Contraceptive Jab Linked to Brain Tumors, Prompting Warnings

Women who took a common contraceptive jab for extended periods have been found to have a higher risk of developing meningioma.

A harrowing experience has unveiled a link between a common contraceptive injection and an increased risk of brain tumors. This connection is prompting warnings and legal action as women share their stories of devastating diagnoses and the impact on their lives.

Nighttime Headaches and a Startling Diagnosis

For six months, Claire Love attributed her nightly headaches to the stresses of her busy life. The 41-year-old mother, married to Mat and with two sons, initially dismissed the symptoms. Eventually, after consulting her doctor, an MRI scan revealed the cause: a meningioma, a prevalent type of brain tumor.

As a working mum Claire Love presumed she was waking up with headaches at night because her life was so full-on.

— World Today News (@worldtodaynews) June 16, 2024

Meningiomas, which grow in the brain’s outer layers, often trigger headaches at night. The tumors, while typically slow-growing and non-cancerous, can lead to severe complications. These include vision loss, personality changes, and paralysis. Claire‘s experience underscores the urgency of early detection and treatment.

“I remember swearing out loud when the consultant said the word “tumour”,”

—Claire, Patient

Survival rates are relatively high, but between 10% and 20% of patients succumb within five years due to catastrophic brain bleeds or pressure buildup. A recent study from the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety highlighted a fivefold increase in meningioma risk for women using the Depo-Provera contraceptive jab for over a year. Recent data shows that around 13,000 new cases of meningioma are diagnosed in the United States annually, emphasizing the importance of understanding the risk factors (National Cancer Institute).

The Contraceptive Jab Connection

The contraceptive jab, Depo-Provera, or medroxyprogesterone acetate, has been linked to this elevated risk. The BMJ study revealed that women using the jab for over a year were significantly more likely to develop meningiomas. The UK drug safety watchdog and the manufacturer, Pfizer, have since issued warnings.

The synthetic form of progesterone in the jab is thought to fuel tumor growth. Furthermore, recent research also points to heightened risks with certain oral contraceptives containing progestogens. Women taking levonorgestrel-based pills for five years or more have shown a 50% increased risk, though the numbers remain small.

Legal actions are emerging, with class actions underway in the US. One UK law firm is investigating a possible case against Pfizer. The core question remains: did the manufacturer know of these risks before publishing the BMJ paper in March 2024?

A Challenging Journey

Claire‘s diagnosis led to a 15-hour operation and subsequent complications, including an abscess and bone damage. She lived for ten months with an exposed skull. Years later, she developed epilepsy. She will require anti-seizure medication for life.

Claire, although hesitant about legal action, focuses on alerting other women. She is quoted, “The tumour has ruined my life – I’m a shadow of my former self.” She is facing ongoing anxiety related to the possibility of the tumor’s return.