Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Users should be aware of the potential birth control risks and side effects of the contraceptives they use. People are filing Depo-Provera lawsuits after a March 2024 study linked the birth control shot to meningioma. This tumor forms in the meninges (membranes near the brain and spinal cord) and is often benign.

When a meningioma grows, it can affect brain tissue, nerves and blood vessels and may lead to severe disability. Those who file these product liability and personal injury lawsuits must already be diagnosed with meningioma by a medical professional. Motley Rice lawyers are not currently accepting cases for other injuries or harms associated with Depo-Provera.

Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits are in their early stages. If you took this contraceptive shot and were diagnosed with a meningioma by a medical professional, you may qualify to file a birth control lawsuit in the Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation. The lawsuit docket is called In re: Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3140.

In September 2025, the medical journal JAMA Neurology released a study that found an increased risk of meningiomas associated with the Depo shot. This new study on Depo-Provera found that its users were more likely to develop meningiomas than women who used other contraceptives or no contraceptives.

An earlier 2025 study from the University of British Columbia also assessed the risk of developing a meningioma. The study compared 72,181 Depo-Provera users and 247,180 users of oral contraceptives that contain ethinylestradiol-levonorgestre (EE-LNG).

The study found that women who use Depo-Provera have a higher risk of developing meningioma brain tumors than those who use EE-LNG. Researchers stated, “The adjusted incident rate ratio (IRR) for meningioma for greater than one year of use was 3.55.”

A 2024 British Medical Journal (BMJ) study linked the use of injectable Depo-Provera to an increased risk of meningioma. The researchers looked at people who used Depo-Provera as their primary form of birth control. They concluded that people who used Depo-Provera for a year or more were five times more likely to develop a meningioma that required surgery.

What are meningiomas?

Meningiomas are a type of brain tumor that is usually non-malignant (not cancerous). These tumors originate in the tissue (meninges) covering the spinal cord and the brain. They are commonly found near the top and the outer curve of the brain but may also form at the base of the skull. They can spread to other parts of the central nervous system through cerebrospinal fluid. 

There are three grades of meningiomas: 

• Grade 1: The most common meningiomas, which tend to grow slowly
• Grade 2: Mid-grade meningiomas, with a higher risk of coming back if removed
• Grade 3: Malignant, cancerous and fast-growing meningiomas, which are fairly rare

The symptoms of meningiomas often vary with where the tumor forms. Some potential symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Headaches (more severe in the morning)
• Inability to hear or smell
• Seizures
• Vision issues

The risk of meningiomas was added to the Depo-Provera Warning Label in December 2025.

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). It’s an injectable form of birth control made by Pfizer. It works by blocking the release of an egg from the ovaries during the reproductive cycle (ovulation). Depo-Provera also thickens the cervical mucus to stop sperm from reaching the egg in case ovulation occurs.

People who use Depo-Provera receive a shot — commonly called the Depo shot or birth control shot — on a routine schedule every three months. A doctor injects the medication into the patient’s arm or buttocks. Depo-Provera contains a progesterone hormone that can protect against pregnancy for up to 14 weeks. The shots are usually given every 12 weeks.

There are many side effects associated with birth control. These side effects can vary depending on the dose, the individual’s reaction to the drug, the type of birth control medication used and how long the medication is taken.

Some common Depo-Provera side effects may include:

• Acne
• Bloating
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Menstruation changes
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Weight gain

Other serious side effects of Depo-Provera may include:

• Blood clots
• Heart attack
• Risk of developing certain cancers
• Seizures
• Stroke

Depo-Provera users may experience long-term side effects, including:

• Bone density loss: Depo-Provera also has a warning for loss of bone mineral density (BMD) or bone density loss after long-term use. Bone density loss can lead to serious fractures and even irreversible damage. This warning reads, “Women who use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection (Depo-Provera CI) may lose significant bone mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible.” This boxed warning also suggests using Depo-Provera no longer than two years.
• Meningioma: Studies have shown that Depo-Provera users may have a higher risk of developing meningioma brain tumors after using the contraceptive long-term over several years. These tumors are serious and could lead to surgery and other side effects.

This litigation is in its early stages and few cases have been settled. The Depo-Provera Products Liability Litigation MDL was only recently created. As the litigation continues to progress, Depo-Provera lawsuit settlement conversations could take place.

It’s important to note that lawsuit settlement amounts in pharmaceutical medicine cases like these can vary significantly. Factors such as the severity of the diagnosed meningioma, the medical evidence provided and the timing of the medical diagnosis will all influence the compensation outcome. Individuals considering legal action should talk with an attorney who has experience with medical drug and device litigation. They can help determine potential compensation or payout amounts based on the specific situation.

Types of damages available in Depo-Provera lawsuits

In Depo-Provera lawsuits, a meningioma is the “injury.” People (plaintiffs) filing birth control lawsuits may be eligible to seek damages for:

• Healthcare costs associated with injuries caused by Depo-Provera use
• Lost wages for time missed from work due to injury-related health issues
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death of a loved one (if applicable)

The court or jury may also award additional damages to the injured party in extreme cases. This action could occur to punish or force changes in business practices of the defendant.

These “punitive damages” can be awarded if a court determines that the defendant’s actions were intentional and/or outrageous under the law. While no award is guaranteed, a lawyer can help explain the damages you might be able to obtain in a Depo-Provera lawsuit.

The medical attorneys at Motley Rice have represented thousands of women injured by prescription and over-the-counter medications and medical devices, including birth control medications like Depo-Provera and Paragard IUD.

If you believe a prescribed birth control product may have injured you or a loved one, the legal professionals at Motley Rice have the resources to investigate and help you:

• Identify the potentially harmful medication
• Investigate whether it harmed you
• Review the manufacturer’s regulatory compliance
• Examine the manufacturer’s instructions regarding use and warnings about side effects
• Review other issues that could affect your claim

Read more on our women’s health litigation.

Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death. Depo-Provera and Paragard remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.