Bone mineral density in women aged 25–35 years receiving depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: recovery following discontinuation

IntroductionThis 7-year, prospective, matched-cohort, clinical study evaluated the effects of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) (150 mg/mL) on bone mineral density (BMD) in women aged 25–35 years.MethodsBone mineral density changes in new DMPA-IM users (n=248) were compared with those in women using nonhormonal contraception (n=360) for up to 240 weeks of treatment and 96 weeks of posttreatment follow-up (in subjects receiving ≥1 dose).ResultsAt week 240 of treatment, mean percentage changes from baseline in DMPA-IM vs. nonhormonal subjects were: −5.16% (n=21) vs. +0.19% (n=65), total hip (p<.001); −5.38% (n=33) vs. +0.43% (n=105), lumbar spine (p<.001). At week 96 posttreatment, these values were: −0.20% (n=25) vs. +0.84% (n=43), total hip (p=.047); −1.19% (n=41) vs. +0.47% (n=66), lumbar spine (p=.017).ConclusionsThese results show BMD declines during DMPA-IM use; following discontinuation, significant increases in BMD occur through 96 weeks posttreatment.