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Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a highly effective, long-acting (3-month) contraceptive, but continuous use reduces serum estradiol levels and can lead to decreased bone-mineral density (BMD). Loss of BMD is particularly troublesome in adolescents because adolescence is a period during which BMD usually increases. In an industry-sponsored prospective study, researchers examined BMD changes in 98 adolescent girls (age range, 12–18 years; 50% black, 26% white, 17% Hispanic) during and after treatment with DMPA.
Participants received a median of nine injections (19 received ≥17, 56 received 5–16, and 23 received ≤4). At the end of treatment, 47% of girls had <5% BMD loss from baseline, 16% had ≥5% to 8% loss, and 37% had ≥8% loss. G…