Mother's Brain Tumour Diagnosis Linked to Long-Term Contraceptive Use
A mother-of-one from Greater Manchester has revealed how doctors believe her golf ball-sized brain tumour may have been triggered by a contraceptive injection she used for 15 years. Shelley Whittaker, 47, initially dismissed her blurry vision as a mascara issue before eventually seeking medical help that led to a shocking diagnosis.
From Blurry Vision to Brain Tumour Diagnosis
In November 2024, Shelley Whittaker first noticed her vision becoming blurry and initially "laughed it off for a couple of months" before seeking proper medical attention. The health and hygiene worker from Bolton thought her mascara might be affecting her eyesight, but the problem persisted despite her attempts to ignore it.
After visiting an optician for a routine check-up in May 2025, Ms Whittaker was urgently referred to an eye clinic where she received a devastating diagnosis. Medical professionals identified a rare benign brain tumour known as a spheno-orbital meningioma measuring approximately the size of a golf ball.
The Contraceptive Connection
What stunned Ms Whittaker most was her neurologist's immediate question about whether she had ever used medroxyprogesterone, commonly known by the brand name Depo-Provera. When she confirmed she had been prescribed the contraceptive injection for 15 years, her doctor instructed her to stop taking it immediately due to established links between the medication and tumour development.
"I used to encourage people to take it, like me," Ms Whittaker admitted. "It needs to be out there that there are risks if you're a long term user of it." According to NHS guidance, using medroxyprogesterone contraceptives for more than three years may increase the chance of developing meningioma, though this remains relatively rare.
Life-Altering Surgery and Recovery
Ms Whittaker underwent a complex 10-hour surgery to address the tumour, but surgeons could only remove 90% of the growth due to its dangerous proximity to her optic nerve. The remaining 10% had to be left in place to avoid causing permanent blindness.
"I'd never think the contraceptive injections would've led to all this," the 47-year-old said. "I've now got to live with this tumour for the rest of my life because they couldn't take it all. I've got to try and forget that and carry on and try to live the life I've got left."
The tumour had caused her left eye to bulge noticeably from the pressure on her optic nerve, and she was forced to take six months off work to recover from the extensive surgery.
Warning Signs and Medical Response
Ms Whittaker expressed frustration that she had never been properly warned about this particular risk. "I was made aware of certain risks but not this," she explained. "The main risk that they mentioned to me was weight gain and making sure you have plenty of calcium in your diet."
Her diagnosis came as a "complete shock," but she considers herself "very lucky to not fob it off anymore." She added: "If I'd have left it a month longer, two months longer I could potentially have been blinded in my left eye."
Pharmaceutical Company and Regulatory Response
A spokesperson for Pfizer, manufacturers of Depo-Provera, stated that "patient safety is our top priority" and emphasized their continuous monitoring of all medicines in collaboration with global health authorities. They noted that Depo-Provera has been approved in more than 60 countries over three decades and has "a well-established efficacy and safety profile."
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed they continuously monitor all licensed medicines for safety. Product information for medications containing medroxyprogesterone acetate was updated in 2024 following studies showing meningioma risks associated with high-dose usage, with further updates in early 2025 adding new advice and risk management measures.
The Patient Information Leaflet was specifically updated to ensure patients recognize meningioma symptoms and know to contact their doctor if they experience them. The MHRA maintains that "for the majority of people, the benefits far outweigh the risk" but advises anyone with concerns to speak with healthcare professionals.
Ms Whittaker's experience serves as a cautionary tale about long-term contraceptive use and the importance of being fully informed about potential side effects, even those considered rare by medical standards.
