aside from the usual side effects (bone loss, brain, shrinkage, irritability) you can get blood clots and die. most can't tolerate the side effects.

sFor example, a two-year study of over 5,000 women receiving Depo injections at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains reported: “Of the 5,178 women who received an initial injection, only 57% returned for a second administration; . . . . The overall one-year continuation rate was 23%. The main reason women gave for not returning for subsequent injections was “difficulty tolerating side effects.”

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/critical-condition/282126/depo-provera-what-nyt-did-not-see-fit-print-susan-e-wills

Women who use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection may lose significant bone mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible. … Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection should not be used as a long-term birth control method (i.e., longer than 2 years).

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/critical-condition/282126/depo-provera-what-nyt-did-not-see-fit-print-susan-e-wills

Serious thrombotic events (blood clots), which can lead to cardiac arrest and stroke. Here’s a helpful tip for doctors: “Do not readminister Depo-Provera CI pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision.” Breast cancer: Hormone sensitive breast cancers (which often strike younger women) occur twice as often in women under 35 who have used Depo in the previous four years. After discontinuation, the additional risk diminishes over time. Ectopic pregnancy: Women who become pregnant while using Depo have an increased risk of a potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Depression, irritability, and mood swings are frequent complaints of women discussing their reactions to Depo online, but the drug label does not provide statistics on frequency in actual use (post-trials) other than noting these may occur.

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/critical-condition/282126/depo-provera-what-nyt-did-not-see-fit-print-susan-e-wills
About 130 deaths have been linked to the patch, and over 2,400 women have claimed that the patch caused them to have blood clots that resulted in heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. The doubled risk of these events has resulted in settlements totaling over $68 million. NuvaRing has caused only 40 known deaths so far (per the FDA database), but the manufacturer is facing 730 lawsuits for blood clot-related injuries and deaths.

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/critical-condition/282126/depo-provera-what-nyt-did-not-see-fit-print-susan-e-wills