Physiologic and psychologic symptoms associated with use of injectable contraception and 20 microg oral contraceptive pills.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to compare menstrual, physiologic, and psychologic symptoms over 2 years among women initiating use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or an oral contraceptive pill with a reduced pill-free interval and those not using hormonal contraception.


METHODS
A total of 608 women reported their experience regarding 17 symptoms prior to initiating contraception and every 6 months thereafter for 24 months. Longitudinal relationships between symptoms and contraceptives were assessed after adjusting for age, visits, and baseline status of symptoms.


RESULTS
Oral contraceptive pills were protective against mastalgia (odds ratio [OR], 0.7), cramping (OR, 0.5), hair loss (OR, 0.6), acne (OR, 0.4), nervousness (OR, 0.5), and mood swings (OR, 0.7). Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was protective against bloating (OR, 0.5) and mood swings (OR, 0.7) but caused weight gain (OR, 2.3), bleeding episodes more than 20 days (OR, 13.4), and missed periods (OR, 96.9). Both methods caused intermenstrual bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence-based data regarding beneficial and adverse symptoms associated with these methods may help clinicians counsel patients appropriately prior to contraceptive initiation.
Berenson
Abbey B
AB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0587, USA. abberens@utmb.edu
Odom
Susan D
SD
Breitkopf
Carmen Radecki
CR
Rahman
Mahbubur
M
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate