Investigation
Were you diagnosed with a meningioma following prolonged use of Depo-Provera?
Austen Hays has been approached by hundreds of women who have been diagnosed with a meningioma, following use of the Depo-Provera contraceptive injection. In light of the serious and life-changing harm reported by those women, the scientific evidence, and the scale of potential impact, we consider these claims to be strong, important, and deserving of proper investigation. Those affected should have the opportunity to seek accountability and justice where Depo-Provera use may have contributed to their diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a meningioma and have previously used Depo‑Provera, we invite you to get in touch with our team for a confidential, no‑obligation discussion about your circumstances.
About the Depo-Provera investigation
A large study in the British Medical Journal in March 2024 identified a significant increase in the risk of meningioma associated with long-term use of certain progestogen-based contraceptives, including Depo-Provera.
- The study analysed data from over 100,000 women, including more than 18,000 who had undergone surgery for meningioma.
- It found that prolonged use (typically one year or more) of the injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate (the active ingredient in Depo‑Provera) was associated with a higher risk of meningioma compared to non‑use.
- The study found that the increased risk was over 5 times higher than for women who didn’t take it.
In response to emerging evidence, regulators have begun to take action.
In the UK and Europe, a safety update was issued in October 2024 in agreement with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), warning of an increased risk of meningioma associated with medroxyprogesterone acetate, particularly after prolonged use. This guidance states that such medicines should not be used in patients with a current or previous meningioma, and that treatment should be stopped if a diagnosis is made.
In December 2025, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a similar update to the Depo-Provera prescribing information to include an express warning about the risk of meningioma. The updated label states that cases of meningioma have been reported following repeated administration, particularly with long term-use, and advises clinicians to monitor patients and discontinue the drug if a meningioma is diagnosed.
Many women are still not aware of the potential link between their meningioma diagnosis and their prolonged use of Depo-Provera, the consequences of which have been life-changing.
Register your interest
If you have been affected by meningioma and have been using Depo-Provera for over a year register your interest in our investigation.
Watch our video
Here Nadia Sodi discusses our investigation into Meningioma risk linked to Depo-Provera
ITV News
Watch coverage from ITV News featuring Rachel Bright, Associate, Austen Hays
What is Depo-Provera?
Depo‑Provera is a long‑acting contraceptive injection containing the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate. It is given by injection, usually every 12–13 weeks, to prevent pregnancy.
How can I tell if I have used Depo‑Provera?
If you are unsure whether you have used Depo‑Provera, you may be able to check in the following ways:
- The NHS App – you may be able to view your GP health record, including medications and treatments, through the NHS App.
- Your medical records – your GP or clinic should also hold a record of any contraceptive injections you have received.
- Prescription history – Depo‑Provera or medroxyprogesterone acetate may appear on your prescription records.
- Your recollection of treatment – the injection is typically given every three months, often in the arm or buttock, and may have been described as a “contraceptive injection” or “the Depo injection”.
- Clinic or family planning service – if you attended a sexual health clinic, they may also hold records of your treatment.
If you are unsure, we can help you identify the relevant information and guide you on how to obtain your medical records.
What is a Meningioma?
A meningioma is a tumour that grows in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. While meningiomas are considered benign, (non-cancerous), they can still lead to serious health complications depending on their size and location.
Symptoms and impact
Meningiomas can cause a range of symptoms, which may develop gradually, including:
- Persistent or severe headaches
- Seizures
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Memory problems or cognitive difficulties
- Weakness or loss of coordination
Treatment for meningioma can include invasive surgery and long-term treatment, which can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Am I eligible to register for the Depo-Provera investigation?
You may be able to take part in this investigation if:
- You have been prescribed Depo-Provera
- You used it for 12 months or longer
- You have been diagnosed with a meningioma (brain or spinal tumour) since taking Depo-Provera
Register your interest
If you have been affected by meningioma and have been using Depo-Provera for over a year register your interest in our investigation.
Recent Depo-Provera investigation updates:
- June 2026: We are now speaking to nearly 400 women who have been impacted and are reviewing their individual experiences to see how we can help. The devastating consequences of being diagnosed with a meningioma are extensive and there are many shared experiences, many of which have been life changing.
- February 2026: Austen Hays joined ITV in its recent campaign to highlight the potential connection between Depo-Provera and Meningioma diagnosis, resulting in hundreds of impacted individuals getting in touch.
Investigations in the US
In the United States, over 5,000 women have brought legal claims relating to Depo‑Provera.
These claims focus on whether there is a link between Depo‑Provera use and meningioma, and whether adequate warnings were provided to patients and healthcare professionals.
The US courts have grouped these claims together into a single coordinated process known as a multidistrict litigation (MDL).
It allows the court to deal with common issues such as scientific evidence and key legal arguments on a coordinated basis.
There the Claimants allege that:
- Depo‑Provera may be associated with an increased risk of meningioma; and
- The manufacturer (Pfizer) knew, or ought to have known, about this potential risk; and
- That they failed to provide adequate warnings at the relevant time.
The US legal claims are progressing quickly. As of June 2026, reports indicate that the parties have reached a proposed settlement in principle, although full details have not yet been made public. Austen Hays is closely monitoring the progress of the US litigation as part of our ongoing investigation into potential claims in the UK, including any developments that may be relevant to individuals affected here.
We are already talking to many affected women and urge anyone who believes they have been affected to get in touch with our team
Depo-Provera FAQs
Austen Hays is investigating whether individuals who developed a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, may be able to bring a claim for compensation.
In March 2024, the British Medical Journal published a large study which found there was a significantly increased risk of meningioma associated with the long-term use of certain progestogen-based contraceptives, including Depo-Provera.
Critically:
- The study analysed data from over 100,000 women, including more than 18,000 who had undergone surgery for meningioma.
- It found that prolonged use (typically one year or more) of the injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate (the active ingredient in Depo-Provera) was associated with a higher risk of meningioma compared to non use.
- The study found that the increased risk was over 5 times higher than for women who did not take it.
You can register your interest here.
After you register your interest, you will be invited to have an initial call with one of our lawyers, during which we will take further information about your experience. This helps us to understand your individual circumstances and how that falls within the scope of our investigation.
There is no upfront cost to you for contacting us or for the initial work we undertake to investigate a potential claim.
If we decide to proceed with a claim, you will be invited to formally instruct us to act for you. There will still be no upfront cost to you and legal fees would only be payable if the claim is successful.
Any costs incurred during the investigation stage would be treated as investigation costs and, if a claim proceeds, would be included in the claim and shared among those who choose to take part. You would be under no obligation to proceed.
If the claim does not proceed, any investigation costs incurred would be written off, and you would not be required to pay anything.
Our investigation into potential claims relating to the use of Depo-Provera is in the early stages. Investigations of this nature are complex and can take time, particularly where medical, scientific and regulatory issues are involved.
It is difficult to predict fixed timescales, which are often dependent on a number of factors, including the evidence available. We are working at pace to progress the investigation as swiftly as possible.
We will provide regular updates as the investigation progresses.
We will provide monthly updates as our investigation progresses.
If you have any questions in the meantime, you are welcome to contact us by email at depoprovera@austenhays.com and a member of the team will get back to you.
At this stage, it is unclear whether we can include women who live outside of England or Wales but we are investigating this swiftly and hope to be able to act for women elsewhere in the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Our current investigation is focused specifically on the potential link between long term use of Depo-Provera and the development of meningiomas, as identified in recent medical literature and regulatory updates.
At this stage, we are only able to consider enquiries from individuals who have both used Depo-Provera and received a confirmed diagnosis of a meningioma. Unfortunately we are unable to investigate other conditions or symptoms of Depo-Provera use at this time.
If you go on to receive a diagnosis of a meningioma, or obtain further medical information that may be relevant, you are welcome to contact us at depoprovera@austenhays.com.
Our investigation relates specifically to Depo-Provera and the potential risks associated with its long term use.
At present, we are not investigating claims linked to other forms of contraception, including contraceptive coils, implants, or oral contraceptives.
At this stage, our investigation is focused on individuals who have taken Depo-Provera for a period of at least one year, and who have been diagnosed with a Meningioma.
No. You do not need to obtain medical records or provide proof of diagnosis at this stage.
Once you have registered your interest, we will explain what information or documentation may be needed and when.
Austen Hays FAQs
For non claim specific FAQs, see Austen Hays' general FAQs.
Contact us
If you have been affected by meningioma and have been using Depo-Provera for over a year, please register your interest in our investigation here.