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Depo-Provera

Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

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User Ratings

Out of 10

Satisfaction

3.5 Effectiveness

7.5 Side Effects

4.9 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 15 Depo-Provera side effects and 3 Depo-Provera benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

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.

View / Add User Comments (18)

Depo-Provera Comments

03 Jul 2014

Pure Hell. Do not take under any circumstance unless you want to be in constant excruciating pain, with continuous bleeding and lots of hair loss

—Posted by Anonymous

31 Jul 2012

I had 2 shots of depo to help with my severe PMS. Whilst I was on it, I didn't notice a huge difference but when I decided to stop taking it, I never had a period for 11 months. I put some weight on whilst having the shots but put on even more weight after coming off it, gaining 2 stone in total. I am 43 and have always weighed 8 stone and have also been lucky in being able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight. My metabolism seems to have changed and 18months after stopping the depo and I haven't lost a pound of the extra weight. I have CFS and the depo seemed to add to the fatigue and muscle ache as well as giving me unbearable hot flushes. On the plus side, whilst not having any periods, my anxiety levels were much better and also insomnia much improved and my gum disease seemed to subside and my dentist noticed great improvement with my gums. Now that my periods are back to normal, all these issues are back with a vengeance and I have just started the mini-pill on the advise of my dentist but it is too early to tell if it is helping in the same way as the depo.

—Posted by Anonymous

05 Jul 2012

I was on it for about 4 years got off it once in between to cycle and got back on, had no side effects, and when i wanted to get pregnant again, i was due in august for my shot but did not get that shot, had a period in sep and i was pregnant by Christmas and due in this following august.. so it took me like 2 months to get pregnant after the shot. but then i had a miss carriage at 15 weeks but did not find out till my dr app at 18 weeks in march and had a D & C . could my miss carriage have something to do with getting pregnant to soon off the shot?

—Posted by Anonymous

View / Add User Comments (18)

Evaluate This Treatment

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More About This Treatment

How does your Treatment Compare?

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Show results for:

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

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) & Menstruation

Pain Relief

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

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

Not at all

Mildly

Moderately

Very

Extremely

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	17%	22.6%	41.5%	9.4%	9.4%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	9.4%	77.4%	7.5%	5.7%
Blood Pressure	0%	7.5%	88.7%	3.8%	0%
Breathing	1.9%	7.5%	81.1%	7.5%	1.9%
Confidence	24.5%	9.4%	49.1%	5.7%	11.3%
Coordination/Motor Skills	5.7%	17%	66%	7.5%	3.8%
Digestion	5.7%	9.4%	79.2%	1.9%	3.8%
Emotional Well-being	24.1%	22.2%	31.5%	11.1%	11.1%
Energy	28.3%	26.4%	28.3%	11.3%	5.7%
Eyesight	1.9%	3.8%	86.8%	5.7%	1.9%
Memory	9.4%	13.2%	67.9%	1.9%	7.5%
Mental Clarity	17%	7.5%	64.2%	1.9%	9.4%
Pain	5.7%	9.4%	75.5%	7.5%	1.9%
Patience	20.8%	20.8%	39.6%	7.5%	11.3%
Sexual Health	33.3%	7.4%	35.2%	9.3%	14.8%
Skin Complexion	9.4%	9.4%	71.7%	5.7%	3.8%
Sleep	15.1%	18.9%	50.9%	9.4%	5.7%
Stress Level	18.5%	16.7%	51.9%	1.9%	11.1%

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	64.1%	10.3%	10.3%	10.3%	5.1%
Allergic Reaction	94.2%	0%	1.9%	1.9%	1.9%
Anxiety	61.5%	0%	15.4%	7.7%	15.4%
Blurred Vision	69.2%	7.7%	0%	23.1%	0%
Breast Tenderness	54.9%	23.5%	15.7%	5.9%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	78.6%	0%	7.1%	14.3%	0%
Change in Sex Drive	30.8%	15.4%	9.6%	23.1%	21.2%
Change in Weight	0%	0%	0%	0%	100%
Chills	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Cold Symptoms	53.8%	7.7%	23.1%	7.7%	7.7%
Confusion	69.2%	0%	7.7%	7.7%	15.4%
Depression	50%	7.4%	16.7%	18.5%	7.4%
Diarrhea	76.9%	0%	7.7%	15.4%	0%
Dizziness	71.7%	13.2%	3.8%	9.4%	1.9%
Drowsiness	69.2%	7.7%	15.4%	0%	7.7%
Energy Loss	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Fatigue	49.1%	7.5%	15.1%	20.8%	7.5%
Fever	92.9%	0%	0%	7.1%	0%
Flu-Like Symptoms	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Gas	76.9%	0%	7.7%	15.4%	0%
Headache	50%	14.8%	20.4%	9.3%	5.6%
High Blood Pressure	92.3%	2.6%	5.1%	0%	0%
Insomnia	84.6%	7.7%	0%	7.7%	0%
Irregular Bleeding	46.8%	21.3%	10.6%	8.5%	12.8%
Irregular Heartbeat	78.6%	0%	0%	14.3%	7.1%
Mood Swings	34%	13.2%	15.1%	13.2%	24.5%
Muscle / Joint Pain	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Muscle Cramping	69.2%	7.7%	7.7%	15.4%	0%
Nausea	75%	5.8%	9.6%	3.8%	5.8%
Sensitivity to Light	84.6%	0%	0%	7.7%	7.7%
Sexual Dysfunction	61.5%	7.7%	15.4%	0%	15.4%
Stomach Ache	69.2%	7.7%	23.1%	0%	0%
Suicidal Tendencies	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Yeast Infection	84.3%	7.8%	7.8%	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	56.4%	20.5%	12.8%	5.1%	5.1%
Anxiety	59%	12.8%	12.8%	12.8%	2.6%
Benign Liver Tumor	98%	2%	0%	0%	0%
Blurred Vision	72.5%	12.5%	12.5%	2.5%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	92.3%	2.6%	2.6%	0%	2.6%
Brittle Nails	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Cervical Cancer	98%	0%	2%	0%	0%
Change in Weight	43.1%	11.8%	17.6%	5.9%	21.6%
Chest Pain	74.5%	17.6%	3.9%	3.9%	0%
Eye / Vision Problems	84.3%	3.9%	7.8%	3.9%	0%
Irregular Bleeding	0%	0%	25%	0%	75%
Irregular Periods (women)	43.6%	17.9%	15.4%	5.1%	17.9%
Muscle Fatigue	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Nerve Pain / Damage	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Numbing Sensation	78.8%	11.5%	1.9%	5.8%	1.9%
Pain	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Pain in Limbs	82.4%	9.8%	0%	3.9%	3.9%
Reduced Libido	65.6%	0%	9.4%	9.4%	15.6%
Thinning / Loss of Hair	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Thrombosis (Blood Clotting)	88.5%	3.8%	1.9%	5.8%	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	5.6%
Hallucination	1.9%

Heart attack	1.9%
Hospitalization	1.9%

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

03 Jul 2014	Pure Hell. Do not take under any circumstance unless you want to be in constant excruciating pain, with continuous bleeding and lots of hair loss —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 Jul 2012	I had 2 shots of depo to help with my severe PMS. Whilst I was on it, I didn't notice a huge difference but when I decided to stop taking it, I never had a period for 11 months. I put some weight on whilst having the shots but put on even more weight after coming off it, gaining 2 stone in total. I am 43 and have always weighed 8 stone and have also been lucky in being able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight. My metabolism seems to have changed and 18months after stopping the depo and I haven't lost a pound of the extra weight. I have CFS and the depo seemed to add to the fatigue and muscle ache as well as giving me unbearable hot flushes. On the plus side, whilst not having any periods, my anxiety levels were much better and also insomnia much improved and my gum disease seemed to subside and my dentist noticed great improvement with my gums. Now that my periods are back to normal, all these issues are back with a vengeance and I have just started the mini-pill on the advise of my dentist but it is too early to tell if it is helping in the same way as the depo. —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
05 Jul 2012	I was on it for about 4 years got off it once in between to cycle and got back on, had no side effects, and when i wanted to get pregnant again, i was due in august for my shot but did not get that shot, had a period in sep and i was pregnant by Christmas and due in this following august.. so it took me like 2 months to get pregnant after the shot. but then i had a miss carriage at 15 weeks but did not find out till my dr app at 18 weeks in march and had a D & C . could my miss carriage have something to do with getting pregnant to soon off the shot? —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
14 Jun 2012	The only good thing about this was I didn't get pregnant. I got really dry during intercourse to where it was painful, and got REALLY depressed and moody. I would get on crying spells and not be able to stop. (never been like this, and am not like this anymore since I stopped taking it) (I was fine before I started taking it) I gained about 10lbs in a month, not doing anything different. —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
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