Depo-Provera, a birth control injection containing the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate, has been widely used for decades as a convenient contraceptive option. For many women, the Depo shot offered an alternative to daily pills or longer-term devices.
However, recent scientific studies and legal developments have brought renewed attention to the potential link between long-term Depo-Provera use and the development of meningioma brain tumors.
Meningioma Lawsuits Filed By Depo-Provera Users With Brain Tumors
As of 2025, lawsuits are now underway against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, filed by women who were diagnosed with meningioma after using the birth control shot. These cases allege that Pfizer failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about the elevated risk.
With hundreds of claims now consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL), this issue is one of the most significant emerging pharmaceutical legal actions in the United States.
Women who have been diagnosed with meningioma brain tumors after using the Depo-Provera birth control shot can contact an experienced birth control attorney to find out whether they may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for their health condition.
Understanding Meningioma and Its Connection to Depo-Provera
A meningioma is a type of tumor that develops in the meninges—the thin membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. While most meningiomas are classified as benign (non-cancerous), their location can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications. Because they grow within the skull, they can press against the brain, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms.
Common symptoms of meningioma include:
- Persistent headaches
- Seizures
- Vision problems, including blurred or double vision
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Memory loss or cognitive difficulties
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Problems with balance or coordination
Treatment often involves surgery to remove the tumor, and in some cases, radiation therapy. Even when successfully treated, meningiomas can cause lasting neurological issues.
The link between Depo-Provera and meningioma brain tumors has been supported by medical research. A French study published in the British Medical Journal in March 2024 found that women who used medroxyprogesterone acetate injections for one year or longer had a five-fold increased risk of developing intracranial meningiomas compared to women who did not use the drug. The risk appeared to be highest with prolonged use over multiple years.
How the Depo-Provera Lawsuits Began
The first Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits in the United States were filed in October 2024. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that Pfizer knew or should have known about the elevated risk of brain tumors linked to the Depo shot but failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers.
The lawsuits claim that:
- Pfizer did not include sufficient warnings in its U.S. labeling, even after evidence from international studies became available.
- Women were not made aware of the risk of meningioma before making decisions about birth control.
- Safer alternatives existed that could have been offered or recommended.
By mid-2025, the number of filed cases had grown significantly. Many of these lawsuits have now been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), which allows federal courts to handle pretrial proceedings for similar cases together. This structure is intended to improve efficiency, avoid conflicting rulings, and streamline the process for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Attorneys involved in the MDL are serving on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and Liaison Counsel teams, coordinating efforts to represent the interests of women who developed meningiomas after using Depo-Provera.
The Current Status of Depo-Provera Litigation
As of July 2025:
- Hundreds of Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits are pending in federal court.
- Pretrial proceedings are focused on reviewing medical evidence, expert testimony, and Pfizer’s internal documents regarding safety warnings and label updates.
- No jury trials have yet been held, but legal observers expect that the first “bellwether” trials—test cases designed to help predict how juries may respond—could begin within the next year or two.
- The litigation is expected to continue growing as more women are diagnosed and become aware of the potential link between their brain tumor and the birth control shot.
The lawsuits have also brought public attention to the importance of post-marketing drug surveillance and the duty of pharmaceutical companies to keep patients informed when new safety risks emerge.
What This Means for Women Who Used Depo-Provera
Women who used the Depo shot for contraception and were later diagnosed with a meningioma may have been exposed to an increased risk that was not fully disclosed in U.S. product labeling.
While meningiomas are often benign, they can cause debilitating symptoms and may require invasive brain surgery. Recovery from surgery can be lengthy and difficult, with potential for permanent neurological damage.
The legal actions now underway are not only about potential financial compensation but also about ensuring that patients have access to accurate information about the medications they use. The growing body of litigation underscores the seriousness of the issue and the importance of informed consent in reproductive healthcare.
Depo-Provera users who developed meningioma brain tumors after using the birth control should could be eligible to take legal action over the link between the Depo shot and the side effects highlighted in the BMJ study.
Symptoms to Watch For After Depo-Provera Use
Women who have used Depo-Provera for contraception—especially for one year or more—should be aware of the possible symptoms of meningioma. Early detection can be critical for treatment and may help reduce the risk of severe complications.
Potential warning signs include:
- Unexplained headaches that worsen over time
- Changes in vision, such as double vision or vision loss
- Sudden hearing changes
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- New or worsening memory problems
- Seizures in someone without a seizure history
If these symptoms occur, medical evaluation, including imaging such as an MRI or CT scan, may be necessary to rule out or diagnose a brain tumor.
Depo-Provera Users May Qualify to For Compensation
The Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits are still in the early stages of litigation, but they have already sparked widespread discussion in the medical, legal, and patient communities.
For women who developed meningioma after using Depo-Provera, the litigation represents an opportunity to seek recognition of the harm they have experienced and to ensure that future patients are better informed.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cerebral meningioma brain tumors after using the Depo shot – or if you have symptoms you think may be caused by a tumor – you could be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation.
The first step in taking legal action is to contact an experienced birth control attorney, who can help you to determine whether you are eligible to take legal action, assist you in gathering all the evidence you need in a court of law, and file a lawsuit on your behalf in order to seek the compensation you deserve.
