5 Symptoms Every Mom Should Know After Long-Term Contraceptive Use

Mothers are CEO’s of families. We run them. The same way someone would run a company.  

The goal? Success.  

Basically, we’re responsible for everything: school runs, the  ‘rainbow ‘ milestones, the scraped knees, and the emotional health of everyone who lives under our roof. Often, that means leaving our own health behind. We brush off a nagging headache as  ‘dehydration ‘ or a dizzy spell as  ‘just part of being a busy mom. ‘ 

But standing up to ourselves is the single most significant way we can remain present for our families.  

Family planning for a number of us involved long-term hormonal contraceptives like Depo-Provera because they were convenient and stable.  

But as more research comes into play, it’s important to know when  ‘mom brain ‘ may actually be a sign of something more serious.  

‘Non-Tension’ Headaches 

We all get headaches.  

Either due to lack of sleep or the stress of having a rainy day with toddlers, they go with the territory. But if you are having odd headaches that feel different from normal stress headaches, this might be a red flag. If the headache is a dull, persistent ache that is worse in the morning or doesn’t respond to your typical pain relief, note it to your doctor.  

Long-term use of Depo (medroxyprogesterone acetate, the active ingredient in the Depo shots) can produce neurological symptoms that include headaches (intracranial pressure).  

These headaches don’t come on suddenly with sharp pain; they are more like a steady oppressive fullness (stuffy head feeling) that can go on for weeks.  

Subtle Changes in Vision or ‘Blurry Moments ‘ 

When we spend our days looking at screens or reading bedtime stories, our eyes would likely be tired.  

But if you experience  ‘floaters, ‘ double vision, or an abrupt decrease in peripheral accuracy, don’t just do an eye test; also keep an eye on your medical history. Intracranial meningiomas, which are slow-growing tumors that press against the optic nerves, have recently been found to have a connection with prolonged contraceptive use.  

Since these tumors grow so slowly, you may subconsciously adapt to the vision damage until it becomes a serious concern for you.  

Unexplained Tinnitus or Hearing Loss 

Have you ever felt a ringing in your ears that won’t stop, or sensed that the world felt a little bit  ‘muffled ‘ on one side?  

We joke that we experience  ‘selective hearing ‘ when the kids are noisy, but real hearing changes are a sure sign of neurological changes. Tumors involving the meninges, the layers of tissue around the brain, put pressure on the cranial nerves involved with hearing and balance.  

If the  ‘ringing ‘ is accompanied by a full ear, that calls for a more detailed discussion with a specialist.  

Balance Loss and ‘Clumsy ‘ Spells 

We’ve all tripped over a rogue Lego piece, but if you become dizzy or get off balance on flat land, your body is probably trying to say something.  

This  ‘disequilibrium ‘ may feel like a single flash of vertigo or a sharp disorientation.  

For mothers who’ve had the Depo-Provera injection for years, this balance problem can oftentimes be the initial outward sign of a meningioma.  

Because these tumors are frequently referred to as  ‘benign, ‘ their seriousness is often dismissed, but their effects on your daily motor skills and caring for your children are anything but slight.  

New-Onset Seizures or ‘Absence’ Moments 

Maybe the most terrifying symptom is a seizure.  

And it’s not necessarily what we know from the  ‘grand mal ‘ seizures you might expect to see on television.  

More often than not, it looks as though your eyes wander for a few seconds when a person goes blank and doesn’t know where something is coming from, or there is a sudden, unearthly onset of a strange sensory experience.  

Why Your History Relates So Much 

New findings by health experts suggest that the risk of developing these neurological complications increases significantly after a few years of continuous contraceptive injections.  

If you have used these shots for more than a year, check out information on the national lawsuits that are happening all over the country.  

Because research studies came out suggesting certain hormonal contraceptives can be linked with tumors, you really ought to be more cautious, and if you’re finding yourself in such a situation, then even look for legal guidance on what to do next.  

Some law firms even published educational resources and eligibility guidelines for affected patients, plus they offered free advice in the form of consultations for clients. Rosenfeld Injury Law guide to the Depo-Provera lawsuit is one such example. 

Now, these tumours can often regress and/or stabilize once the hormonal signal changes when the shots are stopped.  

But early detection through an MRI or CT scan can be crucial. 

Conclusion 

When you head to your doctor, do not forget to describe your symptoms. 

Tell them about your contraceptive history in no uncertain terms. Record carefully how many years you’ve used hormone injections over the years. If you find yourself with more than two above-mentioned symptoms, then look for a neurologic referral at your doctors instead of prescribing painkillers.  

We share stories about  ‘raising rainbows, ‘ or mourning, so sharing our health issues gives other mothers insight that they’re not alone.  

Family happiness is built on your health.  

Keeping up to date on the medications we are being prescribed and the possible longer-term effects will ensure that we will be well and present when our lives hit every milestone in life.