The federal litigation involving Depo-Provera and brain tumors continues to grow at a remarkable pace. Over the course of a single month, roughly 1,700 new lawsuits were added as women across the country allege the popular birth control shot increased their risk of developing brain meningiomas.
According to the latest court records, the Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation (MDL) now includes more than 5,500 cases.
The influx is significant given the pharmaceutical mass tort was already considered fast-growing when nearly the same number of cases were added over a three-and-a-half-month period. What’s more is that there’s little sign of it slowing.
The birth control lawsuits center on allegations that Pfizer failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers that long-term use of Depo-Provera could increase the risk of meningiomas. They claim the drug manufacturer knew or should have known of the risks and are seeking accountability and compensation for the harm they’ve endured after taking the birth control shot.
Meningioma tumors develop in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and although most are benign, they can still cause devastating complications. Plaintiffs reported suffering from vision problems, seizures, cognitive impairment, hearing loss, and the need for invasive brain surgery.
While the growing number of Depo-Provera filings is significant, the most important development so far may be the upcoming hearing scheduled for late June.
June Expert Witness Hearing for Depo-Provera MDL
A critical next step in the birth control brain tumor MDL is the Daubert hearing, which is scheduled for June 24 to 26. This is when expert witnesses and their scientific opinions are heard ahead of bellwether trials. The ruling from a Daubert hearing determines if those witnesses and evidence are reliable enough to be presented to a jury.
For the birth control shot MDL, plaintiffs must show that their experts rely on sound science when they say Depo-Provera may cause or contribute to the development of meningiomas. In legal terms, this is known as establishing a "causal link", which is evidence that the drug may actually play a role in causing the injury, rather than merely being associated with it.
If the judge allows that testimony, juries in future Depo-Provera brain tumor trials will hear the science behind plaintiffs’ claims that the birth control shot caused their brain tumors. Like other pharmaceutical mass torts, it may increase settlement pressure on the drug manufacturer (Pfizer). But if key expert testimony is excluded, it could substantially weaken plaintiffs' cases.
Daubert rulings become the turning point that determines whether thousands of claims proceed or stall.
Research Studies Link Depo-Provera to Meningiomas
The birth control shot brain tumor lawsuits gained momentum after a major study was published in the British Medical Journal in 2024. Researchers found that prolonged use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, a core ingredient in Depo-Provera, was associated with a substantially increased risk of brain meningiomas that require surgery.
The study focused on national health data from more than 18,000 women who underwent meningioma surgery. It drew international attention because Depo-Provera remains one of the most widely used injectable contraceptives in the world.
Since the BMJ article, other research has connected medroxyprogesterone acetate to an increased risk of meningiomas. Such findings have provided Depo-Provera brain tumor plaintiffs with additional evidence that supports their claims.
The scientific theory underlying the litigation is that meningiomas frequently contain progesterone receptors. Because the birth control shot delivers a synthetic progestin, plaintiffs argue prolonged exposure may stimulate tumor growth in susceptible women.
Delayed Diagnosis May Impact the Birth Control Lawsuits
Much of the public and scientific discussions have focused on evidence that shows Depo-Provera can cause meningiomas. However, another issue receiving increasing attention is centered around delayed diagnosis.
Symptoms of meningiomas include chronic headaches, dizziness, memory problems, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, or personality changes. But since these tumors typically grow slowly over many years, these symptoms can be mistaken for stress, migraines, hormonal fluctuations, or other common conditions.
As a result, some women allegedly continued receiving Depo-Provera injections for years before discovering they had a brain tumor. Attorneys argue that stronger warnings could have prompted patients and physicians to recognize symptoms earlier.
This is significant to the birth control brain tumor MDL because better warnings could have potentially reduced the severity of injuries and helped some plaintiffs avoid complex neurosurgical procedures.
FDA Warnings Increase Consumer Attention
It’s likely that part of the reason the Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits gained momentum over the last several months was due to awareness of the drug’s updated safety information.
In December 2025, the FDA approved Depo-Provera label changes warning about the potential risk of meningiomas associated with prolonged use. While Pfizer maintains that their contraceptive remains safe and effective for most patients when used appropriately, plaintiffs argue the company should have warned consumers sooner.
What’s Next in the Depo-Provera MDL?
The upcoming Daubert hearing could be the most important event in the Depo-Provera MDL so far.
If plaintiffs' scientific experts survive the challenge, the court is expected to continue preparing cases for future bellwether trials, the first of which is scheduled for December 2026. These trials are designed to help both sides gauge how juries may respond to the evidence, but they also often drive settlement discussions.
For the thousands of women who have already filed lawsuits and potentially many more who are only now learning their brain tumors may have been caused by Depo-Provera, the outcome of the hearing could shape the future of the entire litigation. It may also lead to thousands more lawsuits being filed.
Women who used Depo-Provera for at least a year and were later diagnosed with a meningioma should pay close attention to the proceedings. In addition, they should consider speaking with a dangerous pharmaceuticals attorney.
