Depo-Provera is a type of contraceptive that was introduced in 1992. While most contraceptives are complicated and often require daily consumption, this product was marketed as a hassle-free option. Attracting people with this, the contraceptive soon became one of the most popular contraceptives in the market.
However, in 2024, some questions were raised regarding the side effects of Depo-Provera, stating that it is causing severe health depletion among its users. This led to a swarm of lawsuits against the manufacturer of the contraceptive, Pfizer.
This blog lists the various side effects of Depo-Provera, which led to product liability lawsuits.
Overview of Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera is a contraceptive injection that a person gets every three months. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, also known as Depo-Provera, contains a specific type of progesterone that affects the person’s ovulation process and thickens the mucus present in the cervix. This prevents the sperm from getting to the ovum (human egg), preventing fertilization.
Some common side effects of Depo-Provera are:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Low sex drive
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Fluid retention
- Breast tenderness
- Changes to vaginal discharge
- Feeling nervous or depressed
Severe Side-Effects of Depo-Provera
a. Blood Clots and Cardiovascular Issues
The contraceptive is believed to cause complications due to blood clots and cardiovascular issues. One common blood-clot-related issue that many users have faced is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). When a person says that they have DVT, it means that they have a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
DVT can cause severe swelling, pain, cramps, discoloration, etc. Blood clots can be fatal as they can break loose, travel through the bloodstream, and get stuck in vital body parts such as the lungs or heart.
b. Bone Density Loss
Another major side-effect of using Depo-Provera is that it is claimed to cause loss of bone density. This means that by using Depo-Provera, the mineral in the bone decreases, leading to weak and brittle bones. Loss of bone minerals can lead to even severe situations such as osteoporosis and fractures.
Although there have been researches that show that stopping the contraceptive can allow the restoration of bone density, that is not a risk worth taking. In other cases, most people might not even notice the condition till the condition gets very bad.
c. Depression & Mood Disorders
The human body has various hormones that balance our functioning, and a tip in the scales will likely have some consequences. Depo-Provera is a contraceptive made of a hormone called progesterone, which plays a key role in menstruation and pregnancy. When the level of the hormone increases, it affects the person’s body.
When a person has been using progesterone for a period of time, they often face not only physical but also mental side effects. Some mental side effects faced by Depo-Provera users are anxiety, mood disorders, and depression.
d. Infertility and Menstrual Irregularities
The main use of contraceptives is to help people prevent unwanted pregnancies. But in the case of Depo-Provera, many people have stated that they become infertile even after stopping. It has also been linked to menstrual irregularities and even amenorrhea.
Some researches show that though some people go back to a normal menstrual cycle in five to eight months, some end up facing more problems related to menstrual problems as well as problems conceiving.
Conclusion
The lawsuits against Depo-Provera highlight the severe side effects many users face. Though it was marketed as an easy and hassle-free option, recent studies have shown how the drug is linked to alarming side effects such as bone density loss, blood clots, mental health issues, and menstrual and fertility issues. This has led to many filing a lawsuit against the contraceptive manufacturers because they failed to warn the users about the severe nature of the side effects.
Filing a claim can help victims to get compensation for the losses they have faced due to the contraceptive and allow other to make informed decisions when choosing a form of contraceptive.
