35 Responses to "Depo-Provera caused my Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and chronic UTIs"
March 23, 2009 at 9:09 pm
If you want a BC method that solves your heavy period troubles, you might want to ask your GP about the Mirena IUD. I’ve had mine for 5 years and it’s been about 4 1/2 years since I’ve had a real period. It’s the greatest! No more PMS symptoms either and I used to turn very growly for about a week a month. I’m so thrilled with my Mirena that I’ll be getting another one in a month or so when this one is done. They last 5 years. Best BC method I’ve ever used. Wish I’d had this option many years ago!
December 13, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Stacie, I read your article back in March, I was diagnosed w/Interstitial Cystitis. I had my last shot Dec. of 2008. My questions are: are your IC symptoms completely gone? Did they just go away immediately or gradually disappear? I felt it was the shot too (I had slight symptoms when on “the pill” off and on through the years and everytime I stopped the symptoms would too). Since being off it (counting this Dec. my one year off), some of my symptoms have lessened but not gone. Wanted to know how you are progressing. Thanks!!!
January 10, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Hi Dawn,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I have no more bladder issues since going off Depo. It was gradual but I’m happy to say I no longer suffer from UTI’s, frequency/urgency or pain in my bladder. Are you still having symptoms? I haven’t had a Depo shot for 2 years now.
January 11, 2010 at 9:27 pm
I had my last shot a year ago this past Dec. My good days are really good but my bad are really bad. Did you go through something like this? Trying to figure out if this was a good move for me, seeing if anyone diagnosed w/IC and stopped depo had gone through similiar things. Thanks. So, yea a year after the last shot, still having symptoms, but they are extremes instead of mostly bad days or slightly bad days, they’re either really good or really bad. Wondering if things still have to “level off”.
June 14, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Hi Dawn,
It’s probably obvious that I don’t get on here much but I’m glad that several people have found some answers from sharing experiences. The only issue I tend to find is that I have a vague feeling like I may be getting a bladder infection about a week or so before my period but then it clears up. We were recently in Hawaii and I found after a full day in the ocean, my bladder hurt and I thought I was getting an infection. I bought some Traditional Medicinals Cran-Aid and it cleared right up.
May 22, 2010 at 5:31 am
Thank you so much for this. I’ve suffered from two really nasty bouts of Cystitis this year and I just discovered this morning that they both occured about a month after my Depo Provera injection. After reading this article it all seems to fit together. I haven’t been on it long and like you, my periods were absolutely horrid, so it’ll be a shame to have to get them back, but it’s a small price to pay if it means I’ll get no more UTIs. Like you, these UTIs completely floor me and I’m no good to anybody for at least a week, and that simply won’t do! The pain is almost unbearable and I can’t think of any other reason why I should be getting them so frequently. Thanks so much! I really hope going off the control will stop them. Fingers crossed! I’d like to just ask though…did you go onto another form of birth control that eased/stopped your periods or do you just not use any now?
May 22, 2010 at 5:37 am
Kelsey,
I don’t blame you for wanting the UTI’s to end. And I hate any chemicals put into a woman’s body because they can. However, since you can see this pattern, ask the doc for a prophylactic script of antibiotic. That way, at the very first sign of infection, you start taking it – no waiting.
Plus, there is a med out there that helps with the pain – it turns your urine orange (which I think is pretty neat!), but it truly works on the pain and is NOT an analgesic/pain reliever/addictive.
It’s just something to consider.
Leslie
June 14, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Kelsey,
I hope you have success if you go off Depo. I don’t want to go on any other birth control because of my horrible experience so I’m not on any. I also tend to have reactions to other prescriptions so I try to stay away from chemicals as much as possible. I suffer with my period because I get it every 21 to 25 days but I’ve managed to find a tea to help with cramps. I still can’t believe it works but 1 cup of this tea every cycle gets rid of my cramps. It’s Traditional Medicinals Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea.
Leslie, I had a constant supply of antibiotics just in case when I was suffering with UTI’s. And I did use that pain killer that turns your urine bright orange… a shocking experience every time I peed but it did work.
May 23, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I haven’t had the shot since Dec of 09, off my IC meds BUT the flares are so much worse. The in between times are better but those flares, wow! No meds take care of them and I’ve noticed now that they coincide w/the end of some of my “that times” Had a horrific one mid to end of Feb and just got out of a two week one a few days ago. I do believe it was because of the depo. I would be on my IC meds if it wasn’t! Hoping when the hormones start to normalize (the female thing is very irregular but averaging two a month for 5 days), the flares will go away. There aren’t many (if any) other sites that flat out have someone say “Yes, depo did this to me” I think, for me, its birth control altogether. I had much milder symptoms when I was on the pill, nothing that I would see a doc for, but after a cpl years on the shot, that’s when it all got really bad. Thanks for starting this so we all know as abnormal as this is, it does happen.
June 14, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Dawn, I hope that your flares become less as your body rids itself of the chemicals. For me, I had a friend who was cured after going off her birth control (not Depo) so I figured I’d try going off mine.
I did ask the urologist I saw before deciding to go off Depo if it could be the cause. He said that since it’s a hormone, it can affect us so it could be the culprit.
I’m glad I could help. 
Got my dates mixed up, its been since Dec. 08 for my last shot, I am also certain the bc has an affect on my bladder, started the bc pill at 17 and had just the urethral symptoms. Got off, and poof gone. The shot, I think, will take A LOT longer to wear off because I was on it nearly 9 or 10 years (compared to a cpl years on the pill, off and on, different brands). And who knows how long it takes for that shot to clear outta the body. Especially after that long.
I had to start back on my Elmiron but right now, only one pill a day and its borderline as compared to what it was before I started taking it again. Yep, same thing, just before “that time” is when its at its worst. Thanks for hopin for me (I’m hoping too lol). Just wishing that shot would get outta my system and poof, like the bc pills, pain gone. Cant help wishin that lol.
Take care Stacie! Nice to hear from you again!
June 20, 2010 at 11:30 am
Dawn,
Ya, the Depo takes a while to fully leave your body; who knows how long exactly and everyone is different. I’m glad you have some relief with Elmiron. I read online that it can take up to 2 years for the hormone to completely leave your system but most say 6 to 18 months. I used to think it was weird that my bladder could be affected by my cycle but they are very close to each other so I guess it’s not that weird.
June 14, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Hi Stacie,
Wow, my personal history is so similar to yours, it’s scary!
I have been on the depo shot for several years now, due to very painful periods. I have also been diagnosed with chronic bladder infections and kidney infections, I was put on prophylactic antibiotics (I had to take antibiotics every time I had sex in order to prevent an infection). I am also allergic to sulfa, so finding relief from painful bladder infections has not been easy.
I was also then diagnosed with Interstitial cystitis, the medicine and urethral suppositories did nothing, in fact, they seemed to make things worse.
I am now looking to get off of depo after about 10 years on it. I am worried about the painful periods coming back, and about finding an effective, natural way to prevent pregnancy.
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!
June 14, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Hi J,
It is weird the similarities in our experiences! I hope you find some relief after going off Depo. I mentioned to Kelsey above that I use Traditional Medicinals Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea for cramps; it’s miracle tea. I’m not sure about an effective, natural way to prevent pregnancy, though. They need to make a tea for that!
November 8, 2010 at 1:06 pm
My name is Melissa. I am 25 years old and have been on the depo shot for about 7 years off and on. I have had about a 1-2 yr break off of it in that 7 years. In the last 2 years, I have had an incredible amount of problems with getting uti’s. And in the last 6 months I have had 3 of them. I’m beginning to wonder if it is not due to my shot. I have my regular yearly exams and nothing seems to be wrong in that area that would explain their reoccurence. I get them even when i have had no soda or caffeine and also even when i have not been sexually active. I am put on antibiotics everytime which clears it up within a few days but a month or so later it is back. I had kidney stones when i was 18 but have had no other problems with them since. I am getting off of the depo this month and starting on the pill. I am just wondering if there is any advice or suggestions anyone can offer to help me. It’s a very tiresome and endless battle it seems like. Not to mention, a very painful one. I also drink cranberry juice to help b/c i was told the acid is good to prevent and help get rid of a uti. I would appreciate any response. Thank you.
November 10, 2010 at 1:33 pm
If its Interstitial Cystitis (IC), the cranberry will actually cause your symptoms to be worse because of the acid. If its really UTI’s, I have read elsewhere that many women on Depo get them more often than those that are not on it. I hope you getting off it helps.
I had symptoms of IC on the pill and on Depo but MUCH worse on the Depo. I had my last shot December of 08 (I think? I’ve had a lot go on in life and things just blur together lol) and my symptoms have reduced. I don’t feel perfect yet, but I feel better now than I did on it.
Hope you start feeling better. Oh, if the cranberry does bother you, research D-mannose. Can’t say what will or won’t work for you but its something to look into.
November 11, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Thank you for your response. I start on bc pills this next week even though i know it takes several months for the depo shot to get out of your system. The cranberry actually seems to make things worse. Once i get rid of a uti, and i’m feeling normal for the first few days again, then i drink cranberry juice and i feel more burning sensations again when i urinate. How do i find out if it is the IC?
November 12, 2010 at 12:45 pm
You’ll need to see a urologist. Also if you have the uti tests and they come out clean, then that’s a red flag right there. Many ppl with IC feel better on anti’s and even for a few days after but the pain/frequency etc comes back. If the cranberry is bothering you, think of it as a bladder bomb and stop using it 
If its IC, you could have a hole in the lining of the bladder and the acid from the cranberry is getting on the bladder wall and irritating the daylights out of it.
If you see a uro, they will ask u a bunch of questions and want to do tests. If they want to do a cystoscopy, I couldn’t go through it in office, too painful for me, had to be put under in the hospital. Do a little research on it first.
For me right now, getting off that awful shot seems to be helping. I obviously cannot take anything bc. The pills caused mild symptoms that were tolerable years ago and the shot just “ruined” me. I feel a bit better. Good days and bad, but meds don’t have to be taken everyday.
November 12, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Melissa, I’m sorry you’ve been suffering with UTI’s. They are something I suffered with for too long. Like Dawn has said, you need to see a Urologist. I had a friend who was on birth control pills who was also suffering from chronic UTI’s and she’s the one who told me that going off her birth control was what cured her. That’s the only reason I considered going off the Depo shot. It turns out, that’s what was causing my issues as well.
Good luck to you!
November 22, 2010 at 12:46 am
Hi stacie.
I have been on the depo shot a yr now (nov 09-nov 10) I started having symptoms about 8 months ago, and I was diagnosed with IC. I do urinate frequently with alot of pressure and sometimes pain. But I normally only experience pain with sexual activity and extreme pain with urination after sex, did you happen to experience any of those symptoms? I accidentally just missed my shot..and this actually made me feel alot better about it. I was just wondering if I getting my hopes up for nothing?
Thanks, Ryan
January 29, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Hi Ryan,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I did not experience those symptoms. I hope you are feeling better.
March 28, 2011 at 12:46 pm
I have been on the depo shot for nearly 10 years now. I have been extremely faithful in getting the shot and have never missed or been late for a sigle dose. I have never noticed a problem except here recently within the past 2 years. I have had frequent, recurring bladder infections and sometimes it feels just like I have an infection, but the doctor tells me that there are no findings. I have been faithful to my boyfriend for 4 years, I am good at hygeine, and cannot think of anyother lifestyle changes that would help prevent infections and pseudo-infections. I even get the bladder problems when I have not had sex recently. Without health insurance though, I have not been willing to see a specialist. I know with certain what the diagnosis will be, though. Interstitial Cystitis – a catch-all for unexplained painful urination/ inflammation/ infections. Could this really be caused by the Depo shot? What about the depo shot does this? I am afraid to get off the shot because in high school, I would miss up to 5 or 7 days a month because of my extreme heavy periods accompanied by endometreosis, fainting (anemia), severe cramping and so on. On top of this, within the past 3 years I have had food allergies – specifically preservatives and artifitial strawberry flavoring that causes headache and hives, severe heartburn for which I was on Nexium for 8 months accompanied by the most extreme belching day and night, and of course, my bladder issues. I would love some feed back from long-time depo users that report the same syptoms. I am still not convinced that I should stop the depo shot. (It doesn’t help that I am a Chemist by profession. I really need lots of facts before action) P.S. The cranberry really does make things worse for me.
April 14, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Kim, I used to miss a lot of school and work due to my terribly painful periods but since I started taking http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/RaspberryLeaf I don’t even get cramps any longer. I still find it hard to believe that tea cured my cramps. I don’t even use the tea most cycles any longer. When I asked my urologist if the Depo shot could cause my bladder issues, he said perhaps since it’s hormones. I am so glad I went off it; I’m so much healthier. Good luck to you.
March 28, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I have been a religious user of the depo shot for nearly 10 years. I have never been late for or missed a dose. 3 years ago I started having syptoms of an ulcer or severe heartburn or something. I had naseua, belching, chestpain, etc. I was on nexium for 8 months before my symptoms became manageable. I still avoid spicy, flavorful foods though because my bloating and belching and heartburn return. Then I started getting food sensitivities including hives, mouth sores, and migraines form preservatives and artificial sweetners. Then, 2 years ago I started getting frequent, recurring bladder infections. Sometimes I would feel like I had an infection, but the doctor would find nothing to suggest this. I was diagnosed with cystitis and urethritis, a catch-all category for unexplained pain, frequency, inflammation, and/or infection. I have had a steady, faithful relationship for 4 years. There is no other cause for my infections. Cranberry juice and supplements made them worse. I have excellent personal hygiene, I have made necessary life-style changes, and even with all this, I still get the infections and pseudo-infections. I even get them if I haven’t had sex for awhile. If anyone else has had these same ‘side-effects’, please let me know. I am not convinced. What about the depo would cause the bladder problems? I do not want to quit taking the depo. It has absolutely obliterated my endometriosis symptoms. The symptoms were excrutiating. I would get so anemic I would pass out. The cramping would floor me. I would need to change the largest maxi pad every 30 minutes (forget a tampon!) I missed so much school that the authorities got involved. My doctor put me on the shot at a young age as a last resort. I am afraid to quit taking it.
April 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm
For me, I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis while on the Depo shot. I asked over and over if it “could” cause this and my uro and gyno both said no. I didn’t believe them because while on the bc pill, I would have urethral burning. When I stopped taking that, it ended up going away. So, I stopped the Depo. I thought it was Dec. 09 but I really think it was Dec. 08 that I stopped it. (I had A LOT go on in the past two years, almost lost my dad due to an accident, hubby lost job and we had to move out of state, etc. So my memory of everything is just “lost”) and I haven’t taken my meds for IC regularly in a long time. I don’t know if this will “cure” me completely sooner or later, but if I don’t have to take those meds everyday, and have pain anyways, I’ll take not having the depo shot. As for the periods, mine used to get to the point where I would vomit due to the pain, cold sweats too. I’ve been lucky and they haven’t been like that anymore.
I understand the fear of stopping the Depo. I was on it for near 9 or 10 yrs. I was so happy not to have the pain from cramps BUT something “nagged” at me about that shot so I finally got off of it. Bladder wise, I do feel better. I cant say “cured” but definitely better.
Hope you feel better soon.
April 14, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Dawn, I can see why you’d mix up your dates with so much stress in your life. My only symptom that has stayed after going off the Depo is my nervous bladder. When I’m anxious, I pee frequently. I never had that before I was on Depo and it continues now but luckily it’s not that frequent. I will never go back on any birth control.
Hi Stacie, yea its been a lot of stress. Thought I’d give a little update.
Since stopping the Depo whenever it was I did lol,
I still don’t take my meds on a regular basis anymore. Around “that time” I do and it helps slightly. (I have pain the day before and for 3-5 days after)
All the docs that have told me depo nor hormones can cause this are W R O N G! That right there is proof.
I can now eat bananas, small amounts of tomato sauce, and even a small amount of diet soda when I’m not in a flare. All sounds positive to me!
Hope you are doing well
December 2, 2011 at 8:45 am
Had my first depo shot in September of 2011 at age 41 after 2 miscarriages. I just didn’t want to go through it again and traditional birth control has never worked for me. I have not stopped bleeding for 3 months and regret the decision. In the last week, I have had more urges to pee, and about once a week my pee is a little cloudy. I have been a bit incontinent since I had my daughter 7 years ago, but never anything like this. I have never really had UTIs either. Not in my history. Could this be happening after one shot? Is it just my age? Doctors have made my life worse lately, and I am afraid to go. They seem to just brush off my symptoms and questions.
December 2, 2011 at 9:36 am
Since I’m not a doctor, I don’t know how quickly the shot can affect you. I never had UTIs for years after being on the shot (I started Depo in 1999 and my first UTI was in 2006) but it started messing up my health almost immediately in other ways; I just didn’t know that was the cause until I stopped and the health problems went away. I will never go on any hormonal birth control ever again; it’s just not worth messing up my health. I hope you have relief soon.
December 10, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Interesting post. I’m not on Depo but on the pill, and also have food allergies/perfume sensitivities/allergies to pretty much everything. It has been getting worse over time, and after reading this I’m curious if it is because the pill… I’ve been on it for 6 years. I also read being on the pill can increase your sense of smell, causing issues as well. I’m going to speak to my doctor about this and see if there’s some sort of correlation. My sensitivities make me miserable!
December 19, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I had symptoms on the pill, but NOT like I did on Depo. On the pill, I only had urethral burning. I never associated the pill to the burning. Then it took me YEARS to put together the pain and the Depo shot.
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January 31, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Hey there! I’m doing some research on why chemical scents in products is bad, and found your post.
I wanted to comment on your MCS. There’s a condition out there called progesterone induced allergic response or anaphylactoid reaction. Basically, when you’re body is producing progesterone – or you’re on a birth control pill with that in it or causing your body to produce it – you become hypersensitive to just about everything.
It ranges from minor itching to asthmatic attacks to full blown anaphylaxis that means you go to the ED for epinephrine, benadryl and steroids.
Your heartburn is most likely a side effect of that since allergies can make you produce stomach acid like it’s going out of style.
I hope this helps.
February 8, 2009 at 1:03 am
Thanks for the info Leslie!