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ANSM alerts women to meningioma risk from contraceptive pills
The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has issued an alert regarding a potential link between the prolonged use of desogestrel-based contraceptive pills and an increased risk of meningioma, a benign brain tumor. The alert affects approximately 1.6 million women.
While the ANSM describes the increased risk as ‘very low’—calculating approximately one additional case for every 67,000 women—the notification has caused significant anxiety among users. The agency has sent personalized letters to affected women and healthcare professionals, advising them to discuss their contraception with a doctor or midwife during routine consultations to ensure it remains appropriate for their situation.
Medical professionals have noted an influx of concerned patients following the announcement. Some gynecologists have expressed concern that the communication may cause unnecessary distress, while patients, particularly those over 45, have reported feeling ‘worried and helpless’ regarding their medical choices.
Entities
ANSM · Antigone · Elfasette · France · Optimizette
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The calculated excess risk is one additional case for every 67,000 women. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.republicain-lorrain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The ANSM describes the risk of meningioma associated with desogestrel-based contraceptives as ‘very low’. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.republicain-lorrain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The risk is linked to desogestrel-based contraceptives such as Antigone, Elfasette, and Optimizette. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.republicain-lorrain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The risk of meningioma increases primarily in women over the age of 45. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.republicain-lorrain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 1.6 million women are affected by this alert. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.republicain-lorrain.fr · www.leprogres.fr