From weight gain to depression, birth control can come with a lot of unwanted side effects. Finding the right birth control for you is important so you can feel empowered in taking charge of your own health. One scary potential side effect of birth control that has come to light recently is brain tumors.
While no studies have yet proven that birth control causes brain tumors, the use of hormonal contraception has been linked to an increased risk of various types of cancerous and non-cancerous brain tumors.
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If you used Depo Provera and were diagnosed with meningioma, you may be entitled to compensation.
Study finds link between Depo Prover and brain tumors
“Prolonged use of medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and promegestone was found to increase the risk of intracranial meningioma,” the study concluded. For the purposes of the study, prolonged use of hormonal birth control was defined as over one year. Specifically, they found an increased risk with the injectable form of medroxyprogesterone acetate, commonly known as Depo Provera. This is a birth control shot that’s typically given every 3 months. The study has not proven that birth control actually causes brain tumors, only that there is an increased risk of developing this specific type of tumor after using Depo Provera.
The overall risk of developing meningioma is still very low, however, it’s important to consider any increase in risk whether you’re considering using Depo Provera or you’ve used the contraception in the past and are concerned about your risk. Millions of women around the world use Depo Provera for birth control, so even a minimal increased risk still represents a lot of brain tumors. In the general population, 4 out of every 1,000 women develop meningioma, but for those who have used Depo Provera for at least a year at some point in their life, 20 out of every 1,000 women develop meningioma by the time they’re 80 years old.
The risk is further compounded by the fact that the authors of the study noted that their findings likely underestimated the number of tumors because they only looked at symptomatic tumors that required surgery. It’s very likely that the absolute number of tumors in women who have used Depo Provera is higher when you take into consideration those that are asymptomatic and those that did not require surgery within the study window. These types of tumors don’t always require treatment, and they can grow for years without symptoms, so there are likely many cases that the study missed.
What is meningioma?
While not a tumor on the brain tissue itself, meningiomas form on the tissues around the brain and the spinal cord, called the meninges. Typically, these tumors aren’t cancerous, but they can cause some of the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Blurry vision
- Arm and leg weakness
- Numbness
- Loss of balance
- Memory loss
- Hearing loss
Meningiomas can increase the pressure in your skull as they grow, and the location of the tumor often determines the symptoms you experience. This type of tumor typically develops very slowly and can grow over the course of years before it causes symptoms.
If the meningioma is not symptomatic, some providers will choose to wait and see, monitoring the tumor and its growth. However, if it is large or symptomatic, you may need surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy to treat the tumor. And though they typically are not cancerous, some meningiomas can be cancerous, so it’s important to keep a close eye on the tumor.
What to do if you’ve used Depo Provera and have brain tumor symptoms
It can feel really scary to hear that you have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor. If you’re currently using Depo Provera and you’re concerned about your risk, you might consider stopping your injections and choosing a different form of birth control. If you’ve used Depo Provera for at least one year and have any symptoms that might indicate you have a brain tumor, schedule an appointment to talk to your healthcare provider. The symptoms can be very subtle, so it’s important not to discount your symptoms and to be seen if you’re concerned.
If you’ve been diagnosed with meningioma after using Depo Provera, you may be eligible to file a Depo Provera injection lawsuit. Those who have already filed lawsuits say that Pfizer failed to adequately warn them about the risks of the birth control, including the risk of brain tumors. If you think you may be eligible, we can help connect you with a lawyer who can examine your case and help determine your eligibility. Having someone to help fight on your side when you’re facing a scary diagnosis can be a huge relief.
