Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a birth control drug, administered through an injection and is effective for up to 3 months per shot. Since it is a long-term birth control method, many women take it when they do not want to deal with the daily intake of pills.
However, while effective in preventing pregnancies, it can lead to severe side effects, mainly if you use it for many years. Depo-Provera can lead to a loss in bone mass density, depression, and obesity. If you are suffering from health issues due to the use of this contraceptive, you might be eligible for compensation through the ongoing Depo-Provera lawsuit against Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer.
In this blog, we’ll explore the long-term complications of Depo-Provera and how you can join a lawsuit to seek compensation.
Low Bone Density and Osteoporosis Threat
Long-term use of Depo-Provera has been linked to significant Bone Mineral Density (BMD) loss. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Depo-Provera lowers estrogen levels, increasing bone resorption.
This leads to the removal of bone tissues faster than they are produced. Bone density loss is paramount in adolescents and young women with ongoing bone growth and whose attainment of peak bone mass is inhibited. Peak bone mass is a strong predictor of bone health and your ability to withstand fractures in the future.
Recent research has shown that BMD loss is dose-dependent with prolonged use of Depo-Provera. For example, Depo-Provera use leads to a loss of 5.7–7.5% BMD in the hip and spine after two years and above 5.2–5.4% after five years.
While some recovery of BMD is possible when you stop using Depo-Provera, complete recovery is not possible. This is so for those using Depo-Provera for an extended time. Recovery also varies depending on the site. The lumbar spine has the most significant bounce back in BMD compared with the hip.
The relationship between Depo-Provera and osteoporosis has been a significant focus of recent studies. Lower BMD is a well-established risk for fractures. Women who have been using Depo-Provera for extended periods have a higher risk of obtaining fractures.
The FDA advises that you should only use Depo-Provera for no longer than 2 years unless no other contraceptive is appropriate. You are also advised to check your bone health periodically, especially if you have other risk factors. For adolescents or young women, initial BMD assessments may help you decide. The ACOG says that you should modify your lifestyle to prevent further loss of BMD. This includes weight-bearing exercises and taking adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
Changes in Your Menstrual Cycle and Reproductive Health
While on Depo-Provera in the initial stages, women experience some light brown or red spotting in between periods. Some may experience prolonged or heavy bleeding, while others experience light bleeding. This irregular bleeding is due to the endometrial changes caused by Depo-Provera. The effects may remain in your body as it adapts to the progestin injected into you.
When they cease using Depo-Provera, the woman may take several months to regain her regular menstrual cycle and fertility. The delay is different for different people. It depends on factors such as duration of use and hormone metabolism.
Some women regain their normal cycle as early as two months, a year, or more. This delayed recovery of ovulation and fertility can cause stress, especially for women who want to conceive. Long-term use of Depo-Provera also affects reproductive health. Studies suggest a reduction in the number of ovaries or a disturbance of hormones. This could make tracking your ovulation and determining the best time to try to conceive difficult.
Doctors and pharmacists warn women about possible side effects of Depo-Provera. Other birth control methods may be suggested if there are hormonal side effects.
Intracranial Meningiomas
The link between Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and intracranial meningiomas has been a concern in recent epidemiological studies. Intracranial meningiomas are benign tumors that originate from the meninges. Meninges are the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord. They are grouped by their site of origin, behavior, and pathophysiology. This includes hormonal receptors and mutations.
Recent research has shown that the use of progestin contraceptives such as Depo-Provera increases the risk of meningiomas in a dose-related matter. A 2023 study observed more women with spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOM). This high incidence is due to the possibility of these tumors being hormone-dependent. This is so for long-term use of progesterone injection.
In 2024, similar studies were conducted. They showed that women who had been using Depo-Provera for more than one year were at a high risk of obtaining intracranial meningiomas. Activation of progesterone receptors encouraged tumor development in hormone-sensitive meningiomas.
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Challenges in Managing SOM
Spheno-orbital meningiomas are challenging to manage. Due to their location near the orbit and sphenoid bone, they involve vital neurovascular structures. These tumors can compress the optic nerve and adjacent structures of the brain, resulting in vision impairment, double vision, seizures, and headaches.
SOMs are located in difficult-to-reach areas, requiring advanced imaging and specialized surgical techniques for examination and treatment. Surgical removal may be challenging, as the probability of damaging other tissues surrounding the organ could impede the complete removal of the tumor.
If surgery is not possible, stereotactic radiosurgery can be an alternative approach; however, the problem of recurrence persists.
Depression and Mood Disorders
Depression and mood swings are other long-term side effects of using Depo-Provera. This is due to Depo-Provera’s impact on the brain's hormonal system. Fluctuations in the progesterone concentration affect neurotransmitter activity, decreasing serotonin synthesis, an essential mood regulator.
A close check on the patient’s well-being in the initial months after administration of Depo-Provera is advised. If the patient exhibits a bad temper, continuous sadness, or sleep disturbances, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Changing the type of contraception or undergoing counseling or antidepressant treatment may be helpful. Based on these risks, you should consider the effects of Depo-Provera on your mental health by consulting a healthcare provider.
Blood Clotting
Depo-Provera has been reported to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A study conducted in 2010 shows that women who use Depo-Provera are 3.6 times more likely to have DVT as compared to those who do not use hormonal contraceptives.
This is due to synthetic progestins' interference with blood clotting mechanisms. Progestin changes clotting factors, leading to increased thrombosis risk. DVT is characterized by the formation of blood clots in deep veins, especially in the legs or pelvis.
These clots can partially or entirely obstruct blood flow, leading to pain, heat, and swelling in the affected part. If not treated, portions of the clot could break off, leading to a fatal condition known as pulmonary embolism. This makes VTE the third most common cause of cardiovascular death worldwide.
While it is true that estrogen-containing contraceptives pose a more significant risk of blood clotting than progestin contraceptives like Depo-Provera, the progestin contraceptive has also been observed to pose a high risk of clot formation, particularly when in use for an extended period.
Changes in the Functioning of your Liver
Medroxyprogesterone acetate in Depo-Provera may lead to liver issues. These include jaundice, altered liver enzymes, and acute liver injury. Depo-Provera alters the hormonal regulations of hepatic metabolism. Liver enzymes elevate when the body is under stress or when the liver is injured. If left untreated, the condition could worsen.
Depo-Provera side effects are said to be worse in women with liver disease, including hepatitis or fatty liver disease. Depo-Provera may also cause benign or malignant liver tumors if the use is long-term. Liver enzyme elevation could return to normal once the contraceptive is discontinued, allowing the liver to regenerate.
Signs that might indicate a problem while on Depo-Provera include jaundice, fatigue, or dark urine. Healthcare providers advise that long-term users should undergo periodic liver function tests. Especially for patients with risk factors such as obesity, alcoholism, or viral hepatitis.
Vision Changes
If you use Depo-Provera for an extended period, you could experience vision changes. These changes include retinal vein occlusion (RVO). This condition is caused by a blood clot obstructing the vein through which blood flows out of the retina. This may result in blurry vision or blindness.
Women who have used Depo-Provera for an extended period may be at a high risk of obtaining RVO. This is because Depo-Provera leads to the formation of blood clots. The blockage could lead to swelling of the retina. It could also lead to neovascular glaucoma or retinal detachment if not treated.
Symptoms of RVO include blurred vision, more floaters in the eye, flashes of light, or a complete loss of vision. If symptoms occur, the patient should seek medical help immediately. Management of retinal complications may require:
- An injection with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF).
- Laser therapy to address abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Vitrectomy to replace the damaged retina.
Early diagnosis through specialized imaging tools such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fluorescein angiography can help prevent and control these complications. Regular eye checkups are recommended to identify and manage risks. Women with hypertension, diabetes, or a history of clotting disorders are at a high risk for vision changes.
Elevated Risks of Certain Cancers
Long-term use of Depo-Provera has been linked to increased risk of breast and cervical cancer. Research findings indicate that the extent of the increased risk of developing breast cancer depends on the time and age that Depo-Provera was taken.
Women who started using the contraceptive at a young age and those who recently began using it are the most vulnerable. Medroxyprogesterone acetate targets the gene regulatory network in breast cancer cells.
Studies show that extended hormonal fluctuations may also raise the risk of cervical dysplasia. This refers to a precancerous state that leads to cervical cancer. This aligns with Depo-Provers’s warning label, which emphasizes regular breast and cervical cancer monitoring during prolonged use. Users who are worried about cancer risks should constantly be screened and consult their physicians.
Allergic Reactions and Hair Growth Changes
Depo-Provera could lead to a myriad of hair and skin diseases, especially for women who have been using this type of birth control method for many years. It could lead to excessive hair growth, also known as hirsutism. In others, it might result in alopecia (hair loss on the scalp). These side effects could make a woman feel more self-conscious and have low self-esteem.
Depo-Provera may lead to acne or changes in the skin density. If you have oily skin, you could suffer even more breakouts. You could also suffer skin irritation. These effects can be hard to manage, especially for young women or those with sensitive skin.
Even after stopping the use of Depo-Provera, the changes in your skin could persist for some time. This is so until your hormones return to their normal balance.
Obesity and Alterations in Your Body Mass
Another common long-term side effect of Depo-Provera is weight gain. Women who use this birth control method gain weight in the long term. In some cases, this weight gain starts immediately after the injection; in others, it might be several months before they can experience weight gain.
The progestin injected into you can cause weight gain around the abdominal and hip regions. This is because the contraceptive affects your metabolism and increases your appetite. This results in an increase in calorie intake. The components of this birth control can change the rate at which your body stores and uses fat. This could result in your body retaining more fat, hence the weight gain in the long term.
When some women use Depo-Provera, they claim to be hungry all the time. In turn, their calorie intake increases, leading to weight gain in the long run. It could be hard to shed this weight gain after using this birth control method for a long time. This is because, with increased amounts of progesterone, your body may take time to balance the hormones to initiate the shedding of excess weight.
Weight gain could lead to other health issues, such as diabetes. It could also lead to deterioration of your mental well-being and feelings of low self-esteem. Healthcare providers advise against the use of Depo-Provera if you have a history of obesity in your family.
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Side Effects After Ceasing its Use
The effects of Depo-Provera may persist even after ceasing its use. This depends on the woman’s health and the time used. Depo-Provera causes a progressively decreasing BMD, and since the bones of young people are still growing, they are more vulnerable to osteoporosis and fractures. Recovery of BMD is partial.
Fertility may take as long as 10 months to regain normalcy, which can be inconvenient for those who wish to conceive soon after coming off the drug. Depo-Provera can lead to vision problems ranging from blurred vision to complete blindness. This is caused by the formation of blood clots in the veins leading to the eyes. Blindness is not reversible, and you will have to stay in that condition forever.
Depo-Provera is also associated with an increased risk of meningiomas, which are benign brain tumors. The relative risk for long-term Depo-Provera users was 5.6. While most of them are benign, their growth can lead to significant neurological symptoms.
After stopping its use, recovery from the effects of Depo-Provera varies from one individual to another.
Alternative Birth Control Methods
If you are worried about the side effects of Depo-Provera, you should consider other birth control methods. These work differently and have minor risks as compared to Depo-Provera. For example, hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices are effective contraceptives. They do not require frequent injections.
Hormonal IUDs release progestin straight into the uterus, making their side effects negligible. Copper IUDs, on the other hand, do not use hormones at all; therefore, the complications are minimal.
Combined estrogen-progestin and progestin-only oral contraceptives are another option. They have a shorter half-life than Depo-Provera. This means that the side effects are reversible once you stop using the pills.
Other hormonal birth control methods include pills, implants, and patches. These methods are easy to cease or remove from the body. The changes they cause in your body are also reversible with these kinds of contraceptives.
Find a Depo-Provera Lawsuit Attorney Near Me
Depo-Provera can result in severe long-term effects, with some, such as loss of bone mass density, being irreversible. You want to research and gain sufficient information about this contraceptive to make an informed decision on your choice of birth control method.
If you already use it and are suffering from these long-term complications, you should consult a mass tort attorney to evaluate your eligibility for compensation. While this contraceptive has been used for a long time, Pfizer (Depo-Provera manufacturer) might be liable for the damages caused to the victims, by failing to warn victims about the potential long-term side effects of the drug.
We at Consumer Alert Now can help you join the Depo-Provera lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer. Contact us at 800-511-0747 for case evaluation and advice on the way forward.
