Contraceptive Jab Linked to Brain Tumour

Shelley Whittaker, a 47-year-old health and hygiene worker, has revealed her concern that a golf ball-sized brain tumour may have been triggered by a contraceptive injection. She initially ignored blurred vision in November 2024, attributing it to her mascara.

Referred to an eye clinic in May 2025, Ms. Whittaker was diagnosed with a rare benign brain tumour. Her neurologist questioned her use of the contraceptive jab medroxyprogesterone, also known as Depo-Provera, which she had been prescribed for 15 years.

She was urgently advised to stop the injection due to potential links with tumors. Ms. Whittaker underwent a 10-hour surgery, but only 90 percent of the tumor could be removed due to its proximity to her optic nerve.

The NHS notes that prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone for over three years may rarely increase the chance of developing a meningioma. Ms. Whittaker expressed regret over not being fully aware of these risks, having only been warned about potential weight gain and calcium intake.

A spokesperson for Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, stated that patient safety is their top priority and that the drug has a well-established safety profile over 30 years. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed that product information for MPA-containing products was updated in 2024 and early 2025 to reflect the risk of meningioma, advising users to contact their doctor if they experience related symptoms.