I am now experiencing terrible migraines (I rarely, if ever had even minor headaches). They have been occurring multiple times per day including nausea and diarrhea. I experienced these same symptoms for the first time after I received my first shot. I also experienced neck stiffness, severe mood swings, bouts of depression that seemed to arrive from nowhere, no sex drive whatsoever, and worst of all menstrual bleeding for an entire month straight which was only counteracted by a high dosage of birth control pills."

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

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had my baby 5 months ago and decided, why not get on Depo, so I won’t get pregnant again. I’ve been bleeding since I left the hospital from giving birth. That was 5 months ago. I’ve been so depressed and weak. IDK what to do."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I really wish I saw this page before I took the Depo. :( I got onto birth control to be with my boyfriend, and for the first month, I only had spotting for 3 days and it stopped. Then around the 2nd month, I bled very heavily and passed a huge placenta-sized clot. Scared me to death. I had panic attacks and depression for a week. Went to the doctor because I felt so sick I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. They said, 'it's normal,' gave me ibuprofen, and left me on my way. The bleeding stopped for 4 days and started again. I haven't had sex with my boyfriend in so long, and I'm so tired of bleeding. I'm tired, sad, and angry all the time. I can't have sex without there being so much blood. The amount of shame, sadness, and embarrassment I feel is immeasurable. I'm so mad the doctors never told me any of this would happen, and now I'm scared it's going to last longer. I'm so tired of crying over this."

• Diz...
• December 19, 2020

For Birth Control "I am now 34 and getting really, really fed up with contraception. I’ve had my kids and I’ve tried them all. Each one seems to have these nasty side effects for me. I feel us women have to go through the mill with all these awful side effects. Some women won’t even know it’s because of contraception and end up so confused because most healthcare professionals will tell you it’s not the contraception that is causing the problem. My husband is now getting the snip. I’ve told him enough is enough. Men should take more responsibility. I’ve been doing it for 20 years now. Anyway! The depo. I stupidly decided to get it whilst my husband waits for the snip. So week 1: banging headaches. Piercing side headaches - paracetamol and ibuprofen wouldn’t even work. Week 2 - backache. Terrible backache. Ended up going to physiotherapist. Week 3 - joint pain all over. Week 4 - weight gain. Week 5 - thrush. Week 6 - depression. I am now on week 7 and I just want this all over."

• Pip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This shot has caused me so many issues. I got it only once. Before the shot, I had abnormally heavy periods that lasted 6 days, and to be honest, I'd rather go back to that. My body has had so many issues. The first month, things were fine. The only issues I had within the first month were headaches and nausea (the nausea got extremely severe at times, I actually had to grip onto my boyfriend just to get stable or lie on the floor). Then came the second month, excessive spotting. I also got major depression and hated everyone. I am currently on my third month of the shot, and I am still spotting heavily and sometimes bleeding. Due to the shot, I am now anemic and facing heading to the ER, but I can't because I do not have insurance."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started my Depo shot around September. A week or two before I was about to get my next shot, I started my period. I thought when I received my next shot it might stop it. It didn't. I am still on my period, and it is April. I have my next shot today, and this is my last attempt. If it continues, I will be switching back to the pill. Not only that, but I had major weight gain and depression."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2010

For Endometriosis "I was very unhappy on this drug. My pain was not reduced as it should have been. I spotted for the entire 6 months I was on it. I was extremely depressed, had no libido whatsoever, and gained 20 pounds. This did not work well for me for this condition at all. Unfortunately, once it is in your system, you are stuck with it. It took a full year for my body to readjust once I was off it and to stop spotting. It was also hard to lose that weight afterwards."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this birth control at 145 lbs, 5'3'', so I was already a little heavy, but I was working out and eating healthy to keep losing weight. The first shot seemed fine. By the second shot, I gained 5 lbs, which I thought was odd, but the doctor said it was normal. I then started becoming very depressed and spent most of my days sleeping or in bed. I gained another 10 lbs when it was time for the third shot. The third shot made me gain 25 more lbs, where I was at 185. I always ate relatively healthy and went to the gym. I decided not to take the fourth shot. It's been about a month past when I was supposed to take the fourth shot, and I'm finally starting to lose weight. I'm at 175 now and still have a long way to go."

• M88...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2019

For Birth Control "This shot has actually ruined my life. I had one shot and never went back for another. I would say the first month and a half was fine (no problems), but I started to notice weight gain, which made me upset because since I started the shot, I’ve watched what I ate religiously to avoid weight gain... another thing is the mood swings. They are extremely uncontrollable and not normal. I can say I’ve developed extreme depression and lack of energy to do anything. I would describe myself as outgoing and energetic. Since then, I don’t know who I am anymore. Every other night, I cry, and if I’m not crying, I’m just so annoyed at everything, any small inconvenience to my life sends me into a downward spiral of emotions. This is without a doubt the worst thing that ever happened to me."

• 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."

• Spr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This is the horrible method of contraceptive ever. They must not continue giving this to patients. This bleeding won't stop, and I don't see a light at the end of my tunnel, plus depression, which I never had before. Don't, don't, please don't ever take this shot!!!"

• Rac...
• August 7, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I found this site and comments of great interest. My daughter had a shot earlier this year and complained of continuous bleeding (not spotting), feeling bloated, nausea, headaches, cramps, and very depressed and emotional. She went to another doctor who has put her on antidepressants and pills to supposedly stop the bleeding, a week on, still bleeding. My daughter is 24 and has changed from a lovely, bubbly, happy person into an ill zombie who sits on the sofa all day, fatigued and in pain. I certainly intend to seek legal advice."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This was awful! I got my first shot at UVA two days after my first baby was born. They pushed it in me and didn't mention any side effects. Stopped bleeding (from giving birth) three weeks later. After about a week, it started again and hasn't stopped. I got a second shot because they told me that can happen from my body getting used to the hormones. But I never went back for my third. Over six months later, I'm still bleeding, almost a month after I should've gone in for a third shot. I don't know what to do. It's exhausting. I'm constantly tired, moody, and depressed, and I want to eat everything in sight! I wouldn't recommend this method of birth control for anyone!"

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2013

For Birth Control "My first shot of Depo-Provera was almost three months ago, and I am due for my second shot in less than two weeks. I will not get that second shot and must say Depo-Provera worked very badly for me. I've been bleeding straight for two months now, awful mood swings and depression, extensive hair loss, and no sex drive at all."

• ann...
• July 25, 2012

For Endometriosis "It has been almost 6 months since my shot, and I have been on my period the whole time. I gained 45 pounds, and I was the most depressed I've ever been. I went insane with mood swings, my already bad pain got worse, and I had head-splitting migraines, among other things. I don't recommend it to anyone. It should come with a prescription for Xanax and some weight loss pills to try to stay on top of things."

• 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."

• Hor...
• December 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Depo is the worst decision that I ever made in my life. There are so many horrible side effects with this drug. I am constantly moody, depressed, and have no energy to do anything! I'm constantly snapping at people and just losing it. The worst part is the constant bleeding! I got the shot 12 weeks ago, and now I am bleeding so heavily, soaking through pad after pad. I bled for the entire 3 months I was on it. It was usually light, but I guess now that the Depo is leaving my body, it's super heavy. Please never get this shot. You will bleed for months. I would rather just have my period than go through this anymore."

• 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!"

• Ska...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had my first Depo shot November 25, 2015. I was good for a week with no bleeding. I was supposed to go get my second shot February 25, 2016, but decided not to as I bled and still am bleeding today, 03/13/2016. Cramps are really bad, clots are bad. I wish I had never had this shot. The doctor doesn't tell you that this could happen for months on end. If they did, I guess most of us would have thought twice about having it. I am full of regrets, and I'm more depressed than I was before. I hate the bleeding, it makes me feel disgusting and dirty as it's never-ending on a daily basis. My mood swings are at what I would call a dangerous level. I would suggest that women thinking this is the best contraceptive out there to think twice and read what has happened to us."