Depo-Provera and its generic equivalents are injectable birth control products that have been linked to meningioma brain tumors. 

Thousands of women who used Depo-Provera have filed lawsuits to try to hold drug manufacturers and distributors liable for releasing a dangerous product and failing to warn them of the risks. Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation.

This guide explains what Depo-Provera is, the risks, and the pending litigation. 

What is Depo-Provera? 

‍Depo-Provera is a brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate. It is a form of injectable birth control containing the hormone progestin. The birth control shot is administered every three months and works to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening the mucus in the lower end of your cervix to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. 

Depo-Provera is an extremely common form of birth control across the globe, with around 20% of women in America using the medication at some point in their lifetime and between one and two million women using the medication annually. 
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Potential Health Risks of Depo-Provera

Unfortunately, numerous studies have demonstrated a potential link between Depo-Provera and meningiomas, which are tumors that form in the meninges, or the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. This includes:
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• A U.S-based study showing that "Women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate had a statistically significant increased relative risk of developing a meningioma diagnosis when compared with women using oral medroxyprogesterone acetate, other contraceptives, and healthy controls without use of these contraceptives. No increased risk of meningioma diagnosis was found with any other contraceptive."
• A  French study, which found that "Prolonged use of medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and promegestone was found to be associated with an increased risk of meningioma."
• Research from British Columbia, which found that using Depo-Provera for over a year led to a 3.55-fold increase in the risk of developing a meningioma. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists responded to the studies, urging shared decision-making among doctors and patients, and suggesting that a small increased risk of meningiomas is possible. 

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