Birth Control Risks

Numerous types of birth control are available. The most commonly used are intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants and birth control pills. Below is a general overview of birth control types. Not all of these birth control methods have prompted lawsuits.

• Condoms: A condom (brand name Durex, Trojan and many more) is a thin rubber sheath worn during sexual intercourse. Condoms are worn to help keep sperm from entering the uterus. Condoms may lower the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI) and transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Implants: Implants come in various types. One of the most well-known is Nexplanon, a thin plastic rod a doctor inserts under the skin of the upper arm. The hormone progestin is released into the bloodstream. The release of progestin prevents ovulation.
• Injections: Depo-Provera is a long-term injection of progesterone given every 12 – 14 weeks by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Like implants, Depo-Provera acts by suppressing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. Depo-Provera has several possible side effects; osteoporosis is the most serious.
• IUDs: IUDs are small, t-shaped objects inserted into the vagina by a healthcare provider. They work by preventing eggs from being fertilized and implanting into the uterine wall. There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. Hormonal IUDs, like Mirena, gradually release hormones into the body. Other IUDs, like Paragard, don’t contain hormones and are wrapped with copper wire.
• Male birth control: Just two forms of birth control are currently available for men – condoms and vasectomies. However, YCT-529, the first hormone-free male birth control pill, completed a phase 1 clinical trial in 2024. It is currently undergoing a second clinical trial.
• Patches: A birth control patch is a small, thin, sticky patch worn on a woman’s skin to prevent pregnancy. It is applied once a week for three weeks and removed for one week. The patch prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into the bloodstream that stop ovulation. Xulane, Zafemy and Twirla are the only FDA-approved birth control patches currently available.
• Pills: Birth control pills taken every day are a commonly used contraceptive method. Combination pills like Sprintec, Junel FE and Apri contain a combination of two hormones that prevent ovulation and prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
• Spermicide: A contraceptive placed in a woman’s vagina before sexual intercourse to stop sperm from reaching the egg. Spermicides like Nonoxynol-9 are generally more effective when used with other forms of birth control.
• Vaginal ring: Vaginal rings like NuvaRing and Annovera are self-inserted implants that release the hormones progesterone and estrogen. The hormones prevent ovulation, cause thinning of the uterine wall and create a thick mucus layer that prevents the fertilization of eggs. After three weeks, the user removes the ring to allow a normal period and reinserts the ring at the end of the fourth week.

All birth control methods carry potential health risks. Some might interfere with the natural hormonal cycles, leading to side effects related to hormonal changes. In addition, the implantation of any device in the body comes with surgical hazards.

Benefits of birth control

While birth control may come with some risks, there may be benefits for some users. Some of these include pregnancy prevention, a lower risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, and protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Users should consider both the benefits and risks when making informed decisions.

Birth control can cause mild side effects as the user’s body adjusts, such as cramping and irregular periods. It may also pose more serious hazards, ranging from venous thrombosis to ectopic pregnancies or loss of fertility.

When manufacturers clearly warn users of the potential risks of birth control medications and devices, users can make informed decisions about what to use. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not comply with FDA regulations regarding labeling, package inserts, advertising and marketing. Just because a product has been on the market for many years does not mean it’s free of risks.

Although the risk for serious problems may be small, the resulting health issues can be severe. For these reasons, manufacturers must label their products accurately so consumers understand their potential impact.

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is an injectable birth control made by Pfizer, Inc. It contains a progesterone hormone that stops ovulation and thickens cervical mucus to protect against pregnancy for up to 14 weeks.

But, according to a March 2024 BMJ study, the prolonged use of Depo-Provera may lead to an increased risk of meningiomas. Meningiomas are tumors that develop in the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.

Some more common side effects associated with Depo-Provera include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Appetite changes
• Excessive face and body hair
• Headaches
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Loss of hair
• Osteoporosis
• Skin breakouts
• Weight gain

Depo-Provera side effects have been the subject of multiple personal injury lawsuits against Pfizer. The lawsuits allege that physicians and consumers weren’t advised of severe complications, including meningioma, associated with the long-term use of the injection.

IUDs can be a highly effective form of birth control. They are often advertised as a “set-it-and-forget-it” method of birth control, meaning users do not need to remember to take pills or remove a vaginal ring to ensure their birth control is working. Some common side effects of IUD birth control include:

• Backaches
• Cramping
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Irregular bleeding
• Spotting

More serious effects associated with Paragard have also been reported. These effects have become the focus of legal action against IUD manufacturers. Serious effects range from loss of the IUD to perforation of the uterus. Other risks include:

• Breakage: The IUD can break during insertion or removal. Broken pieces typically require surgical removal. Complications from breakage can include scarring of the uterus and sterility.
• Ectopic pregnancy: IUDs are associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus implants outside the uterus in the fallopian tubes or the abdominal wall. An ectopic pregnancy is never viable and can be life-threatening to the mother.
• Expulsion: If the IUD isn’t placed correctly, it can come out of the uterus or become dislodged from the correct position. If the IUD isn’t in place, it won’t prevent pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, a doctor must replace the IUD.
• Heavy periods: Copper IUDs can worsen cramps and cause heavy bleeding, particularly in the first several months after it is placed.
• Infection: Like any other part of the body, the uterus can become infected when bacteria are introduced from the outside. If the IUD is not sterile during insertion, the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries may become infected.
• Perforation: An IUD can penetrate the wall of the uterus during insertion or removal. If not addressed, a broken IUD may remain lodged in the uterine wall or perforate the wall into the abdomen.

IUDs like Paragard have come under increased scrutiny—not because they are inherently unsafe, but because the manufacturers have not properly communicated the serious side effects involved with their use.

Motley Rice LLC is handling lawsuits filed in multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving the makers of Paragard. The federal litigation has hundreds of cases filed by those alleging injury by IUDs.

Risks of permanent birth control 

The fallopian tube implant is a permanent method of birth control in which doctors place small flexible coils (made of fiber and metal) in the fallopian tubes. The coils cause scar tissue to form in the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. The scar tissue creates a barrier that prevents sperm from reaching an egg.

Some side effects of the fallopian implant can be serious, such as:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Organ perforation
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Death

Essure® was the most well-known fallopian implant. However, Bayer stopped making the device in 2018 and issued a recall in 2019 because of reports of severe health effects. Patients harmed by Essure have filed lawsuits against Bayer. Motley Rice medical attorney Fidelma Fitzpatrick served as lead counsel and member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee.

Risks of birth control rings

Birth control rings are small plastic circles placed inside the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Many women allege severe complications from the birth control NuvaRing®. 

Birth control rings can cause serious side effects, including:

• Blood clots
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Patients experiencing serious side effects filed lawsuits against NuvaRing’s manufacturer, Merck & Co. In February 2014, Merck reached a $100 million settlement resolving nearly 2,000 claims involving NuvaRing. Motley Rice medical attorney Carmen Scott served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) of the NuvaRing birth control multidistrict litigation.

Risks of birth control pills

Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, which prevent fertilization by halting ovulation and thickening mucus in the uterus. A progestin-only pill (POP or “minipill”) reduces some of the risks of pills that contain estrogen, including high blood pressure.

Common minor side effects associated with birth control pills include weight gain, spotting and vaginal discharge, dry skin and eyes and headache. More serious side effects are associated with long-term use and can include:

• Blood clots
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism

Manufacturers have misrepresented the risks of birth control at times. Motley Rice was at the forefront of a lawsuit involving the birth control pill “Yaz” brought by patients who were misinformed about the side effects and effectiveness of the synthetic hormone drospirenone. In 2014, manufacturer Bayer agreed to pay about $1.6 billion to settle Yaz-related cases. Motley Rice attorney Carmen Scott litigated claims involving Yaz and Yasmin birth control drugs and devices.

Many uncertainties and misconceptions surround the risks of birth control. Here are some straightforward answers to some common questions.

What are the most common birth control risks?

Some of the most common birth control risks include acne, bleeding and spotting between periods, breast tenderness, headaches, hormonal changes, nausea, pregnancy and weight gain or loss.

What are the serious risks of birth control?

The most serious risks of birth control depend on the type of birth control used. Here are some examples:

• Blood clots: Hormonal birth control increases the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart disease and pulmonary embolism.
• Bone loss: Birth control injections like Depo-Provera can cause bone density loss (osteopenia), which can lead to osteoporosis.
• Breakage: IUDs can break, leading to infection, penetration of the uterine wall, scarring of the uterus and other damage.
• Cancer: Birth control pills reduce the risk of colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian cancer but may increase the risk of cervical and breast cancer.
• Delayed fertility: Those who stop using Depo-Provera because they want to get pregnant can take longer to conceive — an average of 10 months — after their last injection.
• Stroke: Those who take birth control pills and suffer migraine headaches with aura might be at a higher risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and stroke.

Is birth control safe long-term?

Birth control is intended to be safe when used long-term. IUDs, implants and birth control pills are designed for extended use that spans weeks to years. However, long-term risks of birth control are associated with all medications and medical devices specifically for contraception. People should only use birth control with a doctor’s advice and supervision and report any unusual side effects immediately.

The medical attorneys at Motley Rice have represented thousands of patients injured by prescription and over-the-counter medications and medical devices, including those used for birth control. If you believe a prescribed birth control product injured you or a loved one, the attorneys at Motley Rice have the resources to investigate and help you:

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

Learn more about our birth control litigation experience here.

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. Annovera, Apri, Depo-Provera, Junel FE, Nexplanon, NuvaRing, Paragard, Sprintec, Twirla, Xulane, Yasmin, Yaz, and Zafemy remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.