Depo-Provera User Reviews for Birth Control

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Depo-Provera
has an average rating of 5.1 out of 10 from a total of 951 reviews
for the
treatment of Birth Control.
38% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 43% reported a negative experience.

Depo-Provera rating summary

5.1/10 average rating

951 ratings from 1010 user reviews.

Compare all 268 medications used in the treatment of Birth Control.

Reviews for Depo-Provera

Frequently asked questions

• How long after having a Depo Provera shot can you have unprotected sex?
• Why is my poop green? What does this mean?
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Learn more about Birth Control

• Antibiotics and Birth Control Pill Interactions: Fact or Fallacy?
• Birth Control and Alcohol: Do They Interact?
• Birth Control Guide
• Birth Control Pills – Breakthrough Bleeding
• Birth Control Pills – Periods
• Emergency Contraception: What You Need to Know
• Grapefruit and Birth Control Pills: Your Questions Answered
• Hormonal Birth Control Methods (Non-Pill Options)
• Missed your birth control pill? Here’s what to do
• Non-hormonal Birth Control Methods
• Permanent Birth Control Methods

Medicine.

com guides (external)

• Contraception (Birth Control) Guide

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• Depo-Provera Contraceptive (Advanced Reading)

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• Depo-subQ Provera 104

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Effectiveness, Ease of Use, and Satisfaction

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3.7 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

9 People found this comment helpful

I got my first Depo Shot six weeks after my son was born. That was 14 years ago. I love not having to try to remember to take a pill and not having a priod. I go every three months and get my injection, I have even bought my own and had my husband do it at home. Absolutely no problems. I gained a little weight, but I am losing it slowly (5 lbs a year) I had a bone density test and I have the bone …

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Most voted negative review

5 People found this comment helpful

DO NOT GET THE SHOT!!! I got it a week ago and not even 7 hrs later I began experiencing stiffness and pain in the joints of my hands and arms. About 1:30 in the morning I woke my husband up crying because I litterally could not move! The weight of the sheets on my upper body was causing extreme pain! I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow or roll over on to my side. It took us close to 20 minutes…

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Shared reviews and ratings

SORT BY Condition: Other

Overall rating 2.3

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I’ve been on it for two months and have constant light spotting. It seems like the spotting has no intention of stopping. I don’t like it.

1

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Overall rating 3.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I started the depo injection due to heavy periods and insane cramping which had me bed bound every month without fail. The injection has completely taken away the heavy periods and insane cramping, which I have found other forms of contraception did not achieve. However, after about a year and 2 month of receiving the injection I have severe cystic acne, causing me pain and overall dissatisfaction with my confidence. Weight gain has been something I have also suffered with, I feel hungry all of the time and something I have never suffered with. I am going to come off the injection following these symptoms, as well as anxiety and depression, however, despite these symptoms the injection has done the job in terms of controlling my pain every month. I am now on the hunt to find something that is going to prevent heavy cramps, acne and weight gain. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 4.3

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I started this form of birth control after the birth of my second child. I bled for the first 6 months it wasn’t all so good. And then it turned to a brown that was constantly there which smelt really bad. That was probably the last 2 months of the bleeding I mentioned. After that my periods had stopped completely and I loved that. It was so convenient and I didn’t have to worry about anything. After the first year, that’s when the weight began to come on. I gained 15 pounds after the 1st year. I loved the weight though because I was always so small. Like 115 pounds. But then it began to go all to my stomach and that’s when I knew I had to quit this. My bones were getting weak, I was weak in general, my stomach was gaining all the weight. Probably water retention I don’t know. It was like a love / hate relationship with the depo honestly. It worked for me 100% but made me miserable. After I quit it took about 4 months for my first period to return and the period wasn’t Normal it was more lighter. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 4.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I have been on the shot for 1 year 5months now.. Honestly speaking when started I experienced a lot of problems.. Prolonged periods, spotting time to time..back pain even now I still experience the back pain… Above it all I can’t really complain about it no weight gain so far. .. It’s effective cause me and my boyfriend we no longer use protection… I love it..

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Overall rating 1.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I just got the stupid shot less than a month ago & I am freaking miserable!!!!! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND this! I keep having severe pain in my pelvis, back, and stomach, like more consistent and severe than I’ve ever had!! & Once you get the shot however it’s going to effect you, you have to deal with for the next three months! I literally cry and scream in pain bc of this devil shot! Seriously would not recommend! The pain is so awful!!!

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Overall rating 2. 7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

The first shot I got, I only experienced bloated stomach issues. Fast forward 3 months later for 2nd shot. I started getting the worst anxiety. And right chest pain and tightness. I tried to ignore it and just thought I needed more potassium. It got so bad and almost daily where I had to go to Er and make.sure I was ok. Thank God ,I was. Just suffering adverse side effects from it. I do not recommend it at all. No matter your age. Take the pill ,atleast you can discontinue that. I prayed for 1 month so it would leave my system. And still wonder why ! Do they have this option of birth control. It’s horrible. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 3.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

As a Navy wife, the clinic almost forced me to take this shot after having my daughter. My daughter is 26 years old and my healthy metabolism has still not returned! I am an athlete and active person trapped in a body that wonâ??t stop storing fat!! I have 1/2 stomach, had liposuction, and lost over 50 pounds 3 times since that shot. My metabolism has not been the same since I took that shot. Iâ??m now suffering from thyroid issues, which I believe is directly linked. Use an IUD instead of this dangerous drug. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 1.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I am writing this review in hopes that at least one woman reading this will heed my advice. Do NOT take this birth control. I was on this for about 6 years( no symtpoms during, and the effectiveness did work). I was not informed through planned parenthood of the negative side effects after discontinuing this birth control. I am 1 year and 7 months from my last shot. I have had constant spotting with two full periods a month. With that being said..it is pretty much a constant feeling of either on my period, or about to start. I have insane moods swings, horrible breast tenderness, cystic acne(never even had that as a teenager), and then I started developing issues with my joints, eyelid proptosis, extreme fatigue. I just got a new diagnosis of Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease… borderline Lupus. I am absolutely convinced that Depo has contributed to this. It is not in my family history, nor did any of this start until the horrible post discontinuation Depo symptoms. This medication should be taken off the market. I believe in due time it will be, but for the mean time.. Try another birth control. I have been on others before that have no affects during or after. Whatever you decide. Please research first. I don’t believe I was informed of the long term effects of this medication… other than possibility of bone mineral lose(which I took calcium/vitamin D the entirety of my treatment time). I assumed that if a provider was able to prescribe it, that they must be divulging the whole picture..I could go on for hours on the negatives of this birth control. DO NOT TAKE THIS.Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 3.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I have been on the shot for going on 8 months, after 3 applications almost 4 next months, thereâ??s more bad then good to say. Yes pregnancy has been prevented but I feel side defects have made me unhappy with my choice. I always had a fast metabolism my whole life, and Iâ??ve gained 20 lbs since beginning! My sex drive has completely disappeared and itâ??s taken a tole on me and my relationship. Gratefully my partner understands… Mood swings and frequent headaches. Skip a period every other month, and when I do get a cycle itâ??s irregular timing. I may get off of it as I feel itâ??s done more bad then good… Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 2.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I am 16 and decided to go on the depo to fix some very painful and nauseating periods, as well as contraception. I had it in January. I am still bleeding because of it today. Everything was okay for about a month, and then I got some spotting. I was fine with that as I thought it would stop after a little bit… boy was I wrong… the spotting turned into bleeding. I have been getting increasingly depressed and insecure due to the bleeding. Finally, my dad called the nurse and she prescribed me Tranexamic Acid and I finished a 4 day course on Monday, which did decrease the amount I was bleeding. I am now having a regular period, which the nurse said would happen. If after 7 days it doesn’t stop, I have to get a scan to make sure everything is okay. If you are in the same position as me, then try and get whatever meds you can to stop this as it is horrid and can go on for up to 2 years after the injection wears off. If you are deciding, do NOT get this injection. It is not worth the risk if it doesn’t agree with you. Good luck Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I’ve been on the shot for over 6 months now and don’t have any complaints. I haven’t had a period since I started it! No cramps, no blood, pretty much the only thing I deal with is the emotional cycle, which I can deal with just fine. When I get the shot, for about a day everything tastes weird. It makes my hip/leg feel weird but I found that walking around and staying rather active the day of the shot helps a bunch! The shot is super quick and doesn’t hurt at all, at least for me with a high pain tolerance. Oh, and I’m not pregnant at all! Me and my boyfriend don’t use any other form of protection and I’ve never even had a pregnancy scare. I used to be on the pill for 3 years and I like this even better. It has increased my very low sex drive, and no longer experience vaginal dryness. Overall, everything is going well! I would definitely recommend this form of birth control. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 1.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

On 9/13/19, the nurse gave me the 1st depo shot but she didn’t said nothing about the side effects. I spotted until 1 wk before thanksgiving. Then I bleed every other day. I gained a few pounds, no sex drive, vaginal dryness and had some strong cramps. On 12/29/19, I went to the ER and the doctor said Depo is making me bleed and it should stop within couple months. After that day, I bleed heavier everyday

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Overall rating 4.3

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I took depo to stop heavy periods, help with migraines, and most importantly as birth control. My period stopped around month 7 and i only cramp occasionally. My migraines have improved considerably. HOWEVER, the first 6 months I had severe anxiety and depression. Since the initial adjusting it has been great!

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Overall rating 3.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I have been on this drug for about two months now and the side effects are horrible I get dizzy and weak and Iâ??m already getting pain from it I have also lost my appetite instead of gaining weight I have been back and forth to the emergency room thinking I had something wrong with me but the test come back normal I have also had severe headaches and abdominal pain since I have lost my appetite I now have low b12 and stomach problems due to this I will not be taking this anymore!!

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Overall rating 3.3

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I’m 19 yrs old.On my first shot n I’ve been bleeding non stop having even more terrible mood swings having terrible body pain an acnes even more I haven’t gained any weight I so wish I did research on this before taking the shot

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Overall rating 1.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I started on June 14th and I was excited because I didn’t have a cycle for six weeks. All of a sudden July 27th I started spotting until August 1st. I have been bleeding extremely heavy and passing huge clots every day since August 1st. I use several pads a day and have messed up my pants several times. I’m due for my second injection on August 29th but I will not get it again. Absolute torture and torment. I am having horrible mood swings and the constant heavy bleeding has made me extremely depressed. All that bleeding will make you want to harm yourself. It’s extremely difficult to get through this. I really hope the bleeding stops soon; like yesterday! Complete nightmare! I wouldn’t recommend the depo to anyone! Horrible! TAKE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 4.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I have been on the depo shot since 2014 And it’s 2019 it helps perfectly I have a high sex drive still no periods and no side effects it depends on the persons immune system and health if it works

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Overall rating 2.3

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

Getting the depo shot was one of the WORST decisions I ever made. First off, forget having sex. Second, for three months, I bled heavily. Every. Single. Day. I passed several large clots and went through several pads. I couldn’t even leave the house without being fully prepared with several pads and a bathroom always nearby. The depo shot was a living HELL for me. Sure, it did what it was ultimately supposed to do. But it was not worth the pain I went through for three months. I switched to an IUD and that has been so much better for me. Please consider anything else before getting the depo shot. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I was very weary of starting Depo Shot after reading many bad reviews. I have had a great experience so far! I am on my second shot, so about 5 months in. After the first month, exactly 3 weeks in, I had bleeding for 3 weeks straight and bad cramps! However after that I have not had a period since. I love how easy it is to use. My boyfriend and I do not use protection of any sort and I have not since gotten pregnant! I do have daily headaches, but I cannot be sure if it is the birth control to blame. However, most doctors do not allow this birth control for more than 2 years due to its ability to decay your bones. Overall, great experience! Don’t let the bad reviews scare you away and give it a shot! (no pun intended) Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I started using the depo shot in my 20’s and i loved how it was effective almost immediately after given,I didnt have to second guess myself like with pills and it lasts 3 months. I had no period for 3 months when I used it. It was my go to. My best friend decided to try it as well and she had a horrible experience. She bled the entire 3 months, gained weight, broke her out…every womans body is different. For me, this was the right b.c. I havent used it since my 20s but I now have a 4 year old and am thinking of using this again asap. Read More Read Less

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JES – reviews about the drug from 170 patients after using

Karina Pugacheva, February 25, 2015

Hello, girls, tell me, do they get better ???

Nadezhda Kadysheva, February 3, 2015

I took Jess for half a year, then I got married and decided to stop taking it. I got pregnant the first time after 3 months, as I stopped taking the pills.

Olga A, January 5, 2015

I drank on the 1st day M and they stopped with me so it happens I drink the first month

kseniya ustyuzhanina, December 5, 2014

Tell me girls please and me… I don’t know how many times I have ovarian apoplexy. I drank before Lendinet-20 but for a month. recovered by 5 kg. quit. then I drank trimersi, from this drug I became just some kind of psychic, I didn’t want sex at all, my chest hurt terribly. He, too, had to be abandoned. Then again this apoplexy. The doctor said that my ovaries are working very well and rapidly, and so that this apoplexy does not happen again, I just need to drink contraceptives. The doctor prescribed jess for me and said that it is not necessary to wait for menstruation and you can take them right from the first day of purchase. Is it so? I’m very afraid to get better … but I haven’t taken the drugs mentioned above for more than a month . .. I’m afraid if there are side effects that I had before, I just can’t stand it …

Paranoia, November 16, 2014

Girls I’m wondering what is the limit of Jess specifically in terms of the number of sexual “open” acts? It’s just that now there is more sex in life. About 5-7 acts a week, is its contraceptive effect capable of holding back such a number of “enemy spies”?)) I really don’t want children now. I don’t want to get pregnant right up to paranoia, but my friend, with regular intake and the number of sex, about 10 per week, became pregnant with pills. And already twice and with different OK… It’s somehow dumb… And yet, girls, someone who knows, describe all the same, does smoking specifically affect the contraceptive effect? Or just veins and heart? And painkillers like Ketanov and Nurofen?

Paranoia, November 16, 2014

Let me share with you girls and women my experience Jess. I have been drinking them since December 2013, there were problems with the ovaries, cysts often formed, there was one rupture, and a tear of the cyst on the ovary. After the hospital without a hormone test, Jess was prescribed for treatment. I’m 24 years old and I’ve been smoking for about 10 years, after reading the side ones I cried terribly and was just in a real hysterics, but I didn’t want to go to the hospital with another cyst .. Of course, I was scared that without analysis I was prescribed such serious things (both the gynecologist in the hospital and the district yelling out loud that everything will be ok. Went down for own calm only on “coagulability of a blood” the analysis has handed over. And I started drinking from the 1st day .. I never took them in my life, although I thought about it, I don’t want children, the cycle is acting up like, either 18 or 36 days. In general, from the first pack, I was stunned by constant weakness, drowsiness and tearfulness, my libido fell, I threw myself at people, screamed, cried from all sorts of nonsense, smearing discharge for about a month, the ovaries just fell off, it felt like they were constantly kicking me in them from my foot)) On the second pack, the daubing stopped, but the pressure began to jump and terrible migraines began, two per week stably. Problems with pressure surges to the higher side have remained now (the norm for me is pressure 110/90 now it reaches 135), I gained weight, about 5-7 kilograms, my hair and skin became better, menstruation was more regular, I didn’t notice much, the first 4 months were painless but very plentiful, now it’s almost a year, menstruation is less plentiful but very painful – the whole first day I was always at home on painkillers with terrible spasms. They come somewhere for 2-3 acts. tablet of the next pack. Basically, I’m happy with them. Now, almost a year later, I feel almost no side effects of it, my breasts have not grown, which is sad))

Vladlyonka.., October 30, 2014

Hello everyone! I am 25 years old. after the onset of M, the pain subsided, the skin of the face became much better, sometimes there are migraines, I take it almost overnight and sleep well. I don’t know about everyone, but before prescribing this drug, I was prescribed tests according to age. Blood biochemistry, an analysis for some hormones, an analysis for dysbacteriosis, and an analysis that prevents a stomach ulcer, + be sure to undergo an examination by a mammologist and do an ultrasound of the mammary glands, I did all this in the first week of taking the pills. I got to the gynecologist on the 1st day of M. with hellish pains, she was all green with white lips. In general, so far everything is fine, I will unsubscribe. Good luck girls!

Lena =), October 21, 2014

But this drug caused a lot of side effects for me: the most important thing is that it so strongly planted my stomach that it has already been 1.5 years, and I am still being treated. About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with gastritis, but I had already forgotten about it, because I ate right. But Jess helped me remember what it means to “swallow the gut” once every 3 months, sit on cereals and yogurts. My chest hurt a lot – I couldn’t touch it, my legs and arms began to swell, pimples appeared.
The gynecologist tried to convince her that she had to endure 3 months, and everything would pass, but only a month could endure this hell.
By the way, for the last 1.5 years, after the drug was discontinued, I have had SUCH painful periods that you wouldn’t wish on your enemy – you want to climb the wall. Used to be strong, but was saved by 1-2 tablets on the first day. Now it happens that on the 4-5th day I swallow 2-3 tablets …

Like this 🙁

Elena Koltunova, September 13, 2014

Hello, can you please tell me when Jess starts working? That is, when is it safe to have sex, how long after taking the pills?

Karina Karpovich, August 6, 2014

Hello everyone.
I must say right away that if the drug is chosen correctly according to the phenotype by your gynecologist (i.e. based on your skin, physique, gave birth \ no, cycle, etc.), then it will suit you by 98%, and as you are lucky.
I’ll tell you my case. I started drinking OK on the recommendation of a doctor to calm the hormones that interfered with my breasts.
I also chose Femoden or Jess for a long time (I’m 27 years old who has not given birth, both are suitable). Everything is calculated in it, so there is no overdose of hormones.
About one and the other, the number of pluses and minuses is the same based on the opinions on the forums. I doubted for a long time, but in the end I chose Jess. Because it helps with the problem of the skin. Of all the useful properties of it, I have all of them. I use the 3rd month. M start on the 3rd invalid tablet.
I forgot about the monstrous pain during M, PMS, I didn’t gain weight, my chest seemed to remain the same size and it doesn’t hurt so much,
because the retaining fluid is removed from the chest with the drug, the libido is normal, M starts on a certain day, the skin is definitely cleaner, not so oily,
I noticed that the hair is “fresh” for 3 days (I used to wash it on the 2nd day already).
Of the minuses – I didn’t notice, only the first three days in the morning I felt a little nauseous, but after eating, everything was fine.
Tip, if you want – take the pills before bed. then there will be no side effects or will be minimized, as the gynecologist told me.
And set an alarm so you don’t forget to take your pill. If I knew what would suit me and help me in many ways, I would start drinking earlier and no longer suffer like this (see pluses).
Girls, I wish you all good luck and take care of yourself.

Buy

Jess (28 pcs)

1175 ₽

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Review will be written on Health Mail.ru

my life into a nightmare”

January 13, 2017

Millions of women take birth control pills, and many are quite happy. However, there are times when these pills have a detrimental effect on the psyche.

Vicky Spratt, Associate Editor of The Debrief, tells how she battled depression, anxiety and panic attacks for years while trying to find the right medication.

How it all started o s

My mother and I came to my local doctor with a complaint that my periods had not ended for three weeks. She recommended birth control pills for me – with some reservations, of course. Pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, the doctor stressed, and unprotected sex can lead to the development of cervical cancer. She was forced to say this, although I was only 14 years old, and I thought about sex last.

Image copyright VICKY SPRATT

The nurse filled out the prescription and I ended up with a three month supply of oral contraceptives. Going to the pharmacy for green blisters with tiny yellow pills I took as a kind of rite of passage into women. These were not just pills, but a sweetened concentrate of feminism, the struggle for women’s rights, medical progress.

That’s how it all started. It was 14 years ago, and since then I have been “playing drug roulette” for more than ten years, testing various drugs on myself with varying success. At the same time, I began to experience anxiety, depression, and mood swings that, with minor interruptions, haunted me all my adult life.

I had several failed romances and had to miss a year of university. All this I attributed to my shortcomings. Like, such a person I am: unadapted to life, insecure, unhappy. It wasn’t until my 20s, when I had already graduated from university and my mental and behavioral problems could no longer be attributed to “difficult adolescence”, that I first seriously thought about the side effects of pills.

Image copyright BSIP/Getty

Types of birth control pills

There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills, which contain estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone), and “pure progestin pills” or “mini pills,” which contain only one hormone (progestin).

• Combination tablets are available under many different names. They differ in dosage and ratio of estrogen and progestin.
• Progestin tablets also vary depending on the combination of norethisterone or desogestrel in their composition.
• Many women experience individual intolerance to certain components of hormonal contraceptives.

One day after another panic attack and as a result of a sleepless night, I sat down at the computer and started looking for information on Google. The day before, I switched to new progestin contraceptives, which I was prescribed because of a migraine. As it turned out, combination pills are contraindicated for those who suffer from migraine with aura.

I typed in the name of my drug and the words “depression” and “anxiety”. The Internet immediately showed me forum threads and posts by bloggers who were suffering from the same symptoms as me.

By that time, I had already gone to my local doctor several times complaining of sudden and powerful panic attacks – this had never happened before. The topic of contraceptives never came up in the conversation, despite the fact that the attacks occurred simultaneously with the transition to new pills. Instead, I was prescribed a large dose of beta-blockers – drugs that treat anxiety – and advised to take a course of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

So I lived for about six or eight months. I can’t say for sure, because this period in my memory is very blurred and accelerated, because the feeling of anxiety and danger was constantly pulsing in my veins.

Image copyright BSIP/Getty

Learn more

The Debrief conducted a survey of 1022 female readers aged 18 to 30:

• 93% of respondents were taking birth control intravenous tablets at or before the interview .
• Of these, 45% suffered from anxiety, the other 45% from depression.
• 46% said the pills reduced their sex drive.
• 58% believe the pills have had a negative impact on their mental health.
• 4% speak of the positive effect of the tablets.

I would like to laugh when I think about it. This is how all good stories should end, right? But there was nothing funny about what I went through. It was horror. I felt fear all the time. I did not recognize myself, did not love and could not live in peace. I didn’t know what to do, who to turn to and whether this would end. In addition to anxiety, I was seized by apathy. I felt like a complete mediocrity and blamed only myself for what was happening.

Thinking I was crazy, I told my doctor that “I feel like I’m not myself, but someone else,” as if my brain was moldy and shrunken.

“Don’t you think it has something to do with my pills?” I asked. I remember the expression on her face: she was trying to keep a neutral look, but she could hardly contain her sarcasm. I explained that six of the seven types of pills I was taking had a negative effect on my well-being. The only exception was high estrogen pills, which made me feel like a superwoman for a year until they were discontinued (partly due to migraines, partly because long-term use of this drug increases the risk of thrombosis).

Having mastered herself, the doctor said categorically “no”: my problems are not related to pills.

However, I didn’t listen to her or my therapist and stopped taking progestin pills.

What happened next, I can only call a gradual and careful return of my “I”. After three to four weeks, I stopped taking beta-blockers. To this day, I always carry them with me in my purse in case I fall “off the high rock of my consciousness” again. However, for three and a half years they were never needed.

Of course, my problems didn’t disappear overnight, but the panic attacks stopped. None have happened over the years. From time to time I experience depression, anxiety and stress, but not to the extent that when I took the progestin pills. I remembered what joy is. My sex drive has returned. I stopped being afraid of everyone and everyone.

A year after the panic attacks stopped, I went on a solo trip to the other side of the world. A year earlier, this would have been unthinkable. Sitting on a distant tropical beach under a warm thunderstorm, I suddenly burst into tears of joy. What a relief it was that I became myself again, that I can control my thoughts, that I was not mistaken – I really know myself better than the doctors assured me.

I am now 28 years old and no longer take hormonal contraceptives. With the exception of mild mood swings during the day before my period, I was completely free from anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.

Image copyright VICKY SPRATT

Ever since I lost myself on progestin pills and found myself again on a South Asian beach, my problem has gradually begun to attract more and more attention. In 2013, Holly Grigg Spall’s book Sweetening The Pill was published, in which the author announced the impact of hormonal contraception on women’s mental health.

In addition, an important study was conducted: Professor Øyvind Lidegaard from the University of Copenhagen found that women who take birth control pills (both combination and progestin) are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants than others. This difference was especially noticeable among young women aged 15-19 who took the combination pill.

Lidegaard was able to carry out this study because he was given access to the health records of over a million Danish women aged 15 to 34.

After reading about this study, I sent an information request to the National Health Service. As a journalist for The Debrief, I knew that many British women also suffer from such effects of pills – our readers complained to us almost daily. I asked how many women take birth control pills along with antidepressants or beta-blockers. I was told that their system does not yet allow sampling of this data.

Pills and depression

Here is what Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, President of the Royal College of Physicians says:

“Hormones have been proven to affect mood – both positively and negatively. For most women, reliable contraception and regulation of the menstrual cycle are undeniable pluses that outweigh the side effects, if any.