Making Sense of Meningioma with Depo Provera Use

Medical studies and scientific data connecting the usage of Depo Provera to a higher risk of meningiomas

Friday, September 20, 2024 - Millions of women all across have utilized the long-acting injectable contraceptive depo-provera. Research in recent years has shown a worrying possible side effect, though a higher chance of meningiomas, and benign tumors forming in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Although these tumors usually are non-cancerous, depending on their size and location they might pose major medical problems. There is concern about data connecting Depo-Provera to meningiomas along with what women should be aware of concerning this relationship. About one-third of all brain tumors are meningiomas, the most often occurring form of brain tumor. Usually slow-growing, they could even be asymptomatic for years. Large enough growth, however, might cause pressure on the brain or spinal cord, resulting in headaches, vision problems, seizures, and neurological disorders. Severe cases may call for the removal of the tumor, which carries some hazards through surgery. Individuals with meningiomas might be entitled to hire a Depo Provera attorney and pursue a Depo-meningioma lawsuit depending on product liability, carelessness, or failure to warn.

Because the contraceptive includes a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, Depo-Provera and meningiomas have a possible relationship. Although it is mostly important in the female reproductive system, progesterone can also help other kinds of cells--including meningioma cells-- flourish. Meningiomas have been linked in certain studies to women who use Depo-Provera for prolonged periods--especially more than five years. One important study on the link between hormonal contraceptives and brain tumors was written in the journal Cancer Epidemiology. Meningiomas were somewhat more likely to occur in women who used progestin-only contraceptives, such as Depo-Provera than in those who did not use these contraceptives. Meningiomas are still somewhat rare, thus it is noteworthy that the general risk is still minimal.

Meningiomas can take years or even decades to develop, which makes it difficult to grasp the relationship between Depo-Provera and them. Women who used Depo-Provera in the past could thus not show indications of a meningioma until several years later. Women who have used Depo-Provera should thus be aware of the possible symptoms of a meningioma and seek medical advice should they have ongoing headaches, vision abnormalities, or other neurological problems. Though there is evidence pointing to a possible connection between Depo-Provera and meningiomas, most women view the contraceptive as safe and it is still routinely recommended. Medical experts are, however, growing more wary of giving Depo-Provera to women who could be more likely to get meningiomas--that is, those with a family history of brain tumors or another risk factor.

Women worried about the side effects of Depo-Provera have other types of contraception free of synthetic progestins available. These include non-hormonal choices including copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), and combination hormonal contraceptives including estrogen and progesterone, which might help to reduce meningioma development risk. The choice to use Depo-Provera should ultimately be taken under advice from a healthcare professional who can evaluate personal risk factors and offer direction on the best and most efficient type of contraception. Women who have used Depo-Provera and are worried about the possible hazards should go over their medical history with their doctors and consider regular monitoring for meningiomas.

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Depo Provera Brain Tumor Attorneys Handling Claims Nationwide

We will represent all persons involved in a Depo Provera lawsuit on a contingency basis, meaning there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. Anyone who has been treated for a meningioma brain tumor and has a history of using Depo Provera for at least a year--or is a family member of such a person--is eligible to receive a free, no-obligation case review from our attorneys. Simply contact our firm through the online contact form or the chat feature and one of our Depo Provera meningioma lawyers will contact you promptly to discuss your case.