August 13, 2026 | News & Blog
Last Updated: August 2026
If you have used Depo-Provera and were later diagnosed with a meningioma, you may be wondering whether the two could be connected.
It is a reasonable question. Several scientific studies have reported an association between long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate—the active ingredient in Depo-Provera—and an increased risk of meningioma. More recent research has added to the evidence, including a large U.S. study published in 2025 and a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2026.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also added a meningioma warning to the current Depo-Provera prescribing information.
At the same time, it is important to understand what the scientific evidence actually shows. An association between a medication and a disease does not automatically prove that the medication caused a particular person’s tumor.
This article explains the current research in plain English and discusses why the findings are important to the ongoing Depo-Provera meningioma litigation.
If you have been diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you can also learn more about the litigation and potential claims in our complete guide to Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits.
Depo-Provera is an injectable form of hormonal birth control. Its active ingredient is medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic progestin that acts similarly to the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.
Depo-Provera is generally administered once every three months.
Because it does not require taking a pill every day, Depo-Provera has been used by millions of women as a convenient method of preventing pregnancy.
The medication works primarily by preventing ovulation and producing other changes that make pregnancy less likely.
The current litigation concerns allegations involving repeated or long-term exposure to medroxyprogesterone acetate and the development of meningiomas.
A meningioma is a tumor that develops in the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Most meningiomas are considered benign rather than cancerous. However, “benign” does not necessarily mean harmless.
A meningioma can cause serious problems if it grows large enough to put pressure on the brain, nerves, or other structures.
Depending on its location, a meningioma may cause:
Some meningiomas require no immediate treatment and are monitored with periodic imaging. Others require surgery, radiation treatment, or other medical intervention.
The scientific evidence has developed over several years.
One of the most important studies was published in The BMJ in 2024.
Researchers conducted a large national case-control study in France examining whether certain progestogens were associated with intracranial meningiomas requiring surgery.
The study found an association between prolonged use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate at the 150-mg dose and an increased risk of meningioma requiring surgery.
The researchers reported that the association was observed with prolonged use and not with less than one year of exposure. They also found no excess risk for several other hormonal products they examined.
The researchers concluded that prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone acetate was associated with an increased risk of meningioma.
That study attracted significant attention because Depo-Provera is much more widely used than some of the other high-dose progestogens previously associated with meningioma.
A subsequent study provided additional information from the United States.
Published in JAMA Neurology, the study examined data from a large U.S. healthcare database covering more than 118 million people.
Researchers identified more than 10 million patients who met their study criteria and then used propensity-score matching to compare women who had used different forms of hormonal contraception with appropriate comparison groups.
Among the matched patients, use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate was associated with a relative risk of 2.43 for a subsequent diagnosis of meningioma compared with controls.
The researchers found that the association was particularly apparent among women with more than four years of exposure or women who began the medication after age 31.
Importantly, the study also reported a relatively high number needed to harm—1,152 patients—which indicates that the absolute risk to an individual woman remained relatively low even though the relative risk was higher.
That distinction is important.
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of medical research.
If a study reports that a medication is associated with a 2.43-fold relative risk, that does not mean that 43 out of every 100 women taking Depo-Provera will develop a meningioma.
Relative risk describes the relationship between two groups.
The underlying risk of developing a particular condition matters enormously.
Meningiomas are relatively uncommon, and the 2025 study specifically noted that the number needed to harm was high.
In other words, the research suggests that Depo-Provera may increase the relative risk of meningioma while the absolute risk for an individual woman remains low.
That is an important distinction when interpreting the research.
The evidence did not stop with the 2025 U.S. study.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2026 examined the available observational research concerning depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and cerebral meningioma.
The researchers identified nine case-control studies and one cohort study for inclusion.
Across the studies, the pooled odds ratio was 2.78.
The association was stronger among women with prolonged exposure—defined in the analysis as two years or more—with a pooled odds ratio of 3.49.
The authors characterized the overall quality of evidence as moderate under the GRADE framework.
The findings are significant because a meta-analysis can provide a broader picture than any single observational study.
However, it is still important to understand the limitations.
No.
This is an area where careful language matters.
The available research provides evidence of an association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and meningioma, particularly with prolonged exposure.
But most of the available studies are observational studies.
Observational research can identify associations, but it generally cannot establish causation with the same certainty as a well-designed randomized clinical trial.
Researchers must consider potential confounding factors and other explanations for the observed association.
There is also not perfect agreement among all studies.
For example, a separate matched case-control study examining exposure to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate found that exposure at any point was not statistically significantly associated with cerebral meningioma when compared with its control groups. However, the study did find an association when DMPA exposure occurred within one year before diagnosis.
This does not necessarily mean that one study “proves” the others wrong.
Differences in study design, populations, comparison groups, exposure definitions, and other methodological factors can produce different results.
That is one reason scientists continue to study the issue.
One of the most consistent themes in the research is duration of exposure.
The 2024 French study found an association with prolonged use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate but not with less than one year of use.
The 2025 U.S. study found that the association was particularly apparent among women with more than four years of exposure.
The 2026 meta-analysis likewise found a stronger association with exposure lasting two years or more.
This does not mean there is a simple rule saying that every woman who used Depo-Provera for a certain number of years will develop a meningioma.
It does, however, help explain why researchers and regulators have paid particular attention to repeated and long-term exposure.
The research has also led to regulatory action.
The current FDA-approved prescribing information for Depo-Provera CI includes a specific section titled “Meningioma.”
The label states that cases of meningiomas have been reported following repeated administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate, primarily with long-term use.
The labeling instructs healthcare professionals to monitor patients for signs and symptoms of meningioma and to discontinue Depo-Provera CI if a meningioma is diagnosed.
This is an important development.
It means that meningioma is now specifically addressed in the U.S. prescribing information for Depo-Provera.
However, the FDA warning does not mean that the FDA has determined that Depo-Provera caused every meningioma in every person who used the medication.
Nor does the warning by itself determine whether Pfizer or another defendant is legally liable for an individual patient’s injury.
Those are separate medical and legal questions.
Meningiomas can cause different symptoms depending on their size and location.
Possible symptoms include:
Persistent or worsening headaches can occur when a tumor puts pressure on surrounding structures.
A tumor near the optic nerves or other visual structures may cause blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision.
Some meningiomas can cause seizures, which may be one of the first major symptoms leading to diagnosis.
Tumors in certain locations may affect hearing or cause ringing in the ears.
A meningioma affecting particular parts of the brain can interfere with balance and coordination.
Some patients experience changes in memory, concentration, behavior, or personality.
These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily indicate a brain tumor.
If you are experiencing concerning neurological symptoms, you should speak with a qualified healthcare professional rather than attempting to diagnose yourself based on information from a website.
The most accurate answer is:
Current research supports an association between prolonged exposure to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and an increased risk of meningioma, but scientific research has not established that Depo-Provera caused every individual meningioma.
That distinction matters.
The evidence includes:
At the same time, not every study has produced identical results, and the available evidence is primarily observational.
That is why it is more accurate to say that the research supports an association rather than claiming that science has conclusively proven causation in every individual case.
The scientific evidence is central to the ongoing litigation.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed alleging that Depo-Provera and related products can cause meningiomas and that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients and physicians about the alleged risk.
The federal cases have been consolidated in the Northern District of Florida as MDL No. 3140.
The court has identified common questions that include whether Depo-Provera causes meningioma, whether defendants knew about the alleged risk, whether defendants adequately warned about it, and other issues concerning the medication.
The defendants dispute the allegations.
The scientific evidence therefore has an important role in determining issues such as causation and the adequacy of warnings.
The FDA’s decision to add a meningioma warning is one of the significant developments surrounding the litigation.
The current label acknowledges reports of meningiomas following repeated administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate, primarily with long-term use.
However, the legal significance of that warning is more complicated than simply saying:
“The FDA added a warning, therefore Pfizer is liable.”
Pharmaceutical labeling is heavily regulated by federal law.
In the Depo-Provera litigation, Pfizer has argued that federal law prevents certain failure-to-warn claims from proceeding because of the FDA’s role in approving and regulating the drug’s labeling. Plaintiffs dispute that position.
The federal court will ultimately determine the legal issues presented in the litigation.
If you used Depo-Provera and were subsequently diagnosed with a meningioma, you may want to have your circumstances evaluated by an attorney familiar with pharmaceutical litigation.
Useful information can include:
You do not necessarily need to have all of this information before contacting an attorney.
Medical and pharmacy records may be available even if you no longer have copies.
No.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically establish a legal claim.
An attorney evaluating a potential case will generally need to consider:
This is why online advertisements that simply ask whether you “used Depo-Provera” may not tell the whole story.
The details matter.
If you are currently using Depo-Provera, do not stop or change a prescription medication solely because you read about litigation online.
Talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation and contraceptive options.
If you have already been diagnosed with a meningioma and previously used Depo-Provera, consider preserving your medical records and discussing your circumstances with an attorney.
You may also want to keep records showing:
An attorney can help determine what additional documentation may be necessary.
The evidence has become considerably stronger over the past several years.
Multiple observational studies have reported an association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and meningioma, particularly among women with prolonged exposure. A large U.S. study published in 2025 reported a relative risk of 2.43, while a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis reported a pooled odds ratio of 2.78 and found a stronger association with prolonged use.
The FDA has also added a meningioma warning to the current Depo-Provera prescribing information, noting that cases have been reported following repeated administration, primarily with long-term use.
At the same time, the scientific evidence is not identical across every study, and most of the available research is observational. An association does not automatically establish that Depo-Provera caused an individual woman’s tumor.
The medical and legal questions therefore remain individualized.
If you were diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you may have questions about whether your circumstances could qualify for a claim.
Our office can help you understand your options.
For more information about the litigation, potential eligibility, and the legal process, read our complete guide to Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits.
If you believe you may have a potential claim, contact our San Antonio office for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Research has found an association between prolonged use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, the active ingredient in Depo-Provera, and an increased risk of meningioma. However, an association does not automatically establish that the medication caused an individual person’s tumor.
The research and litigation primarily concern meningiomas, tumors that arise in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Depo-Provera contains medroxyprogesterone acetate. The injectable product commonly used for contraception contains a 150-mg dose of the medication.
No. Meningioma remains uncommon, and the vast majority of women who use Depo-Provera do not develop one.
Several studies have found a stronger association with prolonged exposure. The 2024 study found an association with use lasting more than one year, while the 2025 U.S. study found the association particularly apparent with more than four years of exposure.
Yes. The current FDA prescribing information contains a specific warning concerning meningioma and states that reported cases have occurred following repeated administration, primarily with long-term use.
Not automatically. Potential claims depend on the individual’s medication history, medical diagnosis, timing, applicable law, and other factors.
A qualified attorney can review your Depo-Provera exposure and medical history and determine whether further investigation is appropriate.
Yes. Federal Depo-Provera product liability lawsuits have been consolidated as MDL No. 3140 in the Northern District of Florida.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Do not change or discontinue prescription medication without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Legal Disclaimer: This article discusses allegations and scientific evidence relevant to ongoing litigation. The existence of a lawsuit does not establish that the allegations have been proven, and defendants dispute the claims. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not a substitute for legal advice concerning your individual circumstances.