Side effects
Depo-Provera injection common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
41% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported vaginal dryness
41% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported tender breasts
34% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported vaginal discharge
31% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported lower back pain
29% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported period like cramps
Depo-Provera injection rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
4% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported a latex allergy
4% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported pelvic infection
3% of Depo-Provera injection reviewers reported discomfort wearing contact lenses
Possible Depo-Provera injection side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Vaginal dryness (41%)
- Tender breasts (41%)
- Vaginal discharge (34%)
- Lower back pain (31%)
- Period like cramps (29%)
- Sweating more than usual (28%)
- Breast enlargement (27%)
- Headaches (26%)
- Nausea or vomiting (21%)
- Thrush (17%)
- Body hair increase (16%)
- Migraines (11%)
- Cystitis (11%)
- Dizziness (11%)
- High blood pressure (9%)
- Body hair getting darker (9%)
- Migraine with aura (7%)
- Hair loss (5%)
- A latex allergy (4%)
- Pelvic infection (4%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (3%)
Reviews
2.9
183 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Aug 24
I would absolutely never recommend this to anyone. As someone who has previously struggled with mental health issues but has been well for about 10 years, my mood has been incredibly low and my anxiety through the roof. This is not something I’ve experienced for years (actually last time I was on hormonal contraception). I feel very lucky to be in touch with my moods and still having therapy so I’ve been able to quickly be aware this is likely to be the Depo as nothing else has changed to bring this on. I will not be using this again and would really recommend others proceed with caution.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Aug 24
I went on the depo injection after having my little boy as I thought it was an easy form of contraceptive as I didn’t have to remember to take it everyday. Fast forward a week post injection I started with the most horrific nausea, stomach pains, back pain and anxiety. I thought I maybe have a bug so went to the doctor who ran some bloods (all came back clean) never felt anxious or sick prior to having the injection so the only thing I can think of that is new is the depo. I have now been nauseas well over a month every single day to the point I am on anti - sickness tablets. I will not be having it again as it changes your body and emotions so much and the other downside there is no reversal so once it’s in if you suffer from the side effects you have to basically put up with it until it’s up for renewal. Wish I had done my research before as I have read on numerous sites that the hormone levels they give are so high and this is what causes all the adverse effects.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
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0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Aug 24
Being on the injection has changed my life. After years of misery I finally feel like myself again. My mood has almost completely stabilised and my mental health has never been better. Physically my body has found it great too, I no longer find myself exhausted from heavy periods and my boobs have even gotten abit bigger which has been a big plus. I feel like a person again after going on the injection, After years of my hormones controlling my life I no longer feel crazy, I have control of my life again.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Aug 24
Probably the worst method of hormonal contraception I’ve used. In terms of side effects (which the doctors did not discuss with me) there were Night sweats, loss of sex drive, terrible mood swings and Vaginal dryness to name just a few. Yes it did the job it was meant to, but the side effects were enough for me to make the decision to move off hormonal contraceptives altogether now.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Jul 24
Stopped my periods completely which was great, but was depressed the entire time I was on it (and didn't realise why until I came off) also had zero sex drive until I came off it.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd May 24
I was not offered an alternative injection and was adbised against it as i already was dinosed with depression.its been very difficult trying to feel normal and have a great s** life. I am already a mother and would like to wait a while before or IF i do have any more children. This contraception is extemly strong, i noticed many changes to my body. From the frist day i took the injection. It is brilliant at stopping me from getting pregnnt again though.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st May 24
I was placed on the Depo injections back in 2019 and had a total of 5/6 injections. They were stopped because they caused severe anxiety, multiple panic attacks daily and severe depression. The GP deemed it unsafe for me to continue as the mental health side effects were incredibly awful.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Apr 24
When I was 15, I started using the injection to manage my menstrual pain (due to Endo). It worked like magic and stopped my periods and pain right away! However, it also had a downside - it really impacted my mental health. Recently, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and I tried different pills to manage it, but I kept forgetting to take them on time. So, I decided to give the Depot Provera injection another try. I was a bit hesitant at first, but I went ahead with it anyway. It took some time for my body to adjust, and I experienced some spotting and pelvic pain until my most recent injection. (I've had 5 injections now). Now, things have settled down, and I only get occasional twinges. The day after the injection, I experience some period-like pain, but it usually goes away after a couple of days. Overall, I would recommend this contraception, although everyone's experience is different. For me, it has finally given me what I wanted - freedom from pain.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Mar 24
It did it's job in preventing pregnancy but the side affects weren't pleasant - No sex drive, vaginal dryness, caused acne, moody and irritable. I got put on it at 16 as I couldn't be trusted to remember to take the pill. It stopped my period which was great! I came off it during COVID due to not being able to get to the doctor for it and the bleeding aftermath wasn't nice - a lot of heavy periods which calmed after a while. However, what caused me not to go back on it was I didn't realise how it affected my personality until I came off it. Off it I was no longer depressy or irritable, vaginal dryness went away and I suddenly had a sex drive. Overall it wasn't awful as I was none of the wiser to what I was like not being on it.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments