A recent study conducted at the University of Queensland in Australia linked the use of hormonal contraceptives to a slight increase in the risk of developing meningioma, a rare brain tumor that is benign in most cases, based on health data from 3 million women over 25 years.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, explained that the risk varies depending on the type of contraceptive. The highest increase in risk was recorded among users of medroxyprogesterone acetate injections, while smaller increases were observed with some pills containing the hormone desogestrel, whereas not all hormonal methods showed the same level of association.

Meningioma arises in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and is often non-cancerous, but it may cause symptoms requiring treatment if it grows to a large size. The study suggested that some types of synthetic progesterone may contribute to stimulating the growth of these tumors in a limited number of women.

European regulatory authorities stressed that the benefits of hormonal contraceptives still outweigh their risks for most women, and that the findings do not mean stopping their use without consulting a doctor. They also recommended choosing the most appropriate contraceptive method based on each woman's medical history.