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Global Patient Feedback for Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been on the depo shot for awhile. I use it for birth control because the patch, pill and the nova ring causes me to be sick and I didn't like the ring. The patch made me bleed all the time. I guess I am lucky because the only side effect on the shot is when I first het it I feel sick for about a half hour. I have no periods, I am so glad about that.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 06:41:47
Answer/Reply:
I have been on the depo shot for over 15 years, only going off to have my second child. I love it! I get a shot every 12 weeks vs. 3 months. This works great for me as I have no period or spotting. I have no side affects with the shot. A few years ago I had my bone density checked, and everything was good. If you have a problem with poor bone density you should talk to your doctor.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-09 12:33:46
Question/Comment:
I just got a prescription for Provera today. I had to get off of the pill last year due to my liver having hematomas on it, and supposedly this was due to my prolonged use of birth control. So my periods have been from irregular to none at all, and when I would have one, they were awful gushers for 4-5 days, to where I was embarassed to leave the house. I have had a history of fibroid tumors, which I had most of them removed and endrometriosis carterized in 2003. I'm hoping this medicine will at least get me regular again and stop the gushers. Thanks for everyone's comments.
37 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-28 16:34:17
Question/Comment:
I had all my female orgins removed by the time I was 34 years old. I started having severe head-aches when I was 56. I had a headache for a year. No matter what doctors tried or tested me for helped. I found a new doctor and he immediately had an MRI done on me. My purtoritory gland was enlarged. He put me on Medroxyprogesterone and the only headaches I get now are from allergies. It has helped me a lot.
71 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-20 18:43:05
Question/Comment:
I am 34 started taking Medroxyprogesterone about a month ago because i was having heavy periods that were non stop with alot of clotting. I went to the ER they did an ultrasound test found nothing. I only had 10 days of medication at first by day 12. I was pouring, went to my gyn he wrote out another prescribtion for me of 10 mg BID. I have been on it for a month. I have not quit bleeding yet. I take it twice a day religiously. Though the bleeding is not as bad. My MD told me it would take up to 3 months before I will quit bleeding. I want to have children, though my MD said that want happen because of my hormones and i don't ovulate. I am having problems with urinating now. I dont know if it is a side effect or what but I get the urge to urinate often and it hurts when I do urinate.
35 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-25 06:20:31
Answer/Reply:
Like you, I also have been suffering with extremely heavy bleeding for the biggest part of 2 years now. Once I was finally lucky enough to find a very caring FEMALE DR. & FEMALE GYN. who discovered I had a cyst & a fibroid in my uterus. Both of which are very common. I was put on Provera 10mg.(one a day)and the bleeding stopped after a few days. The only time I have had the pain while urinating was when I had a urinary tract infection. (Cranberry juice is very helpful with that) Please try to get a second opinion or a new GYN., it worked for me & I hope it works for you too.
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-17 13:10:31
Answer/Reply:
I take Medroxy 12 days a month to regulate my periods. It took about 6 months before things got straightened out but it's working fine now. It sounds like you have a bladder infection as I have never experienced this problem w/Medroxy.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-21 12:57:31
Answer/Reply:
FIND ANOTHER MEDICAL DOCTOR AND GET A Second opinion. I started taking medroxyprogesterone at 40 years old, 1st at 20 mg, then 10 mg, and now 5 mg. I am 50.
More then likely your doctor couldn't see anything with the ultrasound if you were bleeding heavy. You will have to have another one when not bleeding so much. I am surprised he/she didn't mention have a d & c to clear out problems, so you might be able to get pregnant. ** Are you on birth control of any type - this might help the bleeding too. *** The urination problem is probably a uniary tract infection on top of everything else. Go to the doctors about this, if this doesn't stop perhaps drink a gatorade daily to replace your electrolites - it is like pedialyte they give children. It will help hydrate you and keep you that way, and perhaps with the constant bleeding you are not hydrated enough.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-23 14:03:14
Answer/Reply:
GET A 2ND OPINION FROM A DIFFERENT DOCTOR. When I was bleeding heavily my obgyn had me do an ultrasound too, but said they couldn't see anything & I would have to do another when I wasn't bleeding so much. I was put on medroxyprogesterone 20mg the last 10 days of the month and only 1, then later 10 mg, and now I am on 5 mg, but the last 10 days of the month only. I am surprised they didn't mention maybe needing a d & c.
The problem with urinating sounds like a urinary track infection. Go to a general doctor for this and get medication. Drink plenty of water and cranberry juice. Also, you might want to pick a flavor of gatorade, and drink a bottle a day, to replace your electrolytes-similar to pedialyte that they give children. This will help you stay hydrated even if your not exercising and that can be an important part of keeping your system running. Also try taking a multiple vitiamin, and probably 1500+ mg of calcium a day. Have your doctor check your iron, potassium, zinc, and magnesium to make sure you are not depleting these precious vitamins with all this bleeding.
Good luck!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-23 14:42:23
Answer/Reply:
Get to a GOOD OBGYN surgeon that deals with reproductive disorders. Your symptoms sound like what I dealt with from the time I was 19 until I was 26 and had exploritory surgery that revealed severe endometriosis and estrogen based cycsts and tumors on my organs - including my bladder. If you're haveing issues with urinating, don't play around. That IS NOT a side effect of ANY birth control.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-10 07:37:54
Question/Comment:
I have nothing but good things to say about Depo-Provera. I was originally placed on it because of side effects from Accutane. I have been on it ever since, rounding out 11 years. I did not gain any weight on it, as was originally a stated side effect. I had spotty menstrual cycles for the first two months, and have had amenorrhea ever since. (Just for clarification, I have not had a period since the initial spotting.) There are concerns with this medication causing problems with bone density, however I have had no problems with broken or weak bones. I have not had any pregnancy scares and would definitely recommend this method of birth control to anyone.
27 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-02 22:57:07
Answer/Reply:
I thought the exact same thing, loved it (still do), but in January I have had severe bone, joint pain in my legs back and shoulder. I am 32, 13years on Depo, I believe it caused me to get osteoarthritis but I do not have proof because I don't have medical insurance. I am still on it because I don't have my period either and love it, my body is already damaged. If you can definately get a bone density test. I had no side effects and since January my toes are shifting (cripling like arthritis does to joints). They are disputing my condition because their side effects are on bone marrow not arthritis. They say arthritis is a joint degeneration not bone (what are joints made of, duh). Good luck.
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-10 16:10:26
Question/Comment:
i had the depo-provera injection for 2 years, i stopped having it fifteen months ago but only bleed for 2 days a month which isn't long enough for it to be a period. i have horr5ble side effects, for example, severe migraines, weight gain, sore breasts, mood swings when willall this stop? i want to get pregnant! Have i got any chance? lucy 24
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-04 11:25:31
Question/Comment:
i was on the depo shot from the age sixteen in 2006 until oct 2008 almost two years. i got off and i started my period in late dec for 5 days and am on it now (Jan 6) ....my question is since i started my period does tht mean i have a good chance of gettin pregant?
20 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-07 15:06:28
Question/Comment:
hi there, i am 34 yrs. old and have been on the depo shot for ten years, since my youngest was born. I do not plan on having any more kids, i have no periods. my question is after being on it for ten years will it make me sterile forever?? If i stay on it until menopause and beyond, what health side affects will it cause me?? Will i even get menopause? please answer, thanks to u all!!
36 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-27 18:33:43
Answer/Reply:
I'm not sure if this is the answer you are wanting, but here is one. The doctor suggests that once you have been on Depo-Provera for 10 years, you should come off of it and try an alternate birth control method for about 2 or 3 months, and you can go back on Depo-Provera if you still want to. I'm not sure why they suggest this. I have been on it for 11 years, except for a 2 months portion where I did try the pill. I did get periods during that time, so I assume you could easily get pregnant. When I went back on the Depo-Provera I did not have "transition" spotting. My menstrual cycle just went away fully the first month.
27 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-02 23:00:27
Question/Comment:
The first time I went on depo was right after I had my daughter who is now 6. I bled for 9 months straight! So I switched. A couple years later, we decided we wanted another baby, so I got off birth control altogether. I got pregnant twice and miscarried both times! We decided it just might not be the right time, so I decided to give depo another chance (I am horrible at taking pills) This time, I didn't bleed at all, for a year, and I gained weight (almost 10 pounds) Well I been off depo now for 5 months, I continued to not get my period for another 4 months, I have now had my period for over a month! My entire body is so jacked up! I am 28 and we are ready to try again for another baby. I can't believe that I went back on depo and am so scared of having another miscarriage!
29 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-18 16:31:46
Answer/Reply:
I would suggest seeing an Infertitly Dr. When you are on b/c for that long of a time, then sometimes it is a little harder to get pregnant. With bleeding for a whole month, i would go to my gyn and suggest they do a u/s of the vaginal are to see why you are bleeding for so long.
23 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-22 16:27:08
Question/Comment:
I started using the depo-provera shot after I had my first child which took me three years to concieve. After having my daughter I went on the shot continously with no problems besides a small weight gain, which I got under control within a few months. Then I went off after 12 years to try to get pregnant, and was off for approxitmely one and a half months and was pregnant and I had a very healthy pregnancy. I have had no signifigant problems while taking this shot as a matter of fact I have no period, no cramps, or bloating assoiated with having a period and that for me is wonderful. The only concern is Bone Loss and I get priodic bone density scans , and if this becomes an issue I will weigh my options then. For me Depo-provera has been a wonderful birthcontrol method.
37 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-15 01:45:56
Question/Comment:
MY COUSIN TAKING MEDROXYTROGESTERONE SHE STARTED BLEEDING HEAVY AND WENT TO HER DOCTOR WHO WAS NOT HELPFULL AND WAS RUSHED IN TO HOSPITAL 3 WEEKS AGO SHE WAS FLOODING SHE WENT IN TO THE CHANGE 10 YEARS AGO AND WAS FINE UP TO 4 WEEKS AGO.SHE WENT TO HOSPITAL AND SAW A LADY DOCTOR WHO GAVE HER THE ABOVE MEDICATION AND TOLD HER SHE WOULD SPOT BLEED AND IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM GET BACK TO HER SHE DID AND MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY BECAUSE SHE SHOULD NOT BE BLEEDING LIKE THAT STILL BUT ALL SHE SAID WAS MORE TEST AFTER CHRISTMAS.THERE WAS TALK OF CANCER BUT NO ONE HAS TOLD HER ANYTHING.SO IF ANYONE COULD HELP IT WOULD BE HELPFULL.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-09 10:21:14
Answer/Reply:
did the dr give her a medication called provera. Suggest to your cousin to discuss a possible EMB, if the provera doesnt work.
23 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-22 16:29:26
Question/Comment:
i've took this shot when i was 16 only i dose of it and it messed up my period and i'm 24 still having that problem and i really wont kids put i think depo messed me up do any one have a solution to this problem so me and my husband can have a child?
25 year old Male
Posted: 2008-11-29 23:49:09
Answer/Reply:
I suggest going to a infertitly dr, letting them running test on you to see if it really is the depo or other issues.
23 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-22 16:32:52
Question/Comment:
I'm 48 yrs. old. I have a fibroid tumor that is the size of a four month fetus. My doctor prescribe Medroxypr ac for (Provera) I have had heavy periods for the last five weeks everyday beginning October 21,2008 to Present. On Wednesday November 26, 2008 I was taken to the ER where the Doc. advised me to get a Blood Transfusion. I decline. It's been two days since I've taken Medroxypr (Provera) Now I have a severe headache. What should I do? It's Turkey Day!!!
49 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-27 12:43:38
Question/Comment:
I'm actually 17 & I use depo-provera. I first took it in August of 2007. My mom wanted me to take it because she didn't want me to end up pregnant. I don't want that either so I took it. I stopped taking it in Feb. this year & my period didn't come back until 9 months later. I took it again September and lately I've seem very depressed, down, and emotional. I've never felt like this before. I'm not sure if it's depo-provera that's causing it. I was thinking about going back to therapy & finding help or something because I haven't been myself lately & my relationship with my boyfriend seems to be going rock bottom. I also get really bad mood swings. Also, now that someone mentioned it, it's kind of painful when I have sex. I don't know whether to stop taking depo-provera or not. I don't want to end up pregnant or have my period. But then again, I'm gaining weight & I feel like if I stop taking it, I'm going to stop feeling so "gloomy". There's more to it but I don't want to bore anyone. I should make a pro & con list...
18 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-26 02:53:32
Answer/Reply:
u shud try a IUC (intrauterine contraception)
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-10 16:18:07
Question/Comment:
I've taken depo on & off for about 10 yrs. I initially started by being on it for a yr & then coming off a yr. etc. However, I've recently been taking depo consistently for a little over two years & the most that I've experience was weight gain (I didn't experience times past). I will be talking to my doctor after reading some of the posted comments as I've just started having issues with my knee & we (me & the doctor) can't see a cause or anything really wrong so this might cause some test to be taken. Thanx!
31 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-12 03:45:29
Question/Comment:
I wouldnt stay on this for more than 5 years. I was on Depo- provera for a total of 11-12 years. I am now 33. I was just diagnosed with Osteoporosis back in March 08. It was from the Depo-Provera. So, I would recommend only use this as a short term birth control.
34 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-06 21:46:39
Question/Comment:
Doc has recommended Dero for me b/c the estrogen in the ring is causing my BP to rise. Ia m concerned about the side effects of the shot, b/c if they are real bad, I am stuck for 3 months. My biggest concerns are the mood swings, particullarly anxiety &/or depression, and nausea. I am curious to know if anyone had any severe cases of these while on Depo. Overall, would one recommend this or not? My other option is the BC pill Micronor, which is not very forgiving if you miss adose or take it late. It requires one who will not forget or deviate from the schedule, which is very unappealing to me. An IUD isn't possible for at least 3-4 months b/c of insurance. All that said, I am leaning toward Depo, but just want to be certain. Any advice or opinions would help.
34 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-16 22:45:46
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I'm sixteen && my mom talked me into the Depo, so I decided to get on the Depo shot because me && my boyfriend, well, we wanted to remain kid-less if you know what I mean. No one told me about the side-effects that would come with it, && dumb ole me didn't ask my doctor. I've only been on the shot for maybe a month && my back has been KILLING me for 3 weeks, I've been extremely moody especially with anxiety/depression. I'm tired a lot, but I'm not completely sure if that is from the depo. The weirdest thing I also have bad odor, but I don't have an infection. I despise everything about this shot, I wouldn't advise it at all . . . I'm getting off the shot ASAP but of course I have to wait for it to get out of my system . . .
Posted: 2008-10-10 01:38:11
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I didn't realize it until recently, but depo provera has apparently been the cause of my serious mood disorder symptoms. I am in my final year of law school and recently began to experience symptoms of bipolar disorder - severe depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and extremely high stress levels overall. I began therapy in July when it got really out of hand and I thought I was going crazy. Nearly 4 months later, my therapist figured out by tracking my moods that depo is the likely cause as I began getting the injection again in June. Looking back (I have been on depo off and on for about 10 years, usually for about 2 years at a time depending on my insurance coverage), my past experiences with severe mood swings and these other symptoms coincide with the periods I was on depo. All these years, I just thought I had some mood disorder that would go dormant for over a year at a time. I have been diagnosed post traumatic stress disorder twice in the past and it was recently suggested I go to the hospital to see if I may have bipolar II disorder - both of these diagnoses occurred while I was on depo - and I never had any problems in the years I was not using the shot, including while pregnant, nursing, and during times of severe stress that were much more stressful than my current situation. I do not recommend it! As soon as I get the cash, I'm switching to an IUD!
Posted: 2008-10-14 01:33:31
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I have been on depo two different periods in my life. The first, I was about 17 - 18 yrs ols and the only side effect I remember was during the first several months after the injection. I bled constantly, but not like normal cycle blood. It was really gross. The second time was right after I had my second daughter at age 25. I have had horrible mood swings, depression, weight gain, and headaches. I have been off of it for about 6 mo. now and I have menstral cramps every day, a period for 3 wks, then a two week break and then back on again. I cannot wait for the side effects to be gone. I have never had so many ups and downs in my life. I will not ever ever ever take this again.
Posted: 2008-10-14 10:45:22
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I was put on Micronor after suffering severe migraines due to estrogen. I went through Alesse, the patch and the ring unable to take any other them. Micronor worked great for the first 8 months, I didn't always have a period which I was told was common. After the 8th month I started getting my period every other week so I was taken off Micronor. Hopefully Depo works for me because it is my only other option to condoms!
Posted: 2009-02-24 14:27:45
Question/Comment:
What is the teory of Have depo and been pregnant what are the side effects in pregnacy any info about that
Posted: 2008-08-13 16:39:45
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
When Depo-Provera is adminstered correctly, the chance of pregnancy is very low. However, in the event that Depo-Provera fails, neonates exposed to the drug in the uterus may have a slight increase in risk for problems such low birth weight and birth defects such as genital defects, webbing of the fingers and toes, and chromosome defects.
Posted: 2008-08-19 13:26:16
Question/Comment:
when i frist started this i went thru some hot to cold to hot real fast episodes, that lasted about 3 or 4 days and my mood was crazy. i was very emotional. this was mainly the first two weeks after i started. i stopped getting my period right away. i stopped after my second shot because i started being very depressed and it was terrible. it took about a year for my period to return once i stopped. my moods returned to normal when i stopped also(about 4 months after my last shot) besides feeling like i was a complete nut it wasnt bad, no periods and i actually lost weight. i would recomend talking to the doctor about all posible mood changes while on this because i never had problems before using this or after just during.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2008-08-03 11:42:30
Question/Comment:
Just would like to let everyone know. I have been taking this pill for over 3 years and I have just now found out that it can cause bone density loss. Now I am having to take 1500 mg a day of calcium to counteract this effect. I wish I had known this in the begining so that I could have stopped the bone loss before it began.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-25 05:31:49
Answer/Reply:
i too was recommended to take supplement calcium, my MD ordered a bone density scan and it came back fine. I was on the shot for 8years before my scan. don't worry too much and u can always talk to your about a scan to ease your mind.
32 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-16 15:47:59
Answer/Reply:
I was on it for 11 years - Im 33. I now have Osteoporosis
34 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-06 21:47:37
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
did you have osteo for any other reason?
do you take any other medications
has anyone in your family got it or ever had it
do you eat a balanced diaet and have enough calcium throughout your life from childhood?
Posted: 2008-10-08 04:37:01
Answer/Reply:
i was on depo provera for 10 years, from 17 to 27 years old. i am 36 now and have just found out i have osteoporosis.
37 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-24 05:39:20
Answer/Reply:
i was on depo provera for 10 years between the ages of 17 and 27. i am 36 now and just found out i have osteopenia ( one step away from osteoporosis).
37 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-24 05:47:58
Question/Comment:
I was on it for 3 years then was told that after 3-5 years they recommend you to change type of birth control. I had no period for 3 years, then changed to the pill. BEWARE when starting the pill because you don't know when it's time for your period for the sugar pills. SKIP the sugar week and start your next pack. I got pregnant beause I took those 4th week sugar pills because you don't know when you regulate because you haven't had a period.
After having the baby I went on an IUD Mirena which is a plastic insert and is a lasting 5 year birth control which has worked great for me. And if you decide to have kids you just have it taken out and the next month your ready to go.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-23 18:48:44
Question/Comment:
It only worked the six months I was on it to regulate my periods and then it was back to getting them all the time! Good for short-term results, not long-term. Doctor now considering other options. I had no side-effects while on it--wished it would have worked.
26 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-23 13:27:09
Answer/Reply:
If u had taken the shot longer it probably would have worked. It did for me. Eight years on the shot and i didn't get my periods except for maybe 1 or 2 a year near the end of using it.
32 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-16 15:52:23
Question/Comment:
For hormone replacement, keep checking with your doctor about it at least annually.
67 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
take as directed don't skip a dose
45 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Don't unless you really need to. I was already in perimenopause when I started, and had had my tubes tied, had no plans to ever have another child by any method, so had no worries in that field. Risk of cancer was very very low, therefore it was the right choice for my disorder.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
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