For decades, Depo-Provera often called “the birth control shot” has been marketed as a convenient, low-maintenance contraceptive option. Millions of women have relied on the injection, returning to their doctor or clinic every three months for another dose.
Now, emerging research is raising serious questions about the drug’s long-term safety and has triggered a wave of Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits across the United States. Women who used the shot for years and later developed meningioma, a type of brain tumor, say they were never warned about the risk.
This article breaks down what Depo-Provera is, what the newest studies show, and why lawsuits are being filed against Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer.
What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is the brand name for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a long-acting contraceptive that delivers a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone (progestin). It is injected either deep into the muscle (the traditional Depo-Provera shot) or just under the skin (Depo-SubQ).
Once injected, DMPA works primarily by:
- Suppressing ovulation so the ovaries do not release an egg
- Thickening cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach any egg that might be released
Because one shot can prevent pregnancy for about three months, Depo-Provera has been particularly popular among women who prefer not to take a daily pill.
However, the drug is not side-effect-free. Known risks include weight gain, changes in menstrual bleeding, headaches, and decreased bone mineral density, serious enough that the FDA requires a boxed warning about bone loss on the U.S. label.
Now, a growing body of evidence suggests that long-term use may also be linked to certain brain tumors.
Can Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors?
The current litigation focuses on meningioma, a tumor that arises from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are considered benign, but they can still be dangerous causing seizures, vision loss, hearing changes, headaches, or cognitive problems depending on their size and location.
Several recent studies have raised alarms:
- French nationwide study (2024) – A large analysis led by the French medicines agency (ANSM) and Epi-Phare, published in The BMJ, found that women who used injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate for at least one year had about a fivefold increased risk of intracranial meningioma compared with non-users.
- U.S. database study (2025) – Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University examined health records for more than 61 million women and reported roughly double the risk of meningioma in Depo-Provera users, with the highest risk in women who used it for more than four years or started after age 31.
These studies are observational, they show an association rather than definitive proof of causation but the elevated risks are large enough that regulators and scientists are paying close attention.
Some regulators outside the U.S. have already responded. Labeling for DMPA products in parts of Europe and Canada has been updated to include meningioma warnings, while U.S. labels have not.
How Are Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits Framed?
Women filing Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits generally allege that:
- Pfizer failed to provide adequate warnings about the risk of intracranial meningiomas, even as evidence accumulated.
- The company knew or should have known about the potential risk of hormone-sensitive brain tumors based on internal data and external studies.
- Had they been warned, patients and physicians might have chosen a different birth control method or limited long-term use.
According to recent reporting, more than 1,300 women have already sued in the U.S., and attorneys estimate that the litigation could ultimately involve thousands more plaintiffs and potential claims worth several billion dollars.
A key legal fight will center on whether Pfizer can argue that federal regulators, specifically the FDA, would not have allowed stronger tumor warnings on the U.S. label, a defense known as “pre-emption.” Plaintiffs counter that the company’s proposed warning was too vague and that more specific language could and should have been requested.
Is It Too Late To File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?
Because the key meningioma studies were published only recently, many women are just now learning about a possible connection between Depo-Provera and their diagnosis. In most states, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit is influenced by when a reasonable person would have discovered the potential link between the drug and their injury.
The evidence showing the link between Depo-Provera and brain tumors is relatively new. Plaintiffs are just starting to file claims. If you or a loved one has been affected by Depo-Provera, contact us to see how you can seek potential compensation.
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