Unwarned And Harmed

Dozens of women who used Depo-Provera say they were never warned of a potential brain tumour risk, and now live with devastating consequences including sight loss, bulging eyes and meningiomas.

Doctors have been instructed to warn women about the risk of brain tumours linked to a contraceptive injection after dozens of women came forward saying they suffered life-changing injuries and were never told of the potential danger.

The issue came to light after reports highlighted women who say they suffered severe, life-altering injuries following years of Depo-Provera use, including sight loss, bulging eyes and brain tumours. Many claim they were never informed of the potential risk when receiving the contraceptive injection.

Updated guidance has now been issued to GPs, nurses and pharmacists, instructing them to clearly explain the risk of meningioma, a non-cancerous brain tumour, to women considering Depo-Provera so they can make a fully informed decision about the contraceptive injection.

Tammy Croston, 47, from Cupar in Fife, lost the use of one eye after surgery to remove one of four meningiomas went wrong, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Welcoming the updated guidance, Tammy Croston said women prescribed Depo-Provera had never been warned about the potential risk of developing a brain tumour, and described the new measures as a positive step toward ensuring patients are properly informed.

Croston said women should have been warned about the potential risk from the outset, arguing that a lack of information left many users facing life-altering injuries that might have influenced their treatment decisions.

Croston said some women had raised concerns about a possible connection between Depo-Provera and brain tumours with their doctors, only to find that healthcare professionals were not aware of any reported link, and she hopes the updated guidance will improve awareness in the future.

Croston said that if the new guidance helps spare other women from experiencing the same suffering and life-changing consequences, then it will represent an important step forward in protecting patients and improving awareness of the potential risks.

The updated guidance also instructs healthcare providers to reassess the use of Depo-Provera every two years and ensure appropriate action is taken if a tumour is suspected. However, while the document describes the risk of developing a meningioma with frequent use as a “small chance”, some affected women strongly dispute that characterisation.

Research published in the British Medical Journal in 2024 found that women who used Depo-Provera were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with meningiomas than those who had never used the contraceptive. Meanwhile, around 150 Scottish women are being represented by Thompsons Solicitors in claims seeking damages from drug manufacturer Pfizer over the alleged effects of the injection.

Women taking the menopause medicine Provera alongside estrogen should be aware that it contains the same active hormone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, as Depo-Provera, although it is used differently, and recent safety updates have also highlighted a rare meningioma risk with prolonged use of high-dose formulations.

Provera and Depo-Provera contain the same active drug, medroxyprogesterone acetate; the main difference is that Depo-Provera is a long-acting depot injection designed to release the medication slowly over several months, whereas Provera is taken as tablets.

Age is an important factor when weighing the risks and benefits of hormone treatments, as the likelihood of certain complications generally increases as women get older, which is why treatment decisions are often based on an individual’s age, medical history and overall health profile.

Anyone who has used Depo-Provera for a long time and is concerned about these reports should speak to their GP and discuss whether any further assessment or investigation is appropriate for their situation.

All women who were prescribed Depo-Provera should be offered the opportunity to discuss screening with their doctor, particularly if they have concerns, as many feel they were never fully informed of the potential risks when the drug was prescribed.