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

• Bec...
• August 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I started the shot when I was 17, about to be 18. I am now 20, about to be 21. Very effective at preventing pregnancy. However, I have terrible mood swings, migraines, and weight gain. When I started taking Depo, I was the healthiest I have ever been. Slowly but surely, I put on the pounds and my depression became unbearable! The first year, I didn't gain much, maybe ten pounds, and went from a size 4 to a size 6. I weighed 135, now I weigh about 170. It's horrendous! I just switched birth control yesterday, so I hope it treats me better than Depo Provera!"

• lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot a month ago, and it's been the worst experience of my life! I haven't stopped bleeding, I have horrible mood swings, I'm always depressed, I'm losing weight, and it's basically ruining my life. I hate this shot, its side effects are horrible. I do not recommend it at all!"

• liz...
• November 17, 2014

For Birth Control "Two years on Depo... I have been combating depression, fatigue, and vaginal dryness since my third shot, hoping that I could overcome them or being in denial that it was from the shot, but it's definitely a side effect of the birth control. Though the shot is convenient, with no periods and strong hair and nails, I totally feel like I've been through menopause and am an old lady with NO sex drive. Switching to the patch in December, wish me luck."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So earlier before now, I was having this prolonged period, and my ex-boyfriend suggested I take the shot. The doctor never explained to me that I'd bleed for months when the shot elapses. Took the shot April 2019, it worked perfectly. Then bleeding started June 2019, and up till today, December 21st, I'm still bleeding. I'm tired, I've drastically lost weight, I feel depressed, I get angry so fast, I feel my world has come to an end. I buy pads all the time. I think I'm gonna arrest my ex-boyfriend for making me go through this. Since June, I've been single, haven't had sex because I'm ashamed of myself. I've had dark thoughts most times. Depo shot is the worst mistake of my life!"

• JD3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2023

For Birth Control "I am month 2 on Depo, and I would rate it a zero if I could. Since receiving the injection, I have suffered migraines and/or headaches daily. I'm so exhausted I can't make a day without a nap, mood swings daily, a loss of interest as I have no energy, feeling unwell all the time, hot flashes galore, been on my period for a month, and it's major cramps. I wish I would have read about the side effects. I will never get another one and keep telling my husband I regret it daily. I just want my life back, I was hoping it would help with my periods, that is why I was prescribed it, and it backfired. Yuck."

• 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."

• Wis...
• January 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I got this shot back on June 23rd, 2019, and sadly to this day, I am still bleeding. I never returned for the second shot and have been on the pill to try and help, but sadly it doesn’t. I guess I now have to accept the fact that this is part of my life now and hope that it will eventually stop. I am depressed because of this, and it’s really hard each day seeing the bleeding. I have never had any trouble before, and I wish I saw this site because I would not have gone through with the shot. I hope this post helps one person not go through what I have to each and every day. I am 35 and am now looking at a hysterectomy to fix the issue because I could imagine living like this forever. 7 months of straight bleeding. This shouldn’t be available."

• TXa...
• March 26, 2016

For Birth Control "So I'm 17, I got the shot a little over a week ago. So far, nothing but good to report here. However, where I got the shot (arm) was pretty sore for like 5 days, and I'd say I probably had slight depression for a few days afterward, but now I'm back to normal. I also had an increase in appetite, which is probably why a lot of people have gained weight. I'm a health nut, so appetite is something I control on a regular basis. The best thing is that my boobs grew MAJOR!!"

• 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."

• Kok...
• April 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I am 21, and since I first received the shot in January, I have been bleeding ever since. Sometimes light, sometimes like an actual period, with cramps and migraines. Also, this medicine has completely jacked up my hormones. I am angry ALL the time, ALWAYS sad. I cry every day, over the smallest issues, or for no reason. I am happy, and in a split second, I will feel very low or even have suicidal thoughts. I experience extreme mood swings and flip out on my boyfriend-coupled with less sex from the bleeding. It's very frustrating. I am hoping that this is just my body still adjusting to the medicine. I haven't had any weight gain or acne though (knock on wood)."

• 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."

• Mae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Got the shot in June before my period. I have been spot bleeding since! I thought my period was gonna stop, at least I thought it’s now October... Mood swings, yes... depression, less active than normal. I have barely got appetite, can’t sleep. Something changed in the depo, never had this happen. Very concerned for myself and others."

• Leg...
• June 26, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got this April 2016 and have experienced extreme depression, rapid weight gain, irregular bleeding for weeks, acne, increased breast size, decreased sex drive, and horrible mood swings. This has been the worst time of my life."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on the Depo shot for a year and a half now, and I have been bleeding ever since I took it. I have experienced a lot of weight gain and depression and tons of mood swings. You get cramps every day as if you just got your period. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like bleeding. Might work for some people, but not for me."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2022

For Birth Control "The absolute worst thing I have EVER tried in my life. It has made my life a living hell for the past 6.5 months, and I still live in hell. I have gotten 2 shots of Depo and refused to go for the 3rd shot, which was due a little over 2 weeks ago. I have gained 20 lbs so far, and it’s gotten even worse since I stopped the shot 2 weeks ago. Depression, acne, and mood swings are horrible, but the worst of all was the constant heavy bleeding for 5 months EVERY SINGLE DAY! I became severely anemic that I could barely walk for 10 minutes due to extreme fatigue and exhaustion. No sex drive and no desire to do anything at all! Just sleeping half of the day and feeling tired without doing anything. This shot has been the worst nightmare for me. I wish I had done my research before getting it. I now regret it 200%."

• Tia...
• December 26, 2014

For Birth Control "Depo as a birth control, I guess it worked, everything else just went wrong! I only had one shot and don't think I will ever go back. Within two weeks of getting the injection, I got really bad headaches, depressed, abdominal cramps, flash bleeding, vomiting, unstable gait, memory loss, my face broke out, lost a bunch of weight, optic nerve damage. I went into SVT, and the list goes on. My whole life turned upside down. So yes, it may work for some people with no side effects, but it has damaged my life."

• Mrs...
• December 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I get on this shot to control my bleeding since I was going on vacation, and I didn't want to be on my period while on vacation. I was so crazy to get on this shot because my tubes are tied, but my period was out of control, so I got on the shot. Why did I do this to myself? I took my first shot on 9/11/15, started bleeding 10/14/15. I kept bleeding, so I called the doctor to ask her what to do. She said to take 4 ibuprofen pills 3 times a day, and it should slow it down... Nope, never stopped, so I decided to get another shot... What was I thinking doing that? To this day, 12/12/15, I'm STILL BLEEDING SINCE 10/14/15. My attitude is through the roof, my marriage is suffering, I'm depressed 'cause I've gained so much weight, I have constant headaches, etc."

• Ken...
• August 28, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I've had two shots so far. My period has been heavy when I get it, and I spot all month long. I've experienced depression in the past, and it seems like it's gotten worse on the shot. I've actually attempted suicide since I've started the shot. My sex drive is crap, and my mood swings are crazy. I don't recommend this shot to anyone."

• 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."

• HOP...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 2, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My experience with this medication started when I was 14 years old. I knew nothing about this medication, and I wish someone would have sat down and told me what exactly this medication does! I decided for the third time to try to get off this medication, I finally decided this time it was enough, so my last shot was October 2016. The beginning was great, I was happy-go-lucky, outgoing, had my life back after having a breast reduction. No period, no cramps, gained a few pounds, but it was worth it at the time for freedom. Now, at 23, I've been in the hospital and given three pills at once. I've soaked through over 10 pads a day and blood clots after blood clots: depression, weight gain, acne, severe cramps, dizziness, tiredness, and withdrawals from this medication."

• 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."