Women are presented with many options when it comes to birth control. From oral contraceptives to IUDs, thry can choose which birth control they are most comfortable with.
One of the most popular and effective choices for women today is Depo-Provera. With typical use, it is 99% successful in preventing pregnancies in women. Because of its high efficacy, over 300,000 women use it as their primary contraceptive in the United States alone.
However, a recent study suggests that prolonged use of the contraceptive can be linked to an increased risk of developing intracranial meningiomas.
Pfizer's Depo-Provera is a widely known brand of contraceptive injection medroxyprogesterone acetate which is a progestin. It is used to prevent pregnancies by suppressing ovulation. Additionally, it thickens the cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching the egg. It is one of the most effective contraceptives because it stops both the ovaries and the sperm.
To take effect as a contraceptive, it must be administered every 11 to 13 weeks. Aside from being a contraceptive, Depo-Provera can also be used to treat menstruation-related pain, as well as amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and pain from endometriosis.
Like most contraceptives, Depo-Provera has side effects. From Pfizer's prescribing information, Depo-Provera may cause a significant decrease in bone mineral density. Bone mineral density loss may be greater the longer one uses the contraceptive. Other warnings and precautions that Pfizer included are risks of thrombosis, breast cancer, ectopic pregnancy, anaphylaxis, and anaphylactoid reactions. Liver function may also be disrupted.
Although Pfizer listed the risks associated with using Depo-Provera, they overlooked one important risk factor: the heightened probability of developing a brain tumor.
A study published in The British Medical Journal had over 18,000 women who had intracranial surgery for meningioma for their case group. The study's goal was to assess the risk of meningioma associated with the use of specific progestogens, one being medroxyprogesterone acetate. In this study, they found that prolonged use (more than a year) of Depo-Provera or medroxyprogesterone acetate led to a 5.6 times higher risk of developing intracranial meningioma.
The majority of intracranial meningiomas are benign, but these tumors can grow very large and be disruptive. If left undiscovered or untreated, they can even be disabling and life-threatening. Most of the time, intracranial meningiomas would require invasive surgery.
Pfizer has acknowledged the study by The British Medical Journal and claimed that they would update their prescribing labels, but up to the writing of this article, the company has not published any information about the contraceptive possibly leading to the development of brain tumors.
Due to Depo-Provera's links to brain tumors, the potential legal implications are significant. Some potential avenues for legal action include product liability claims and negligence. Because Pfizer already knew about the increased risk of brain tumors but failed to warn their customers, they could be held liable. If it is proven that Pfizer is concealing information about the risks of Depo-Provera, individuals who are affected may have grounds for filing a lawsuit.
For those who have taken shots of Depo-Provera but are not experiencing any issues, it is important that you continue to monitor your health. If you have any concerns regarding your health, don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider immediately.
If you have used Depo-Provera and got diagnosed with intracranial meningioma, our team of professionals has the necessary experience to help you file a Depo-Provera case. If you are entitled to compensation, we will put you in touch with an attorney who can handle your case.