The Risks of Taking Depo-Provera for More Than Two Years

If you’ve been taking the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera for more than two years, you may be at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, meningioma, and other conditions. Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become brittle and prone to breaks. Meningioma is a tumor in the meningeal tissue of the brain. Both have been linked to prolonged use of Depo-Provera.

If you have developed osteoporosis, a meningioma, or another related condition after taking Depo-Provera, you may be eligible to join a Depo-Provera mass tort lawsuit. A Depo-Provera lawyer can help.

What Is Depo-Provera?

A hormonal contraceptive alternative to oral or intrauterine device types of birth control, Depo-Provera is a brand name for Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). It is a commonly prescribed injectable hormonal birth control. It contains a hormone called progestin and is used to prevent pregnancy. It’s typically given as a birth control shot every 12 weeks in order to maintain efficacy.

Women who have had the following should avoid taking Depo-Provera or speak with their doctor before beginning it:

Vaginal bleeding that is unexplainable
Breast cancer or those who are at higher risk for breast cancer
Liver disease
Medical history of heart disease or strokes
A history of depression

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What Can Happen If You Take Depo-Provera for More Than Two Years?

Many women may use Depo-Provera for years without developing issues. However, clinical studies have shown that prolonged use has been linked to an increased risk of developing intracranial meningioma, osteoporosis, and other conditions.

Common Side Effects

As with any prescription medication, there are risks of side effects when taking Depo-Provera. Common side effects include:

Irregular menstrual periods
Abdominal pain
Weight gain
Headaches
Nervousness
Depression
In very rare cases, a serious allergic reaction may occur

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition where the body loses more bone tissue than it can replace, causing bones to become brittle and weak. People living with osteoporosis are often unaware of the condition until they experience a broken bone, which can happen under mild conditions. Though bones will break after they fall, someone suffering from osteoporosis could experience a broken bone after something as innocuous as a sneeze or cough.

Symptoms of bone mineral density loss include:

Back pain
Loss of height over time
Stooped or hunched posture

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What Is Meningioma?

Meningioma is a generally benign brain tumor that forms on the meninges (a protective layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). Despite being benign, it can still cause debilitating symptoms as it grows due to it adding pressure to the brain and surrounding nerves.

Meningioma is typically a slow-growing tumor, which means that symptoms may not develop until it is large enough to cause pressure. Symptoms of meningioma include:

Hearing loss and ringing in the ears
Loss of smell
Vision issues, including blurring or doubling
Headaches, especially ones that are worse in the earlier hours of the day
Confusion and memory loss
Difficulty speaking
Weakness or numbness in your limbs
Seizures

If you have experienced a sudden onset of seizures or vision loss, you should seek emergency medical care.

Additional Issues of Meningiomas

While meningiomas are often benign tumors, in some cases, you may develop a Grade 2 or Grade 3 meningioma. Grade 2 meningioma has a higher chance of recurring after removal, and Grade 3 is considered a malignant tumor due to its fast-growing nature.

Treatment of Meningioma

If you have been diagnosed with a meningioma, your doctor may decide that no treatment is immediately necessary. This is often the case when the tumor is particularly small or slow-moving. However, depending on the location and risk factors of the tumor, you may need:

Surgery to remove the tumor
Radiation therapy
In some rare cases, chemotherapy may also be used when surgery or radiation therapy has not been successful

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What Other Conditions May Develop After Prolonged Use of Depo-Provera?

Hormonal birth control can also cause hormonal changes, including a delayed return to fertility once you have stopped taking it. You may also experience mood changes, such as depression. If depression is sudden or worsening, you should contact your healthcare provider right away.

Additionally, women who may have a higher risk of breast cancer, such as a family history, may also be at increased risk of developing breast cancer from prolonged use of Depo-Provera.

If you’ve taken Depo-Provera as a form of birth control for more than two years and have developed any of the symptoms of meningioma, you should seek medical attention.

If You Have Developed Meningioma After Taking Depo-Provera, What Options Do You Have?

If you have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you may be frightened of what the future has to hold for you. You may also be dealing with the pain and stress of symptoms, as well as the stress of financial bills from the diagnosis and treatment of the tumor.

However, there may be legal options available to you. Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to assess the risks associated with their products and to properly warn consumers of these potential risks. Currently, lawsuits are being brought against Depo-Provera for the increased risk of meningioma development to customers who have used this birth control.

To qualify for a Depo-Provera lawsuit, you or a loved one must have:

Received at least two shots of Depo-Provera, Depo‐SubQ Provera, or an authorized generic from Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Greenstone LLC, A‐S Medication Solutions, Prasco Laboratories, or Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Been diagnosed with a meningioma (brain tumor)

What Can Be Recovered in a Depo-Provera Case?

Meningioma may mean surgeries, extensive treatment, and missed time from work to recovery. These expenses are in addition to the physical pain and emotional distress that you may be suffering because of the meningioma. In a case against Depo-Provera, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Future medical expenses
Non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, or loss of consortium

How Our Depo-Provera Lawsuit Lawyers Can Help

Being diagnosed with a brain tumor can be terrifying. You may feel like you’ve lost control over your future and be scared by impending medical costs and changes to your life. Our Depo-Provera lawyers can empower you to take back control.

We will handle your legal case while you focus on treatment and recovery. We will gather evidence such as medical records, consult with experts who may be able to testify to the long-term effects of your diagnosis, file paperwork, negotiate for fair compensation, and represent you in court.

We also offer our legal services on a contingency-fee basis, which means there is no upfront cost to you. You will only pay us a fee if we get results for you.