Does Birth Control Cause Brain Tumors?

A meningioma is a type of tumor that grows in the meninges. These membranes surround the brain and spinal cord. They’re typically non-cancerous (or benign), which means they won’t spread to other parts of your body.

Even though most meningiomas are benign, they can still be life-threatening if they grow large enough to affect nearby parts of the brain.

There are three types of meningioma:

• Grade 1 (typical): A slow-growing form that accounts for the majority (80%) of meningioma cases
• Grade 2 (atypical): A fast-growing tumor that may be resistant to treatment. It accounts for 17% of meningioma diagnoses.
• Grade 3 (anaplastic): A cancerous meningioma that spreads quickly. These account for less than 2% of cases.

Meningioma brain cancer risk factors

Several risk factors are associated with meningiomas:

• Age: Meningiomas are most common among people over the age of 60.
• Changes in hormones: Hormone receptors often present in meningioma cells might react to hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
• Gender: Women develop meningioma three times more frequently than men.
• Genetics: Inherited conditions, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and schwannomatosis, are linked to several types of central nervous system tumors.
• Obesity: Tumors are a risk for people who are overweight.
• Radiation treatments: People who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck may have elevated meningioma risk.
• Use of birth control drugs: Researchers reported a higher risk of developing meningioma in women using birth control methods that contained progestogens (medical drugs that mimic the natural hormone progesterone, which is related to reproductive functions).

What are the symptoms of a meningioma?

These are symptoms commonly associated with meningiomas:

• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Hearing loss
• Memory loss
• Numbness
• Poor balance
• Seizures
• Weakness in limbs

These symptoms are often linked to the location of the meningioma.

Is a meningioma brain tumor the same as brain cancer?

No, most meningiomas are not considered brain cancer. The one exception is the Grade 3 or anaplastic type of meningioma. A Grade 3 meningioma can spread to other parts of the body.

The main birth control medication linked to meningioma is the Depo-Provera contraceptive shot. French researchers studied more than 108,000 women who used progestogen-containing birth control medications, including injectable drugs and certain birth control pills. Progestogens are used for:

• Hormonal contraceptives
• Fertility treatments
• Preventing or managing miscarriage or premature birth

The French study evaluated several forms of widely used progestogens. Researchers used data from more than 18,000 women who had intracranial meningiomas between 2009 and 2018. They compared each case to five healthy control subjects.

They found links between use of progestogens and increased risk of meningioma. The highest-risk progestogens were:

• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (sold as Depo-Provera and other brand names): An injectable contraceptive with a 460% increase in risk
• Medrogestone (sold as Colprone and other brand names): An oral pill with a 310% increase in risk
• Promegestone (sold as Surgestone and other brand names): An oral pill with a 270% increase in risk

The study doesn’t prove that the hormones caused the tumors. It also didn’t account for other risk factors, such as exposure to radiation and genetic predisposition to meningioma.

Other brand names for medroxyprogesterone acetate birth control shots

Depo-Provera is sold under several other names, including:

• Depo-SubQ Provera 104
• Medroxyprogesterone (generic)
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (generic)
• Provera

Women who took Depo-Provera and developed meningiomas are suing Pfizer and other companies associated with the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Depo-Provera. Plaintiffs claim that Pfizer didn’t adequately warn doctors or patients of the potential side effects.

Learn more about Depo-Provera lawsuits.

Our law firm has represented women in a wide range of litigation involving health, medication, medical devices and toxins. Motley Rice attorneys hold leadership roles in mass legal actions related to breast implant, hair relaxer and talcum powder lawsuits.

Learn more about our work in women’s health litigation.

Do not stop taking prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death. Depo-Provera, Mirena, NuvaRing, and Paragard remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.