The safety committee of the European Medicines Agency said on Friday that commonly used hormonal contraceptives containing desogestrel and etonogestrel may lead to a slight increase in the risk of developing meningioma after prolonged use.

Meningiomas are usually non-cancerous tumors that develop in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The European committee recommended that women with a current or past history of meningioma should not use hormonal contraceptives containing the commonly used synthetic progestins desogestrel or etonogestrel.

Contraceptives containing desogestrel are sold as oral tablets, and a contraceptive containing etonogestrel is sold as implants and vaginal rings.

The agency noted that the risk of tumor increases with longer use and may be higher in those who have previously taken other types of progestins associated with meningioma, including cyproterone, nomegestrol, medroxyprogesterone, and chlormadinone.

However, the agency pointed out that the overall likelihood of developing meningioma remains very low, with estimates indicating one additional case per 67,300 women using the mentioned contraceptives.

The committee said that the product leaflets will now list meningioma as a side effect with unknown frequency.

The recommendations, based on a large French study, also require healthcare providers to monitor those taking these medications for symptoms including changes in vision, hearing loss, and worsening headaches.