Kerry Sharples, 42, was diagnosed with four benign brain tumours, known as meningiomas, in October 2025 after experiencing ear pain and pulsing. She had been taking medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections for 21 years. According to Kerry Sharples, doctors told her there are links between her brain tumour diagnosis and the contraceptive injections and advised her to stop using them.
Jenny Keepe was diagnosed with a meningioma after her mother noticed her right eye protruding in June 2020. She had been taking the injections for 10 years starting at age 17. According to Jenny Keepe, her surgeon told her the contraceptive injection was the possible cause of her tumour and advised her to stop immediately.
Patient safety is our top priority.
Shelley Whittaker was diagnosed with a rare spheno-orbital meningioma in May 2025 after experiencing blurry vision. She had been prescribed the injections for 15 years. According to Shelley Whittaker, her neurologist asked if she had used the contraceptive injection and told her to stop immediately due to links to tumours. Major media reports indicate that Shelley Whittaker underwent surgery to remove 90% of her 4cm tumour.
Kerry Brown was diagnosed with 10 meningiomas after experiencing hot flushes, tingling, fatigue, and slurred speech, according to major media reports. She had surgery in July 2019 to remove five of the ten tumours, and lost sight in one eye due to a tumour compressing her optic nerve.
We continuously monitors all licensed medicines for safety.
Libby Wollaston was diagnosed with a rare pituitary tumour (AT/RT) after being dismissed by doctors for months, according to major media reports. Her tumour was removed via her nose during a four-hour operation, and she was given the all-clear in February 2025.
According to the NHS, having medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections for three years or longer may increase the chance of getting a meningioma, but it remains rare. The exact prevalence of meningioma among long-term users is not known, and it is unclear whether the women in these cases were adequately informed about the potential brain tumour risk before starting the injections.
Contraceptive jab manufacturer Pfizer said patient safety is their 'top priority'. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it 'continuously monitors all licensed medicines for safety'. However, what specific actions Pfizer and the MHRA are taking in response to these reports remains unclear. The number of similar cases reported to the MHRA or other regulatory bodies has not been disclosed, and there is no publicly available recommended follow-up for long-term users of the contraceptive injection.