Desogestrel & Brain Tumors: Risk Explained
- A recent study published in The BMJ suggests that prolonged use of the desogestrel-only contraceptive pill might potentially be associated with a slightly elevated risk of developing intracranial...
- Intracranial meningiomas are typically non-cancerous tumors that sometimes necessitate surgery.
- Researchers analyzed data from the French national health data system, focusing on 8,391 women who underwent surgery for intracranial meningioma between 2020 and 2023.
Desogestrel Pill: Long-Term Use Linked to Small Brain Tumor Risk
A recent study published in The BMJ suggests that prolonged use of the desogestrel-only contraceptive pill might potentially be associated with a slightly elevated risk of developing intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor. The French study emphasizes that this risk remains low and seems to disappear within a year of discontinuing the medication.
Intracranial meningiomas are typically non-cancerous tumors that sometimes necessitate surgery. While more prevalent in older women, previous research often lacked specific details on the types of progestogens used, especially concerning continuous, current, and long-term use.
Researchers analyzed data from the French national health data system, focusing on 8,391 women who underwent surgery for intracranial meningioma between 2020 and 2023. Each case was compared to 10 control women without meningioma, matched by age and location. The study considered factors such as prior use of high-risk progestogens.
The findings indicated a small increased risk associated with desogestrel use for more than five continuous years. This elevated risk was not observed for shorter durations or when desogestrel had been stopped for over a year, unless other high-risk progestogens were used in the preceding six years. The excess risk was more pronounced in women over 45, those with tumors in specific skull locations, and after prolonged use of other high-risk progestogens.
Researchers estimate that one in 67,000 women using desogestrel might require surgery for intracranial meningioma. This number drops to one in 17,000 for women using it continuously for over five years.
Notably, the study found no increased meningioma risk associated with levonorgestrel, either alone or combined with estrogen, irrespective of usage duration.
The authors caution that this is an observational study,so it cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. They also acknowledge potential data limitations and the inability to account for genetic predispositions or high-dose radiation exposure.
however, the researchers suggest that discontinuing desogestrel upon diagnosis of an intracranial meningioma, followed by patient monitoring, might preclude the need for immediate surgery.
“It is already common knowledge that stopping cyproterone, nomegestrol, chlormadinone, promegestone, medroxyprogesterone, or medrogestone precludes the need for surgery,” neurosurgeon Gilles Reuter said. “Now we know that stopping desogestrel may also avoid unneeded possibly harmful treatments.”
What’s next
Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the relationship between desogestrel pill use and the risk of brain tumors. Patients should discuss any concerns with their health care provider.