Recent scientific research has uncovered a significant association between the long-term use of Depo-Provera, a widely used injectable contraceptive, and the development of meningiomas, tumors affecting the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These discoveries are now prompting global regulatory actions and legal responses from women who believe they were not adequately warned of the risks.
For many families, a diagnosis of meningioma comes after years of Depo-Provera use, often without any understanding of the potential risks. As we learn more, taking thoughtful steps to protect your health and rights becomes all the more necessary.
What the Science Says: A Review of the Studies
Studies from around the world have consistently found that the risk of developing meningioma increases significantly with prolonged use of this injectable hormone.
Here are some of the most important studies:
- French National Case-Control Study (2024)
A large, population-based study published in the BMJ found that women using Depo-Provera for a year or more had a five-fold increased risk of developing meningioma compared to non-users. The study emphasized that the injectable form of the drug was responsible for this heightened risk.
Read the study
- U.S. Insurance Database Study (2024)
A study published in Cancers examined thousands of patients and found that women who had used Depo-Provera for over three years had more than three times the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas.
Read the study
- Indonesian Case-Control Study (2018)
Researchers in Indonesia found that 83% of women with meningiomas had a history of Depo-Provera use, compared to only 14% of control patients. This translated to an extremely elevated risk, suggesting a strong association.
Read about the study
- Clinical Study of Tumor Regression (2023)
A study published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery described 25 women with meningiomas who had used Depo-Provera for an average of 15 years. Remarkably, several patients experienced tumor shrinkage after stopping the injections, suggesting a possible cause-and-effect relationship.
Read about the study
- Historic Case Reports and Supporting Evidence
Earlier case reports and observational studies, such as those published in Acta Neurochirurgica and Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, have also documented meningioma development in women undergoing progesterone-based therapy, adding further support to the hormone–tumor link.
These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive patient education on the long-term risks and effects of Depo-Provera use. Individuals diagnosed with meningioma following Depo-Provera use may have grounds for legal action. The science is clear: this is not a coincidence, it’s a well-documented, globally recognized risk.
Regulatory Response: A Global Problem
France
The French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) was one of the first to act. It now requires enhanced prescribing protocols for Depo-Provera, including annual risk-benefit analyses.
See ANSM’s alert
United Kingdom
The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued new guidance requiring doctors to assess a patient’s brain tumor history before prescribing Depo-Provera and to limit use duration. They also advised prescribers to review treatment regularly.
Read the Direct Healthcare Professional Communication
Canada
Health Canada revised the Depo-Provera product monograph to include warnings in the “Warnings and Precautions” and “Patient Medication Information” sections. It now recommends careful monitoring and increased awareness of symptoms suggestive of brain tumors.
Health Canada info
Australia
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) added new precautions to its official Medicines Safety Update, advising against prescribing Depo-Provera to anyone with a known history of meningioma.
European Union
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) called for updated safety labeling across all EU countries. Depo-Provera packaging must now warn of potential meningioma risk based on cumulative exposure.
United States
The FDA has not yet issued a formal public warning or label update specific to Depo-Provera and meningioma. Lawsuits and public advocacy, however, are pressuring the agency to reconsider its current stance.
For Women and Families: What You Should Know and Do Now
If you have used Depo-Provera and been diagnosed with a meningioma, you are not alone. Women across the U.S. are only now learning about these risks. Whether you’re undergoing treatment or simply trying to understand what happened, there are practical steps you can take:
- Request your full medical records, including your history of Depo-Provera injections.
- Discuss the risk with your physician to determine whether further imaging or follow-up care is needed.
- Consult a legal team that can evaluate your situation and explain your rights.
For more guidance, read our blog Meningiomas and Depo-Provera: Where to Get Help
How Legal Action Can Help
Women are pursuing legal action against the manufacturers of Depo-Provera, seeking compensation for:
- Medical bills, including imaging, surgery, and follow-up care
- Lost wages or diminished future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term or permanent disability
Beyond seeking financial recovery, these claims also raise awareness and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for failing to warn patients. Learn more here: I’m Taking Depo-Provera. What Should I Do?
