The impact of the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera on the lives of thousands of unsuspecting women is only beginning to be understood. In 2024, a respected medical journal found that women who use the drug face five times greater risk of being diagnosed with meningiomas than those who never used it. Dozens of women from across Scotland are already being represented by Thompsons Solicitors in their fight for damages against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, after the Record highlighted their cases.
Frances Connolly's story
Frances Connolly was diagnosed with a meningioma tumour in 2018 despite having no symptoms. The tumour was only caught after she underwent an MRI scan following sepsis contracted while in hospital to give birth. The mother had previously been taking Depo-Provera for 15 years.
Frances now believes there must be many other women who, like her, had taken the drug long-term and could now be ticking time bombs without even knowing it. She is demanding political leadership on the issue.
Call for routine screening
It seems obvious that routine screening for such cases should be made a priority by the NHS. Such a programme could potentially save numerous lives. Women took this drug in good faith, told it was a safe and convenient method of contraception.
Screening must be made available to all long-term users of Depo-Provera as a priority.
