DEPO-PROVERA Reviews (MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE)

Average Rating: 2.1 (2471 Ratings)

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 ESTROGENS PROGESTINS ANTINEOPLASTICS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

DEPO-PROVERA  (MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE):  This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as uterine cancer, kidney cancer). Medroxyprogesterone is like a natural hormone called progesterone made by the body. It is usually used with or after other treatments (such as radiation, surgery). Medroxyprogesterone may prevent or slow the worsening of the cancer and decrease pain and other symptoms.    (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

More on DEPO-PROVERA: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR DEPO-PROVERACOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE		DATE ADDED
 
 3  Painful Periods I gained significant weight while on depo (more than 30 pounds over 11 years). I took it so long I'm not sure what side effects I may have had because I probably thought they were normal. I loved not having a period;I never had one while on Depo. In October I discussed concerns of weight gain and bloating with my GYN and he said it was time to stop the Depo. I did not take the shots due in October or January and got an IUD. 01/01/09 I began having symptoms of panic attacks (shortness of breath, heart palpatations, tingling in arms, lightheadedness, heavy arms...), signifcant weight loss, fatigue, decreased apppetite, and hair loss. I've had 2 EKGs, an echocardigram, and chest x-ray which were all "normal". My blood work showed I'm on the verge of being hyperthyroid which could cause all of my symptoms. I'm still seeking medical advice about what to treat (hyperthyroid or panic or continue testing for other issues). I've never been one to get easily depressed and never experienced anxiety or panic until January. Please e-mail me if you have quit Depo. I'm curious to know about the weight loss that follows quitting as well as if anyone else has experience F 33 11 years
 1/30/2009
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 3  birth control long term depression, migraine, weight gain (2st), osteoperosis, i was just nineteen when i had my daughter and my family doctor advised a long term form of contraception, depo. at first i felt terrible, depression migraine etc, i was told this was normal! being young with a baby i trusted the 'profesionals'. over the years i have developed a wide range of medical problems and have battled with depression of varying degrees. I went for my last depo in march of this year, i got my dates mixed up so the nurse explained that a pregnancy test was needed. Only then did she say "wow 11 years, thats a long time" and sent for the doctor. I was sent for a bone density scan almost immediatley which shows a drastic loss of bone density. I was NEVER informed of this risk. I am no longer on depo and i hope and pray some of the damage may be reversed. F 31 11 years
 10/2/2007
 2  As contraception My doctor should not have left me on this for so long. Started on it at 23, bleeding for 6 weeks on occasions, had to have ultrasound to see what was going on, nothing spotted. Got dexa scan to check bones but thankfully they are ok. Since coming off injection my breasts grew by two cup sizes, my hips widened, this injection is lethal it stilts normal growth. Now breasts riddled with cysts which I have to keep getting checked, risk now dismissing a lump as a cyst and not getting it checked. Sorry I ever went on it. F 48 11 years
1x3monthly 3X O		 3/5/2022
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 1  BIRTH CONTROL DEPRESSION MASSIVE WEIGHT GAIN MIGRAINES LOSS OF SEX DRIVE VAGINAL DRYNESS ANXIETY SEVERE BACK PAIN PROGRESSIVE BONE LOSS (OSTEOPENIA) DO NOT TAKE THIS!!!! F 32 11 years
 3/1/2005
 1  Birth Control HEAVY, HEAVY bleeding after stopping the shot. The cramps were worse than labor pains. I took Depo for 11 years. My doctors never told me that I should only take it for a maximum of 3 years or so. Once I turned 40, my new doctor said I have been on it too long. My last shot was October 2013 and I started my first period March 2014. Prior to this, I only had cramps twice in my lifetime. Once when I was 14 and again when I was 16. The cramps I experienced after coming off the shot was WORSE than child birth. I can take pain, but this had me on all fours crying and asking my husband to run out and get Pamprin for me. i used to have a normal 5 day cycle and use maybe 2 or 3 tampons for the first 3 days or so. After coming off Depo, I had to use 4 different types of protection for 5 straight days!!! I used a panty liner to extend pass the regular pad placement. I used a regular pad in the normal area. I used another pad for coverage towards my rear and then an ULTRA tampon. Yes, I said ULTRA. This is the largest size available. I would have to change my tampon and/or napkins every hour on the hour. You could imagine my horror in rush hour traffic. I would have to time everything just right so I would be sure to be in a restroom by the next hour. It was HORRIBLE. I could literally feel my period coming. My tampons were ALWAYS soaked. I asked my doctor how long should this go on and was told no more than 10 days in a row. This went on for 5 days in a row for 9 months. In addition to the above, I used Depends at night or if staying at my parents F 41 11 years
unknown 1X AN		 12/23/2014
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 1  Contraceptive Depression, seizure, abnormal cells after 11 and half yrs of bein on the depo injection, i came off of it so my husband n i cld try 4 a baby, this was nearly 4mths ago now, ive jus had my 1st period which lasted 4 ova 3wks, i suffered a seizure las wk which im told is due 2 comin off of the depo which has resulted in me losin my drivin licence for 6mths, im also sufferin frm abnormal cells on my cervix which im now told by my gynacologist is due 2 the depo as the longer ur on it the more prone 2 cancer. This drug is turnin my life upside down, al thats happened recently has made me very depressed....this drug needs 2 b takin off the market now, its destroyin lifes, mine included F 26 11 years
10X AN		 9/4/2011
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 1  birth Control all of them. low sex drive, headaches, vaginal dryness. painful sex, painful bones and muscles, facial achne,depression anxiety/panic attacks. I was also diagnosed with Fybromyalgia. I was on this since 18 until 31 on and off (only off while pregnant twice). at first fine, but then looking back mosst of my problems started just after. After 2 years achne awful, never had before, then after 3 years I came off and tried to get pregnant and it took 2 years (being told after tests I wont be able to have kids?? dont know what it done to me to show this in test, 2 months later bun in the oven though). Back on after next baby and then my aches started again (stopped while pregant and trying). Looking back this is what caused it all. I still have very mild achne and can control it but I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last yr and know now this was the cause. Iam not as bad now I dont have depo but still suffering. Think this really should be taken off the market or more docs monitoring it. It says do not put on if any history of FAMILY depression and all the females in mine are depressed. Why are docs not asking more questions and checking how long you are on it. M 33 11 years
 10/9/2008
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 5  Pregnancy prevention Weight gain after first few years I have gained weight, but Depo has been GREAT for me. I had recurrent ovarian cysts that led to a surgery and excruciating pains, and the pill did not control the growth. I also had horrible cramps and heavy bleeding before the Depo. Depo cured all those problems and not having a period for more that 13 years now ( two consecutive pregnancies and births before starting Depo)has been FABULOUS!!! My boyfriend loves that fact that I don't have to "time-out" for a week each month. I started out underweight so the initial weight gain (about 3 years in) did not bother me. However, now I have gained about 60 pounds total over almost 12 years, and for that reason only am considering coming off for a while to get my weight under control. Anyone have success with losing weight after Depo and being able to keep it off? F 35 11.5 years
 2/7/2007
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 5  Birth control I have been on Depo for about 12 years. At first I had no sex drive. But after the first year, it returned. I have no periods. I lost about 30 lbs. when I started Depo. I hear all kinds of horror stories but have experienced none. Depo is not for every woman but it is for me. F 30 12 years
 3/30/2007
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 5  Contraceptive I was prescribed depo because I was getting focal migraine as a result of the oestrogen in the contraceptive pill. Along with the blessing of no more migraine I have not had a period for 12 years. I did not gain weight. I cant say whether it lowered my sex drive as this was low anyway. I came off Depo Provera in May this year (2004). Does anyone know if there are any side effects of coming off depo after 12 years? F 33 12 years
 10/19/2004
 5  Fibroids, heavy bleeding and BC Some bone desity problems after 12 years on depo shots. I broke my foot and decided to stop the depo shots for this reason only. I was very pleased with the medication. I am going back on the injections after nearly 2 years off the shots because I have experienced very severe migraines every month at the beginning of my period and heavy, prolonged bleeding. I was overweight to begin with and cannot blame my current weight on this drug. Also - I was depressed before starting this drug, and with the help of an excellent therapist I am much, much better. (The depression and the weight gain seem to run in my family, so I look there for the cause.) This medication is not for everyone, but for me it works well. My OB-GYN tells me that without depo, I may be facing a hysterectomy. The severe migraines are happening at the beginning of my cycle, which lasts for up to 3 weeks and are worse than any I experiened in my life. Depo seems to be the lesser of many evils. I will have to take calcium supplements, but many women do anyway. I have missed the convenience of having no periods. I plan to give it another try. F 44 12 years
 12/29/2005
 5  BC I only rated a 5 to get it to the top. Severe weight gain 126 to 175, currently 160, mood swings, dead sex drive, Intercourse pain sometimes, vaginal dryness, dry skin, fatigue, no periods. I started on Depo in 1993 after giving birth to my son, I sixteen at the time and I was not warn of prolong use. I was on Depo for 8 years before going off to concieve my daughter it took 10 months after discontinuing use. After giving birth, I went back on still not warned of prolonged use. I have been on Depo for just under 4 years. For a combined total of 12 years. I went off this time in Jan 2006. Now I have terrible cramping and migrains. F 29 12 years
 9/5/2006
 5  birth control no periods which is great. No negative side effects. Use to suffer from very painful periods which would put me in bed. I am really enjoying the loss monthly cycle. I love this form of contraception. No ruined vacations due to periods. No negative side effects for me. But I never had side effects with the pill in the past either like alot of people have. My overall health is very good; diet and working out. For those with no side effects, you will love this form of contraception. Makes intimacy carefree due to effectiveness of drug in the prevention of pregnancy and no periods. F 46 12 years
12 weeks 1X O		 5/17/2010
 4  to stop heavy bleeding No side effects while taking it. Have been off for five years and have broken several bones. It takes nothing and a finger will just snap. I shoe horses and ride all the time this is not a good combination. None of the medical staff that I have used ever even hinted that I would have major bone loss. I would rather have bleed and been bear bait then know that I can't even roughhouse with my children . F 43 12 years
1X day		 11/11/2010
 4  Combination Pill Nothing for many years apart from slight weight gain which I expected to gain as I got older anyway. Weight easy to loose though. I have been using the Depo for nearly 13 years now with really no side effects. In fact it was such a relief to finally get rid of my 3 week long peiords. However, having read some other reviews I am questionning whether the way I feel, i.e. sometimes very tired and moody is down to the injection? Loss of sex drive is a major factor but more recently I have expereinced very sore and swollen breats and abdomen. Having just got married and thinking of the future I feel now is the time to come off depo.....and welcome home the periods again....! F 29 12 years
 7/10/2006
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 3  Birth Control On this for 12 years, and now off for 8 mos, due to missing the window and decided not to go back on. Have not yet had a period, experiencing extremely sore nipples, and now this week, my breast feel like they have gained two pounds a piece and they are very hard. Feels like I am pregnant. Like all of the other symptoms listed, I thought I had them just because I am 41 with an active family: tired, achy, gain weight easily, irritable, cranky, depressed at times. F 41 12 years
 1/13/2010
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 1  contraception painful sexual intercourse, slight decrease in desire, minimal weight gain, chronic fatigue, menopausal hormone levels, cognitive difficulties, muscle pain, joint pain, iritable bowel syndrome, subclinical hypothyroidism i never realized that this could all be because of depo... my gyn and primary care physician never mentioned any of this to me, here i thought i might have fibromyalgia, my doctor tells me i need to see a psychiatrist, and then i go to a specialist who tells me i REALLY need to stop the shot. why? at 29 years of age my progesterone tests at 0.7, my estrogen at 31, and my body isn't using any of the thyroid hormone it's producing. needless to say, i'm a bit shellshocked. it's amazing to me... i got on depo before i actually had sexual intercourse, so i never realized that it wasn't supposed to be painful. go figure. the website for the drug lists vaginitis as a symptom reported by 1-5% of patients. think about that. if 1,000,000 women got the shot, that would be 10,000-50,000 women experiencing painful intercourse due to atrophic vaginitis brought on by a synthetically induced perimenopausal state. how tragic. i am now commencing treatment with thyroid hormone and female hormo F 29 12 years
 10/6/2006
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 1  birth control & to stop periods after over 12 years on it, I have lost significant bone density and now have serious osteoporosis......don't take that chance....if I could do it over again -- I would NOT have taken this shot.....please ask your doctor about bone density tests BEFORE it's too late for you too. would like to SUE the company for all the costs of my osteoporosis medical care....mostly caused from the depo shot... F 38 12 years
 4/25/2005
 1  birth control and to suspend period anger, mood swings, no sex drive, head aches, irrational behavior, paranoia, panic attacks, destroyed my marriage. I started this at the age of 25. At first it was fine. Other than some headaches, it was great to have no period. After a few years, I started having feelings of dissatisfaction about everything in general. They eventually built into me being extremely mean to my husband, now my ex. I wanted nothing to do with him and even speaking to him aggravated me. Our sex life dwindled to nothing. The feelings of anger toward him were totally unjustified, and I now realize that I made the biggest mistake of my life in leaving him. since my kids have grown, they say it was my fault. Dad didn't do anything. He won't have me back and I don't blame him. It took 4 years after my last shot for me to see what I had done. STAY OFF DEPO!!! F 41 12 years
4X O		 6/4/2011
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 1  Endo Relief/Contraceptive Minor weight gain 10-15 lbs, if I remember correctly 1 period after starting depo lasted a few days more than normal and some spotting maybe once or twice in the first year, mood swings I started when I was 16 or 17 as a means to cure painful periods and as a contraceptive. Besides minor changes, it was great, I rarely had cramps and very rarely were they super painful like before. Never had periods, but I did notice a little bloating or mood swings once in awhile, nothing concerning. I loved it and raved about it even knowing others had horror stories from taking it. I knew it worked for me. I once got off of it 4 years ago but only for maybe 6 months and got right back on it, maybe had 2 periods. In January of this year 2022 I was due and decided not to continue and to plan on trying to conceive in the future. The first few months were ok, started having periods, first couple lasted 2 weeks more or less, spotting, very painful, 6 months in, my breasts would get extremely sore and bigger, extreme bloating, took several pregnancy tests. My sex drive I started to notice would fade in and out causing serious problems in my relationship, it was so non existent that when it would come back only then I'd realize how much it comes and goes. I'm extremely irritable off and on, extremely depressed off and on, here we are almost 11 months of discontinuing depo and I am seeing doctors, had my hormone levels checked and they said they were fine. I have sought out counseling. I get extremely emotional and anxiety that makes my heart flutter, panic attacks, lower back aches/cramps, light headed quite frequently, my appetite is next to nothing, I force myself to atleast eat dinner. I am struggling to find answers and a cure to just be normal again. I do have periods every month, this time it has been 5 weeks since the last. If you asked me a year ago I would have highly recommended this, if you ask me now I would do anything for people to have facts and do any research you can. These long term side effects, the random restlessness, the irritability, the mood swings, the stressing over nothing, the depression and anxiety and the effect it puts on your daily life, is NOT worth it. I would give anything to find help right now and how to move forward. I take vitamins, b12, omega, have resorted to cbd for my anxiety, but of dozens of doctors throughout the years none have never told me any one of these things would happen. Look the other way. Depo is not the answer. It is miserable and scary. Reading these threads is all I can do to know that I am not alone. So if your reading this and have similar side effects please reach out, and if your reading this in interest of taking it and made it this far, look at the best interests of your future health, mentally and physically, I beg you. F 29 12 years
1X O		 10/27/2022
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