Many Americans consider or use birth control at some point. The two main forms of birth control include birth control pills and the Depo-Provera shot. Neither is a perfect solution and both have side effects. Widely accepted side effects of birth control pills may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Breast sensitivity, swelling, or tenderness
• Weight gain

Assuming that most women widely accept the common side effects of the birth control shot, including nausea, vomiting, bleeding between cycles, breast sensitivity, or weight gain, few women know the risks of the Depo-Provera shot:

Unlike birth control pills are taken daily by most users, women need just one shot every 12 weeks to manage contraception. According to Mayo Clinic, Depo-SubQ Provera (104) was effective in preventing pregnancy but when women wanted to conceive, many women didn’t begin to ovulate for at least 10 months after getting the shots.

Depo-Provera can actually increase the user’s risk of HIV and chlamydia infections. (Using a condom can lower your risk of STDs and serious infections.) The birth control shot increases the user’s loss of bone mineral density. This fact may be especially worrisome for teenaged users. These young women haven’t reached peak bone mass. Once the loss of bone mineral density begins, researchers don’t know if it’s possible to reverse the problem. This is certainly a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Depo-Provera’s side effects also include abdominal pain, less interest in sex, headaches, acne, depression, irregular periods, fatigue, weakness, depression, heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing, and allergic reactions. FDA has demanded the addition of warnings to the birth control shot packaging. Users shouldn’t plan to use this form of birth control for longer than 24 months.

If you or someone you love has experienced an adverse reaction to any form of birth control, contact our product liability lawyers today.