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There appears to be a link between prolonged use of hormonal drugs and brain tumors. 

A recent study from France, published in The BMJ, revealed a concerning association between the prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone drugs and an increased risk of developing intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor.

The study marked the first attempt to evaluate the risk linked with progestogens commonly used by millions of women worldwide, stressing the urgency for additional research to fully grasp this risk.

Progestogens, akin to the natural hormone progesterone, are extensively utilized in treating gynecological conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as in menopausal hormone therapy and contraceptives, according to Medical Express.

Meningiomas, predominantly non-cancerous tumors affecting the brain's protective tissue layers, have known risk factors, including older age, female gender and exposure to certain high-dose progestogens like nomegestrol, chlormadinone and cyproterone acetate.

However, numerous other progestogens lack individual risk estimations regarding meningioma development, prompting researchers to delve deeper into this knowledge gap.

Analyzing data from the French national health data system, researchers scrutinized 18,061 women who underwent intracranial meningioma surgery between 2009 and 2018, matched with 90,305 control women.

The study assessed the association between various progestogens and meningioma risk, categorizing participants based on prolonged use (one year or more) of specific progestogens.

Findings revealed that prolonged use of medrogestone was linked to a 4.1-fold increased risk, while medroxyprogesterone acetate injection showed a 5.6-fold increased risk, and promegestone exhibited a 2.7-fold increased risk of intracranial meningioma requiring surgery.

Conversely, no elevated risk was observed for shorter durations of progestogen use. Notably, other progestogens like progesterone, dydrogesterone and hormonal intrauterine systems containing levonorgestrel showed no excess risk of meningioma.

Despite the observational nature of the study, the authors noted the potential significance of their findings, especially considering the widespread use of certain progestogens like medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control.

They pointed out the need for further investigations to elucidate this risk and its implications, urging a comprehensive understanding of the potential consequences associated with prolonged hormone drug usage.