Can Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors? [2025 Update]

The Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Is An Active Lawsuit

See If You Qualify!

Research indicates that prolonged use of Depo-Provera, a commonly used contraceptive injection, may cause various types of brain tumors. An observational study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2024 found that individuals taking progestogen-based hormones may be at a significantly increased risk of developing meningiomas. 

Allegations against the manufacturer of Depo-Provera include the fact that the company knew or should have known about the risks and failed to warn consumers. Individuals diagnosed with a brain tumor after taking Depo-Provera may be eligible for compensation and should consult with an attorney.

About Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors:

Understanding the Concerns About Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors

Concerns continue to mount over whether the use of Depo-Provera, an injectable progestogen-based contraceptive, may be linked to the development of brain tumors, including meningiomas. Before you begin taking Depo-Provera, it is essential to fully understand whether the benefits associated with the drug outweigh the risks of use. 

It is believed that synthetic hormones, such as those present in Depo-Provera, may affect cell growth and proliferation in certain tissues, leading to the development of tumors. In most cases, the tumors associated with Depo-Provera use are benign. Benign tumors are non-cancerous growths. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous and can spread. However, even benign tumors can cause significant health issues due to their size and location.

Understanding the potential side effects of any drug is crucial for making informed choices about contraception. Before taking or continuing Depo-Provera, it is crucial to follow the guidance of an experienced healthcare provider who can provide you with personalized medical advice based on your individual health profile.

Research Findings on Depo-Provera and Brain Tumor Risks

A new study published in the BMJ warns of a link between prolonged use of certain progestogen medications and a heightened risk of intracranial meningiomas in some women. According to recent findings, Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate), when used for longer than one year, may present a 5.6x increased risk of intracranial meningioma.

The study used data from the French national healthcare system from 2009 to 2018. Participants included 18,061 women, with an average age of 58, who underwent surgery to remove intracranial meningiomas. Each case was compared with five healthy, matched controls. The study found prolonged use (over 12 months) of three specific progestogens was linked to a higher risk of meningioma requiring surgery.

Understanding Meningiomas:

• Meningiomas are primarily non-cancerous tumors that develop in the meninges—the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.
• They account for 40% of tumors in the central nervous system.
• While generally slow-growing and noncancerous, they can exert pressure on the brain, often necessitating surgical removal.
• Surgery carries potential risks, including damage to nearby brain structures.

Lawsuits filed against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, allege that the pharmaceutical giant knew or should have known about the potential risk associated with the long-term use of Depo-Provera but failed to warn healthcare providers and patients. However, the company does note that the drug “is not recommended as a long-term (i.e, longer than 2 years) birth control method unless other options are considered inadequate.”

Study Highlights Increased Meningioma Risk with Prolonged Progestogen Use

The authors of the study linking progestogens to an increased risk of meningiomas were Noémie Roland, Anke Neumann, Léa Hoisnard, Lise Duranteau, Sébastien Froelich, Mahmoud Zureik, and Alain Weill. The study was published on March 27, 2024, in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) under the title: “Use of progestogens and the risk of intracranial meningioma: national case-control study.”

Key findings from the study included that prolonged use (≥1 year) of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) is linked to a significantly higher risk of intracranial meningioma. The study reported an odds ratio of 5.55, indicating more than a fivefold increase in risk compared to non-users. Although the number of cases exposed to Depo-Provera was small, the finding is crucial due to the contraceptive’s widespread global use.

Patients taking the drug need to understand that the risk of developing meningioma increases with prolonged use of Depo-Provera. Short-term use may not carry the same level of risk, emphasizing the importance of limiting duration when possible. These findings and other data have led to calls for further research, especially in countries with extensive Depo-Provera use. It suggests that the number of meningiomas attributable to Depo-Provera could be substantial on a global scale and indicates that vulnerable populations may require careful monitoring and risk assessment.

Furthermore, the study underscores a significant safety concern for long-term users of Depo-Provera. It emphasizes the necessity for healthcare providers to weigh the benefits and risks when prescribing this contraceptive. It also highlights the urgency for additional studies to understand the dose-response relationship and encourages investigation into the biological mechanisms behind the increased risk.

Healthcare professionals should monitor patients using Depo-Provera for extended periods and may need to consider alternative contraceptive methods for those at higher risk or requiring long-term contraception.

Does Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors?

Prolonged use (one year or more) of Depo-Provera may be associated with an increased risk of developing intracranial meningiomas—benign brain tumors—with an odds ratio of 5.55. While Depo-Provera does not directly cause cancerous brain tumors, long-term use significantly elevates the risk of benign meningiomas requiring surgery. Potential Depo-Provera users must consider the duration of use and potential complications when evaluating contraceptive options.

According to a 2024 study, long-term users of Depo-Provera are over five times more likely to develop meningiomas requiring surgery compared to non-users. Short-term use, however, does not show the same level of increased risk. 

It is important to know that current studies do not show that Depo-Provera directly causes cancerous brain tumors. The study indicates a significant link between extended use of Depo-Provera and the development of intracranial meningiomas. Findings from recent studies highlight the need for awareness among long-term Depo-Provera users. 

Meningiomas

Meningiomas are typically slow-growing, benign (non-cancerous) tumors that form in the meninges—the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Despite their non-cancerous nature, they can cause serious health issues if they grow large by pressing on critical areas of the brain or central nervous system. This can lead to neurological symptoms such as headaches, vision problems, or seizures and often require surgical intervention for removal.

Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors are generally benign growths in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain that regulates hormones. The most common type of a pituitary adenoma is a pituitary adenoma. Hormonal changes can influence these tumors. Hormones may impact the growth or activity of pituitary adenomas. Unlike the established link between Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and meningiomas, there is no well-established link between the contraceptive and the development of pituitary tumors.

Meningiomas are tumors that form in the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Prolonged use of Depo-Provera has been linked to an increased risk of meningiomas. Pituitary tumors, on the other hand, are located in the pituitary gland. While there’s evidence linking the drug to meningiomas, this link does not yet extend to pituitary tumors based on available studies.

Pseudo Tumors

Pseudo-tumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension) is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure without an actual tumor. Symptoms include headaches, vision problems, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). While the exact cause is often unclear, it has been associated with certain medication and hormonal changes. Limited evidence suggests a potential link between the use of Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and pseudo-tumor cerebri.

The association between Depo-Provera and pseudo-tumor cerebri is not as solid or well-documented as with other medications, such as certain birth control pills or growth hormones. However, a few case reports have noted the onset of these tumors in individuals using the hormonal contraceptive. These reports are anecdotal; more research is needed to establish a direct connection. It is believed that in rare cases, the drug may play a role in increasing intracranial pressure.

In some reported cases, discontinuing Depo-Provera improved pseudo-tumor cerebri symptoms. However, symptom improvement after discontinuation is not guaranteed and may vary between individuals.

How Can Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors?

The exact mechanism for how Depo-Provera may increase a person’s risk of brain tumors is not fully understood. Possible connections between the two include the drug’s ability to mimic the hormone progesterone, stimulating the receptors and promoting abnormal growth of meningioma cells. 

Potential Mechanisms for How Depo-Provera May Cause Brain Tumors:

• Progesterone Receptor Activation: Meningiomas are sensitive to hormones, particularly progesterone. Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) mimics the hormone progesterone. Prolonged exposure to synthetic progestogens like Depo-Provera may stimulate the progesterone receptors. Activation of progesterone receptors can promote abnormal growth of meningioma cells and may lead to the formation or enlargement of tumors.
• Prolonged Exposure: Research shows that the risk of meningiomas may increase with long-term use of Depo-Provera (more than one year) and that long-term users may have a higher incidence of the condition compared to short-term users. Sustained hormonal influence may drive tumor development. Individuals more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations may be at higher risk.
• Location of Tumors: Meningiomas often develop near regions abundant in blood vessels and hormone receptors and are commonly found at the base of the skull. Prolonged influence of hormones similar to progesterone may stimulate growth in these sensitive areas.
• Effect on Cell Proliferation: Progestogens like medroxyprogesterone acetate may affect the proliferation of specific brain cells. In some people, this may lead to abnormal growth of meningeal tissue (the protective layers around the brain), potentially forming meningiomas.

Depo-Provera’s long-term hormonal impact on progesterone-sensitive brain tissues may contribute to meningioma development. Although typically benign, meningiomas can cause significant neurological issues due to their size and location. Depending on the severity, a meningioma may necessitate medical or surgical intervention to prevent complications.

Factors That May Influence Tumor Risk

Various factors, including the duration of Depo-Provera use, dosage, age, hormone sensitivity, genetic predisposition, pre-existing conditions, concurrent hormonal therapies, body mass index, and history of radiation exposure, may influence a person’s risk of developing brain tumors, particularly meningiomas, in Depo-Provera users.

Factors That May Increase the Risk of a Brain Tumor:

• Duration of Use: Extended use of Depo-Provera significantly elevates the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas. Women using Depo-Provera for one year or longer are at a much higher risk compared to short-term users.
• Dosage: The cumulative dose of progestogens may be associated with a higher risk of developing tumors. Depo-Provera is administered every three months, delivering a relatively high dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Repeated doses over time lead to prolonged exposure, increasing tumor risk.
• Age: Older women may have an increased risk of developing meningiomas. The incidence of meningiomas rises with age, particularly after 45. Depo-Provera use may compound this age-related risk.
• Hormone Sensitivity: Meningiomas are sensitive to hormones, especially progesterone. Women with heightened hormonal sensitivity or a history of hormone-related conditions (e.g., hormone-sensitive breast cancer, endometriosis) may face increased risk when using Depo-Provera.
• Genetic Predisposition: Some individuals have a genetic tendency to develop meningiomas or other tumors. Conditions like neurofibromatosis type 2 are associated with higher tumor susceptibility. Exposure to synthetic progestogens like Depo-Provera may elevate risk in genetically predisposed individuals.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Women with small or undiagnosed meningiomas may Pre-existing benign tumors can enlarge or become symptomatic under prolonged hormone exposure.
• Concurrent Hormonal Therapies: Using Depo-Provera alongside other hormonal medications (e.g., hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills) may heighten overall exposure to synthetic hormones. This combined exposure could potentially increase the risk of developing meningiomas.
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Some evidence suggests women with higher BMI may have increased sensitivity to hormonal changes. This sensitivity could influence tumor risk, but more research is needed to clarify the relationship among Depo-Provera users.
• History of Radiation Exposure: Previous exposure to ionizing radiation (e.g., radiation therapy) is a known risk factor for meningiomas. Women with such a history may have a higher baseline risk that could be affected by Depo-Provera use.

The development of brain tumors, particularly meningiomas, in Depo-Provera users is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including duration of use, dosage, age, genetic factors, and hormonal sensitivity.

Have You Experienced Severe Side Effects While Taking Depo-Provera?

If you have developed brain tumors, such as meningiomas, after taking the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera, you may qualify for compensation. It is essential to contact an experienced attorney to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for filing a lawsuit. Severe side effects from Depo-Provera, including brain tumors, can result in significant medical expenses related to treatment and removal. 

Contact a Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawyer

Individuals affected by brain tumors after taking Depo-Provera are encouraged to contact King Law to speak with a skilled attorney well-versed in Depo-Provera lawsuits related to brain tumors and meningiomas. At King Law, our attorneys have extensive experience handling pharmaceutical litigation and work strategically to secure the compensation clients deserve. We are committed to advocating for those affected by Depo-Provera and ensuring that each case is handled with expertise and care. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation. 

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