The Risks of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection

Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection is used by millions of women worldwide. It is administered by medical professionals as regular injections into muscle tissue. In recent years, there have been several lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer. And some women are asking about its safety.

Let’s examine some of the risks of Depo-Provera contraceptive injections:

Bone Density Loss

The pharmaceutical warning label for injectable Depo-Provera says women who use the product “may lose significant bone mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible.” The label warns against using the drug for more than 2 years.

The label confirms that women who experienced bone density loss after using Depo-Provera CI “did not fully recover” even after stopping use. This applied to adolescent and adult females.

Increased Risk of Meningioma

Studies have shown that prolonged use of Depo-Provera CI is associated with developing a type of tumor called a meningioma. A British Medical Journal study found there is an “increased risk” of developing a meningioma with injectable Depo-Provera CI. They observed an increased risk as high as 462% with prolonged use.

Another study showed that Depo-Provera CI use under one year still resulted in a 23% increase of meningioma risk. For use over 3 years, there was a 150% increase of meningioma risk. The study observed that even if such a tumor is non-cancerous, it can still impair “neurologic function.”

The same study observed a 30x increase in odds of developing a meningioma with the injectable form of Depo-Provera versus the oral form.

The Journal of Neurological Surgery published a study in which women who used the drug in Depo-Provera CI and who had developed meningiomas. 5 of 10 women who discontinued the drug showed “clear evidence of tumor shrinkage.”

Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

A study published in MDPI observed that use of Depo-Provera CI over a period of 12-months or longer resulted in a 120% increased risk in developing “invasive breast cancer.” The study observed women between the ages 20-44. The Depo-Provera CI warning label cites several other studies which collectively confirm the increased breast cancer risk.

Increased Blood Clot Risk

The Depo-Provera CI warning label references risk to “thromboembolic disorders,” which are blood clot events. While the label says there is no causal relationship between the drug and such clots, it does caution against continued use if a clot occurs.

A study in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology reported that women using the Depo-Provera CI drug experienced a 260% increase in risk of a venous clot compared to women not using hormonal contraceptives.

Other Risks of Depo-Provera

The Depo-Provera CI warning label details several other “warnings and precautions” including:

• Anaphylaxis
• Injection-site reactions
• Liver disturbances
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Bleeding irregularities
• Weight Gain (which increases with prolonged use)
• Glucose intolerance
• Fluid retention
• Delayed return to fertility

The label also identifies “common” side effects, including headache, abdominal pain, nervousness, dizziness, and decreased sex drive. Other named side effects include fatigue, backache, cramps, hot flashes, nausea, bloating, water retention, leg cramps, joint pain, depression, insomnia, acne, no hair growth, rash, vaginal discharge, breast pain, and vaginal infection.

Legal Action

One lawsuit, Schmidt vs. Pfizer, claims the manufacturer “failed to warn” Depo-Provera users “about the risk of intracranial meningioma…” The plaintiff in the case alleges she developed a meningioma after receiving Depo-Provera injections, which led to brain surgery and other damages.

Another lawsuit, Wilson vs. Pfizer, alleges the plaintiff suffered “intracranial meningioma” and has an increased risk of  “future adverse health consequences” after receiving Depo-Provera injections. The Plaintiffs note that meningiomas are listed as a potential side effect in Canada and Europe, but not on the U.S. label.

There are numerous other lawsuits. Currently a class action suit against the Depo-Provera manufacturer is under consideration.

Your Health, Your Choice

Understanding the potential risks associated with Depo-Provera CI empowers and is important for your health.

If you’re concerned about Depo-Provera or other contraceptive use, our medical professionals are available to speak with you at no cost. We can also help you navigate an unexpected pregnancy if you suspect your contraception did not work. Knowing the facts about your body can help you lead the healthy life you deserve and make informed decisions about your reproductive health. Call or text us confidentially today at 630-360-2256.