A British woman says she has lost more than half of her natural teeth, a devastating consequence she attributes to staying on a common contraceptive injection for too long without adequate medical review.
A Decade of Treatment and Unexpected Damage
Alexandra Hale, now 32, first received the Depo-Provera contraceptive injection at age 22 in 2015. She began the three-monthly jabs primarily to manage severe and debilitating period pains. For several years, the treatment seemed effective for its intended purpose.
However, after approximately four years, Alexandra began to experience unexplained dental problems. Her teeth became painful and started to deteriorate dramatically. "One-by-one, they began crumbling and had to be extracted," she explained, stating she was completely baffled by the sudden decline in her oral health.
The Search for Answers and a Costly Reality
By 2022, the situation had reached a critical point. Alexandra had lost all but one of her molars, which severely impacted her confidence, making her self-conscious about smiling or laughing openly. She also began suffering from severe migraines, which forced her to take time off work.
Perplexed by her symptoms, she turned to online research, investigating the potential side effects of the Depo injection. It was there she discovered accounts from other users reporting similar dental and bone-related issues. This prompted her to stop the treatment immediately.
While her dental health has reportedly stabilised since ceasing the injections, Alexandra now faces the enormous financial burden of restorative surgery. She requires a full set of dental implants, top and bottom, with costs estimated at around £15,000. She has launched a GoFundMe campaign to try and raise the necessary funds.
Guidelines, Warnings, and a Call for Responsibility
Alexandra claims she was never informed about the potential long-term risks associated with the Depo injection. This is despite established guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE guidance clearly states that the progestogen-only injectable contraceptive is linked to a small loss of bone mineral density (BMD) with use exceeding one year. It advises that women using it long-term should have their treatment reviewed every two years to assess the ongoing risks and benefits. The guidelines note that bone density loss is usually recovered after stopping the injection.
"I just wish the NHS could take responsibility for what has happened to me and pay for this," Alexandra said. "If I'd had the proper checks, none of this would have happened to me."
Commenting on the case, Dr Helen Westwood of Timperley Health Centre confirmed the link, stating: "I confirm that the depo injection is associated with a loss of bone mineral density which can affect dental health. The bone density usually recovers on stopping depo." She reiterated that NICE guidance advises a two-yearly review of risks and benefits.
