Kerry Sharples, 42, was diagnosed with four benign brain tumors (meningiomas) in October 2025 after experiencing ear pain and pulsing. According to multiple reports, she had been taking medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections for 21 years. Sharples told the Daily Mirror that doctors advised her to stop using the injections due to links between the tumors and the contraceptive. She said she regretted staying on the injections for so long, noting that she had been asked about switching but declined because she felt fine, and that she would have stopped had the brain tumor risk been mentioned.
Jenny Keepe was diagnosed with a meningioma after her mother noticed her right eye protruding in June 2020. Multiple reports indicate she had been taking the injections for 10 years starting at age 17. Keepe told the Daily Mirror that her surgeon mentioned the injection as a possible cause and advised her to stop immediately. She described being in shock and said she had not experienced other symptoms.
Shelley Whittaker was diagnosed with a rare spheno-orbital meningioma in May 2025 after experiencing blurry vision in her left eye. According to multiple reports, she had been prescribed the injections for 15 years. Whittaker told the Daily Mirror that her neurologist asked about her use of the contraceptive injection and told her to stop immediately due to links to tumors. She underwent 10-hour surgery to remove 90% of a 4cm tumor. Whittaker told the Daily Mail that she used to encourage others to take the injection but now believes the risks should be made known to long-term users.
Kerry Brown was diagnosed with 10 meningiomas after experiencing hot flushes, tingling sensations, fatigue, and slurred speech, according to the Daily Express. She had surgery in July 2019 to remove five of the tumors and lost sight in one eye due to a tumor compressing her optic nerve. Brown told the Daily Express that she initially dismissed her symptoms as menopause.
Libby Wollaston was diagnosed with a rare pituitary tumor (AT/RT) after being dismissed by doctors for months, according to the Daily Mirror. Her tumor was removed via her nose during a four-hour operation, and she was given the all-clear in February 2025. Wollaston told the Daily Mirror that she felt ignored and urged others to trust their instincts and push for answers.
The NHS states that having medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections for three years or longer may increase the chance of getting a meningioma, but it remains rare. Contraceptive jab manufacturer Pfizer said patient safety is their top priority, according to multiple reports. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it continuously monitors all licensed medicines for safety.
It remains unclear how many similar cases have been reported to the MHRA, and whether any regulatory reviews or legal actions are ongoing regarding the warnings provided with the injection. The exact prevalence of meningioma among long-term users is not known, and the long-term health outcomes for the affected women have not been disclosed.