Depo Provera and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Taz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve started the Depo Provera injection fairly recently on 24 May 2021. I was on my period, which I normally have for seven days, but with this injection my period went from normal flow to a dark brown, slow flow, which couldn’t fill a pad. It changed halfway through June to a medium-heavy flow. I called the doctor in the early stages because when I read the symptoms, it said spotting but not heavy flow period. When I spoke to her, it was like speaking to someone who doesn’t want to hear you. Not helpful at all. It’s now July, and I’ve been bleeding for a total of 42 days and counting. Will I get the second injection in August? Nope. Would I recommend it? Nope. It really mucks up your emotions. It has made me cry over stupid things. I had this injection so I could have sex without fear of pregnancy. Have I been able to have sex? No. My advice, once again, it’s not the one to get."

• 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."

• JNK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on Depo from 2008-2011 with zero side effects. My periods were gone completely after the first shot, and I had no weight gain and minimal mood swings. Fast forward to July 2020, after having finished having children, I got the shot again. I've now been bleeding heavily every day for three weeks straight. Looking at this review forum makes me think the manufacturer made a change in early 2019 that quite obviously is not working with the majority of women's menstruation. Who wants to bleed every day for a year?! NO ONE. I WILL NEVER GET THIS SHOT EVER AGAIN. NEVER."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2021

For Birth Control "Took this in October. Started bleeding at the start of November and still consistently bleeding now 7 months later. Only took one injection. I gained weight everywhere even though I'm active and healthy, lost my sex drive, which has always been very high. Nausea every day to the point of throwing up. Insomnia for weeks on end. Raging emotions, sad and crying one minute, angry and shouting the next. Hot flashes, blurry vision, throbbing headaches, and joint pain. I was not told any side effects in the clinic, only that it stops periods and lessens cramps. I wish I was given a leaflet to make an informed decision. 7 months later and I'm losing weight slowly, sleeping better, and had been having sex occasionally, but it's a bloody mess and hit and miss if I climax at all. I just want the period to end. I would recommend ginseng as a mood booster and evening primrose oil to regulate your hormones. These brought back my libido a bit and made me less suicidal. Never again!!!!!"

• 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!"

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on this for a few months. I'm very bad at remembering to take the pill every day at the same exact time, so I figured the shot would be perfect. And I know it's still a little too early to determine whether or not I like it. I got my period in December, and she administered the shot. I haven't stopped bleeding since, and it's almost March! I spoke with my doctor, and she told me it was totally normal and it was my body getting used to the medication, but I very much dislike it. I've been VERY moody, and I get so turned off by food that sometimes I just go through the day drinking fluids. This has only been from one shot, but I'll see where it goes. If it continues to go downhill, I have to switch back to the pill."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hop...
• October 9, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the shot in late August, and a week after getting the shot, I bled continuously with no signs of stopping for 14 days, and I was panicking and found this site. I scrolled for hours and found a comment that saved me! If you are continuously bleeding, go get some raspberry leaf tea and drink 4 cups of it a day. I would just permanently, the night before, put two tea bags in a 16-ounce glass bottle with honey and let it sit overnight. I took this for two days, and the bleeding was still there, but very light. However, I needed it to stop completely because my boyfriend of a long-distance relationship was coming that weekend. So I went on Amazon and ordered natural estrogen supplements and took those with the tea every day, and the bleeding completely stopped after 4 days, and I haven't bled since. The estrogen supplements also stopped my bad mood swings and my hot flashes as well, I feel back to normal. I hope this helps you guys get your life back."

• Vio...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 2, 2015

For Birth Control "Everyone I talk to seems to have had different experiences with Depo. For me, it has been a perfect experience, but my sister had a horrible time with it. I had very light spotting after the first shot during what should have been my monthly period, and since then have had absolutely no period or spotting. My weight has remained at a constant level the entire 4 years that I've been taking it, and I haven't experienced mood swings, hair loss, or any of the other common symptoms. My doctor warned me that the shot could make my migraines worse, but I haven't noticed any difference in prevalence or severity. Everyone's body reacts differently, but it is definitely worth trying. I love this form of contraception - no periods and no babies!"

• sau...
• June 8, 2009

For Birth Control "It started off great for the first month. But then by the second month, my period became a monster. It lasted for so long and started on a very random day that wasn't even close to my regular period cycle date. Also, I'm on an emotional rollercoaster ride and almost constantly angry at something or someone. I don't like this at all."

• 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!!"

• 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!!"

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wish I could give this a ZERO star. They warned me that I could have some abnormal bleeding, but nobody warned me that I'd be bleeding enough to support the Red Cross. My blood count is low, which it never has been before. Not to mention the acne, the attitude, the sore breasts, and the emotional instability to go along with it. The REAL reason this works as birth control is because nobody on this medication is doing anything even remotely related to sex (oh yeah, I forgot to mention - no sex drive). Even if you had a sex drive, it's a bloody war zone! Nope! Hopefully, someone, anyone really, will read this and think, 'nope, I'll go a different route,' and I will have saved someone some MAJOR heartache and struggles."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For Birth Control "This has ruined my life. Took my Depo-Provera first shot on April 12th, 2019, and being on it, I have massive mood swings, memory loss, headaches. I used to have 2 jobs and now have no desire to work. I used to be a very, very driven woman, and now I don't even want to leave my house/bed. I would never recommend this to anyone. I have never been in such a dark place in my life and have constant thoughts of death. My sex drive is gone, and my relationship is in danger, and so are my jobs. This makes me feel bad, evil, horrible, nonstop. It's hard to smile, laugh, or have any joy at all. Please do not take this medication ever. It is just not worth it."

• Ale...
• March 24, 2014

For Endometriosis "I've only had one shot so far, but it has now been almost two months since I got the shot. I heard good things about this shot, and I was hoping it would take care of my really severe cramps! I skipped my period the month after I got the shot, but then the month after that, it came back. I would say my period is a lot lighter now, but it has lasted twice as long as it normally does. My cramps have been better, as they are now tolerable. But, they are still there. I have noticed a really big change in mood swings and emotions. I get in cranky moods WAY more often. At least once a day. I also have noticed that I cry super easily now, even over little things. Again though, it has only been two months. Maybe things will start to get better."

• ris...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This shot has temporarily ruined my life. I am close to my 3-month mark of this shot, which means another dose. I am strongly considering not getting another. I am currently typing this at 4 AM because I woke up after bleeding through my pad. Not fun. I've been bleeding/spotting for over half of the 3 months. I am always bloated, tired, and emotional. Sex drive gone, not to mention the constant inserting and deserting of tampons dozens of times a day. The only thing I ever see is blood. I'm constantly tired, I don't have the drive to do anything. This shot has consumed my life."

• Sad...
• September 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 15 years old. I'm a sophomore in high school. I started taking the Depo-Provera shot around my freshman year. It actually hasn't given me any bad side effects besides loss of hair, I haven't lost a lot of hair, and mood swings. My freshman year I weighed 155 and now I weigh 119. I'm 5'3" and haven't gained a pound from this shot yet. I hate shots, but it's definitely worth taking for having no period. I haven't experienced depression or any of the other side effects except the ones listed above. But not everyone is the same. I would recommend talking to your doctor about it before jumping into taking it!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 21 years old, was placed on this medicine for having high blood pressure and it being an estrogen-free birth control. I was terrified of weight gain, spotting, and mood swings, all of which this shot is rumored to do. I have experienced absolutely no bleeding since my first shot, got the second shot today, and no weight gain (I do exercise daily). I have been somewhat emotional around the time of my normal period, but no more than usual. Overall, I love the shot, and having no period is a plus all around!"

• Hig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 21 years old, was placed on this medicine for having high blood pressure and it being an estrogen-free birth control. I was terrified of weight gain, spotting, and mood swings, all of which this shot is rumored to do. I have experienced absolutely no bleeding since my first shot, got the second shot today, and no weight gain (I do exercise daily). I have been somewhat emotional around the time of my normal period, but no more than usual. Overall, I love the shot, and having no period is a plus all around!"

• kmc...
• October 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 29 years old, and I have had 3 jabs of the depo in the last year and a bit. MY PROS: No period pain every month. No babies (three is enough for us). No worries about tampons, etc. My CONS: headaches a lot, mood swings - I am a little depressed and snappy at the kids. I don't want to get intimate with my poor husband at all, and my face is covered in acne (not really, but for me, YES). I have gained weight!! (5 kg). I was supposed to have my next jab in June this year, and I didn't go for it, and I still don't have my period 5 months later!!! I think for me personally, it is no good."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I would recommend this to everyone. My experience on the shot has been great. This is about my 9th month now, and I never had to deal with any crazy side effects like weight gain, acne, etc. However, in the first 3 months, I did have mood swings, but they were never worse than any normal mood swings (for example, period mood swings). I never got my period, bleeding, or any spotting until 6 months after I started the shot! And even then, my period was very light and quick. Be sure to drink a lot of milk or eat dairy to replace the calcium that gets stripped from your body by taking the shot. If you don't replace your calcium, your bones can become weak or you can experience more side effects. Just take care of yourself :)"