Can the Depo Shot Cause Confusion or Personality Change?

Although rare, the Depo shot can cause confusion or personality changes in some users. These side effects may result from the hormonal changes Depo-Provera users experience, or they may be a sign of a more serious health issue, such as a meningioma brain tumor.

If your doctor diagnoses you with a meningioma or another concerning health problem that you believe is related to your use of the Depo-Provera shot, a Depo-Provera lawsuit lawyer can determine whether you qualify to join a mass tort lawsuit against Pfizer or another negligent drug manufacturer. You may deserve compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more.

How Can the Depo Shot Cause Confusion or Personality Changes?

Depo-Provera is a hormonal birth control method that uses a synthetic form of progestin called medroxyprogesterone acetate. Because a woman’s body produces progesterone (the natural form of progestin) when pregnant, if your body senses elevated levels of this hormone, it will assume you’re pregnant. If your body thinks you are already pregnant, the ovaries will typically stop releasing eggs (ceasing ovulation), and the mucus in the cervix will thicken (so sperm cannot fit through). 

While most Depo shot users adapt to hormonal birth control without major side effects, every woman’s body is unique. Many see decreased symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) while taking hormonal birth control, but others see an increase in:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Abnormal menstrual bleeding
• Reduced libido
• “Brain fog”

If any of these symptoms affect your life significantly, gradually or suddenly worsen or don’t go away with time, speak to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe another medication to counteract these symptoms or make other recommendations for reducing their effects. A medical professional can also perform tests to determine whether your confusion and personality changes have another, more serious cause, such as a meningioma tumor. 

Confusion and Personality Changes Are Possible Symptoms of a Meningioma Tumor

Researchers with The BMJ have found a link between long-term Depo-Provera use and the development of meningioma tumors. According to the Journal of Neurosurgery, meningiomas located in the prefrontal cortex of the brain often cause confusion and personality disturbances. Additional symptoms of meningiomas may include: 

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Memory issues
• Seizures
• Difficulties with balance or walking
• Speech problems
• Dizziness

If you experience confusion, personality changes, or any of these other long-term risks after receiving multiple doses of the Depo shot, we recommend seeking medical attention to determine whether you may have a meningioma. 

What Are Meningioma Tumors, and How Are They Treated?

Meningioma tumors grow in the meninges, or the lining between the skull and the brain. 

Thankfully, most meningiomas are benign, slow-growing, and unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. 

Many patients only require regular monitoring of their tumor to ensure it does not cause problematic symptoms. However, if your meningioma is causing significant side effects, such as confusion and personality changes, your doctor may recommend treatment to shrink or remove it, such as medications, radiation, or surgery. 

Only about 1-4% of meningiomas are cancerous, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Malignant tumors typically require surgical removal, followed by radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy in some cases.

What Should You Do if a Doctor Diagnoses You With a Meningioma After Taking Depo-Provera?

Learning that you have a brain tumor, even a benign one, can be frightening. If you have received a meningioma diagnosis after taking the Depo shot, you are probably confused, frustrated, and angry. You likely weren’t warned that this was a possible side effect of the Depo-Provera birth control shot, and you deserve to be able to make informed decisions about your health with all relevant information beforehand. 

If you find yourself in this difficult situation, turn to our personal injury law firm for help. Our Depo-Provera lawsuit attorneys at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers will explain your legal rights and determine whether you qualify to join a mass tort lawsuit against Pfizer or another manufacturer of the birth control shot. 

Many users allege that these drug makers didn’t provide adequate information about the possible side effects of taking Depo-Provera, and they suffered harm as a result. 

How Can You Know if You Qualify for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

At Chalik & Chalik, we will review your Depo-Provera case for free and explain whether you qualify to join a mass tort. In general, you can seek damages if:

• You received at least two doses of Depo-Provera, Depo‐SubQ Provera, or an authorized generic birth control shot from Greenstone LLC, A‐S Medication Solutions, Prasco Laboratories, Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc., or Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC.
• You were diagnosed with a meningioma or other health condition that you were not warned about beforehand.

What Damages Are Available in a Depo Shot Lawsuit?

If your long-term use of Depo-Provera harmed you, you may qualify for a range of economic and non-economic damages, such as:

• Medical bills associated with diagnosing and treating your meningioma or other condition
• Lost wages if you had to take time off work to attend doctor’s appointments or recover from surgery and other treatments
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Inconvenience
• Diminished quality of life

Your Depo shot lawyer will evaluate how your meningioma has affected your life and all the financial and non-financial losses you have experienced. They will then represent you in settlement negotiations and fight to obtain a fair reward. If necessary, they will take your case to court and represent your best interests before a judge and jury. 

Connect With Our Depo Shot Attorney Today

At Chalik & Chalik, our family-owned law firm is committed to you and your physical and financial recovery. You’ll work directly with our founders, receiving regular updates on your case while you focus on your recovery. Best yet, we represent injury victims on a contingency basis, so you’ll pay nothing upfront to get started on your case.

Let our family fight for you and your family. Contact Chalik & Chalik today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Depo-Provera FAQ:

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What Are Symptoms of Meningioma From the Depo Shot?

If you’ve used the Depo-Provera shot (also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate) as a form of hormonal birth control, you may be suffering from potentially debilitating symptoms associated with meningioma. These symptoms can range from blurred vision to seizures.  If you’ve taken this injectable contraceptive over an extended period and developed meningioma, a Depo-Provera lawsuit lawyer...

Is It Safe to Take Depo-Provera?

Many women can safely take the Depo-Provera birth control shot. Doctors consider it an effective method of birth control. However, the drug does have some side effects that doctors should note. Moreover, researchers have recently linked the drug to a specific type of brain tumor. A medical professional should evaluate your health before you start...

What Are the Latest Updates on the Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

Depo-Provera manufacturers are being sued by patients who were diagnosed with a meningioma—a specific type of brain tumor—after the use of their product. Pfizer, the makers of Depo-Provera and Depo-SubQ Provera, and several generic manufacturers are being sued for damages. Lawsuits are still being filed as of December 2024 and are still in the beginning...