Can Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors?

You may have seen news reports or posts on social media about Depo-Provera causing brain tumors. These concerns were prompted by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which published a study in 2024 that showed a five-fold higher risk of developing intracranial meningiomas (a type of brain tumor) if you took the birth control shot.

Our team would like to cover some of the basics of Depo-Provera and intracranial meningiomas so you have a better understanding of why this study has caused such a stir. This information will also explain why so many women are seeking litigation against Pfizer, the maker of the popular contraceptive injection.

If you were on Depo-Provera and developed a brain tumor, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit against Pfizer. The birth control shot lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for legal compensation during a free case review.

 

About Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), an injectable type of contraception. It’s available in two forms:

• Depo-Provera
• Depo-subQ Provera 104

On average, the birth control shot is 96% effective.

Depo-Provera is not just used as a contraceptive. It is also prescribed to women during menopause as part of hormone therapy, and to manage pain and other symptoms for women with endometriosis.

The Initial Development of Depo-Provera

Medroxyprogesterone acetate was discovered in 1956 by Syntex and the Upjohn Company, the latter of which has since been acquired by Pfizer. It was originally intended to treat menstrual problems and recurrent pregnancy loss. 

Upjohn introduced MPA to the U.S. under the brand name Provera in 1959. Upjohn developed a different formulation in 1960 known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), which was intended to treat kidney and endometrial cancers. DMPA was later released under the brand name Depo-Provera.

How Depo-Provera Works

DMPA contains progestin, which is the synthetic form of the natural reproductive hormone progesterone. Progestins are also known as progestogens.

Progestin stops ovulation, which is when the ovaries release an egg. With no egg present to be fertilized, a woman cannot get pregnant.

Depo-Provera does more than prevent ovulation, though. Progestin increases the thickness of a woman’s cervical mucus, creating another layer of protection against pregnancy. Thicker cervical mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to reach a waiting egg.

Why Is Depo-Provera Popular?

Depo-Provera is popular because of its convenience, especially compared to the birth control pill. Depo-Provera only needs to be taken once every three months (12 weeks). The pill needs to be taken every day, and patients need to refill their prescriptions whenever they run out.

The convenience and effectiveness made the birth control shot popular among teenage girls and women in their early twenties. It’s estimated that 20 million women across the globe have used Depo-Provera.

Common Side Effects of Depo-Provera Use

Depo-Provera can have major side effects since the injections alter a woman’s hormones.

Major Changes in a Woman’s Cycle

The birth control shot can cause major changes in a woman’s cycle, including:

• More days of bleeding
• Spotting between periods
• Lack of periods

Approximately half of Depo-Provera patients stop getting their period while on the shot. Though this may seem troubling, it is considered normal while on the contraceptive.

Loss of Bone Density

Research suggests that using Depo-Provera can lead to bone loss and reduced bone density. This can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and major bone fractures, including damage to the hips. These risks are typically higher in teenage girls and women in their early twenties who are on the birth control shot.

Other Side Effects of the Birth Control Shot

Other common symptoms of Depo-Provera include:

• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Acne
• Loss of interest in sex

Many women decide to stop taking Depo-Provera due to the negative side effects they experienced.

Study on Depo-Provera and Brain Tumor Risk

In March 2024, the British Medical Journal released a study that showed a potential link between Depo-Provera and intracranial meningioma.

The potential for brain tumors is a new health condition that current and past Depo shot patients are now taking seriously. Given the nature of meningiomas, they can develop decades after a woman has taken the birth control shot.

Does Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors?

The study published in the BMJ used numbers from the French National Health Data System to analyze different types of progestins. The analysis of the data revealed that the prolonged use of promegestone, medrogestone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased the chances of developing intracranial meningiomas.

According to the BMJ, medroxyprogesterone acetate (which is the primary progestin in Depo-Provera) made patients 555% more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas.

What Is an Intracranial Meningioma?

An intracranial meningioma is a type of brain tumor that affects the meninges, the protective membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain. Meningiomas are also known as meningeal tumors.

Thankfully, most intracranial meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous) and treatable. Roughly 92% of meningioma patients will survive their condition for more than five years after they receive an initial diagnosis.

Are Intracranial Meningiomas Common?

Meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor. It’s estimated that 170,000 people are diagnosed with meningiomas in the United States each year.

Intracranial meningiomas are two to three times more likely in women than in men. While intracranial meningiomas are more common in older people, they can develop at any age.

Risk Factors for Intracranial Meningiomas

While the exact cause of intracranial meningiomas is still unknown, there are a few significant risk factors worth noting:

• Radiation Exposure: Any radiation therapy involving the head or other past radiation exposure may increase your risk for intracranial meningioma.
• Female Hormones: Since meningiomas are more common in women, scientists speculate that female hormones could be a risk factor. These risks may be heightened when women undergo hormone therapy or use birth control.
• Genetics/Family History: Patients with a family history of meningiomas are more likely to develop a meningeal tumor. The same is true of people with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare condition that causes tumors to form on nerves, especially nerves on the spine and in the skull.
• Obesity: Some studies suggest that people who are obese are more likely to develop meningeal tumors.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Intracranial Meningioma

The most common signs of intracranial meningiomas include:

• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Paralysis in certain parts of the body
• Loss of smell
• Memory loss
• Seizures

If you have experienced any combination of these symptoms, particularly seizures, be sure to speak with your doctor right away. Your doctor can recommend a full screening by a neurologist as well as imaging tests.

Treatments for Intracranial Meningioma

There are multiple treatment options for meningiomas, including alternatives if certain treatments are ineffective:

• Surgery to Remove the Meningioma: Surgical removal is the most common treatment for an intracranial meningioma when the tumor causes major symptoms.
• Radiation Therapy to Target the Tumor: If the tumor cannot be completely removed through surgery, doctors may recommend radiation therapy to target the remaining cells.
• Chemotherapy When Other Treatments Are Ineffective: Though rarely used to treat intracranial meningiomas, chemotherapy can be used when surgery and radiation are ineffective.

Periodic Screenings for Patients with Increased Risk

If a patient has mild symptoms associated with their meningioma, immediate treatment may not be necessary. Doctors will instead take a conservative, wait-and-see approach regarding treatment.

Regular checkups and screenings can be performed to monitor the development of the meningioma. If symptoms worsen or the tumor starts to affect nearby parts of the brain or any nerves and blood vessels, treatment can then be recommended.

Are Intracranial Meningiomas Listed on the Warning Label for Depo-Provera?

In the United States, the risk of intracranial meningiomas is still not mentioned on Depo-Provera warning labels. Until recently, Pfizer never informed doctors or patients about the potential risk of developing brain tumors from the use of the birth control shot.

By comparison, warning labels for Depo-Provera in Europe and Canada do mention the increased potential for intracranial meningioma associated with using the birth control shot.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Brain Tumors Caused by Depo-Provera Use?

Potentially, yes, you may be able to sue Pfizer if you developed a brain tumor after taking Depo-Provera earlier in your life. The compensation you could receive from litigation can help cover your medical bills and address any changes in your quality of life caused by the brain tumor.

The birth control shot lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are here to advocate for women harmed by taking Depo-Provera. We can help you hold Pfizer legally accountable for major changes to your life and livelihood.

How Much Can I Win in a Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit?

The amount you could receive in Depo-Provera litigation varies based on your brain tumor diagnosis and the ways your life has been affected. Our attorneys will consider:

• Medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of your intracranial meningioma
• Loss of income and future earnings caused by your intracranial meningioma
• Changes in your quality of life associated with the development of intracranial meningiomas

As part of your free consultation, our Depo-Provera lawyers will review how your life has been changed by an intracranial meningioma diagnosis. We can then help you understand how your lived experience could affect the value of your birth control shot claim.

If You Do Not Have Your Old Depo-Provera Prescription, We Can Find It for You

Many women took Depo-Provera much earlier in their lives. For most patients, prescriptions are thrown away after they’ve been filled and are rarely copied or retained. Obtaining prescription records can be difficult, especially with old clinics or medical facilities that have since closed.

If this describes your situation, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has you covered. Our law firm has investigators who can track down an old Depo-Provera prescription. This includes prescriptions from decades ago and from clinics that have been closed for years.

You do not need to have the prescription yourself to qualify for Depo-Provera litigation. You can trust our team to do the in-depth investigative work for you while you focus on treatment.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. Our law firm has offices located in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008, our lawyers have represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex lawsuits throughout the country. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Depo-Provera Attorney?

There is no upfront cost to hiring an attorney with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to offering free claim evaluations to Depo-Provera patients, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our attorneys anything unless and until we can recover money for you.

Our lawyers are here to advocate for women who’ve been diagnosed with brain tumors after taking Depo-Provera. Your voice deserves to be heard, and our team will help amplify your story.

Contact Our Law Firm If You Developed a Brain Tumor After Using Depo-Provera

If you took Depo-Provera and got diagnosed with a brain tumor later in life, our birth control shot attorneys can help you seek compensation from Pfizer. During a free case evaluation, we can discuss the ways your intracranial meningioma has affected your overall quality of life. For more information, contact our law firm today.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.