What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera, and its lower dose version Depo-SubQ Provera 104, are birth control drugs with the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate. They do not contain estrogen and are a progestin-based hormonal contraceptives that are administered through an injection every three months. Approximately 74 million women use the birth control shot worldwide with 2 million located in the United States.

In addition to its use as a contraceptive, Depo-Provera is also prescribed to manage certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis and irregular periods.

Study connects drug with tumors

A recent study in the March 2024 issue of the British Medical Journal by researchers at France’s National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety identified a link between Depo-Provera use and meningiomas. Researchers found that prolonged administration of progestogen-based drugs resulted in a five and a half times risk of developing meningiomas.

Women using Depo-Provera for birth control are 5 times more likely to develop meningiomas, according to the BMJ.

What are meningiomas?

Meningiomas are generally benign tumors that grow slowly from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The tumors usually do not cause symptoms, but they can affect the nearby brain tissue, nerves, or vessels, leading to significant disabilities and potentially necessitating their removal.

Symptoms of a meningioma may include:

• Blurred vision

• Confusion

• Seizures

• Trouble speaking

• Double vision

• Arm or leg weakness

• Loss of smell

• Hearing loss

• Memory loss

• Vision loss

Undisclosed risk

Despite being aware of the risk of developing a meningioma with the use of Depo-Provera, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, did not warn of this risk. Pfizer said in a statement: “We are aware of this potential risk associated with long-term use of progestogens and, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, are in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.”

Individuals may qualify for a lawsuit related to Depo-Provera if they were diagnosed with a brain tumor after using the drug for more than a year.