Changes in weight, total fat, percent body fat, and central-to-peripheral fat ratio associated with injectable and oral contraceptive use.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine changes in bodyweight and composition that result from hormonal contraception.


METHODS
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years for 703 women (African American, 200; white, 247; Hispanic, 256) who were beginning the use of oral contraception (OC; n = 245), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA; n = 240), or nonhormonal contraception (NH; n = 218). DMPA discontinuers were observed for up to 2 years to examine the reversibility of the observed changes.


RESULTS
Over 36 months, DMPA users increased their weight (+5.1 kg), body fat (+4.1 kg), percent body fat (+3.4%), and central-to-peripheral fat ratio (+0.1) more than OC and NH users (P < .01). OC use did not cause weight gain. After DMPA discontinuation, NH users lost 0.42 kg in 6 months; OC users gained 0.43 kg in 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Bodyweight and fat significantly increase with the use of DMPA. After discontinuation of DMPA, some decrease in bodyweight and fat occurs when NH is used.
Berenson
Abbey B
AB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX . 77555-0587, USA. abberens@utmb.edu
Rahman
Mahbubur
M
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate