Progesterone-containing birth control injections linked to brain tumor risk

Hormonal birth control pills used by millions of women around the world have been linked to an increased risk of rare brain tumors.

One study found that long-term use of certain progestin-containing drugs may increase the risk of meningioma, a type of tumor that is mostly noncancerous, fivefold.

However, experts warn women not to stop using birth control without consulting their doctor.

Of the progestins included in the study, the only one used in the UK that was associated with a higher risk of tumors was medroxyprogesterone acetate, a contraceptive injectable sold under the brand name Depo-Provera.

NHS Figures show there are around 10,000 prescriptions for the drug every month in England.

Research shows that long-term use for more than a year increases the risk of meningioma by 5.6 times.

“While this sounds risky, it’s important to realize that meningiomas are rare, and a fivefold increase in rare disease remains a rare disease,” said Paul Pharoah, professor of cancer epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who did not participate in this study.

He said about 40 out of 10,000 women currently aged 30 are expected to be diagnosed with meningiomas before the age of 80.

According to the study results, the number of women using medroxyprogesterone acetate injection increased to 200.

Professor Farrow said: “This small increase in risk needs to be considered in relation to the benefits of using injectable contraceptives.”

Progesterone is similar to the natural hormone progesterone.They are widely used in the treatment of gynecological conditions, e.g. endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as menopausal hormone therapy and birth control pills.

The new study, published in the journal BMJ, used data from France’s national health system on 18,061 women who had meningioma surgery between 2009 and 2018.

Each case was matched by year of birth and region of residence to 5 women without meningiomas (90,305 total).

Researchers found that long-term use of three progestins was associated with an increased risk of meningiomas: medroxyprogesterone (4.1-fold increase), progesterone (2.7-fold increase), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (5.6-fold increase).

Researchers at France’s National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Healthcare products examined other progestins and found no increased risk.

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Because this was an observational study, the researchers could not determine whether hormone treatment was the cause of the tumors.

However, the scientists noted that there are 74 million injectable users worldwide and “the number of meningiomas is likely to be high” in countries where contraception is regularly used.

The researchers added that further research using other data sources is urgently needed to better understand the risks.

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Meningiomas are usually benign, but because they are located in and around the brain and spinal cord, they can cause serious problems for some patients.

Symptoms include vision changes, hearing loss or ringing in the ears, loss of smell, headache, memory loss, seizures, and weakness in the arms or legs.

Pfizer Produces two medroxyprogesterone acetate injections for use in the UK – Depo-Provera and Sayana Press.

“We are aware of the potential risks associated with long-term use of progestins and, working with regulatory authorities, are updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording,” the company said in a statement.

Dr Karen Noble, from the charity’s Brain Tumor Research Centre, said: “While this study links certain progestin treatments with an increased risk of meningiomas, it also demonstrates the safety of other progestin treatments, which are Demonstrated no increased risk.

“If you are concerned, it is recommended that you consult your GP before stopping any prescribed treatment.”