Journal Top Ten -- COLUMNS-Drugs & Supplements -- July 2006

ARTICLE: 'Bone mineral density and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate'

JOURNAL: Contraception. 73 (2006) 577-583.

SUMMARY: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) suppresses pituitary gonadotrophin output, thus, suppressing ovulation. Estrogen production from the ovary is also strongly inhibited, and the resulting estrogen deficiency has a detrimental impact on bone. DMPA may be particularly detrimental in young women, as it may impede attainment of peak bone mass, and switching to a different contraceptive is recommended. The effect of sequential use of DMPA with other contraceptives in this age group has not been investigated. The researchers conducted …