Depo Provera and Spotting: What Users Say

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worst contraceptive ever. I had my first Depo shot on the 9th of Jan. Approximately two weeks after, I started spotting and then bleeding heavily. I am so mad that my doctor never indicated or told me about any of these side effects. I will not be going back for a second injection. Now, I feel like I am on a permanent menstrual cycle. If any of you ladies are really wanting to do something about this horrible drug, report it to the FDA. And also to Pfizer on their website. I believe this drug needs to be removed from the market. I don't think any woman wants to keep bleeding for months on end at a time."

• 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."

• Rey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot in October 2014. It is now February 2015, and I have been either spotting or full-on bleeding since then. I can't have sex because I start to bleed as if my period just started. I've been on and off the Depo for four years, and this is the first time I've had a bad experience with it. I also gained 25 pounds since October, but I eat healthily and go to the gym regularly."

• Zob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been on the Depo injection for 3+ years and have never had any bleeding. Until my last injection on 23rd Feb 2021, I have been brown spotting for 1 week and have woken up this morning with full-blown red blood. I was so scared, and I’m so glad I found this forum, which shows it’s been happening to a lot of other women recently."

• you...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been receiving the Depo shot since July 2013. This has been my first and only birth control I've taken, and a huge benefit is that I am not worrying about taking a pill. However, for the past 6 months, I have experienced spotting. It is not enough blood to need to wear a tampon, however, it is very dark blood, which stains underwear. This has been extremely frustrating to me, and I am now trying to decide what my next best option for birth control will be."

• 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!"

• Jen...
• August 22, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Had the shot once, no bleeding the first two months, then the third month a four-week-long period. Didn't go back (due for another shot May third), and I've pretty much been bleeding/spotting the whole time. April-September and still going strong."

• 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."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2020

For Birth Control "When I first got the shot, I bled for a month straight. This is pretty normal. Then I didn’t have a period for the duration of my time on the shot. However, I kept starting and stopping. Don’t do this or else your body will have to start all over again. Like if you stop and start, your body will have to go through the cycle, and you might go through the bleeding or spotting for a month or so. But after my third start over, I just didn’t bleed anymore during the adjustment period. I was on Depo for around 2.5 years, and I got paranoid that maybe I might become infertile. That’s a risk for almost every medication, though. I’m currently off the shot. It took 6 months for my period to come back after I stopped the shot cycle for good, which is what actually scared me the most about me being infertile even more. But 10/10 pregnancy prevention for me. This baby was like metal armor for me. I am hoping to get back on it soon."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The Depo-Provera is horrible. Had my son July 2019 and had Depo. I have been spotting since then, I could hardly tell if I get my period because there is blood every day. I hope my fellow women get this message before they take this horrible shot."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I was weighing about 130 lb in December 2019 when I got my first Depo-Provera shot. I gained 50 pounds, and it's August 2020! I weigh 180 lb now. I have so many stretch marks on my legs. I wouldn't recommend at all. I have so much spotting randomly. I have nightmares almost every night. -100/10"

• chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2012

For Amenorrhea "I have a really hard time taking estrogen birth control, and I decided to get the Depo shot. After reading the reviews, I was so scared I canceled my appointment to get it. After thinking about it, I decided to just go ahead with it and see what happens. I've been on it a little more than 3 weeks, and I've noticed that I am a little more tired, and I have some pimples that are starting to go away. Other than that, I haven't had any spotting, tender breasts, sex drive changes, etc. Usually, before my period, I eat non-stop and have cravings, and it's nice to not have that! I will write again to update how it's going in a few weeks. I wanted to let people know not to be terrified. It may work for you, and if it doesn't, just don't get another shot."

• Kxo...
• June 10, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the Depo for over two years now. For the first 9 months, I experienced light bleeding/spotting, but the doctors told me to continue as it won't be long until my body got used to it. After my third shot, the bleeding just stopped completely. It is best to carry on with it because I haven't had a period in over a year, just occasional spotting every couple of months, if that. Weight gain was a problem for me, but I'm not overweight, and I can lose it if I stick to a healthy diet. Other than that, I've had no problem with the Depo, it's really not as bad as people are making it out to be. Once you get past the months of bleeding, you don't have to worry about a thing. :)"

• Jem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 21, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was advised to go on this as I have endo stage one. I've been on it 9 months, and it's been horrific. I bled the first shot for 68 days, then I spot constantly, which is so infuriating. Worst decision I made going on this."

• 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."

• Bee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started the Depo-Provera injection in Jan 2020 after I had my son in Dec 2019, all was well. I would have a period in the first month, it was long and heavy, and then no period or spotting for 2 months. I was quite happy. Then my OB had to go for surgery in July. I was not due until August for the shot, so he said it would be fine to get the shot half a month early. O M G! Wish I didn’t listen to him. My periods have been longer than 15 days, then spotting in between, and now a period again! It hasn’t been super heavy, but it sure is annoying as anything! I’m due for a shot on Oct 7, 2020, and I’m not going on it again! I’m diabetic and already exhausted from that, now this."

• 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."

• Con...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 11, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on the Depo-Provera shot for 5 years. I love it, I haven't had a period since I got the first shot. Then one day randomly, I started spotting. I wasn't too concerned at first, but the bleeding went on and got heavier over a span of 2 months (I had been trying to get into the doctors, but that hadn't been working out). Finally, I was able to talk to my doctor, and it just turned out to be my body basically adapting to the progestin, so instead of coming in every 12 weeks, I come in every 10 to 11 weeks depending on if I start bleeding."

• Rye...
• November 26, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "At first, I loved this shot, no period and very minimal spotting for only a day or two. Now I'm spotting for months at a time, clots with old blood, then fresh blood, then it stops, then it starts, and it's irritating as hell. I've been spotting for two months now, which has been a consistent occurrence for the past year on this shot. I'm over it."

• 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."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Stay as far away as possible from this medicine. I took only one injection on Oct 11, 2015, during my cycle, with hopes of lightening my cycle, which was due to start on my wedding day, Nov 21, 2015. I started bleeding approximately 1 week after receiving the injection, it is now Feb 22, 2016, and I am still bleeding. It's a constant spotting, with a breakthrough of extreme heavy bleeding, soaking a pad within an hour. I am a newlywed and unable to satisfy my husband, I surely hope he doesn't go out and cheat due to this stupid shot. There should be some type of class action lawsuit. Depo Provera needs to come off the market."

• 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."

• 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!"