According to a survey conducted by the National Survey of Family Growth, more than 3% of the women using contraceptives reported using hormonal injections. (KFF: Contraceptive Injection) This might seem like a small number, but actually, it converts to a significant figure.
Depo-Provera has been among the top-used contraceptive injections, trusted by thousands of women as an easy, long-lasting birth control option. Just one shot, and you’re free for the next three months, sounds extremely simple and convenient, right?
But a bigger concern is lingering behind this convenience, osteoporosis or bone loss. Some of the women who regularly used Depo-Provera for years were diagnosed with osteoporosis, a serious condition that turns your bones weak and brittle.
Affected women are now consulting with a Depo-Provera lawsuit attorney to claim compensation. But is this actually the case?
In this post, we will uncover all the secrets of Depo-Provera usage. So stay tuned to learn more!
Depo-Provera and Bone Loss: What You Weren’t Told
Like any other form of birth control, doctors prescribe Depo-Provera to women looking for an effective contraceptive method. But this is not like one of those pills or shots, this injection is reported to reduce bone density over time.
One of the major components in Depo-Provera is medroxyprogesterone acetate which stops ovulation, but in the process, it sharply lowers the levels of estrogen in the body, which is an essential player in keeping bones strong.
To put it out simply, less estrogen means faster bone loss. This can be especially devastating for young women whose bones are still developing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was well aware of this fact.
That is why, in 2004, they issued a black box warning on Depo-Provera, highlighting the dangerous possibility of bone mineral density loss, which leads to osteoporosis.
A black box warning is the highest level of warning the agency can give, which is only reserved for drugs with serious or life-threatening risks. This means that the FDA clearly recognized the potential adverse effects of Depo-Provera.
They already cautioned that using Depo-Provera could result in serious bone loss, some of which may not even be reversible.
DO YOU KNOW? According to reports by ResearchGate, African American and American Indian women are more likely to use Depo-Provera than European Americans.
Signs You May Have Osteoporosis From Depo-Provera
One of the scariest parts of this whole situation is that osteoporosis doesn’t show symptoms at first. You don’t feel your bones weakening or losing strength. There is a high possibility that most women might not even be aware that there’s a problem until something breaks.
But here is a small list of warning signs that should be looked out for:
Frequent fractures, even from minor falls
Excessive back pain that won’t go away
Shrinking height, loss of an inch or more
A hunched posture that developed over time
But the bad news is that, by the time these symptoms show up, the damage is already done.
Pfizer and Lawsuit Against Them
Lawsuits against the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, Pfizer, have been filed, where it is claimed that the company failed to warn patients about the serious risks related to the drug.
In Canada, a class-action lawsuit accused Pfizer of misleading women about the dangers of bone.
The legal battle in the U.S. is more focused on brain tumor cases linked to this injection. But in all this, the fact remains: women weren’t warned about osteoporosis and thousands are now suffering because of it.
INTERESTING TIDBIT Despite the potential issues related to it, Depo-Provera still remains one of the most effective contraceptive drugs with a failure rate of less than 1%, meaning that less than one in a hundred women get pregnant each year while using Depo-Provera.
How Lawyers Help Women Fight Back?
If you have used Depo-Provera in the past and are now experiencing its adverse consequences, you’re not alone, and definitely not powerless.
Lawyers from different countries have stepped in to hold Pfizer accountable for failing to protect the ladies from these risks.
Here is how an attorney can help:
By gathering medical records to prove the connection between Depo-Provera and bone loss.
Battle for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain that the girls are enduring.
Take on Pfizer and similar corporations that put profits over people.
No one should have to live in fear of breaking a bone just by taking a misstep. Drug companies should be held responsible if they fail to warn you about life-changing risks associated with their products.
Final Words
Medications like Depo-Provera are supposed to make life easier, not leave you fearing for every step you take. Anyone experiencing the negative effects of osteoporosis after taking this drug deserves answers and justice.
Now, women are standing up and taking legal action. If you are also one of those who’ve been affected, it might be time to fight for what’s right.
Your health matters. Your future matters. And right now is the time to stand up for both.
