In the movie Kindergarten Cop, the scene where Arnold Schwarzenegger turns to the child and snaps “It’s not a too-mah” is one of the most memorably funny scenes in the movie. But, some users of Depo-Provera a/k/a medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension, as a form of birth control are not laughing as a recent study published in the British Medical Journal suggesting there is a correlation between long-term use and increased risk of developing meningioma–a brain tumor. They are furious for good reason. A prior study from 2020 has also indicated that there may be a correlation between Depo-Provera use and Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome—a condition that mimics tumors but is not. The symptoms for both are very similar. Lawsuits have been filed against the drug’s manufacturer Pfizer, alleging that they failed to warn consumers of the risks associated with either condition.
What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera was originally developed and used as a treatment for uterine cancer. Depo-Provera has also been prescribed to millions of women worldwide as a contraceptive despite health concerns early on in using it for this purpose. Depo-Provera works by introducing a synthetic hormone–progestogen—a synthetic molecule that mimics the body’s naturally produced steroid hormone progesterone. It reduces the likelihood of pregnancy by preventing ovulation and increasing the mucus in the cervix. One dose can last for several months versus having to remember a pill every day.
The 2020 Study and Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome (PTCS)
In 2020, a study published in the European Journal of Neurology sought to quantify the risk of PTCS associated with eight different types of hormonal contraceptives compared with oral levonorgestrel. The researchers found that there was “an elevated risk for PTCS among users of etonogestrel vaginal ring and medroxyprogesterone suspension when compared with oral levonorgestrel.”
What is PTCS?
Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome (a/k/a idiopathic intracranial hypertension) is a medical condition where an excess of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain causing the patient to experience symptoms similar to those caused by brain tumors. Despite the absence of a tumor, the pressure buildup can be debilitating and may swelling of the optic nerve to the point of vision loss that may be permanent.
The 2024 Study and Meningioma Brain Tumors
In 2024, a study published in the British Medical Journal looked at thousands of women who had brain surgery in France for meningioma between Janyart 2009 and December 2018. They found that Prolonged use of medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and promegestone increased the risk of developing intracranial meningioma. Specifically, they indicated that there was an “increased risk associated with the use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate” when used as a contraceptive.
What is Meningioma?
Meningioma is a brain tumor that develops in the three outer layers of tissues surrounding the brain known as the meninges. Meningioma is the most common type of brain tumor.
Symptoms of PTCS and Meningioma
The symptoms of meningioma include headaches, blurred vision or visual disturbance, seizures, numbness, weakness in arms or legs, speech difficulty, memory loss, and hearing loss. PTCS also may present with the above symptoms as well as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or pulsate tinnitus (thumping noise in the ears that matches your heart rate), nausea, vomiting, neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain. The symptoms are very similar, however, upon brain scans, in the former the tumor can be seen whereas Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome appears normal on imaging.
Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits
The mass tort attorneys we work with are currently only evaluating cases with a diagnosis of meningioma (brain tumor) following Depo-Provera use. We are NOT evaluating PTCS cases. Talk to a mass tort lawyer about pursuing a Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit if you were diagnosed with meningioma (brain tumor) after having taken Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera, or a generic version made by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Greenstone LLC, A-S Medication Solutions, Prasco Laboratories, or Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. on two or more occasions. Some mass tort cases may be referred to other attorneys.