Adolescent Use of the Monthly Contraceptive Injection

Progestin-only contraceptives: effects on weight

“…The nine prospective studies included five RCTs (WHO 1983; Salem 1988; Ball 1991; Sivin 1998; Westhoff 2007) and four with other prospective designs (Tankeyoon 1976; Castle 1978; Salem 1984; Bonny 2009). Six studies used retrospective data (Moore 1995; Taneepanichskul 1998; Espey 2000; Sule 2005; Tuchman 2005; Pantoja 2010). …”

“…Bonny 2009 analyzed data from a larger study of hormonal contraceptives and bone mineral density. Moore 1995 and Tuchman 2005 were retrospective chart reviews.…”

“…However, when compared to a group using no hormonal method, the DMPA group had a greater change in total body fat (%) (mean difference 11.00; 95% CI 2.64 to 19.36) (Analysis 3.1) and a greater change in lean body mass (%) (mean difference −4.00; 95% CI −6.93 to −1.07) (Analysis 3.2). The retrospective study of Tuchman 2005 focused on adolescents and young women, ages 12 to 21 years. At 6 and 12 months, the DMPA group was similar to the group using medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) plus E2C and to the COC users for mean weight change and mean percentage weight change (Tuchman 2005).…”

“…The retrospective study of Tuchman 2005 focused on adolescents and young women, ages 12 to 21 years. At 6 and 12 months, the DMPA group was similar to the group using medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) plus E2C and to the COC users for mean weight change and mean percentage weight change (Tuchman 2005). In the small study of Tankeyoon 1976, the DMPA and COC groups were similar in the proportions that gained at least 1 kg by months 6 and 12.…”

Contraception for the Adolescent Patient

“…Although there is reassuring evidence that most methods of hormonal contraception are not associated with weight gain, conflicting information exists with regard to DMPA. Some studies have shown that DMPA use by adolescents did not cause weight gain, 23 but more recent studies suggest that obese adolescents using DMPA have higher weight gain than their normalweight counterparts. 24 It has also been found that women who gain more than 5% body weight in the first 6 months of DMPA use are at increased risk for future weight gain if they continue using DMPA.…”