- Prolonged use of Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) raises meningioma risk by 5.6x, while menopausal drugs medrogestone and promegestone increase risk by 4.1x and 2.7x, respectively.
- A French study analyzed 18,061 French women who had meningioma surgery vs. 90,305 controls and confirmed hormonal links but found no risk with progesterone, dydrogesterone or levonorgestrel IUDs.
- Depo-Provera—used by 74 million women worldwide, including two million in the U.S.—poses significant public health concerns, especially in low-income countries.
- Progesterone receptors in 60% of meningiomas suggest hormones may accelerate tumor growth, explaining higher incidence in women despite childhood risks favoring males.
- Experts advise avoiding Depo-Provera for high-risk groups (e.g., NF2-related schwannomatosis) and stress individualized risk-benefit discussions amid lack of long-term safety data.
A groundbreaking French study has revealed that prolonged use of certain hormone drugs—including the widely used injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera—significantly increases the risk of developing brain tumors requiring surgery. Published in The BMJ, the research led by epidemiologist Noémie Roland found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than a year faced a 5.6-fold higher risk of intracranial meningiomas, while menopausal hormone therapies like medrogestone and promegestone were associated with 4.1- and 2.7-fold increased risks, respectively. These findings raise urgent questions about the long-term safety of commonly prescribed hormonal treatments, particularly in countries where Depo-Provera remains a popular contraceptive choice.
Hormone therapy and brain tumors
The research team analyzed French national health data from 2009 to 2018, comparing 18,061 women who underwent meningioma surgery with 90,305 matched controls. They examined exposure to various progestogens—synthetic and bioidentical hormones mimicking progesterone—used for contraception, menopause and gynecological conditions. While short-term use (under one year) showed no increased risk, long-term exposure to medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera), medrogestone and promegestone was strongly linked to tumor development.
Notably, other progestogens, including progesterone, dydrogesterone (used for miscarriage prevention) and levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs), did not elevate meningioma risk. The study also accounted for sociodemographic factors, reinforcing the specificity of its findings.
As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy by supporting the endometrium and ensuring fetal survival, while also regulating key physiological functions such as hormone synthesis, metabolism, mood, thyroid activity, blood sugar, bone health and cancer protection. It acts as a natural diuretic, antidepressant and metabolic regulator, balancing zinc, copper, oxygen levels, and even libido.
Meningiomas, which arise from the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord, are typically benign but can cause severe neurological symptoms, including seizures, hearing loss and cognitive changes. They disproportionately affect women, likely due to hormonal influences. Previous research has tied high-dose progestogens like cyproterone acetate to tumor growth, but this study expands the list of concerning drugs to include Depo-Provera, a contraceptive used by an estimated 74 million women worldwide, including over two million in the U.S. in 2020 alone.
Expert reactions
British geneticist Dr. Gareth Evans, commenting in The BMJ, called the findings "biologically plausible," noting that progesterone receptors are present in 60% of meningiomas. He suggested that hormonal exposure may accelerate the growth of small, asymptomatic tumors into clinically significant ones. This would explain the increased incidence in women, despite boys being at higher risk of meningiomas in childhood.
Evans cautioned that while further validation is needed, women with genetic conditions like NF2-related schwannomatosis, which predisposes them to nerve tumors, should avoid Depo-Provera and cyproterone acetate. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, NF2-related schwannomatosis is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF2 gene, which lead to the development of benign Schwann cell tumors (schwannomas) primarily on cranial, spinal and peripheral nerves, often resulting in hearing loss, balance issues and neurological complications.
Depo-Provera's widespread use, particularly in low-income countries where it's favored for its convenience and long-acting effects, means the attributable risk of meningiomas could be substantial. The study's authors highlighted the lack of safety data for oral medroxyprogesterone, a drug still prescribed in the U.S. at lower doses.
This study adds to growing concerns about the unintended consequences of hormonal therapies, emphasizing the need for rigorous long-term safety monitoring. While Depo-Provera remains a critical contraceptive option for many, the findings underscore the importance of individualized risk-benefit discussions between patients and clinicians. Roland's team noted that the number of attributable meningiomas may be high in countries where these medications are widely used—a stark reminder that even trusted medications warrant scrutiny.
For now, women relying on these treatments are advised to consult their doctors, weigh alternatives and stay informed as further research unfolds.
Learn about Bill Gates' sinister Depo Provera parties (ensuring infertility among African women) by watching this video.
This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.
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