A large Danish study links hormonal contraceptives, including the injection Depo-Provera, to an increased risk of brain tumors, though the overall risk remains low.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1.8 million Danish women followed for an average of 13 years. Women using hormonal contraceptives had a 20 percent higher risk of developing meningioma, a usually benign brain tumor, compared to those who never used these methods. The risk climbed to 38 percent for women currently using hormonal contraceptives and remained elevated for at least five years after stopping.
The study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, examined multiple contraceptive types. Injectable progestins like Depo-Provera showed particularly elevated risks. Oral contraceptive pills, patches, and vaginal rings also demonstrated increased meningioma risk, though the associations varied.
Meningiomas account for roughly one-third of all primary brain tumors in the United States. While most are benign and slow-growing, they can still cause serious complications if they press on brain tissue. The Danish researchers found no link between hormonal contraceptives and malignant glioma, another type of brain tumor.
The absolute risk remains small. Among the study population, the baseline meningioma incidence was about 2 to 3 cases per 100,000 women yearly. Even with the elevated risk, hormonal contraceptive users saw rates increase to roughly 3 to 4 cases per 100,000 annually.
For women considering or currently using hormonal contraceptives, these findings warrant a conversation with their healthcare provider. The decision to use these methods involves weighing benefits like pregnancy prevention and menstrual regulation against potential health risks. Women with personal or family histories of brain tumors should discuss alternative contraceptive options