Depo Provera: Pros & Cons

This thread is to compile a list of your experiences with Depo Provera. If you could please reply to this thread with answers to the following info, which you can edit and update as you like down the track if things change:

When you started using Depo Provera:
Any issues with insertion?:
Any side effects or problems?:
Would you recommend to others? Why?:

Any issues with insertion?: Nope, as far as injections in your bum go it isn't too bad

Any side effects or problems?: I did have occasional headaches (the 'my head is going to explode' kind) that I didn't realise were caused by the depo until I stopped having it and haven't had any more since. I also put on HEAPS of weight when I was on it, in the ballpark of 15kg but that could also be that I was eating badly and not exercising. Also just after I had the injection I got what felt like a UTI for a couple of days but it disappeared on its own. It got progressively worse each time I had the shot. That isn't listed in the side effects though so maybe I am a weirdo.

Would you recommend to others? Why?: It did the job and I didn't get pregnant, but I am hesitant to recommend any sort of hormonal birth control to anyone because everyone reacts so differently.

I just wanted to share my experience with Depo Provera if that's ok? If it's not appropriate please, by all means, delete my post.


I'm about to go out so just quickly this is what happened....

A dr recommeded I go on it because DH and I were too young to have any permanant forms of contraception. I was given the prescription and asked to return once I had filled it so they could give me the injection. I got it filled the next day and went in for the injection. All was fine, I had no side effects or bleeding (apparently it's quite normal to bleed quite a bit when you first have it). I went back to see the dr a few weeks later, she asked me if I'd had any bleeding, i hadn't had any so she was happy. I told her about other things I'd experieced on it which she told me was just the Depo. 3 months passed, I was putting on so much weight, again I was told it was from the Depo. I had my 2nd shot. Still no side effects, no bleeding or anything, I thought it was great. 3 more mths later I was due for my 3rd injection. I was standing in line at Medicare waiting to be served when I felt flutters in my stomach. My heart almost stopped! I put my hand to my stomach and could feel it moving. I KNEW then and there I was pregnant!! VERY pregnant! I went and bought a pregnancy test, just to be sure . The positive line showed up almost as I peed on it! I went back to see the Dr. The next day i had an ultrasound.....I was 25 weeks pregnant!

I had absolutely no idea for 25 weeks that I was pregnant. It turned out I was pregnant when I had my first injection!! Every side effect I felt was fobbed off by my dr as Depo.

My advice to anyone considering Depo is to have a blood test for pregnancy immediately before having injections. I was given a pregnancy test (blood test) but a week before she prescribed the depo to me. Another one should have been done. I had obviously gotten pregnant between that test and having hte injection.

Tinks, that was really poor of your dr to not give you a blood test before giving it to you. What a scary thing to go through!

Any issues with insertion?: nope, it's just a shot in your bum
Any side effects or problems?: Yes, plenty I gained 15kg in 2 months (without my diet/exercise regime changing), I got acne (I never even get pimples regularly), I was extremely moody and also irritable. For the entire time I was on it, I didn't feel like I was in my own body.
Would you recommend to others? No Why?: I stayed on it for 18 months in the hope that it would just take a while for my body to accept it. It didn't.

wow Tinks, that sux.

When you started using Depo Provera:
Any issues with insertion?: nope. A lump for a little while. I was on it for 4 years.
Any side effects or problems?: Weight gain. But the weight came off as soon as I stopped the injections.
Would you recommend to others? Why?: Yes - it reduced the cramping I had during my period which I liked. If I ate healthy, the weight gain wouldn't have been a problem, I don't think it caused the weight gain as such, but rather meant that I couldn't get away with not exercising.

When you started using Depo Provera:
after the birth of 3rd child
Any issues with insertion?: None, I have a very fleshy bum LOL so it was fine
Any side effects or problems?: Had a lot of break-through bleeding at the start. Zero libido and gained weight. Only had one injection but didn't get a regular period till nearly 7 months afterwards. I don't know if I was still fertile at that time so we used condoms as well.
Would you recommend to others? Why?: I would, only because it has been great for some women and it's one of those things where the reaction is very individual too and what may have been a PITA for me, may be tolerated by other women. Plus it only last 3 months so if you don't like it, you don't have to wait ages for it to wear off or have anything removed.

When you started using Depo Provera: about 18 years old until about 22
Any issues with insertion?: no, injection in the hip/butt area didn't hurt at all
Any side effects or problems?: HEAPS after stopping it, heavy period, endo typ symptoms, hormonal imbalance so oily hair, skin irritation and a rash on my face too. It is really bad for your bones and can cause infertillity too I think. Took a while to get AF back so if anyone is wanting to ttc I'd go off the depo a least 18 months before starting to try just to get your system back to a 'healthy' state.
Would you recommend to others? Why?: NO, it's so bad for you body!! Was annoyed at the dr who originally suggested I inject my young body with that crap in the 1st place.

When? About 6 years ago, so I was 21 maybe.
Any issues with insertion? No needles don't worry me.
Any side effects or problems? I had a fair bit of spotting the first injection. Was told it was normal. Had heavey bleeding the whole 3 months after next injection. Did not have any more after that. Had irregular periods, painful periods and very heavey bleeding for about 5 months after. I also can not take the pill or basically any contraceptive that are medical.
Would you recommend to others? At first I would have because I thought it was just me it was reacting with (like everything else). Now I have heard way to many bad stories about it so would not if recommend if I was asked.

When did you start taking it : October 2009
Any issues with insertion : None and I am one of the rare ones for my nurse who has it in my arm.
Any side effects or problems : Not at first, but the last two times I have had the needle I have had intense migraines for a couple of days following. Due for another this week, so will see if it happens again. Am expecting it to. I have also put on 10kg since going on the needle.
Would you recommend it to others : I would, for someone that would get migraines every 2 weeks, ovulation and AF it has cut down the amount of migraines I have. In 18mths of having it, I have only bled twice, with one time being when I was actually a week late for the needle.

When you started using Depo Provera:
2/12/2011
Any issues with insertion?:
Needle hurt a little and left bruising but nothing too serious
Any side effects or problems?:
Where do I start?! In the first month I had mood swings, depression, anxiety to such an extent that it affected my relationship and I went from being a happy bubbly person to someone that felt completely numb (except when I was crying for no reason). I have had two periods since taking it (I only got the first shot and wont be going back for a second), the first was extremely heavy and lasted 14 days and I had quite severe cramping with it. The second period only lasted 7 days (phew!) and the cramps were not quite so bad. I have gained 4 kilos since getting the injection, 3 of those kilos AFTER Christmas so can't be blamed on Xmas binges lol! My breasts have been so tender in the week leading up to my period both times that I have been unable to exercise and even walking hurt. On the positive side, it did work as a contraception, mind you, part of that is because it almost killed my libido and even changed the way I felt towards my partner. To be honest, I can't wait for this horrible thing to rid itself from my body so I can go back to feeling like myself!
Would you recommend to others? Why?:
It is easy as you don't need to worry about taking a pill every day but I wish I had been more informed when I made the decision to take it. For me, the side effects were too severe to justify getting it again, despite the convenience. Not everyone reacts the way I did, but every side effect I experienced is a POSSIBLE side effect, be clear about the potential risks and think about what you are prepared to put up with and what you aren't. I am not prepared to put up with depression and lost intimacy with my partner. Especially when it did nothing to help reduce my heavy and painful periods. Do lots of research yourself and ask the doctor LOTS of questions!

Interesting to read others' stories. Me personally, I LOVED depo provera. I'd tried Implanon previously and absolutely hated it, moody as. Tried depo and it was brilliant, no side effects whatsoever, no bleeding at all, no cramping, no nothing. I would be loathe to say I recommend it to others, but I would say it worked for me with no ill effects.

I'll also add the first time I had the injection my gp said it HAD to be done on day 1 of my period, and also gave me a pregnancy test to use on that day so she could be sure I wasn't already pregnant, something I would recommend.