Bone Mineral Density in Women Using Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) for at Least 2 Years Compared to a Control Group: A Cross Sectional Study
Saipin Pongsatha MD*, Molrudee Ekmahachai MD**, Somsak Chaovisitsaree MD*, Nuchanart Suntornlimsiri BSc*, Nuntana Morakote BSc, MPH*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. ** Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Thailand
Objective : To compare the effect of long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on bone
mineral density (BMD) in Thai women compared to the control.
Material and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on Thai women of reproductive age who used
DMPA (50 subjects) for contraception for at least 2 years and non-hormonal users (50 subjects). BMD was
measured at the lumbar spine, femur and distal radius, and ulna.
Results : There was significantly lower BMD at the lumbar spines in the DMPA group but there was no
significant difference in BMD between groups at the femur, distal radius, and ulna.
Conclusion : Long-term use of DMPA has a negative impact on lumbar spine BMD.
Keywords : DMPA, Depo medroxyprogesterone acetate, BMD, Bone mineral density, Bone density, Lumbar, Femur, Distal radius, Ulna
