Birth Control Shot Link to Four Brain Tumors

Kerry Sharples, a 45-year-old mother of two from Cheshire, England, has expressed deep regret over her 21-year use of contraceptive injections. These injections were administered regularly to prevent monthly periods. In 2025, Sharples reported a pulsing sensation in her right ear, prompting doctors to order scans and bloodwork. The precautionary measures revealed she had four benign brain tumors, known as meningiomas, with the largest measuring 1.4 inches behind her right eye.

Following the diagnosis, Sharples' doctor advised her to discontinue the hormonal birth control, citing relatively new evidence that suggests a potential, albeit small, link between the contraceptive shots and meningiomas. Sharples stated that awareness of this possible connection, however minimal, would have influenced her decision regarding her health plan. She now emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding synthetic progesterone-based birth control shots, urging women to research alternatives.

While the National Institutes of Health indicates a low overall clinical risk of developing meningioma when taking these injections, Sharples fears the potential consequences she might have faced had her condition gone undiagnosed. She is now hopeful that her tumors will not grow now that she has stopped the hormone therapy. Her experience underscores the importance of informed health decisions and open communication about potential risks associated with long-term medication use.