How to Diagnose Meningioma Brain Tumors from Depo Shots

For years, Depo-Provera^® has been marketed as a convenient, long-acting birth control option. However, behind its promise of ease lies a growing concern: Depo shots may increase the risk of meningioma tumors.

In March 2024, a study published in The BMJ revealed that women who used Depo-Provera for one year or longer had a 400% higher risk of developing meningioma brain or spinal tumors compared to those who did not use the drug.

If you received Depo shots and were diagnosed with a meningioma, contact Sokolove Law now for a free case review. You may be eligible for compensation.

Haven't received an official diagnosis yet? Find out how doctors diagnose a meningioma brain tumor and what to expect during testing.

Is a Meningioma Caused by Depo Shots?

Recent research strongly suggests a significant association between Depo-Provera (a progestin-only contraceptive shot) and the development of meningioma tumors.

How Depo-Provera may contribute to tumor growth isn’t fully understood, but it's believed that long-term exposure to synthetic progesterone may stimulate the abnormal growth of hormone-sensitive cells in the brain.

While not every woman who got Depo shots will get sick, the elevated risk highlights the importance of regular monitoring, especially for long-term users experiencing certain symptoms.

Meningioma Symptoms from Depo Shots

Meningiomas potentially linked to Depo-Provera don’t produce unique symptoms, but because the drug may fuel hormone-sensitive tumor growth, symptoms can appear or worsen more quickly in long-term users.

Common Depo shot meningioma symptoms include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
• Difficulty with balance or coordination
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Memory problems or trouble concentrating
• Persistent or worsening headaches
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

In many cases, meningioma tumors often go unnoticed until they grow large enough to press on nearby brain tissue or nerves, potentially causing long-term effects.

"By the fall of 2007, my first symptoms began to appear — restless legs, numbness on the tip of my tongue, taking longer than usual to eat meals, hiccups after eating dry food, and coughing when I drank liquids. By March 2008, I had developed minor balance problems and dull headaches."
– Dr. Kelly Braun, Neuro-oncologist & Meningioma Survivor

If you've received Depo-Provera injections, especially for a year or longer, and notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a health care provider.

How to Get a Depo Shot Brain Tumor Diagnosis

If you’ve used Depo-Provera and are experiencing symptoms like chronic headaches, vision changes, or memory issues, it’s important to take those signs seriously, especially in light of recent research.

Most women had no idea they could be at risk of meningiomas from Depo shots. However, many may already be affected, living with symptoms they couldn't place.

"By May 2008, approximately 7 months after first noticing symptoms, I met with a neurologist. He was able to identify my balance problems by performing a thorough neurological exam that really challenged my stability,” said Dr. Braun. “He ordered a battery of tests to look for the cause of my balance problems, including an MRI."

Getting an accurate meningioma diagnosis involves several steps, starting with a thorough medical evaluation. First, speak with your doctor about your full medical history, including your use of Depo shots and any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

If a brain tumor from Depo shots is suspected, your doctor will likely refer you for imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan.

Neurological Exam

A neurological exam is often the first step in evaluating symptoms that could be linked to a meningioma, especially if you’ve used Depo-Provera and are experiencing issues like headaches, vision problems, or memory lapses.

Here’s what a standard neurological exam may involve:

• Medical History Review: Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your Depo shot use, symptoms, medical history, and any recent changes in thinking, behavior, or physical abilities.
• Mental Status Check: You may be asked to recall words, follow instructions, or solve simple problems to assess memory, concentration, and language skills.
• Cranial Nerve Tests: The doctor will check your vision, hearing, facial movement, and coordination to see if any of the brain’s cranial nerves are affected.
• Motor Function and Coordination: You may be asked to push, pull, or resist pressure with your arms and legs. Walking in a straight line, touching your nose with your finger, or balancing on one foot are also common tests.
• Sensory Evaluation: The doctor may lightly touch your skin with different objects (like a pin or cotton) to test your sensitivity to pain, temperature, or vibration.
• Reflexes: Reflexes in your knees, ankles, and arms may be tested with a small rubber hammer to see if your nervous system is responding normally.

The entire exam usually takes about 30-60 minutes. This first step helps your doctor determine if parts of your brain or nervous system might be affected, which may lead to imaging testing.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Getting an MRI can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the most effective ways to detect meningiomas early, especially for women at higher risk due to prolonged use of Depo shots.

An MRI is a safe and noninvasive scan that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain, helping doctors spot even small tumors.

When getting an MRI, you can expect the following for each step:

• Preparation: You’ll be asked to remove any metal items, like jewelry or belts, and may be asked to wear a hospital gown.
• The Scan: You'll lie flat on a narrow table that slides into the MRI machine, which is a large, tube-shaped scanner. The machine can be loud, so you’ll likely be given earplugs or headphones. The scan itself is painless but can take 30 to 60 minutes, during which it’s important to stay very still.
• Contrast Dye: In many cases, a contrast agent (like gadolinium) is used to highlight abnormal tissue, making it easier to detect tumors like meningiomas. The contrast dye, administered by IV or mouth, is generally safe and helps radiologists identify size, shape, and location more clearly.
• Getting Your Results: A radiologist will review the scans and send a report to your doctor, who will follow up to discuss the results and next steps if anything abnormal is found.

After the MRI, there’s no recovery time. You can go home right away unless your doctor has additional instructions or you need to check out.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

While a CT scan may not detect very small or subtle tumors, it can quickly reveal larger meningiomas and help doctors decide next steps.

Here’s what to expect during the CT scan process:

• Preparation: There’s usually very little you need to do to prepare. You may be asked to avoid food or drink for a few hours beforehand, especially if contrast dye will be used.
• Before the Scan: Metal objects — like jewelry, glasses, or hairpins — must be removed before the scan. Notify your doctor if you have a pacemaker or other metal medical devices.
• The Scan Itself: You’ll lie flat on a table that slowly moves through a large, ring-shaped scanner. The machine takes multiple X-ray images from different angles, which a computer then combines into cross-sectional views of your brain. The scan is painless and typically takes just 10 to 15 minutes.
• Contrast Dye: In some cases, you may be given a contrast dye through an IV to make the images clearer. You might feel a warm sensation or metallic taste when the dye is injected. Both are normal and temporary.

After the scan, there’s no downtime, so you can resume normal activities right away. A radiologist will review the images and send a report to your doctor, who will explain the results and whether further testing, such as an MRI or biopsy, is needed.

MRIs are more detailed, but CT scans are often faster and more widely available, making them a common starting point for the diagnosis of brain tumors, especially in emergency settings.

Biopsy

In most cases, meningiomas linked to Depo-Provera use are diagnosed through imaging tests without the need for a biopsy. However, when the tumor’s type is unclear, growing rapidly, or shows signs that it may be atypical or malignant, a biopsy may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

A biopsy involves removing a small sample of the tumor tissue so that a pathologist can examine it under a microscope and determine if the tumor:

• Is a benign meningioma (which most are), or a malignant form
• Have hormone receptors, which can play a role in Depo-Provera exposure cases

While biopsies carry some risks, they’re usually only performed when absolutely necessary. For many women, imaging alone provides enough information for diagnosis and treatment planning.

What Happens After a Depo Shot Brain Tumor Diagnosis?

If you're diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, your doctor will first look at how big the tumor is, where it’s located, and how fast it’s growing. Most meningiomas are benign and slow-growing, so not all of them need immediate treatment.

If the tumor is small and not causing serious symptoms, you may need regular testing to keep an eye on it. If it’s larger or pressing on parts of your brain, you may need surgery to remove it or radiation to shrink it.

After diagnosis, you’ll have follow-up visits, imaging tests, and possibly hormone checks to track your progress. Many people do very well after treatment, especially when the tumor is caught early.

Timely meningioma diagnosis and treatment are key, so be sure to get tested if you used Depo shots for long periods.

File a Depo Shot Meningioma Lawsuit Now

At Sokolove Law, our Depo-Provera lawyers have fought on behalf of injured clients for over 45 years, securing more than $9.8 Billion total for clients affected by a number of different injuries or unfair practices.

We've helped thousands of clients across all 50 states get the justice and compensation they deserve. What happened to you wasn't fair — but we'll fight to hold those responsible accountable.

"I finally reached a law firm that truly understands the gravity of damage done by the Depo manufacturer."
– Syble, Depo-Provera Victim in Georgia

Get a free case review now. We're prepared to handle every step of the legal process on your behalf.