Depo-Provera Linked to Increased Risk of Brain Tumors, Study Finds

Women who use Depo-Provera have a higher risk of developing slow-growing brain tumors, according to a new study. Previously, birth control pill maker Pfizer faced hundreds of lawsuits claiming it was aware of these potential risks.

depo-Provera is the brand name for long-acting medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), which contains a synthetic progestin that blocks the ovaries from releasing eggs to prevent pregnancy.

Injections are used by about 1 in 4 sexually active women in the United States and typically last about three months.

The new study examined the records of more than 61 million women and found that women who used DMPA had twice the risk of being diagnosed with meningiomas compared to women who did not receive hormonal birth control.

Meningiomas are usually benign, but these tumors can cause problems by putting pressure on nerves or brain structures. The disease affects women more commonly than men, possibly due to the influence of female hormones that can stimulate tumor growth.

Researchers from the cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University found that women who started using DMPA after age 31 or used DMPA for more than four years were at the greatest risk of developing meningiomas.