The mother of a woman who died after taking Depo-Provera injection is now among hundreds of women in the UK seeking legal advice, as ITV News’ Cari Davies reports
Kim Lewis loved butterflies – at home, they’ve multiplied in her absence.
They decorate the garden where the urn containing her ashes rests, as well as the skin of her parents Tricia and Alan, who each have commemorative tattoos.
Kim died in December 2023, just eight days after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
Now, her mother Tricia is among hundreds of women in the UK seeking legal advice after learning there may be a link between the contraceptive injection Kim had been given for years and the tumour that killed her.
We cannot know for certain whether Depo-Provera caused the brain tumour; but Tricia fears that without it Kim would still be here.
Tricia was one of the dozens of people who contacted ITV News following our previous report on the issue; many more responded with their own experiences online.
Kim had lived with complex medical needs since birth. She had a rare chromosomal condition and cerebral palsy.
She required round-the-clock care, but despite her profound disabilities her mother says she was a “happy-go-lucky little girl”.
“She was feisty, she had a really good sense of humour,” Tricia said.
“She was fun, she was joyous… she just loved life.”
Kim’s parents adapted every part of their lives to care for her. Their home was modified to meet her needs, and her father, Alan, took early redundancy so they could share caring responsibilities.
“She was my life,” Tricia said.
In 2023, Kim’s health began to change. She experienced seizures and became physically weaker; her symptoms were initially attributed to existing conditions.
In hindsight, these were likely early signs of something more serious. In November 2023, doctors discovered Kim had a large brain tumour called a meningioma.
The tumour was inoperable due to its position; it was affecting a significant portion of her brain because of its size. Just eight days later, Kim died. She was 37.
It was only after Kim’s death that her parents became aware of research pointing to a link between the contraception Kim had been on and meningiomas.
For 16 years, Kim had been prescribed the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera to manage her painful periods.
Research indicates that while the overall risk remains low, prolonged use of Depo-Provera may significantly increase the likelihood of developing these tumours.
One study published in the British Medical Journal in 2024 found that women who use Depo-Provera for more than a year could increase their risk of developing the tumours by as much as 500%.
Later that year, the manufacturer Pfizer updated patient information in collaboration with the UK medicines regulator to include a warning about the risk of brain tumours, particularly with long-term use.
But for Kim and her family, that came too late.
“If I’d known there was a risk, I don’t think I would have agreed to it,” Tricia said.
“We used to go to the nurse, she’d have the injection ready, give it to Kim, and we’d leave. In hindsight, you think, should I have done more? I do blame myself.”
Tricia is one of hundreds of women in the UK now seeking legal advice, as concerns grow over the drug and how its risks have been communicated.
A growing number of women say they have also been diagnosed with brain tumours after long-term use of the injection, and many are questioning whether they were able to make an informed decision.
Lawyers from Austen Hays say they’re currently investigating on behalf of more than 250 women.
Even with Depo-Provera use the risk of developing meningiomas is extremely low but Tricia believes that without the contraceptive injection her daughter might still be alive.
It’s a sunny day when Tricia and I walk alongside the estuary in Fareham near the family home. Kim would have loved being out with us, she tells me, taking in all the sights and sounds she enjoyed so much.
Instead, her family is left grieving a life cut short.
“I don’t want to scare people, but people need to be aware,” she said.
For her, speaking out is about making sure others ask the questions she feels she never had the chance to.
“We weren’t given a choice; I don’t want anyone else to go through what we have.”
Depo-Provera’s UK manufacturer Pfizer said: “Patient safety is our top priority. We conduct rigorous and continuous monitoring of all our medicines, including assessments of reported adverse events, in collaboration with health authorities around the globe.
“Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) has been approved in more than 60 countries over the last 30 years, has a well-established efficacy and safety profile and has been a treatment option for millions of patients during that time.
“People should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse if they have any concerns or experience any side effects.”
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “Patient safety is our top priority. MHRA continuously monitors all licensed medicines for safety.
“Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive injection, which contains medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
“Product information for products containing MPA was initially updated in 2024 following studies which showed a risk of meningioma associated with use of high dose MPA. It was further updated in early 2025 with new advice and additional measures to manage the risk. The Patient Information Leaflet was also updated to ensure patients were aware of the symptoms of meningioma and with the advice that they should contact their doctor if they experienced these symptoms.
“For the majority of people, the benefits of Depo-Provera far outweigh the risk, but we advise anyone with any concerns to speak with their GP, pharmacist or contraceptive provider.”
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