DMPA Use Results in Bone Loss

Robert W. Rebar, MD, Associate Executive Director, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama

Oct 31, 2001

Robert W. Rebar, MD, Associate Executive Director, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama

October 31, 2001

Robert W. Rebar, MD, Associate Executive Director, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama

October 31, 2001

Findings of cross-sectional and retrospective studies have suggested that using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for contraception may cause or accelerate bone loss in young women. . . .

Findings of cross-sectional and retrospective studies have suggested that using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for contraception may cause or accelerate bone loss in young women. In this nonrandomized prospective study, researchers compared DMPA with oral contraceptives (OCs) and nonhormonal contraception (control).

Although 346 women (aged 18-33) were enrolled, only 155 completed the 12-month study. Women who selected OCs were significantly less likely to smoke cigarettes than were those who selected DMPA or nonhormonal contraception. OC users were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 preparations. Among all women, average daily calcium intake was only 565 mg.

At 12 months, the 33 DMPA users had a mean bone loss at the lumbar spine of 2.74 …

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD, Associate Executive Director, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama