Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate), a long-acting contraceptive injection, is used by millions of women worldwide. While exact numbers can vary by region and over time, as of recent estimates:
- Global use: Around 20 million women worldwide have used Depo-Provera.
- United States: Approximately 1.6 million women use Depo-Provera in the U.S. annually. This accounts for about 3% of women using contraception in the country.
Depo-Provera Side Effects and Meningiomas
Depo-Provera is especially popular due to its convenience (one injection every three months), but ever since its approval in 1992, it has faced criticism due to side effects such as bone density loss, weight gain, and mood changes. In 2024, new research indicated that progestin-based contraceptives like Depo-Provera may be associated with an elevated risk of developing brain and spinal cord tumors (meningiomas), especially with prolonged use.
Meningiomas are typically slow-growing tumors that develop in the meninges, the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. While many meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous), they can still cause symptoms and suffering depending on their size, location, and rate of growth. Potential symptoms and suffering caused by meningiomas may include:
- Headaches – Often one of the most common symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, depending on the tumor's pressure on the brain.
- Seizures – Meningiomas can irritate brain tissue, leading to seizures, which can cause
- Vision Problems – If the tumor presses on the optic nerves, it can lead to blurred or double vision, and in severe cases, vision loss.
- Hearing Loss or Tinnitus – Tumors near the auditory nerves can lead to hearing difficulties or a persistent ringing in the ears.
- Cognitive or Personality Changes – Tumors affecting the frontal lobe can cause memory problems, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or changes in behavior and mood.
- Numbness or Weakness – If the tumor presses on certain areas of the brain or spinal cord, it can cause weakness or numbness in the limbs or face.
Talk to Your Doctor
For women currently using Depo-Provera, or those who have used it for extended periods, healthcare providers recommend discussing individual risk factors with a doctor. Monitoring for symptoms such as headaches, vision problems, or neurological changes is essential. Alternative contraceptive options may also be worth exploring, as not all carry the same risk of meningiomas.
Find Out if You Qualify For the Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Speak With Our Nationally Recognized Women's Health Litigation Team
866-609-7331How to Sign up for the Depo-Provera Lawsuits
Women who have developed a meningioma brain or spinal cord tumor after prolonged use of Depo-Provera may be eligible to join a lawsuit against Pfizer for the serious harm they have suffered.
In October 2024, The Women’s Health Litigation Team at Anapol Weiss, a leading law firm in personal injury and mass torts litigation, filed a lawsuit against Pfizer on behalf of a woman who used Depo-Provera for a prolonged period and developed a brain tumor. Anapol Weiss is preparing additional lawsuits on behalf of other women who developed meningiomas after using Depo-Provera for a prolonged period.
The attorneys at Anapol Weiss have an impressive record of getting maximum results for complex claims.
If you think you may be eligible to file a claim, please contact us for a free consultation. Corporations like Pfizer have an abundance of resources, but with Anapol Weiss on your side, so will you. We make a pharmaceutical liability claim risk-free by representing women injured by Depo-Provera injections at no upfront cost.
