Depo-Provera Linked to Brain Tumours: Women Demand Accountability from Big Pharma
A landmark study from the Cleveland Clinic has found that women using the Pfizer contraceptive Depo-Provera face a significantly higher risk of developing brain tumours, sparking questions about the pharmaceutical industry’s role in public safety.
The research, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed health data from over 10 million American women. Findings indicate that Depo-Provera users experienced a 143% increased risk of meningiomas, a type of brain tumour that can cause vision loss, seizures and permanent neurological damage. Long-term users faced an even higher 290% risk. No other contraceptives studied were linked to this level of risk.
Historical Warnings Ignored
Attorney Chris Seeger, representing hundreds of women in lawsuits against Pfizer, says the risks were known decades ago. Meningiomas are sensitive to hormones, and Depo-Provera delivers a high dose of synthetic progesterone that remains in the body for months, potentially promoting tumour growth.
Seeger points to gaps in the regulatory system: clinical trials are often too short or too small to detect rare but serious side effects. Depo-Provera’s early trials reportedly involved women in developing countries, where side effects were observed as early as the 1970s. Despite these warnings, the drug was approved and widely prescribed.
Real-World Impact
Women affected by Depo-Provera report devastating outcomes. One mother of three underwent multiple brain surgeries after nearly a decade on the drug and now experiences memory loss and chronic fatigue. Another woman developed a fast-growing meningioma that pressed on her optic nerve, leaving her with permanent partial vision loss and forcing her to leave college.
Many others report seizures, headaches and long-term neurological issues. The damage caused by meningiomas often persists even after discontinuing the drug.
Calls for Accountability
In Europe, Canada and Australia, Depo-Provera carries warnings about the risk of brain tumours, and some countries have restricted its use. In the United States, no such warnings exist. Pfizer recently requested FDA approval to update the label following the new research and ongoing litigation, but questions remain about how long it will take for women to be adequately warned.
Chris Seeger says pharmaceutical companies must act quickly to protect the public. “They have the authority to update labels as soon as risks are identified. They should not be allowed to delay,” he said.
This case highlights systemic problems in the pharmaceutical and regulatory system. Women deserve transparent information about potential risks, and regulatory bodies must prioritize public health over industry profits. Until full accountability is ensured, women remain at risk from medications with known serious side effects.
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