Study Reveals Increased Brain Tumor Risk from Long-Term Desogestrel Use

A recent study published in The BMJ has established a correlation between long-term use of the contraceptive pill desogestrel and an increased risk of developing intracranial meningiomas, a type of brain tumor. Conducted by a multi-institutional team of researchers in France, the study involved an extensive analysis of health insurance data covering nearly 8,400 women who underwent surgery for meningioma between 2020 and 2023. The findings indicate that women using desogestrel for five to seven years face a 51% higher likelihood of requiring surgery for meningioma compared to non-users, while the risk doubles for those who have used the pill for over seven years.

The research sought to differentiate between the risks associated with various progestogens, including desogestrel and levonorgestrel, with the latter showing no significant association with increased risk of meningioma regardless of duration of use. The research team, led by Dr. Gilles Reuter, a neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of Liège, emphasized that stopping the use of desogestrel could potentially mitigate the risk of requiring surgery. They estimated that approximately 67,000 women would need to use desogestrel for one woman to require surgery due to meningioma. This figure decreases significantly for prolonged usage of over five years.

The study's methodology was robust, employing a national case-control design that matched each woman diagnosed with meningioma to ten control subjects of the same age and region. This approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of the link between oral contraceptive use and tumor development, filling gaps left by previous studies that did not adequately separate different progestogens or assess the impact of usage duration.

Experts in the field, including Dr. Karen Noble, director of research at Brain Tumour Research, have cautioned against alarmism, stating that the correlation does not imply causation. Dr. Mangesh Thorat, from Queen Mary University of London, echoed this sentiment, stressing that women currently using progestogens should not panic, as the risk remains relatively low. Nevertheless, the findings underscore the importance of informed decision-making regarding contraceptive use, especially for women over the age of 45 or those with a history of using high-risk progestogens.

The implications of this research extend beyond individual health concerns, prompting a re-evaluation of public health guidelines surrounding hormonal contraceptive prescriptions. Given that desogestrel accounts for approximately 90% of the progestogen-only pill market in countries such as France and the UK, healthcare providers may need to consider alternative options or monitoring strategies for long-term users. As the study highlights, stopping desogestrel may help avoid unnecessary surgical interventions, paving the way for further research into the safety profiles of various contraceptive methods.

In conclusion, while the study presents new insights into the risks associated with desogestrel, it also reinforces the need for ongoing research and dialogue between healthcare providers and patients to ensure safe reproductive health choices. As public health policies adapt to these findings, the focus will likely shift toward enhancing patient education and improving monitoring practices for those affected by the long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.