I have been receiving injections for over four years now. I did experience weight gain and an initial heavy, 'non stop' bleed, but after the first 12 weeks, I havent had a period. No PMS or other mood symptoms.Only a slight spotting about the time I need to get another shot. My sex drive has not decreased at all (and its pretty high...) any other possible symptoms I haven't noticed. This method of birth control has been ideal for me.. My only concern is long term use risks..

I have been on Depo for 4 years. At first I thought it was great, as I didn't get a period. (Previously my periods HELL!) I have gained approximately 2 stone (10-15kgs). I train 4-5 times a week, eat healthy etc, but I still can't seem to lose the weight I have gained. I was due for my shot (13/Dec 1998), but decided to give it a miss and get a life back. I also suffer from headaches, lack of sex drive and my vision has also deteriorated to the point where I now need glasses to drive etc. My personal advise is to keep clear of this product.

I have been on Depo for 1 1/2 years. My husband and I decided that we would rather have 10 kids than have to deal with the side effects it has caused me. I have had weight gain (about 15 pounds), headaches, bleeding and cramping after intercourse, I still have spotting at times, acne (I have never had skin problems in my life), and the worst part.... NO Sex drive. Gone... I think that's the worst for me. Maybe that's why it's such a great birth control, it makes you not to want to have sex. I wouldn't recommend Depo to anyone. Do your research before you make this decision. No matter what your doctor tells you!!

I went on Depo Provera about 3 years ago and went off it within 6 months. I had no idea that my symptoms were this common. Nothing is worth the side effects--maybe it works so good because no man would want what it gives: Weight gain that took too long to lose, complete lack of sex drive (imagine how your boyfriend feels when you go from sex-crazy to telling him to please not touch you), and crazy mood swings (lots of easily provoked crying). My skin has never been the same--I never had cystic acne until Depo. I do have a suggestion for getting it out of your system: exercise religiously! Start with lots of cardio work (30-45 minutes per day), eat decently, and slowly start to work in weights. The testosterone from the weights ups your sex drive and the cardio helps lose the weight. It took me 5 months but it was worth it!

Before Depo, I was a well-balanced normal woman with a regular period and fear of pregnancy. Since having two shots, I have had mood swings, a trigger- hair temper, depression, an 18+ pound weight gain, migranes weird body aches, hair loss, legs pains, bad skin, and constant sleepiness. No matter what the nurses or doctors say, stay far away from Depo. Others have had much worse side effects than me.

I had depo to help regulate periods ( I have constant flow and am close to menopausal age) That was a week ago and I have a itchy rash on my back, stomach, and chest and inner arms. I guess this will continue for 3 months. I am currently on Prednisone to try to control the rash-it seems to help a little but I'm not sure I want to stay or will be permitted to take Prednisone for any length of time. I really think I'm going to scratch myself to death. After reading some of the other comments, I am really nervous about future side effects. I had no trouble with the oral dosage of Provera (10mg) however it did not address my menstrual flow problems. I wish I had seen this site before I took the stuff.

I have tried the shots...(only once) They gave me incredible headaches... and there was nothing that I could do about them until the medication wore out of my system... (about 3 months)...
Remember ... any side effect you experience... will last until the shot is out of your system...

I had one shot of this contraceptive and it really messed me up. I gained about 10 lbs and I bled for 3 months straight! I also noticed that I become over emotional about everything (crying, depressed). My advice would be to not use this form of contraceptive! I know I NEVER will again!!!

I've got on extremely well with Depo, and have been on it this time for over a year. My periods stop but for me that's not a problem. I do however still suffer from PMS/PMT which took some working out without the aid of the physical symptom which usually followed a session of the blues/bad mood. *However* after speaking to my doctor recently I was informed that if I'm still on Depo this time next year, without having a period (menstruating) I will need to have a bonescan or some other tests to ensure that my calcium levels aren't being affected, apparently osteoporosis is a possibility if you've not had a period for two years.

Depo-Provera is affective in stopping you getting pregnant especially after having a baby. Adverse side affects (I found) were constant bleeding, nausea, weepiness and total unsurity as to when the effect wears off and if you're not sure when the effect wears off you're not sure whether you can be pregnant or not.

Depo-Provera is very scary!! I used it for three months (one shot) It messed with my hormones so much that I cried for 3 months straight and it set off a major depression that lasted for years. It sounded convenient but I would never ever recommend it to anyone after that ordeal. (especially if you are slender or underweight...It seems to affect you more)

Thanks to the Depo shot I had the worst 18 months of my life and I only had two shots. I would strongly advise anyone contemplating it to really research it thoroughly and not be pressured by the medics. To be really honest I would say DON'T DO IT!

I used Depo for a year and it was a good contraceptive, but gave me so many other problems, it wasn't worth it. My advice, stay away from it.

I only took two cycles of Depo Provera and now have had no periods for at least 6 months. We are trying to conceive, and now, and I believe it may be impossible.

I have been on the Depo shot for a year, and have had limited side effects. I had continuous bleeding after the first shot, until the second one. But
after that, my periods stopped completely. I've had no problems since then that I haven't been able to fix. My hair started to get thin, but improved greatly after I began taking vitamins (I was neglecting to do that before). I haven't gained any weight, but that's probably because I exercise at least five hours a week. My advice is to research the precautions in taking Depo. You shouldn't take it if you have depression, liver disease, or previous bleeding problems. Obviously, if you have these problems, Depo is only going to make them worse. I think a lot of the side effects stated here are due to the fact that some people shouldn't have gotten the shot in the first place due to the precautions. It's not "evil", it just needs to be researched, just like every other drug that people put into their bodies. If it doesn't work for you, try something else! But it's worked great for me, and I'm tired of hearing only negative comments. Don't scare people off of something that could work well for them.

Note from altcontraceptives.com: We do not scare people off using a product, we are impartial & do not favour one product over another. We post comments from REAL users which other people can read. From the site feedback we have received, people look at the site for 2 reasons; firstly if they're interested in trying a new product/method or secondly if they are experiencing problems with the product/method they are currently using, that in itself attracts negative comments but we do have positive comments on methods too.