What Is the Birth Control Shot?

Depo-Provera is a popular and convenient form of contraception. It’s estimated that 20 million women worldwide have used the birth control shot. Despite its widespread use, not all women have had good experiences while on Depo-Provera. Some patients couldn’t tolerate the side effects, and there’s been growing concern about the long-term health risks associated with the birth control shot.

Our law firm would like to cover some basic information about the birth control shot and how Depo-Provera works. We’ll then look at a study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which suggests a link between the birth control shot and an increased risk of intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor.

If you were on Depo-Provera 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.

 

About Birth Control Shots

Birth control shots are hormonal injections that contain medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Depo-Provera is the best-known brand name of this type of injectable contraception. Women are often prescribed either Depo-Provera or Depo-subQ Provera 104.

A Brief History of Injectable Contraception

Medroxyprogesterone acetate was discovered in 1956 by Syntex and the Upjohn Company, the latter of which would be acquired by Pfizer. MPA was originally intended to treat recurrent pregnancy loss and problems with menstruation.

Upjohn introduced MPA to the American market under the brand name Provera in 1959. Upjohn introduced a different formulation in 1960 known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), which was intended to treat kidney and endometrial cancers. DMPA was then released under the brand name Depo-Provera.

The FDA rejected approval of Depo-Provera for contraceptive use in 1967, 1974, and 1983. This was due to concerns over cancer and other long-term health problems. The birth control shot was finally approved by the FDA in 1992. At that point, Depo-Provera was already being used in over 90 other countries.

How Birth Control Shots Work

The birth control shot contains progestin, which is the synthetic form of the naturally occurring reproductive hormone progesterone. Progestins like depot 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.

Are Birth Control Shots Effective?

Yes. On average, Depo-Provera is around 96% effective. In terms of overall effectiveness, this puts the birth control shot roughly on par with the pill, the birth control patch, and the vaginal ring.

On average, the Depo shot is also a little more effective than the use of condoms and diaphragms.

The Benefits and Risks of Injectable Contraception

The biggest benefit of Depo-Provera is its convenience. Many women on the birth control shot appreciate that it only needs to be administered once every three months (12 weeks). This is far easier than taking the pill once a day and refilling prescriptions as soon as they run out.

The biggest risks associated with the birth control shot involve the side effects of Depo-Provera. As previously noted, some women were not able to tolerate the drug’s side effects, and there have been numerous concerns about long-term health problems from using the birth control shot.

Common Side Effects of Birth Control Shots

Whenever a medication affects a person’s hormones, there are bound to be some notable side effects. With the birth control shot, the side effects can change a woman’s cycle as well as other aspects of everyday life.

Side Effects During Periods

While taking the birth control shot, patients may notice the following changes in their cycle:

• More days of bleeding
• Spotting between periods
• Complete lack of periods

It’s estimated that half of Depo-Provera patients stop getting their period while on the birth control shot. This may seem alarming at first, but not having your period at all is considered normal while on the drug.

Other Birth Control Shot Side Effects

Apart from changes in their cycle, women have also reported these side effects while on the birth control shot:

• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Tender breasts
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Acne
• Reduced interest in sex

Many of these other symptoms fade or become more tolerable after two or three months. If any symptoms affect your comfort or quality of life, be sure to speak with your doctor.

Risk of Bone Loss from the Birth Control Shot

Research has also found that using the birth control shot can reduce a patient’s bone density and increase their risk of serious bone fractures. The risk of osteoporosis/bone loss tends to be higher in teenage girls and young women in their twenties who are taking Depo-Provera.

What Happens When You Stop Taking the Birth Control Shot?

When women stop taking the birth control shot, it will take a few months for symptoms to abate and for their cycle to return to normal. Some estimates suggest it can take up to 10 months for a woman’s cycle to return and for the woman to become pregnant. In addition, a woman’s bone density can gradually increase after she stops taking Depo-Provera.

If you are currently on the birth control shot and feel like it’s time to stop, be sure to discuss these matters with your doctor.

Reports About Brain Tumors in Birth Control Shot Patients

In March 2024, the British Medical Journal released a study that showed a possible link between the use of the birth control shot and intracranial meningioma. This study has been a major cause for concern among women who are currently on Depo-Provera as well as women who used the Depo shot decades earlier in their lives.

The BMJ 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 types of progestins. The analysis of 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?

An intracranial meningioma is a type of brain tumor that affects the meninges, the protective membrane of tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Intracranial meningiomas are also known as meningeal tumors.

Most intracranial meningiomas develop slowly and are non-cancerous. These types of tumors tend to be more likely in women than in men, and often occur in older populations.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Intracranial Meningioma

The most common signs and symptoms of intracranial meningiomas 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 notice any combination of these symptoms, particularly seizures, be sure to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. They can help recommend a full screening by a neurologist.

Do Birth Control Shot Warning Labels Mention Intracranial Meningiomas?

No, the risk of meningioma is not on American warning labels for Depo-Provera. Until recently, Pfizer never warned doctors or patients about the potential dangers of developing brain tumors from the use of their injectable contraceptive.

By contrast, 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.

Treatments for Intracranial Meningioma

Thankfully, the vast majority of meningiomas are treatable. Surgical removal of the tumor is often recommended when the symptoms of the condition affect someone’s overall quality of life. If the tumor cannot be completely removed, radiation therapy or, in rare cases, chemotherapy may be used to shrink the cells.

In some cases, immediate treatment of the intracranial meningioma may not be necessary. Doctors may opt for a more conservative approach to care when symptoms are mild, using regular checkups and screenings to determine when other procedures may be necessary.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Brain Tumors Caused by the Birth Control Shot?

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 who were on the birth control shot. Our lawyers can help you hold Pfizer accountable for intracranial meningiomas caused by Depo-Provera.

How Much Can I Win in a Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit?

It depends. The amount you could win varies based on a number of factors, including the nature of your intracranial meningioma diagnosis and the ways the condition has affected your life. Compensation in a birth control injection 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 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 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 lawyers are here to help women who have developed serious neurological health issues while on the birth control shot. We’ll amplify your voice and fight for you.

Did You Use the Birth Control Shot? Learn About Your Legal Options

Many women who were on the birth control shot have questions about their legal options after developing major side effects. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help you learn about potential litigation against the makers of Depo-Provera. We’re here to help. For a free consultation with our intracranial meningioma attorneys, 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.