Woman Stopped Contraception Injection—Then Her Health Took Devastating Turn

Sarah Watson, a 30-year-old mother of two, stopped using a contraceptive injection called Depo-Provera after learning it could potentially cause benign brain tumors. She began experiencing unusual symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and a head rush-like sensation, shortly after discontinuing the injection. Initially, her doctor attributed her symptoms to anxiety and prescribed medication. However, Watson's symptoms persisted for several weeks.

One day, while trying to use the restroom, Watson collapsed and hit her head on some drawers, losing consciousness for a minute. She was rushed to the hospital with a concussion and a head wound that required butterfly stitches. It was only after mentioning her recent discontinuation of the Depo-Provera injection that her symptoms began to make sense to the doctor.

Dr. Julie Hammond, a general practitioner and founder of MamAR Health, explained that women may experience physical and emotional changes after stopping Depo-Provera, although this is not formally recognized as a withdrawal syndrome. Hormone levels gradually return to normal, causing fluctuation and irregular bleeding or spotting. Ovulation typically returns within 15 to 49 weeks, though it can take up to a year. These hormonal changes can also affect mood and energy levels.

Watson had been using Depo-Provera for over two years before stopping due to concerns about meningioma risk. She now plans to get an MRI for further reassurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 24.5% of sexually active women aged 15 to 49 in the U.S. used the Depo-Provera contraceptive in 2019. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, has updated patient information leaflets to warn about the link between prolonged use and meningioma risk.