Are some contraceptives linked to brain tumours?

Studies have highlighted an increased risk associated with some long-term hormone treatments and meningioma brain tumours.

This Q&A looks into those findings. 

What was the study linking female contraceptives and brain tumours? 

The reports stem from analysis of French national healthcare system data which was published in The British Medical Journal in March 2024.

That data involved 18,061 women, with an average age of 58, who had had surgery to remove intracranial meningiomas between 2009 and 2018. Each case was compared with those of five healthy women to form a control group of just over 90,000 women. 

What did the data show? 

Researchers examining the data found that women who had used a particular type of injectable contraceptive for a prolonged period of time (more than a year) had a greater risk of intracranial meningioma that required surgery.  Their risk was 5.6 times higher than in the control group.

The injection involved is known under the brand name Depo-Provera. Its primary ingredient is medroxyprogesterone acetate.

But the study found that overall risk remained low and found no increased risk associated with:

This was an observational study of medications most commonly prescribed in France, not proof of a causal link.  

The oral pills medrogestone and promesgestone were linked to risks 4.1 and 2.7 times higher, respectively. But the study did not find increased risk associated with the mostly commonly prescribed mini pill and morning-after pill. 

Should I be worried?  

Primary brain tumours themselves are relatively rare – accounting for around 3% of new cancers between 2017 and 2019, according to figures provided by Cancer Research UK.   

Out of every 100 brain tumours diagnosed in England between 1995 and 2017, 27 were meningiomas. 

So if you have concerns because you are taking prescribed contraceptives or HRT, experts advise talking to your doctor or prescribing clinician. They can explain how the evidence applies to your specific diagnosis and medication, weigh up any potential risks against the benefits for you, and discuss alternatives for you to consider.

You might want to ask:

• Is the hormonal medication I’m taking one of those that has been associated with an increased likelihood of meningioma in recent studies?
• If so, is my prescribed dose or formulation considered high‑risk or is it commonly used safely
• Is the length of time I’ve been using it something I should be concerned about?
• Based on my medical history, age, and symptoms (if any), what is my actual level of risk?
• How does my risk compare to the general population?
• Is there anything in my health background that might increase or decrease this risk further?
• Are there any symptoms should I look out for that would warrant investigation?
• Do I need any new scans or check‑ups, or is routine monitoring sufficient?
• If I stop this medication, what alternatives could I switch to?

What have drug manufacturers said about the findings? 

At the time of writing Pfizer, which manufactures Depo-Provera, said: “We are aware of this potential risk associated with long-term use of progestogens and, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, are in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.” 

The MHRA has worked with the Government and Pfizer to issue advice to medical practitioners and The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare says it will continue to monitor the evidence.

If I have a meningioma, can I still take contraceptives? 

It’s important to get medical advice specific to your own situation because some contraceptives are contra-indicated for some types of brain tumours because of a known link with hormone receptors.

For further reading, the NHS guidance on injectable contraceptives is here 

Why more research is needed 

While this study provides valuable information, it has limitations because it does not include the use of over-the-counter contraceptives or the different formulations used in other countries.  

This highlights the need for further research into the causes and potential treatments for all brain tumour types. Evaluating similar data about populations in other countries would help us better understand the relationship between hormone treatments and the risk of developing a brain tumour. 

If you have further questions or concerns, our Information and Support team is here to help.