Depo-Provera, a birth control shot used by many women in the United States, has come under serious scrutiny for potential health risks linked to its use. Many lawsuits allege that the main ingredient, medroxyprogesterone acetate, increases the risk of developing brain tumors, such as intracranial meningiomas. There are also claims that Pfizer, Inc., the company that makes the drug, knew or should have known about these risks but failed to inform users properly.

If your doctor has diagnosed you with a brain tumor after prolonged use of Depo-Provera, you may be eligible for compensation. You can join a mass tort and take legal action against Pfizer for the damages you have suffered.

An Overview of Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is a popular brand name for Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. This reversible contraceptive method, called the shot, was initially introduced in the U.S. in 1959 to help with menstrual management. Healthcare providers administer this injection once every three months.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate also comes in a lower dose known as Depo-SubQ Provera 104. Unlike Depo-Provera, which your physician injects deep into the muscle, physicians inject Depo-SubQ Provera 104 under the skin.

How Does it Work?

Depo Provera releases the DMPA hormone, a type of progestin. This hormone prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus, which helps stop sperm from fertilizing eggs. A healthcare provider can give DMPA as an intramuscular shot. For effectiveness, users must take the shot every twelve weeks.

Depo-Provera is an intramuscular injection that provides 150mg of progestin in one shot. The Depo-subQ Provera 104 injections use smaller needles and lower doses of progestin (104 mg) compared to the intramuscular version. Because they use smaller needles, the shots could be less painful and may be self-administered at home.

What are Brain Tumors?

A brain tumor (also called an intracranial tumor) is a cluster of abnormal cells that grow in or around your brain. Over a hundred types of tumors develop in the human brain.

Most brain tumors are benign. They usually grow slower than malignant ones and do not spread to nearby tissues. Benign tumors have clear edges and are not embedded in the brain, making surgical removal easier if they are in a safe spot. While some tumors can return after removal, benign tumors are less likely to do so compared to malignant tumors.

Benign tumors may not cause any symptoms or long-term problems. However, they can still be serious and potentially life-threatening based on:

  • Their location in the brain
  • Their size
  • Whether they are pressing on other brain areas
  • If they disrupt blood flow or cerebrospinal fluid in the nervous system

Some examples of benign brain tumors include:

  • Meningioma
  • Pituitary adenoma

Malignant primary brain tumors originate in brain cells. About a third of brain tumors are malignant, which means they:

  • May grow quickly
  • Have irregular borders
  • Easily spread to surrounding tissues and other parts of your body

Examples of malignant brain tumors include:

  • Chordoma
  • Medulloblastoma

Secondary or metastatic brain tumors start in another part of the body, like the lungs, breasts, or kidneys, and then spread to the brain. This spread, called metastasis, happens when cancer cells detach from the original tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and reach other organs. Secondary brain tumors are about three to ten times more common than primary brain tumors and are always cancerous.

Brain tumors can harm normal brain tissue by destroying it, pressing on it, or causing increased pressure inside the skull. Symptoms depend on the type, size, and location of the tumor. Common symptoms include:

  • Worsening headaches, especially in the morning
  • Seizures
  • Speech difficulties, like struggling to find words
  • Stumbling, dizziness, and trouble walking
  • Weakness on one side of the body
  • Vision issues and unusual eye movements
  • Increased pressure in the skull that causes drowsiness, nausea, headaches, vomiting, and slow responses.

The Connection Between Brain Tumors and Depo-Provera

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Depo-Provera in 1992. While many have used it without any problems, some studies have raised concerns about the possible side effects, especially related to brain tumors, especially meningiomas.

A study from France, published by The BMJ, reveals that prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone medications may increase the likelihood of developing brain tumors called intracranial meningiomas.

This research is the first to examine the risks linked to progestogens used by millions of women globally.  Progestogens mimic the natural hormone progesterone and are commonly prescribed for several conditions. These include:

  • Endometriosis
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Menopausal hormone therapy
  • Contraception

The findings indicated that using promegestone, medrogestone, and the injectable contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate for a long time raised the risk of intracranial meningioma. In contrast, using any of these progestogens for less than a year did not show an increased risk of meningioma.

Researchers do not fully understand what causes meningiomas. However, they believe that the connection between Depo Provera and meningioma may be due to its high amounts of synthetic progestin, which mimics progesterone. Meningiomas have hormone receptors, especially for progesterone and estrogen. Hormones can promote tumor growth when they activate these receptors. Research indicates long-term exposure to high progesterone levels might activate these receptors, leading to meningioma growth.

Moreover, studies suggest a "dose-response" relationship with Depo Provera. More doses mean a higher risk of meningioma. These studies suggest that repeated exposure to synthetic progestin raises the chances of developing these brain tumors.

An Overview of Meningiomas

Meningiomas are the most dominant type of intracranial tumor, which accounts for over one-third of all primary tumors in the body’s central nervous system (CNS). They are benign. However, even non-cancerous tumors can pose health risks. These include:

  •  
  • Seizures
  • Vision issues
  • Cognitive impairments

In some cases, they may become cancerous, requiring aggressive treatments like:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy

A tumor can sometimes affect your ability to perform your daily tasks. You may also experience pain, discomfort, and emotional stress from the tumor or the surgery needed to treat it.

Removing tumors through brain surgery carries significant risks, such as possible injury to surrounding tissues. Furthermore, if you need this type of surgery, you could face substantial medical bills. Even if the surgery is successful, patients may still face issues like chronic headaches or the need for long-term medication. Recovery can take months, and patients need regular check-ups to make sure the tumor does not come back.

If using Depo-Provera caused your brain tumor, you deserve compensation for the harm you suffered. Filing a brain tumor suit can assist you in securing the necessary compensation.

Factors That May Increase the Risk of Brain Tumors

Some factors can influence the chances of developing brain tumors in Depo-Provera users. A risk factor is anything that raises your chances of developing a disease, like a brain tumor. Most brain tumors do not have known risk factors and often have no clear cause. Still, a few factors can increase the risk of brain tumors. These factors include:

Radiation Exposure

Past exposure to ionizing radiation (such as from radiation therapy) is a recognized risk factor for meningiomas. Nowadays, most brain tumors caused by radiation happen in people who had radiation treatment to the head for other cancers, especially those treated for leukemia as children. Using Depo-Provera may increase the risk for women who already have this history.

Genetic Factors

Certain people may have a genetic tendency to develop meningiomas or other types of tumors. A family background of brain tumors might suggest that you have inherited a genetic mutation associated with this problem. Some genetic disorders can heighten the risk of brain tumors. These include:

The Duration of Use

Using Depo-Provera for a long time significantly increases the risk of intracranial meningiomas. Women who use it for a year or more face a higher risk than those who use it for a shorter period.

Age

Older women might have a higher chance of developing meningiomas. The occurrence of these tumors increases with age, especially after 45. Using Depo-Provera may add to this age-related risk.

Dosage

The total amount of progestogens taken may relate to a greater risk of tumors. Doctors administer Depo-Provera every three months, providing a high dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Continuous use over time results in more prolonged exposure, which raises the probability of developing tumors.

Hormone Sensitivity

Meningiomas respond to hormones, particularly progesterone. Women who are more sensitive to hormones or have a history of hormone-related issues may face a higher risk when using Depo-Provera. These include conditions like hormone-sensitive breast cancer or endometriosis.

Existing Conditions

Women with small or undiagnosed meningiomas may find that existing benign tumors grow or become problematic with extended hormone exposure.

Simultaneous Hormonal Therapies

Taking Depo-Provera with other hormonal treatments might increase the total amount of synthetic hormones in the body. This higher level of hormones could raise the chance of developing meningiomas.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Some studies indicate that women with a higher BMI may react more strongly to hormonal changes. This reaction could affect the risk of tumors.

Household and Occupational Exposures

Many individuals come into contact with cancer-causing substances at their jobs. Certain professions have a higher risk of developing brain tumors, such as:

  • Firefighters
  • Chemists
  • Farmers
  • Doctors
  • Workers in power generation, petrochemicals, synthetic rubber, or agricultural chemicals.

It is unclear if exposure to solvents, rubber, or vinyl chloride raises this risk. Additionally, air pollution and residing near landfills can also lead to a higher risk of developing brain tumors.

Seeking Legal Redress After Suffering Depo-Provera Brain Tumor

If you or your loved one has a brain tumor that is related to Depo-Provera product usage, you might have several ways to seek compensation. Specific legal procedures make it easier and faster for many victims to get justice for similar injuries.

Here are some options you can choose from:

Join a Multi-District Litigation (MDL)

You can also participate in an MDL. This litigation proceeding combines several cases with a judge presiding over each case. Each lawsuit will stay distinct, but one court handles the pre-trial proceedings to make decisions easier. These cases usually include a bellwether trial. Bellwether cases in mass tort lawsuits are test jury trials used to see how jurors respond to the evidence and arguments presented.

Join a Class Action Lawsuit

You can also choose to file a class action lawsuit. This case occurs when a group with similar claims files one case together. Only a few plaintiffs are involved directly, and they act on behalf of the whole group. When the drug manufacturing companies accept liability, they settle all claims through negotiations.

Class actions and MDLs can help you receive a settlement without attending court alone. You will have little responsibility if you are not a lead plaintiff or your matter is not picked as a test case in the MDL. However, you will also have no control over the settlement discussions or court decisions.

When the class action or MDL settles, you will receive a share of the entire settlement the drug manufacturing company decides to settle. However, you must give up all other claims related to the same issue.

The amount you obtain will usually depend on factors like the seriousness of your damages. For example, individuals with more severe complications from Depo-Provera usually receive higher settlement amounts. These amounts depend on a procedure the parties established during initial talks.

Ultimately, you must determine which option is best for maximizing your compensation. You can consult an attorney with experience in these litigations before deciding on a legal strategy for your claim.

Filing an Individual Claim

Filing a lawsuit means you will need to do the following:

  • Build your case
  • Bring in expert witnesses
  • Negotiate with the drug manufacturer.
  • Argue your case in court

If you choose this route, a skilled attorney can help you to gather evidence and manage the legal process.

Join a Mass Tort

A mass tort lawsuit is a legal action handled in state or federal court. Mass tort cases happen when many people sustain injuries from using Depo-Provera. Large groups of victims can then work with a mass tort lawyer to seek justice and compensation.

A "tort" refers to a wrongful act that causes harm to someone, while a "mass tort" involves harm to many people. Mass torts often result from wrongful actions by large companies that affect many individuals.

Mass tort cases allow a group of plaintiffs to file a claim against one or more responsible parties to seek compensation for damages caused by negligence. In these cases, defendants may include individuals or organizations that caused injury to many people after using a single product.

Although people use the terms mass torts or class actions interchangeably, these processes differ. Class action suits group all plaintiffs into one "class," while mass torts treat each plaintiff as a separate individual.

You can join a mass tort lawsuit depending on the case's status and the number of participants. If the case is new and lawyers are not yet working on several related lawsuits, you can contact a mass tort lawyer to see if you could start a case, especially if the same product or drug has harmed others. If a case is already underway, you should contact the lawyers involved.

Some benefits for plaintiffs in mass torts include:

  1. You share legal costs—In mass tort lawsuits, multiple plaintiffs share the costs of legal representation. Additionally, lawyers often work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are only paid if you win money from a settlement or court decision.
  2. You can achieve justice faster by combining different methods in a mass tort lawsuit. Consolidating cases into a mass tort lawsuit can benefit courts, plaintiffs, and lawyers. Mass tort cases generally take much less time than if each plaintiff pursued them separately.
  3. Lawyers working on mass tort cases can join forces. Plaintiffs benefit from their personal lawyers and other lawyers' expertise in the case. By leveraging the collective experience and knowledge of the group, lawyers can develop stronger arguments and strategies. They can also share resources, further enhancing the case's strength. The idea of "strength in numbers" is especially true for mass tort lawsuits.
  4. The mass tort lawsuit will highlight your distinct situation, allowing you to share your story. This lawsuit helps many plaintiffs seek accountability from those who caused them harm.

Find a Mass Tort Lawsuit Near Me

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor from Depo-Provera, you might be eligible to take part in a mass tort to obtain the compensation you deserve. Consumer Alert Now can connect you with a mass tort attorney who can represent you and fight for your compensation. Call us today at 800-511-0747 to speak to one of our representatives.