Certain Progestogens Linked to Higher Risk of Brain Tumors, Study Finds

Prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone drugs, including a common injectable contraception, is associated with an increased risk of developing intracranial meningioma tumors. In a recently published study in The BMJ, French researchers found medrogestone, promegestone, and injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate—a widely used contraceptive known by its brand name “Depo-Provera” were found to increase the risk of intracranial meningiomas requiring surgery. Progestogens are progestogenic drugs that produce effects similar to natural progesterone in the body and include both plant-derived bioidentical progesterones and synthetic forms. They are often prescribed to women to treat gynecological conditions, such as infertility, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, and polycystic ovarian syndrome, to prevent miscarriages or preterm births, and as contraceptives....