Mum Blinded After Tumour Linked to Contraceptive Jab

Published: March 11, 2026
The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A Scottish mother who lost the sight in one eye after developing brain tumours she believes were caused by a contraceptive injection is preparing to meet a senior Scottish politician as part of a campaign seeking compensation and greater accountability.

Tammy Croston, 47, from Fife, says her life has been permanently changed after doctors discovered multiple benign brain tumours known as meningiomas, which required major surgery and intensive treatment. She believes the condition is linked to long-term use of the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera, a medication widely prescribed for birth control and other medical conditions. ()

Croston is now working with campaigners to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with the drug and is set to meet a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) to discuss possible avenues for compensation for women who believe they have suffered similar health problems.

Her diagnosis came after years of using the injectable contraceptive, which contains the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate. The medication is administered once every three months and is used by millions of women worldwide as a long-acting method of birth control.

In Croston’s case, doctors discovered four meningiomas—tumours that form in the membranes surrounding the brain. Although these tumours are usually non-cancerous, they can cause severe complications depending on their size and location. In her case, surgery to remove one of the tumours resulted in permanent damage to her vision. ()

She lost the use of her right eye after undergoing surgery to treat the tumour and has since undergone additional treatment including weeks of radiotherapy. While the procedures reduced the size of the growths, the tumours themselves have not fully disappeared, leaving her with ongoing health concerns.

Croston says the experience has dramatically altered her life and appearance. She has described feeling self-conscious about the physical changes caused by the surgery and worries that if another tumour grows near her remaining eye, she could lose her sight completely.

Her campaign comes amid growing debate over the safety of Depo-Provera and similar contraceptive injections. Recent studies have suggested that long-term use of the medication may significantly increase the risk of developing meningiomas. One large population study found the risk could rise more than fivefold for women who use the drug for extended periods. ()

Despite this relative increase, experts stress that the overall risk remains small because meningiomas themselves are rare. Researchers estimate that roughly one additional case might occur for every thousand women using the medication long-term.

Depo-Provera has been prescribed for decades and remains a widely used contraceptive. According to international estimates, tens of millions of women globally rely on injectable contraception, and in Britain alone thousands of prescriptions are issued every month. ()

However, concerns about the potential link between the drug and brain tumours have led to increased scrutiny in recent years. In 2024, patient information leaflets for medications containing medroxyprogesterone acetate were updated to include warnings about the possible risk of meningiomas.

For Croston, the warning came too late.

She says that if she had been told about the potential risk earlier, she would never have chosen the injection as a contraceptive method. The experience has left her determined to campaign for clearer warnings and better support for women who believe they were affected.

Legal experts say similar claims are already being explored in several countries. In the United States, thousands of women have launched lawsuits seeking compensation from the drug’s manufacturer, alleging they were not adequately warned about the potential risks associated with long-term use.

In the United Kingdom, some law firms are also examining whether legal claims could be brought on behalf of women who developed meningiomas after prolonged use of the contraceptive injection. ()

The pharmaceutical company that produces the drug has rejected accusations that it failed to provide sufficient warnings. It maintains that patient safety is a priority and that the medication has been used safely by millions of people worldwide for decades.

Health regulators have also emphasised that for most women the benefits of the contraceptive injection still outweigh the risks. Medical experts stress that women should consult their healthcare providers before making decisions about birth control and discuss any potential side effects.

For Croston, however, the focus is now on raising awareness and seeking recognition for the impact the condition has had on her life. She hopes her upcoming meeting with a Scottish lawmaker will bring attention to the issue and potentially lead to discussions about compensation or government support for affected women.

Her campaign reflects a broader push by some patients and advocacy groups to ensure that women are fully informed about possible medical risks before choosing long-term hormonal contraception.

While investigations and legal discussions continue, Croston says she wants other women to be aware of symptoms that could indicate a problem, including headaches, vision changes or seizures. Early diagnosis, doctors say, can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.

For the Fife mother, the experience has been life-altering, but she hopes speaking publicly about her case will help prevent others from facing the same ordeal.

“I’ll never be the same person,” she has said, reflecting on the consequences of the illness and the surgery that followed.

Now, she is determined that her story will contribute to a wider debate about patient safety, transparency and the responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies in informing the public about potential risks.

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