If you’re one of the millions of women who’ve used the birth control shot, and you’re wondering, “Does Depo-Provera cause cancer?” you have every right to be concerned. The same drug Pfizer told you was “safe and effective” has been under the microscope for decades over concerns that the injections increase the risk of some types of cancer, but evidence has been limited. Now, Depo-Provera is under fire for causing brain tumors, specifically meningiomas. This time, however, the evidence is clear. While Pfizer’s counting their profits, more and more women are coming forward with brain tumor diagnoses.
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As a consumer, you deserve the uncensored truth about the birth control injection and its role in causing cancers and brain tumors – not feedback from someone who’s going to sugarcoat things, like the pharmaceutical companies do.
At Ankin Law in Chicago, we believe that consumers have the right to know about the risks of their medications. We’re going to tell you what Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know.
The Shocking Truth About Depo-Provera and Cancer Risk
If you’ve used Depo-Provera more than twice within a one-year period, and you’re now facing a meningioma diagnosis, the question isn’t just whether the drug played a role—it’s who’s going to be held accountable.
A British Medical Journal study published in 2024 found that prolonged use of drugs containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (that’s what’s in your Depo shot) could increase the risk of meningioma brain tumors by up to 5.6 times. We’re going to bet that your doctor didn’t mention that when they prescribed the birth control injection to you, and you probably didn’t hear about it from Pfizer, either. While the medical and pharmaceutical industries scramble to downplay the risks of Depo-Provera, the evidence is piling up. Women like you who trusted this so-called “convenient” birth control option are developing brain tumors, and these aren’t isolated cases.
Of the 72 million women worldwide who’ve used medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control, tens of thousands have developed brain tumors. Fortunately, these meningiomas are usually benign (non-cancerous) and they typically grow at a slow rate. That doesn’t mean they’re harmless, however. Because of where these tumors grow, they frequently put pressure on the spinal cord and/or brain. Without risky surgery to remove the tumors, women may experience neurological symptoms and other problems like:
- Memory loss
- Vision problems
- Seizures
- Difficulty speaking
- Migraines
- Vertigo
Even with surgical removal, women who developed meningiomas may continue to experience life-altering symptoms. This is partially because these tumors tend to present more frequently at the base of the skull, where critical neurovascular structures exist. As such, surgery to correct the condition is especially challenging.
Despite their knowledge of the risks, Pfizer keeps pushing their profitable birth control injections.
Our attorneys have seen firsthand how pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer operate. They knew about these risks – they HAD to know. Studies conducted as far back as 1989 indicated a link between the hormones used in the Depo shot and brain tumors, but Pfizer failed to recognize the risk. It wasn’t until March 2024 that Pfizer admitted that they were aware of the risks. At that time, they promised to update labeling to warn consumers.
Instead of warning women, or pulling their dangerous drug from the market, however, they continued making billions while women like you are left dealing with life-altering brain tumors. In fact, their black box warning included with U.S. labeling and patient information leaflets doesn’t even mention meningiomas.
Do Generic Forms of Depo-Provera Cause Brain Cancer?
Taking a generic form of Depo-Provera for more than one year significantly increases your risk of developing intracranial meningiomas, the same way that Pfizer’s name-brand drug does. Whether it’s brand-name Depo-Provera or a generic version, both rely on medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin. Meningiomas often have high progesterone receptor expression, meaning prolonged exposure to progestins may fuel their growth. Additionally, studies suggest that the risk of meningiomas increases with long-term use of high-dose progestins. Since generic Depo-Provera delivers the same hormone levels as the brand-name version, the risk remains unchanged. The concern isn’t the brand—it’s the hormone itself.
According to the BMJ study, most meningiomas are not cancerous. These brain tumors can arise years, or even decades, after a woman takes the birth control shot. Recent studies have shown that when women stop using Depo-Provera or its generic versions, some of these tumors actually shrink. That’s not coincidence – that’s causation, and it’s exactly the kind of evidence that makes pharmaceutical companies nervous.
How Does Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors?
The way Depo-Provera triggers tumor growth in your brain is something that Pfizer was hoping consumers would never understand. Fortunately, scientific studies reveal the truth. Here’s what happens when you get the birth control shot.
Each time you receive the injection, your body is blasted with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic progestin that floods your system with hormones at levels your body was never designed to handle. You’re getting a three-month dose of the contraceptive all at once. That’s not natural, and it’s dangerous.
Meningioma cells are loaded with progesterone receptors that can grow in response to hormonal changes. When Depo-Provera’s active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone acetate, interacts with those progesterone receptors in your brain tissue, the high dose of synthetic progestin from your birth control shot fuels tumor growth. Over time, these cells can multiply out of control. While women who use Depo-Provera long-term show up to a 5.6-fold increased risk of developing meningiomas, this risk can skyrocket with prolonged use of the shot. The longer you use the birth control injection, the higher your risk climbs. It’s what’s called a “dose-dependent response.”
These tumors don’t just appear overnight. They can grow slowly, silently, for years while you’re getting injection after injection. By the time symptoms show up, you could be dealing with a significant tumor that requires major surgery.
Do You Have Brain Tumor Symptoms After Taking Depo-Provera?
Many women who developed meningiomas after using Depo-Provera were told their symptoms were “all in their head” or “just stress.” The headaches, the vision problems, the memory issues – all dismissed until an MRI or other tests finally revealed the truth: a tumor that could have been growing for years.
If you’ve used Depo-Provera and experienced symptoms consistent with brain tumors, the time to act is now. Don’t let anyone tell you to “wait and see” or that your symptoms aren’t serious enough. Every day you wait is another day Pfizer avoids accountability for the harm they’ve caused, and another day for your condition to worsen.
What Does Life With a Meningioma Look Like?
Women with Depo-Provera brain tumors show a wide range of symptoms that impact their lives in different ways. For some, it starts with headaches that just won’t quit. Not your average headache – we’re talking about the kind that keeps you up at night. Then maybe you notice your vision’s getting weird, or you’re having trouble finding the right words. You might start bumping into things, feeling dizzy, or even forgetting important details. If you’re like some women with meningiomas, you might even start to have seizures.
If this sounds familiar, make an appointment with a trusted doctor right away to discuss your symptoms. Tell them about your exposure to the birth control shot, and let them know that you may be at an increased risk of developing a meningioma. Request an MRI and/or other tests to determine whether you have a brain tumor. If you’re diagnosed with a brain tumor, and you used Depo-Provera at least twice after 1992, call a lawyer right away. You might have grounds for a Depo-Provera lawsuit.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Depo Shot Brain Tumors?
If you’ve been telling your doctor about these symptoms for months, maybe years, but they keep brushing you off, it’s time to find a medical provider who will take you seriously and provide you with a proper diagnosis. You should not have to settle for anything less.
A proper diagnosis generally starts with your doctor’s review of your symptoms, and your risk of developing a brain tumor. If there is cause for concern, imaging tests usually come next. We’re typically looking at:
MRI with contrast: This is the gold standard. An MRI typically shows these meningiomas clearly, demonstrating what the Depo shot did to your brain.
CT scans: Sometimes CT scans are needed for emergency situations or if MRI isn’t an option.
Specialized MRI sequences: Because these tumors love to hide in tricky spots where your brain meets your skull, specialized MRI sequences may be necessary. These aren’t your basic brain scans.
- T1-weighted sequences show us exactly where these tumors are attaching to your dura (the brain’s protective covering)
- T2-weighted imaging reveals any swelling or fluid around the tumor
- FLAIR sequences help doctors spot even the smallest signs of tumor growth
- Diffusion-weighted imaging shows us how the tumor is affecting surrounding brain tissue
- MR venography is used to see if the tumor is pressing on critical blood vessels in your brain
This kind of technical detail can be crucial for building your case and proving the full extent of the damage these tumors are causing.
Getting diagnosed properly, and promptly, matters to your injury case. The longer your diagnosis is delayed, the more Pfizer will try to argue that your symptoms were caused by something else, your tumor isn’t related to Depo-Provera, or you waited too long to take action.
Legal Options Available for People With Brain Tumors Caused By Depo-Provera
If the birth control injection caused you to develop a brain tumor, you have the right to make Pfizer pay for what their contraceptive did to you. By filing a mass tort lawsuit against the pharmaceutical giant, you can receive compensation for every loss caused by Depo-Provera and your brain tumor, including:
- Every hospital stay
- Every surgery
- Every medication
- Every day you missed work
- The pain you’ve suffered
- The mental anguish you endured
Filing a Depo-Provera lawsuit on your own is not a good idea, however. Taking your case into your own hands could jeopardize your ability to recover full and fair compensation for your losses.
This is partially because Pfizer has a head-start over you. They’ve known about the brain tumor risks for years, and they have teams of attorneys who have had time to get prepared. They’re anticipating the claims against them, and they’re already deciding what they’ll do to counter those claims.
Your case demands representation from experienced attorneys who have gone toe-to-toe with Big Pharma and won. Lawyers who have handled these types of cases will gather evidence that proves Pfizer knew about these risks and kept quiet anyway. This is easier said than done. It’s going to take:
- Leading neurosurgeons who understand meningioma development
- Medical researchers tracking the Depo-Provera/tumor connection
- Life care planning experts who calculate your future medical needs
- Economic experts who determine your lifetime losses
Depo-Provera Brain Tumor? Don’t Wait to Take Action
If you took the birth control shot more than twice after 1992, and you have been diagnosed with a meningioma, call 312-600-0000 and schedule a free consultation with Ankin Law right away. If the statute of limitations expires before you file a lawsuit, you will lose your right to recover compensation through the legal system.
