Contraceptive progestogens carry meningioma risk

Progestogens used for contraception contribute to an increased risk of meningioma, as shown in a nested case-control study.

Researchers used data from nationwide, population-based Danish registers to establish cohorts of meningioma patients and non-meningioma controls. These cohorts were matched according to age, birthplace, and marital status.

Use of progestogens was categorized by route of administration and active substance, with exposure time determined by redeemed daily doses or product duration.

The case cohort included 1,473 meningioma patients, while the control cohort consisted of 14,717 matched individuals without meningioma. The median age was 48 years.

Use of combined oral contraceptives was associated with increased odds of meningioma. This was true for cyproterone (odds ratio [OR], 1.61, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.59), desogestrel (OR, 1.66, 95 percent CI, 1.31–2.10), drospirenone (OR, 1.58, 95 percent CI, 1.05–2.37), gestodene (OR, 1.44, 95 percent CI, 1.17–1.77), and levonorgestrel (OR, 1.40, 95 percent CI, 1.12–1.76).

Positive associations with meningioma were also observed for desogestrel among oral progestogen-only contraceptives (OR, 1.73, 95 percent CI, 1.17–2.56), injectable medroxyprogesterone (OR, 4.55, 95 percent CI, 2.19–9.45), and intrauterine devices with high-dose levonorgestrel (OR, 1.58, 95 percent CI, 1.28–1.94).

The findings may be relevant for women taking progestogens as hormonal contraception and their prescribing physicians.