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Depo-Provera

Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

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Satisfaction

3.9 Effectiveness

7.4 Side Effects

5.2 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 14 Depo-Provera side effects and 3 Depo-Provera benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

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Common Uses:

Depo-Provera is a form of progesterone, a female hormone that prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Depo-Provera also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Depo-Provera is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to reduce pain cause by endometriosis.

Depo-Provera is also used to ease pain and other symptoms in women with metastatic uterine or kidney cancer. This medication is not a cure for these conditions.

Off Label Uses:

At present there are no known off label uses for Depo-Provera.

Side Effects:
Depo-Provera side effects include the following:

You must seek emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance.
Fever
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes)

Less serious side effects may include
Changes in your menstrual periods
Headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling;breast tenderness or discharge
Changes in weight or appetite
Mild stomach pain and bloating
Nausea
Back pain or pelvic pain
Mild itching or skin rash
Increased acne
Hair growth
Loss of scalp hair
Sleep problems (insomnia)
Vaginal itching or discharge
Decreased sex drive
Skin color changes or a hard lump where the injection was given

Cautions / Warnings:

Depo-Provera may cause bone loss (osteoporosis) especially when used over long periods of time. Bone loss may not be reversible. Do not use this medication for longer than 2 years. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of bone loss. Depo-Provera can cause birth defects. Do not use if this medication you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to medroxyprogesterone, or if you have:
abnormal vaginal bleeding;
breast cancer;
liver disease; or
a history of a stroke or blood clot.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Depo-Provera.

congestive heart failure;
diabetes;
seizures or epilepsy;
or a history of depression.

Depo-Provera passes into breast milk, but it is not known whether this could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Drug Interactions:
Depo-Provera drug interactions include the following:

Bromocriptine: decreased bromocriptine efficacy
Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin: decreased contraceptive efficacy.
BackDepo-Provera (medroxyPROGESTERone) is known to interact with the following drugs:

Major Interactions of Depo-Provera might occur with the following drugs:

Accutane, acitretin, Agenerase, Amnesteem, amprenavir, bexarotene, bosentan, Claravis, etretinate, fosamprenavir, Fulvicin P/G, Fulvicin U/F, Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG, Grisactin 250, Grisactin 500, Grisactin Ultra, Griseofulicin, Griseofulvic, griseofulvin, griseofulvin microsize, griseofulvin ultramicrosize, isotretinoin, Lexiva, Soriatane, Soriatane CK, Sotret, Targretin, Tegison, Telzir, Tracleer.

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Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
NuvaRing	7.9	6.29	3.85	86
Yaz	6.6	5.83	4	159
Loestrin	6.58	5.61	4.14	99
Yasmin	6.51	5.46	3.87	63
Ortho Tri-Cyclen	6.13	5.59	4.2	165
Depo-Provera	3.43	4.86	6.03	30

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Depo-Provera by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Birth Control

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Birth Control"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

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How effective is Depo-Provera?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Depo-Provera, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	19.1%	23.4%	40.4%	10.6%	6.4%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	8.5%	80.9%	4.3%	6.4%
Blood Pressure	0%	6.4%	89.4%	4.3%	0%
Breathing	2.1%	6.4%	80.9%	8.5%	2.1%
Confidence	23.4%	8.5%	51.1%	4.3%	12.8%
Coordination/Motor Skills	6.4%	14.9%	68.1%	6.4%	4.3%
Digestion	6.4%	6.4%	83%	2.1%	2.1%
Emotional Well-being	22.9%	22.9%	33.3%	8.3%	12.5%
Energy	27.7%	25.5%	31.9%	8.5%	6.4%
Eyesight	2.1%	4.3%	87.2%	4.3%	2.1%
Memory	10.6%	8.5%	72.3%	2.1%	6.4%
Mental Clarity	14.9%	6.4%	68.1%	0%	10.6%
Pain	2.1%	10.6%	80.9%	4.3%	2.1%
Patience	19.1%	21.3%	44.7%	4.3%	10.6%
Sexual Health	33.3%	8.3%	33.3%	10.4%	14.6%
Skin Complexion	8.5%	10.6%	70.2%	6.4%	4.3%
Sleep	12.8%	19.1%	55.3%	6.4%	6.4%
Stress Level	16.7%	16.7%	54.2%	0%	12.5%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Depo-Provera Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Acne	69.4%	5.6%	11.1%	8.3%	5.6%
Allergic Reaction	95.7%	0%	2.1%	0%	2.1%
Anxiety	63.6%	0%	18.2%	0%	18.2%
Blurred Vision	63.6%	9.1%	0%	27.3%	0%
Breast Tenderness	57.4%	19.1%	17%	6.4%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	72.7%	0%	9.1%	18.2%	0%
Change in Sex Drive	31.2%	14.6%	10.4%	22.9%	20.8%
Cold Symptoms	54.5%	9.1%	18.2%	9.1%	9.1%
Confusion	72.7%	0%	0%	9.1%	18.2%
Depression	54.2%	8.3%	12.5%	16.7%	8.3%
Diarrhea	72.7%	0%	9.1%	18.2%	0%
Dizziness	74.5%	10.6%	2.1%	10.6%	2.1%
Drowsiness	72.7%	9.1%	9.1%	0%	9.1%
Fatigue	53.2%	6.4%	14.9%	17%	8.5%
Fever	90.9%	0%	0%	9.1%	0%
Gas	81.8%	0%	0%	18.2%	0%
Headache	52.1%	12.5%	22.9%	6.2%	6.2%
High Blood Pressure	94.4%	2.8%	2.8%	0%	0%
Insomnia	90.9%	0%	0%	9.1%	0%
Irregular Bleeding	48.8%	18.6%	11.6%	7%	14%
Irregular Heartbeat	72.7%	0%	0%	18.2%	9.1%
Mood Swings	35.4%	12.5%	14.6%	10.4%	27.1%
Muscle Cramping	72.7%	0%	9.1%	18.2%	0%
Nausea	76.6%	2.1%	10.6%	4.3%	6.4%
Sensitivity to Light	81.8%	0%	0%	9.1%	9.1%
Sexual Dysfunction	63.6%	9.1%	18.2%	0%	9.1%
Stomach Ache	81.8%	0%	18.2%	0%	0%
Yeast Infection	85.1%	8.5%	6.4%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Depo-Provera Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Abdominal Pain	58.3%	19.4%	11.1%	5.6%	5.6%
Anxiety	63.9%	13.9%	8.3%	11.1%	2.8%
Benign Liver Tumor	97.9%	2.1%	0%	0%	0%
Blurred Vision	73%	10.8%	13.5%	2.7%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	91.7%	2.8%	2.8%	0%	2.8%
Cervical Cancer	97.9%	0%	2.1%	0%	0%
Change in Weight	44.7%	10.6%	17%	4.3%	23.4%
Chest Pain	76.6%	14.9%	4.3%	4.3%	0%
Eye / Vision Problems	83%	4.3%	8.5%	4.3%	0%
Irregular Bleeding	0%	0%	25%	0%	75%
Irregular Periods (women)	44.4%	19.4%	13.9%	5.6%	16.7%
Numbing Sensation	81.2%	10.4%	2.1%	6.2%	0%
Pain in Limbs	83%	10.6%	0%	4.3%	2.1%
Reduced Libido	64.3%	0%	10.7%	10.7%	14.3%
Thrombosis (Blood Clotting)	87.2%	4.3%	2.1%	6.4%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Depo-Provera

Since taking Depo-Provera Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Fall	4.2%
Hallucination	2.1%

Heart attack	2.1%
Hospitalization	2.1%

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

How does your experience compare with other Depo-Provera users?

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User Comments about Depo-Provera

16 Apr 2012	i do not recommend it for anyone it has really bad side effects it's not worth it!! —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
27 Dec 2011	This is a great birth control. It does affect sex drive, though. It's nice that injections are every three months instead of a pill everyday. The injection site does hurt for up to three days after day of injection. Have had no period, cramping, bleeding, bloating, or headaches for a year now which is great! —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
31 Oct 2011	How can I get my sex drive back —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
24 Aug 2011	The Depo-provera was not a good experience for me. I took it for eight months since I had my twins, and never once had I stopped bleeding. It was very annoying and my sex life was dwindling. Not only did I not had time for much sex because of the twins, but now it was just immposible because of all the bleeding. After the eight months I just stopped taking it and it took another month for my period to go away. —Posted by Brittany Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
20 Aug 2010	The shot is very effective but just be in mind that it will cause you to gain weight but the effectiveness makes it well worth it. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use