Heavy bleeding on Depo-Provera
Question
This is the first time I ever used any form of birth control. My doctor recommended this and and this is my second shot. I’ve been having heavy bleeding for 6 months and horrible fatigue. Very large saucer size clots and fresh looking blood. My doctor set an appointment for an exam, but I know it is the shot. I’ll never do this ever again and would never recommend it. Will my period go back to normal when the shot wears off and could this bleeding put me in the hospital? Please help me. I’m scared to death. Thank you.
Answer
Last Updated: July 23, 2013
Some women do have very unusual and heavy bleeding with the depo-Provera injections. Most of the time the cycle does return to normal after the hormone gets out of your system. The amount of bleeding you are describing is very concerning, and should be evaluated soon by your physician to see if you are anemic. Hospitalization is rare, but if you do start feeling dizzy or very weak, you should contact your doctor or go the emergency room.
Dr. Keenan
Dr. Keenan
Answered By:
Lynn Keenan, MD
Lynn Keenan, MD, Immediate Past President of the CANFP Executive Board, is a Clinical Professor at the UCSF/Fresno Internal Medicine Residency Program (now retired), Board Certified in Sleep and Internal Medicine, and Vice President of the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine. She earned her BSN at UCLA, her MD at Temple University School of Medicine, and completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at UCSF/Fresno. Dr. Keenan served on the Executive Board of CANFP since 2004, as President of CANFP since 2010, and graciously agreed to continue her service to CANFP on the Advisory Board at the beginning of 2019, upon her retirement from the Executive Board of CANFP
