How Does This Birth Control Injection Relate to Meningioma Risk?
Depo-Provera, a birth control shot developed and manufactured by Pfizer, has become the center of multiple lawsuits alleging the contraceptive causes brain tumors in long-term users. The FDA-approved medication, administered every three months to prevent pregnancy, contains synthetic progestogens that research has linked to an increased risk of meningiomas – tumors that form on the membranes surrounding the brain. While Pfizer maintains the product has been “safe and effective” for over three decades, litigation claims the company failed to adequately warn U.S. consumers about potential risks despite including such warnings on Canadian and European Union products.
5 Key Points
- Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive administered every three months that contains synthetic progestogens.
- Research published in the British Medical Journal found a five-fold increased risk of meningiomas in women using synthetic progestogens for over one year.
- Multiple lawsuits claim Pfizer failed to warn U.S. consumers about meningioma risks despite including such warnings in other countries.
- Symptoms of meningiomas include headaches, vision problems, speech difficulties, and cognitive issues.
- Individuals who used Depo-Provera and developed meningiomas may qualify for legal compensation.
What Is Depo-Provera and How Does It Work as Birth Control?
Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive developed and manufactured by Pfizer that has been FDA-approved for more than 30 years. The contraceptive is administered as a shot every three months to prevent pregnancy by releasing synthetic progestogens, hormones similar to the natural progesterone produced by the body. This medication works primarily by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining to prevent implantation. Due to its quarterly administration schedule, Depo-Provera has become a popular contraceptive option for women who may struggle with daily birth control pills, including vulnerable populations such as those with mental illness. The shot has been used by millions of patients worldwide, with some individuals, like the Nevada plaintiff in a recent lawsuit, receiving dozens of doses over many years of use.
What Are Meningiomas and What Symptoms Should Depo-Provera Users Watch For?
Meningiomas are tumors on the meninges, the membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. While typically classified as benign, these tumors can cause serious and “life-altering effects” depending on their size and location within the skull. Users of Depo-Provera should be aware of potential symptoms that may indicate the presence of meningiomas, including:
- Persistent, painful headaches
- Blurred or double vision
- Pain and swelling around the eyes
- Speech difficulties or communication problems
- Memory loss or confusion
- Seizures
- Weakness in limbs
- Loss of hearing or smell
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Balance problems and dizziness
- Facial numbness or tingling
The Nevada plaintiff in a recent lawsuit experienced several of these symptoms in 2023, including painful headaches, blurring vision, eye pain and swelling, and difficulty communicating. These symptoms led her physician to order MRI and CT scans, which revealed three “densely calcified meningiomas” requiring surgical intervention and radiation treatment.
What Does Scientific Research Show About the Connection Between Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors?
A comprehensive study published in the peer-reviewed British Medical Journal on March 27, 2024, has strengthened the case for a connection between synthetic progestogens, like those found in Depo-Provera, and the development of meningiomas. The research followed more than 18,000 women with prolonged use of synthetic progestogens and found that those who used these products for more than a year had a five-fold increased risk of developing intracranial meningiomas. According to the researchers, “Progestogens are similar to the natural hormone progesterone, which are widely used for gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, and in menopausal hormone therapy and contraceptives.” While the study noted that Depo-Provera is not widely used in France, where the research was conducted, it acknowledged the injection’s global popularity, particularly among women who may have difficulty adhering to daily medication regimens. The lawsuit against Pfizer alleges that despite this “overwhelming body of research,” the company’s July 2024 update to U.S. product labels did not include meningioma risks. However, such warnings appear on Depo-Provera packaging in Canada and the European Union.
Who Qualifies for the Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit and What Compensation Might Be Available?
Individuals who may qualify for the Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit typically include those who have received multiple injections of the contraceptive and subsequently developed meningiomas or other related health issues. The lawsuits generally focus on Pfizer’s alleged failure to warn consumers about potential risks adequately. As attorney Chris Paulos stated during the Mass Torts Made Perfect conference in Las Vegas in October 2024, “Women across the country trusted that Depo-Provera was a safe and reliable form of contraception. Unfortunately, what they were not told is that it could significantly increase the risk of developing life-threatening brain tumors.” Potential plaintiffs generally need medical documentation confirming their Depo-Provera usage and a meningioma diagnosis to qualify for these lawsuits. The Nevada case and similar lawsuits seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the alleged failure to warn. Attorney Robert Eglet, representing the Nevada plaintiff, emphasized the importance of holding pharmaceutical companies accountable: “Women trust pharmaceutical companies to prioritize their health, and if that trust is broken, we are here to help them seek justice.”
How Has One Nevada Woman’s Experience Highlighted Potential Risks of Long-Term Depo-Provera Use?
The case of a Las Vegas mother illustrates the potential consequences of long-term Depo-Provera use. This woman received approximately 80 doses of the contraceptive between 2002 and 2023, beginning after the birth of her son. She initially used the medication from 2002 to 2008, receiving 28 shots before pausing to try for another child. After experiencing multiple miscarriages over two years, she resumed the injections in 2011, receiving one shot every three months for the next 13 years. In 2023, at age 49, she began experiencing severe symptoms, including painful headaches, blurred vision, and communication difficulties. Medical imaging revealed three “densely calcified meningiomas,” with one tumor situated behind her right eye requiring surgical removal via craniotomy at UCLA Medical Center. Despite undergoing 30 radiation treatments for the remaining tumors, doctors have indicated that these growths have not shrunk to a safe size and recommended additional surgical intervention. According to the lawsuit filed November 14, 2024, in Nevada Federal District Court, the woman remained unaware of any connection between Depo-Provera and her condition until October 2024, when she discovered information about the link on social media following the publication of the March 2024 British Medical Journal study.
On this page:
