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Birth Control Shot Side Effects
Depo-Provera is a popular and well-known form of injectable contraception. It’s estimated that 20 million women worldwide have used the birth control shot. While effective, not all women have had positive experiences while using Depo-Provera. The birth control shot has many side effects that cause women to stop taking the contraceptive. In addition, the Depo shot has potentially serious long-term health risks.
Let’s consider some of the most common side effects of the birth control shot. We’ll then look at a 2024 study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and what it says about Depo-Provera use and intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor that can affect memory, speech, and motor function.
If you were on Depo-Provera and developed a brain tumor, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit against Pfizer. The birth control shot lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for legal compensation during a free case review.
About Birth Control Shots and How They Work
Birth control shots are hormonal injections that contain medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The injections are taken every three months (12 weeks) to prevent pregnancy. This differs from oral contraceptives, which have to be taken daily.
Depo-Provera is the brand name of the most popular brand of birth control shot. Many teenage girls and young women appreciated the simplicity of the birth control shot. On average, the Depo shot is 96% effective.
How Progestin Affects Ovulation
The birth control shot contains progestin, which is the synthetic form of the naturally occurring reproductive hormone progesterone. Progestins like medroxyprogesterone acetate are sometimes referred to as progestogens.
Progestin prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries). With no egg present to be fertilized, a woman cannot become pregnant.
In addition to preventing ovulation, progestin also increases the thickness of a woman’s cervical mucus. Thicker cervical mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to reach a waiting egg, creating an additional form of protection against pregnancy
The Most Common Side Effects of Birth Control Shots
Whenever a medication changes a person’s hormones, there are bound to be side effects. With the birth control shot, the side effects can change a woman’s cycle as well as other aspects of her life.
Side Effects During Periods
The birth control shot can have numerous effects on a woman’s cycle, including:
- More days of bleeding
- Spotting between periods
- Lack of periods
It’s estimated that half of birth control shot patients stop getting their period while on Depo-Provera. While this may seem alarming at first, it is considered normal while on the drug.
Additional Side Effects
In addition to effects on a patient’s cycle, women have also reported these side effects while on the birth control shot:
- Headaches
- Weight gain
- Bloating
- Sore breasts
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Acne
- Reduced interest in sex
Risk of Bone Loss
There’s been research to suggest that using Depo-Provera can reduce bone density and cause bone loss. This can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. This risk is higher in teenage girls and women in their early twenties who are on the birth control shot.
How Long Do Birth Control Shot Side Effects Last?
This varies from patient to patient. For some women on the birth control shot, minor side effects may last just two to three months. For other patients, the minor side effects will continue while they are on Depo-Provera.
If the current side effects of the birth control shot drastically affect your quality of life, speak with your doctor about your issues. They will be able to advise you on what’s best for your health. Your doctor may even suggest that you stop taking the birth control shot and discuss other options for contraception.
Will Side Effects Go Away After I Stop Using the Birth Control Shot?
Yes, though it can take some time for the full effects of the birth control shot to wear off. For some women who stop taking Depo-Provera, it can take up to 10 months before their normal cycle returns. Over time, patients can also experience improvements in bone density after they’re off the Depo shot.
Be sure to discuss any concerns about persistent side effects and any lingering changes from the Depo shot with your doctor.
Potential Links Between Birth Control Shots and Brain Tumors
In March 2024, the British Medical Journal noted another potential health issue associated with Depo-Provera, raising concerns about its safety.
The Study on Birth Control Injections and Intracranial Meningioma
The study published in the BMJ used information from the French National Health Data System to analyze different kinds of progestins. The data revealed that the prolonged use of promegestone, medrogestone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased the chances of developing intracranial meningiomas.
According to the BMJ, medroxyprogesterone acetate (the primary progestin in the birth control shot) made patients 555% more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas.
What Is an Intracranial Meningioma?
Meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor. Approximately 170,000 people are diagnosed with meningiomas in the United States every year. Intracranial meningiomas develop in your meninges, the protective membranes of tissue that cover the brain and the spinal cord.
These kinds of meningiomas are more common in older patients and are three times more likely to develop in women than in men.
Thankfully, most intracranial meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous) and treatable. Approximately 92% of meningioma patients will survive their condition for more than five years after their initial diagnosis.
Common Warning Signs of Intracranial Meningioma
Some of the most common symptoms and warning signs of intracranial meningioma include:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Paralysis in certain parts of the body
- Loss of smell
- Memory loss
- Seizures
If you took Depo-Provera in the past and have noticed any of the above symptoms, be sure to speak with your doctor about getting screened by a neurologist.
Screenings for Intracranial Meningioma
To detect an intracranial meningioma, specialists will usually start with a neurological exam. This helps assess a patient’s condition and note any other potential symptoms. The neurologist can also discuss past use of the birth control shot and any family history of brain tumors.
The neurologist will also conduct a CT scan or an MRI scan. These imaging tests provide detailed cross-sectional views of the brain and spine. If necessary, a biopsy may be performed to confirm that the growth is an intracranial meningioma and not another type of brain tumor.
Treatments for Intracranial Meningioma
If you develop an intracranial meningioma and it causes major issues with your quality of life, some form of treatment will be required. The most common treatment options for this type of brain tumor include:
- Surgical Removal of the Tumor: For growing meningiomas that cause major symptoms, surgical removal is often recommended. Complete removal of the brain tumor may not be possible, however, depending on where the meningioma is located in relation to the spinal cord and the base of the brain.
- Radiation Therapy for the Tumor: When the intracranial meningioma cannot be surgically removed or can only be partially removed, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy to destroy the remaining cells of the brain tumor.
- Chemotherapy for the Tumor: If the brain tumor does not respond to surgery or radiation therapy, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy to target the intracranial meningioma. Chemo is rarely used to treat this kind of brain tumor.
Not all intracranial meningiomas require invasive treatment. If your symptoms are minor and do not adversely affect your daily activities, your doctor may monitor symptoms and take a conservative approach to treatment. Regular checkups and screenings can help note the growth of the meningioma and determine if treatment is needed.
Do Depo-Provera Warning Labels Mention Intracranial Meningiomas?
Until recently, Pfizer never warned doctors or patients about the potential dangers of developing brain tumors from the use of their injectable contraceptive.
In December 2025, the FDA finally added a safety warning to U.S. Depo-Provera labels about the increased risk of brain tumors, specifically intracranial meningiomas. Before December 2025, brain tumors and meningiomas were not mentioned on American warning labels for the birth control injection. The addition of this language was prompted by the numerous lawsuits against Pfizer filed by American Depo shot patients.
European warning labels for Depo-Provera cite an increased risk of intracranial meningioma from using the birth control shot. Canadian warning labels also cite the risk of intracranial meningiomas.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Brain Tumors Caused by Birth Control Injections?
Potentially, yes. You may be able to sue Pfizer if you used Depo-Provera earlier in life and eventually developed an intracranial meningioma. The compensation from your case can be used to cover the cost of treating the brain tumor, managing any symptoms, and addressing any effects the condition has on your daily life.
Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to be an advocate for women on Depo-Provera. Our attorneys can help you hold Pfizer accountable for intracranial meningiomas caused by the birth control shot.
How Much Can I Win in a Birth Control Shot Brain Tumor Lawsuit?
The amount you could win varies based on multiple factors, including the nature of your intracranial meningioma diagnosis and the ways the condition has affected your life. Compensation in a birth control shot case will help cover:
- Medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of your intracranial meningioma
- Loss of income and future earnings caused by your intracranial meningioma
- Changes in your quality of life associated with the development of intracranial meningiomas
As part of your free case evaluation, our birth control shot lawyers will review the different ways your brain tumor has affected your life. Our attorneys will then let you know how your experiences may affect the value of your Depo-Provera claim.
If You Do Not Have Your Old Depo-Provera Prescription, We Can Find It for You
Many women took the birth control shot when they were much younger. It can take decades for an intracranial meningioma to develop. During that period of time, women likely threw away their old prescriptions, and the medical facilities that administered the shots may have moved or closed down.
Accessing old prescription records can be challenging, but our law firm can help. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has investigators who can track down an old Depo-Provera prescription. Even if the clinic no longer exists, our team can find these records for you.
You do not need to have the prescription yourself to qualify for the birth control shot lawsuit. Women can trust our team to locate this information as we work on your claim.
Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Birth Control Shot Brain Tumor Lawsuit
Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. Our law firm has offices located in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008, our lawyers have represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.
Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex lawsuits throughout the country. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Birth Control Shot Attorney?
There is no upfront cost to hiring an attorney with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.
In addition to offering free claim evaluations to Depo-Provera patients, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our attorneys anything unless and until we can recover money for you.
Our law firm is here to help women on the birth control shot seek justice. You can trust our Depo-Provera attorneys to amplify your voice so your stories can be heard.
Contact Our Law Firm to Learn About Birth Control Shot Lawsuits
If you’ve developed an intracranial meningioma after using the birth control shot, our lawyers want to hear from you. To request a free consultation with our Depo-Provera brain tumor attorneys, contact us today. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is ready to help you.
Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.