Does the Depo-Provera Shot Cause Migraines?

Depo-Provera can have different effects on people since the injection alters hormone levels. For some women, the Depo shot can trigger headaches and migraines. For other women, the birth control shot could help manage migraines or make these headaches less severe. Yet a 2024 study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has noted a much more serious health risk from use of the Depo shot: intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor.

Our team would like to explore why Depo-Provera can have different effects on women who suffer from migraines. We’ll then turn our attention to intracranial meningiomas and why so many patients on the birth control shot have been concerned about long-term health effects.

If you were on Depo-Provera or Depo-subQ Provera 104 and developed an intracranial meningioma, 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.

 

What Is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a birth control injection patients take every three months (12 weeks). Women on the Depo shot are prescribed either:

• Depo-Provera
• Depo-subQ Provera 104

With regular use, Depo-Provera is 96% effective as a form of birth control.

Depo-Provera is not just used as a contraceptive. The Depo shot is also prescribed to manage endometriosis symptoms and as part of hormone therapy for women during menopause.

How Does Depo-Provera Work?

Depo-Provera contains progestin (also known as progestogen), which is the synthetic form of the natural reproductive hormone progesterone. Progestin stops ovulation, preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg. With no egg to be fertilized, a woman cannot get pregnant.

The Depo shot does more than prevent ovulation, however.

Progestin also thickens a woman’s cervical mucus, creating another layer of protection against pregnancy. Thicker cervical mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to reach a waiting egg.

Why Depo-Provera Can Both Trigger and Prevent Migraines

Depo-Provera is a hormonal form of contraception that lowers estrogen levels. Reduced estrogen levels can lead to changes in a woman’s cycle, loss of bone density, and other major side effects. These changes in hormones are why some women get migraines while on Depo-Provera, while other women have fewer or less severe migraines while on the birth control shot.

• Changes in a Woman’s Hormones: Fluctuations in hormones can lead to unexpected responses from patients. For some women, lower estrogen levels can trigger migraines or make their migraines much worse. 
• Withdrawal from the Effects of Depo-Provera: Depo shots are taken once every 12 weeks. As the effects of Depo-Provera wear off, hormone levels fluctuate. For some women, this can be a trigger for a migraine.
• Different Individual Reactions to Depo-Provera: Every woman’s body is different. As hormones change, their brains and blood vessels may respond in unexpected ways, resulting in a migraine.

Headaches Are a Common Depo-Provera Side Effect

Many women who’ve used Depo-Provera experience headaches while they’re on the birth control shot. Much of this has to do with fluctuations in hormones as well as individual patient sensitivity to the contraceptive.

Are Migraines Considered a Depo-Provera Side Effect?

It can be a side effect of the Depo shot, but it’s considered a less common side effect than normal headaches. Again, migraine triggers can vary from person to person.

Other Side Effects of Depo-Provera Use

In addition to headaches and possible migraines, other side effects of Depo-Provera use include:

• More days of bleeding during periods
• Spotting between periods
• Complete lack of periods
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Acne
• Loss of interest in sex
• Loss of bone density

Many of these side effects gradually go away after a woman has stopped taking Depo-Provera. However, there is growing concern about meningiomas in birth control shot patients, even if these women stopped using the injectable contraception many years ago.

Depo-Provera and the Risk of Intracranial Meningiomas

A March 2024 study in the British Medical Journal found that women who used the Depo shot were more than five times more likely to develop meningiomas.

The British Medical Journal’s Findings

This BMJ study analyzed numbers from the French National Health Data System about different kinds of progestins. The analysis revealed that the prolonged use of promegestone, medrogestone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate all increased the risks of developing intracranial meningiomas.

According to the BMJ, medroxyprogesterone acetate (the primary progestin in Depo-Provera injections) made patients 555% more likely to develop meningiomas.

Warning Labels for Depo-Provera

Since the study, intracranial meningiomas have been added to European and Canadian warning labels for Depo-Provera. However, meningiomas are still not listed on American warning labels for the Depo shot.

What Is an Intracranial Meningioma?

Intracranial meningiomas are a type of tumor that affects the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This protective tissue is known as the meninges. Meningiomas are also referred to as meningeal tumors.

Intracranial meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor. Roughly 170,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with meningiomas each year. While meningiomas are most commonly found in patients who are middle-aged and older, they can be diagnosed in patients of any age.

Can Intracranial Meningiomas Cause Migraines?

Not often. Regular headaches are a common sign of an intracranial meningioma, though migraines are usually not caused by meningiomas.

However, some meningioma-related headaches are severe and can mimic the symptoms of a true migraine, such as light sensitivity, sensory changes, and nausea.

When meningiomas cause migraine-like headaches, this is often due to increased pressure within the skull, irritation of nearby blood vessels or structures within the brain, and compression of nerves within the skull.

Other Symptoms of Intracranial Meningiomas

In addition to headaches and migraine-like headaches, other warning signs of intracranial meningiomas include:

• 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 experience any of the above symptoms, be sure to speak with your doctor. For any seizures or sudden changes in memory or vision, seek immediate medical attention.

Risk Factors for Intracranial Meningiomas

The exact cause of intracranial meningiomas is still unknown, but it’s worth highlighting these key risk factors. Knowing these risk factors could help women start conversations with their doctors about symptoms and getting screened.

• Radiation Exposure: Previous radiation exposure or any kind of radiation therapy involving the head could increase your risk for intracranial meningioma.
• Female Hormones: There is speculation that female hormones may be a risk factor since intracranial meningiomas are two to three times more common in women than in men. The risks may be even higher when women undergo hormone therapy or use hormonal birth control.
• Genetics/Family History: Patients with a family history of intracranial meningiomas are more at risk. The same is true of people with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare condition that causes tumors to form on nerves, especially nerves in the spine and skull.
• Obesity: Some research suggests that people who are obese are more likely to develop meningiomas. However, it’s not clear why this is the case.

Treatments for Intracranial Meningiomas

Thankfully, most intracranial meningiomas are non-cancerous and treatable. An estimated 92% of meningioma patients will survive their condition for more than five years after an initial diagnosis.

There are multiple options for treatment for an intracranial meningioma.

• Regular Checkups and Monitoring: When symptoms are mild, doctors may take a wait-and-see approach to treatment. These patients will undergo regular checkups and screenings to monitor their meningioma. Treatments will be recommended when the meningioma affects the brain, spine, or nearby blood vessels and nerves.
• Surgical Removal: For intracranial meningiomas that significantly affect a person’s daily life, surgery is the most common treatment. However, complete removal of the tumor may not be possible depending on where the meningioma is located in relation to the spinal cord and the brain.
• Radiation Therapy: When a meningioma cannot be removed or can only be partially removed, doctors may recommend radiation therapy to target the remaining cells of the tumor.
• Chemotherapy: If the meningioma does not respond to surgery or radiation therapy, doctors may recommend chemotherapy to target the remaining cells. Chemo is rarely used to treat this kind of tumor.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Meningiomas Caused by the Depo Shot?

Yes, potentially. Women who’ve been diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma may be able to sue Pfizer if they took the Depo shot earlier in life. The compensation for a legal claim against Pfizer can help cover medical expenses from treating a meningioma and any changes in your overall quality of life.

At Bursor & Fisher, P.A., our lawyers can advocate for women harmed by taking Depo-Provera. Our attorneys can help you hold Pfizer accountable for medical issues that affected your life and livelihood.

How Much Can I Win in a Birth Control Shot Lawsuit?

That depends. Compensation from Depo-Provera litigation will be based on your meningioma diagnosis and the ways the condition has affected your life. Our lawyers will consider:

• Medical bills related to the diagnosis and treatment of your intracranial meningioma
• Lost wages and future income due to the effects of the intracranial meningioma
• Reduced quality of life caused by the development of intracranial meningiomas

As part of your free case evaluation, our Depo-Provera attorneys will review your diagnosis and how it’s impacted your daily life. We can help you understand the true value of your claim.

If You Do Not Have Your Old Depo-Provera Prescription, We Can Find It for You

While many women still take Depo-Provera, there are also plenty of women who used the birth control shot for a brief period decades ago. Most of these women have likely lost or thrown away their prescriptions for the birth control shot. Locating a past prescription can be challenging, especially if the facilities that provided the shots have closed down or moved.

Not to worry. You do not need to have the prescription yourself to qualify for Depo-Provera litigation. Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to help.

Our law firm has investigators who can track down old prescriptions for Depo-Provera and Depo-subQ Provera 104. This includes records from clinics that haven’t been open for years. Our team can do this investigative work so you can focus on getting treatment.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Depo-Provera 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 Depo-Provera Lawyer?

There is no upfront cost to hiring an attorney with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to free consultations, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay our Depo shot lawyers if we can recover money for you.

Our law firm is here to help women who never knew the serious long-term health risks associated with Depo-Provera. Your voice matters, and your health matters. We’re here to make sure you’re heard.

Contact Our Lawyers to Discuss Depo-Provera Litigation

If you’ve been diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma after taking Depo-Provera, the team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. wants to hear from you. For a free case evaluation with our birth control shot lawyers, contact our law firm today.

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.