Depo-Provera (also known as “DMPA”) is a brand name for a contraceptive injection that contains the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate, an injectable containing the hormone progestin. Progestin is a synthetic version of the naturally-occuring hormone progesterone and is primarily used to prevent pregnancy. Aside from contraception, Depo-Provera has also been used for other medical conditions, such as:
Depo-Provera shots are administered intramuscurlarly (deep tissue in the upper arm or buttock) via a 150 milligram injection every three months to suppress ovulation.
Depo-subQ provera 104 also contains medroxyprogesterone acetate. A depo-subQ provera 104 injection is a lower dosage than Depo-Provera, as it is 104 milligrams rather than 150 milligrams.
Depo-subQ provera 104 is administered subcutaneously, meaning into the tissue beneath the skin instead of a muscle or vein, in the thigh or abdomen.
Depo-Provera was initially introduced in 1960 as an intramuscular injection for treating endometrial and renal cancer. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected Depo-Provera for use as a contraceptive several times before it was finally approved for contraceptive use in 1992. The generic version of Depo-Provera became available in 2002. Between one and two million women in the U.S use Depo-Provera each year.
A meningioma is a type of brain tumor that forms in the meninges, the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. These tumors are typically benign (non-cancerous). They are typically slow-growing but can cause problems if they press on the brain, nerves and vessels. As a result, treatment for meningiomas often requires surgery (craniotomy) and/or radiation treatment.
The incidence rate of meningiomas in the United States is about 9.5 per 100,000 people. Meningiomas are considered rare before the age of 35, and the incidence of meningiomas increases with age.
Common meningioma symptoms can include:
Meningiomas are usually diagnosed through imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, which can reveal the location and size of the tumor. If needed, a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options depend on factors like the size, location and whether the tumor is causing symptoms. The main options include:
The prognosis for people with meningiomas is often good, especially when the tumor is removed successfully.
Most meningiomas are not cancerous. The vast majority are benign, meaning they are non-cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. A small percentage of meningiomas can be malignant (cancerous), but these are much less common.
The specific risks depend on the tumor’s location, the patient’s overall health and the complexity of the surgery. However, general risks associated with the removal of meningiomas can include:
A recent French study, published in March 2024 in the British Medical Journal, examined the risk of meningioma associated with progestogen use. The study found that users of Depo-Provera (MPA) had the highest increased risk of developing intracranial meningiomas. Additionally, the study found that using Depo-Provera for over a year increased the risk of tumors by 5.6 times.
This same risk was not found with the most commonly used oral and intravaginal hormonal medications. Furthermore, MPA use is much lower in France as compared to the United States, where MPA injections are commonly used by young, lower-income and Black women.
If you or a loved one have used Depo-Provera or depo-subQ provera 104 for at least one year and were later diagnosed with a meningioma, brain tumor or spinal tumor, the Depo-Provera attorneys at Pope McGlamry are available to help. Call our Atlanta office or submit your free case evaluation.
