Hormonal birth control is a highly effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. In fact, depending on the method you choose, hormonal birth control can be over 99% effective. In addition to preventing pregnancy, hormonal birth control can also provide some benefits such as reducing menstrual cramps, lowering the risk of certain cancers, and preventing anemia by lightening periods.
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If you used Depo Provera and were diagnosed with meningioma, you may be entitled to compensation.
Despite its benefits and popularity, there are many risks to using hormonal birth control as well. Side effects can be mild such as headaches and sore breasts, but they can be more severe and can lead to death. Some of the more severe side effects of hormonal birth control include blood clots and depression. Here are some of the side effects to be on the lookout for when taking hormonal birth control.
How Does Hormonal Birth Control Work?
The different types of hormonal birth control include:
- A pill that you swallow daily
- A patch on your skin that you replace weekly
- A ring placed inside the vagina that you need to replace every month
- A shot given at your healthcare provider’s office every 12 weeks
- An intrauterine device (IUD) inserted at your healthcare provider’s office that you need to have replaced every 3 to 10 years
- An implant under the skin in your arm given at your healthcare provider’s office that lasts up to 3 years
Dangerous Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control
Any unwanted side effect is cause for concern when starting a new medication, and birth control is no exception. In fact, the list of side effects of hormonal birth control is so extensive that it has become a social media trend to display the sheer size of the warning paper included with birth control. This has led many people to question whether hormonal birth control is really right for them or not.
Some of the more common and benign side effects of hormonal birth control include:
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Nausea
- Sore breasts
- Yeast infections
- Spotting between periods
- Mood swings
- Reduced libido
- Bloating
- Increased blood pressure
- Acne
- Fatigue
- Appetite changes including increased or decreased appetite
- Nausea
- Weight fluctuations
- Vaginal irritation
- Vaginal discharge
- High blood pressure
- Unwanted hair growth
- Swelling
- Hot flashes
- Pain during insertion or at the injection site
- Irregular periods
- Vomiting
More serious and concerning side effects of hormonal birth control can include:
- Blood clots, which can be deadly
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver disorders
- Depression
- Meningioma (a tumor surrounding the membranes of the brain and spinal cord)
- Continuous vaginal bleeding
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Allergic reaction
- Increased risk of osteoporosis
Though this list of side effects is long, it doesn’t encompass all of the potential side effects of hormonal birth control. If you are taking birth control and notice any new, concerning, or unwanted changes in your body, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider. There are other healthy birth control options that don’t involve hormones, such as condoms and spermicide. These might be a better choice for you if you’re worried about the side effects of hormonal birth control.
What To Do If You’ve Developed Serious Side Effects After Using Birth Control
If you are experiencing concerning symptoms after using hormonal birth control, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. Some side effects, such as blood clots or allergic reactions, are emergencies that need to be addressed immediately. Other concerning side effects might develop slowly over time, such as depression or meningioma. Though they can develop more slowly, these also both require prompt attention. It’s important not to brush off your symptoms and to seek care if necessary.
Meningioma, specifically, is a side effect associated with the birth control injection called Depo Provera. Symptoms can include vision changes, hearing loss or ringing in ears, headaches that are often worse in the morning, memory loss, loss of smell, seizures, weakness in arms or legs, and trouble speaking. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found a link between using Depo Provera and developing meningiomas. If you have developed this type of tumor after using hormonal birth control, specifically Depo Provera, you may be entitled to compensation. Some women who have used Depo Prover and subsequently developed meningiomas have begun to file lawsuits against Pfizer claiming that the birth control caused their tumors and that Pfizer did not adequately warn them of the risks. We want you to get justice for your injuries. If you have been affected, we can connect you with a lawyer to help evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
