Progestogen Contraceptives Linked to Increased Meningioma Risk

A nationwide Danish study found that recent use of several progestogen-containing contraceptives—including cyproterone, desogestrel, drospirenone, gestodene, levonorgestrel, injectable medroxyprogesterone, and high-dose levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs)—was associated with an increased risk of meningioma, with injectable medroxyprogesterone showing the strongest association. Researchers analyzed nationwide health registry data from approximately 3 million women aged 15–59 years between 2000 and 2024, identifying 1,473 women diagnosed with meningioma and comparing them with 14,717 matched controls. The highest risk was observed with injectable medroxyprogesterone (odds ratio [OR] 4.55), while more modest increases were seen with several combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel (OR 1.66), drospirenone (OR 1.58), gestodene (OR 1.44), levonorgestrel (OR 1.40), and cyproterone (OR 1.61). Oral desogestrel-only pills (OR 1.73) and high-dose levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs (OR 1.58) were also associated with elevated risk, whereas low-dose levonorgestrel IUDs, norethisterone-only pills, and norgestimate-containing contraceptives were not associated with a statistically significant increase. Exposure within the previous year was associated with the highest risk. These findings provide relevant information for women using hormonal contraception and for clinicians when prescribing progestogen-containing contraceptives. Source: https://jamanetwork.com/