Large Study Links Hormonal Birth Control To Rare Brain Tumors In Women

A method of pregnancy prevention could cause brain tumors.

New Study Links Common Hormonal Contraceptives to Rare Brain Tumors

A flawed study in the late 1990's scared millions of women away from hormone replacement therapy. Since that time, we have learned more about how hormones should be administered whether it be birth control or HRT. There is a general consensus that estrogen should not be administered orally.

Hormone Studies

While previous studies highlighted problems with the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera and its connection to a rare, slow-growing brain tumor known as a meningioma, a sweeping new study reveals that several other common hormonal contraceptives share a similar association.

Danish Medicines Agency Study

According to the New York Post, the extensive research was conducted by investigators at the Danish Medicines Agency who evaluated 25 years of health data tracking roughly 3 million women. While confirming that the contraceptive injection carries the most pronounced statistical link, the data also uncovered minor elevations in risk associated with five other birth control medications. These include standard combined oral contraceptives, progestogen-only mini-pills, and specific formulations containing hormones such as drospirenone, desogestrel, gestodene, and levonorgestrel.

Understanding the Mechanism and Risk Level

Meningiomas are intracranial tumors originating in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Although the vast majority are benign, they can still become dangerous and debilitating as they expand, placing heavy physical pressure on sensitive brain structures and nerves. Statistically, these growths affect women at more than double the rate of men, a discrepancy largely attributed to natural hormones that can stimulate tumor cell proliferation.

Real-World Impacts and Ongoing Litigation

The evolving science has major legal and regulatory repercussions. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, which produces Depo-Provera, currently faces hundreds of lawsuits nationwide filed by women who developed severe intracranial tumors after using the injectable contraceptive.Many plaintiffs have endured multiple medical procedures. In response to the growing body of medical data and legal pressure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated product labeling for the Depo-Provera injection to explicitly warn patients of a potential connection to meningiomas.