Depo-Provera & Meningioma Brain Tumors: Legal Options for California Women
Were You Diagnosed with a Brain Tumor Years After Receiving Depo-Provera in California?
We can help. Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is leading litigation on behalf of California women who developed cerebral meningioma brain tumors following Depo-Provera birth control injections. Firm shareholders Michael A. Kelly and Doris Cheng, along with Walkup’s dangerous drug and complex litigation team, have been appointed Liaison Counsel in In re: Depo-Provera Cases (JCCP 5375). This coordinated California state court proceeding consolidates claims against Pfizer, Upjohn, Pharmacia LLC, and California-based doctors, clinics, hospitals, and healthcare providers that prescribed or administered Depo-Provera to women later diagnosed with meningiomas—a signature complication of long-term Depo-Provera use.
California Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits
If you are a current or former Depo-Provera user who received injections from a California-based doctor, hospital, HMO, Kaiser Permanente, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Sutter Health facility, University of California hospital or clinic, or Planned Parenthood, contact us now. Your time to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit in California is limited by the state’s statute of limitations.
Use of Depo-Provera has been linked to serious brain tumors known as meningiomas. Reported diagnoses include intracranial, cranial, and skull base meningioma; meningeal or arachnoid tumors (not cysts); convexity, falcine, parasagittal, intraventricular, sphenoid wing, olfactory groove, and posterior fossa/petrous meningiomas.
If you are a current or former Kaiser Permanente member diagnosed with meningioma after receiving Depo-Provera, call our California Depo-Provera lawsuit attorneys today. Kaiser and other healthcare providers administered Depo-Provera injections to many patients across California, often for longer than one year. If your Depo-Provera injections were provided by a community clinic, University Hospital, Planned Parenthood, Sutter facility, or other California-based provider, and you later developed a meningioma that required surgery, contact the Depo-Provera defective drug team at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger. Our attorneys represent California women in claims against Pfizer, Upjohn, Pharmacia LLC, and healthcare providers who failed to warn of Depo-Provera’s brain tumor risks.
What Is a Meningioma?
A meningioma is a typically benign tumor that grows from the meninges — the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Though noncancerous, meningiomas can press on the brain or nerves, causing significant pain and disability. Treatment often requires complex surgery, which carries its own risks of nerve or brain damage.
Current Medical Research
Multiple large observational studies now show an increased risk of meningioma with prolonged DMPA use, especially at longer durations and at older ages at first use. In Europe, the EMA (European Medicines Agency) and several national authorities added/strengthened warnings and risk-minimization measures for medroxyprogesterone in 2024.
No specific FDA drug safety communications have focused on meningioma. ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) issued a counseling guide advising patient-centered discussions. A large U.S. cohort study in published JAMA Neurology (Sept 2, 2025) reported higher relative risk with DMPA.
The evidence is consistent with a likely causal contribution for a subset of progesterone-receptor–sensitive meningiomas, supported by biologic plausibility and tumor regression after stopping potent progestins.
Key Studies
BMJ (March 27, 2024)
Nationwide French case–control of 18,061 women undergoing meningioma surgery versus 90,305 controls found that more than 12 months of high-dose progestogen use—including Depo-Provera—increased meningioma risk by over 20% compared to non-users.
JAMA Neurology (September 2, 2025)
A U.S. retrospective cohort using the TriNetX network documented a 2.43× relative risk (95% CI, 1.77–3.33) of meningioma diagnosis in DMPA users versus matched controls, while other contraceptives showed no elevated risk.
These studies confirm a clear association between prolonged Depo-Provera use and increased meningioma risk, particularly among older women and long-term users.
Regulatory and Professional Guidance (2024–2025)
EMA/PRAC Guidance (October 2024)
The European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee updated Depo-Provera product information to:
- Acknowledge reported cases of meningioma with prolonged, high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Recommend discontinuing DMPA upon meningioma diagnosis
- Advise heightened monitoring for long-term users
ACOG Counseling Guide (2025)
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued patient-centered guidance advising doctors to be prepared to discuss the potential meningioma risk when prescribing DMPA—especially for women over age 35 or those using it beyond one year.
Medical Evidence Linking Depo-Provera to Meningioma
- Certain progesterone receptor–sensitive meningiomas may grow under sustained Depo-Provera exposure.
- Risk increases with longer use, higher cumulative doses, and older age
- Some tumors regress after stopping progestins, supporting a causal relationship.
Background on Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera was first introduced in 1960 as a treatment for certain cancers, including endometrial and renal cancers. It was later approved for contraceptive use abroad in 1969 and received U.S. FDA approval for birth control in 1992. The drug was developed by Upjohn, later acquired by Pfizer in 2002, and spun off into Viatris in 2020.
The active ingredient in Depo-Provera is medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of progesterone in the progestin family. For contraception, it is administered either as a 150 mg intramuscular injection or a 104 mg subcutaneous injection. Progesterone is believed to play a significant role in the development of meningiomas—slow-growing, typically benign brain tumors that originate from the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. These tumors account for roughly one-third of all intracranial tumors and occur more frequently in women, with a female-to-male ratio of about 3 to 1.
Because Depo-Provera is a synthetic progestin, it can potentially stimulate meningioma growth through hormone receptor activation. Current research shows that the risk of developing meningioma increases with longer use and higher cumulative doses of Depo-Provera, particularly among women exposed for several years.
No US Warning Label
Despite growing international concern, U.S. Depo-Provera labeling does not mention meningioma as a potential adverse reaction.
- In Canada, meningioma was listed as an adverse reaction in 2015.
- In Europe (2024), the label was updated to warn: “Meningiomas have been reported following long-term use of progestogens, including medroxyprogesterone acetate. Depo-Provera should be discontinued if a meningioma is diagnosed.”
The European experience with Depo-Provera and meningiomas, particularly in France, has been significant in uncovering this association. Here are the key developments:
French and European Data:
- 2018–2019: French researchers detected a strong pharmacovigilance signal linking high-dose progestins to meningioma.
- Major French study: Found up to a 20-fold increased risk of meningioma among long-term users.
- 2021: French health authorities (ANSM) restricted high-dose progestin use and required informed consent forms disclosing this risk.
- EudraVigilance reports: The European pharmacovigilance database (EudraVigilance) began receiving increased reports of meningiomas associated with progestin use. Cases typically involved:
- Long-term use (often 5+ years)
- Multiple meningiomas in some patients
- Cases requiring surgical intervention
Legal Help for California Women
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is actively pursuing claims on behalf of California women diagnosed with meningioma brain tumors after receiving Depo-Provera without warning of risks from:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sutter Health hospitals and clinics
- University of California medical centers
- Planned Parenthood
- Private and community healthcare providers statewide
Our California Depo-Provera lawsuit attorneys are filing claims only for women injected in California by California-based medical providers. Other lawsuits exist in federal and state courts across the U.S., but our team is focused exclusively on California cases.
If you received Depo-Provera for two years or longer and were later diagnosed with a meningioma requiring surgery, contact our Depo-Provera defective drug team today. We will investigate your claim at no cost. That means you owe no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you.
There are strict time limits for prosecuting these claims, so do not delay. Do not take the chance of letting the statute of limitations expire. Call our Depo-Provera team today and learn about your rights.
FAQs About Depo-Provera
How do you file a lawsuit for a brain tumor caused by Depo-Provera?
Suppose you have developed a meningioma brain tumor after receiving Depo-Provera injections from a California-based medical provider. In that case, it is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in pharmaceutical litigation. The Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger law firm specializes in complex medical and pharmacology cases. We will speak with you, obtain and evaluate your medical records if indicated, consult with experts and if warranted by the facts and evidence to pursue compensation on your behalf.
Do I qualify for the Depo-Provera lawsuit?
Suppose you received Depo-Provera injections through Kaiser or another California provider and subsequently developed a meningioma brain tumor. In that case, you may qualify for compensation from a lawsuit against the drug manufacturers, sellers, and distributors. Meningiomas are non-cancerous brain tumors. Symptoms can include headaches, vision problems, and seizures, often necessitating surgical removal. Consulting with a legal team experienced in pharmaceutical litigation is critical to determining what your best steps are moving forward.
What are the lawsuits against Depo-Provera?
Lawsuits against Depo-Provera have been filed due to its association with an increased risk of developing cerebral meningioma (brain tumors). In the United States, cases have been filed focusing on individuals who developed cerebral meningiomas after prolonged use of Depo-Provera, often requiring surgical intervention. California state court actions have been coordinated in Alameda Superior Court (Oakland). The Walkup Depo-Provera team has been appointed as Liaison Counsel in that case.
Can the Depo-Provera shot cause health problems?
Depo-Provera contraceptive injections have been associated with a link between prolonged use of Depo-Provera and an increased risk of developing cerebral meningiomas, which are typically non-cancerous brain tumors. Symptoms of meningiomas can include headaches, vision problems, and seizures, often necessitating surgical intervention. Other potential side effects of Depo-Provera may include changes in the menstrual cycle, weight gain, and decreased bone mineral density.
How do you get compensation for a brain tumor caused by Depo-Provera use?
If you have been diagnosed with cerebral meningioma, consulting with an attorney experienced in pharmaceutical litigation and familiar with the law relating to prescription drug liability in California is essential. The Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger law firm specializes in such cases and can guide you through the necessary steps. They will assess your medical records, document your exposure to Depo-Provera, evaluate the potential causal connection between the drug and your brain tumor, and seek expert evaluation of the relationship between your use of Depo-Provera and your condition.
How do you file a claim for Depo-Provera?
If you have developed a meningioma brain tumor after receiving Depo-Provera injections from a California provider, you may be eligible to file a claim. The Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger law firm specializes in such cases and can guide you through the necessary steps. Given the complexities of the litigation process and the statutes of limitations for prescription drug liability, it is crucial to act promptly before statutes expire.
