Side effects
Injection common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
42% of Injection reviewers reported vaginal dryness
42% of Injection reviewers reported tender breasts
39% of Injection reviewers reported vaginal discharge
39% of Injection reviewers reported period like cramps
39% of Injection reviewers reported lower back pain
Injection rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
5% of Injection reviewers reported a latex allergy
4% of Injection reviewers reported discomfort wearing contact lenses
4% of Injection reviewers reported pelvic infection
Possible Injection side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Vaginal dryness (42%)
- Tender breasts (42%)
- Vaginal discharge (39%)
- Period like cramps (39%)
- Lower back pain (39%)
- Sweating more than usual (35%)
- Breast enlargement (30%)
- Headaches (29%)
- Nausea or vomiting (28%)
- Thrush (17%)
- Body hair increase (17%)
- Dizziness (15%)
- Migraines (14%)
- Body hair getting darker (11%)
- High blood pressure (11%)
- Migraine with aura (9%)
- Cystitis (8%)
- Hair loss (5%)
- A latex allergy (5%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (4%)
- Pelvic infection (4%)
Reviews
2.9
315 reviews
Filter reviews
Community reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on it 2+ years, decided to stop as ‘apparently’ you’re not supposed to be on it longer than 2 years. Was not told that, only found out from women in the news with adverse side effects. Positives, periods completely stopped, all side effects along with it disappeared. Negatives, I feel over these years, I have lost all sex drive with my partner and sexual desire in general (self touch also). On reflection, I feel I lost all emotions other than anger, frustration, which became quite difficult in my relationship, almost to the point of breaking (6+ years). To note, you may experience what I can only describe, drug withdrawal symptoms when you come off the injection. I had severe migraines for 72+ hours, hot cold sweats, swollen breasts for a while, really bad fatigue and severe nausea to the point of being sick again and again and again. The rush of hormones was and still is horrific, total mess. Still waiting for a period… however you can be waiting for up to 18 months to bleed, whilst still ovulating and everything else, so be warned. I don’t believe there is any contraception that is truly the best, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. The combined pill was better but you just have to be on top of taking it at the same time everyday, which was an issue for me being a shift worker (not always reliable).
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 26
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 26
I’ve been getting this shot ever since my first period and before I started taking it, I was having heavy period cramps and I disliked the constant pain from my period cramps
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 26
I’ve been getting this shot ever since my first period and before I started taking it, I was having heavy period cramps and I disliked the constant pain from my period cramps
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Jun 26
First 3 weeks were fine, I spent first 3 days filled with rage and nausea and a few headaches but fine. First expected period rolled around at 3 weeks in and didn't stop, like at all (day 77 as I write this). About 6 weeks in my mood crashed. As someone who has previously had mental health problems, I was incredibly apprehensive about going on any kind of hormonal birth control because I was scared of side effects. But in order to get my tubes tied, my doctors wanted to see me try this first and everyone reassured me that I was just being paranoid and it wouldn't be as bad as I imagined. Unfortunately it was worse than I imagined. I spent 4 weeks getting progressively more suicidal until I finally went to the doctors (which was its own story) but had to take three Valium a day in order to function and go to work. At the time of writing, I'm 2 weeks out of the 12-week expected window, still bleeding and still suffering mentally but less so and more manageably. This experience has put me off trying any other form of birth control. I had done this to try and reduce PMS symptoms and wish I never had. I was also recommended the mirena coil but didn't like the idea of having to have it inserted or removed if things went wrong/justify myself to a doctor
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th May 26
I went on the depo injection due to the mini pill making my IBS constipation symptoms worse and the doctor saying this would be better. For first 6 months, no side effects. It did level out my moods and constipation, but it gave me vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive after 9 months of being on it.
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th May 26
I got with a new partner a few years back and gave this ago as I wanted something I didn’t need to remember to take. I gained weight fast, I had mood changes, my skin broke out badly, my periods were heavier than before. I only ever had one injection then stopped as I no longer needed it and I didn’t like how it made me feel. Unfortunately I had a rare side effect where it stopped my periods/ovulation all together for 12 months I was referred to gynaecology at 6 months and luckily after all the scans everything was normal and by month 12 my cycle returned without needing to be medically induced. This is not a horror story but important that you could react the same or if you are reacting the same please get referred to gynaecology and hopefully your periods will return 🤍
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Apr 26
Having used both Depot and Sanaya Press, these are the best method of contraception. No side effect and a huge positive: no periods.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Apr 26
This has made my sex life a living hell .I get scared to have sex with my partner since I associate the vaginal dryness with this Depo shot ,the sex is always pain towards the end as there’s not enough lubrication
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Feb 26
This was bad experience my stretch marks even increased and low libido is the worst
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
