Medroxyprogesterone 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."

• Try...
• May 30, 2014

For Amenorrhea "Didn't have a period for 1.5 years - was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and hypothyroidism. As hubby and I have been trying to conceive, not having any periods has been difficult to judge any ovulation. Was put on Provera to induce a period before the doctor prescribes any ovulation medicines. Took Provera for 10 days, didn't have any side effects. But after I stopped, I felt nauseous, breasts were very sensitive, was over emotional/very irritable, and a bit dizzy at times. Had light spotting on day 3 and 4 after stopping Provera, then period starting on day 5. Day 5 and 6 were light-medium, but then afterwards was extremely heavy for 2-3 days with really bad cramping."

• Ree...
• May 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took Provera 5 mg for abnormal uterine bleeding. Basically, my period went on for almost three weeks. I went to the hospital (had an ultrasound & everything was fine). They told me to take the pills for 7 days once a day. I took 2 a day for 3 days & the last pill on the 4th day. I'm a heavyset girl, so 10 mg wouldn’t have hurt me. The first day I took them, I took them in the morning & by the afternoon, the bleeding stopped. Throughout my taking the medication, I had no bleeding. Three days after the last pill was taken, my period came on. I just woke up one morning & I was spotting. By that night, I was bleeding very heavily. I wanna say the heaviest I have ever been, but most of it was blood clots. All sizes. That went on for about 5 days, then the 6th morning it almost instantly stopped. I was spotting very lightly & by that night it completely stopped. I’m a 20-year-old, by the way. I have not been diagnosed with PCOS or anything of the sort."

• 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."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2020

For Amenorrhea "I was on Depo-Provera injection for 7 years, came off the injection and was missing my menstrual cycle for 7 months to follow. Husband & I are TTC, so OBGYN put me on Provera 10 mg x 7 days to strike my cycle. I had brown spotting lightly on day 6 and 7 after stopping Provera, thought it didn’t work properly, called my doctor and got worried. Actual flow didn’t come until day 16 after stopping Provera. The period was moderate, nothing extreme, and lasted 3 days. We’re not quite sure if it was a Provera withdrawal bleed or my body getting back into function, but needless to say, it did something! Now hoping and waiting for a positive ovulation test! Be advised - it can take up to 3 weeks for a withdrawal bleed from Provera, give it some time!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• cla...
• January 10, 2013

For Endometriosis "I got on this as a teenager for my endometriosis. Besides spotting for the first four months, I have had no ill effects. No weight gain. In fact, it's hard to keep weight on. I got off of it to have my kids. Now I'm back on it. It's so much easier raising toddlers without cramps and random bleeding. I recommend it highly. Don't let bad experiences scare you. I actually had a horrible time with the pill. I love my Depo shots!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I went almost 3 months without a period. I should've known I was in for trouble, but I just let it slide until the day I started my period. I bled for 5 weeks non-stop. It was very heavy with lots of large clots. I went to the ER eventually, and the doctor prescribed me Provera 10 mg for 10 days. It was awesome for 10 days-almost no bleeding, just spotting here and there. I came off of Provera, and 2 days later, I'm bleeding 10 times worse and a lot more clots than I was before taking the drug. Something's got to give, I just want to be able to be normal again!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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"

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The first time I took Provera, it worked great for 3-4 years and made me regular. I had gone to the ER for heavy bleeding and clotting. The second time I went to the ER was earlier this year (2015) for the same reason. Provera slowed it down, passed clots, and then I spotted here and there. Just recently, mid-July, I started having heavy bleeding again, and the docs couldn't give me answers as to why, but put me on Provera again. It didn't do anything this time. It slowed it down on Day 1-Day 3 on it, and then after, and especially when I finished Provera, I was bleeding very heavily. The doc said that's to be expected and have to wait it out and just wait for my ultrasound. I'm so sick of all this bleeding and even more so not getting any answers/treatment."

• 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."