Contraception Reviews

Side effects

Depo-Provera shot side effects

2.9

31 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Mood

36% somewhat negative

Bleeds

48% stopped periods

Sex drive

36% lost sex drive

Weight

45% gained weight

Skin

39% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 3-6 months

Depo-Provera shot

Depo-Provera shot common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

1

Headaches

65% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported headaches

2

Lower back pain

61% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported lower back pain

3

Dizziness

55% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported dizziness

4

Breast enlargement

55% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported breast enlargement

5

Period like cramps

55% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported period like cramps


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • 7% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported body hair increase

  • 7% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported thrush

  • 3% of Depo-Provera shot reviewers reported pelvic infection


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • Headaches (65%)
  • Lower back pain (61%)
  • Dizziness (55%)
  • Breast enlargement (55%)
  • Period like cramps (55%)
  • Sweating more than usual (48%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (45%)
  • Vaginal discharge (45%)
  • Tender breasts (42%)
  • Vaginal dryness (39%)
  • Hair loss (39%)
  • Migraines (32%)
  • Body hair getting darker (16%)
  • Migraine with aura (13%)
  • High blood pressure (13%)
  • Discomfort wearing contact lenses (7%)
  • Body hair increase (7%)
  • Thrush (7%)
  • Pelvic infection (3%)
  • Cystitis (0%)
  • A latex allergy (0%)

Reviews

2.9

31 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.

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Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Aug 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Aug 25

Depo-Provera shot  

My right breast has swelling so bad that it have my body aching this is different from just regular breast swelling from had a baby it honestly got me a lil scared cuz it making me weak have any one had this happen while on b.c


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on this form of birth control for 3 months now. I got my first dose on the last day of my cycle. This is my first time ever on birth control. After the first dose my cycle went away. I got my second dose 2 weeks later than what I was supposed to, because my gynecologist rescheduled my appointment (because they’d be closed that day). I started bleeding a medium-light flow 7 days after i was Supposed to get my second dose. I have been bleeding for 28 days straight now. The flow is the lightest it has been so far today, but it’s annoying to deal with. I get my third dose of depo in 2 months, and I’m honestly thinking of quitting it.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th May 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I’ve been on Depo for 4 years and I’m almost 2 months off of it and I’m actively trying for a baby and my body is definitely all out of wack trying to regulate I’ve spotted for a week I’ve had bad cramps and stomach aches and I still haven’t ovulated yet but hopefully I will soon !!! All I can say is coming off the shot take it easy and get rest because your body is trying to get everything back in order and it’s not entirely fun


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st May 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.


Worse skin

1 more effect

11 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Apr 25

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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