Body weight and body composition of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users.
OBJECTIVE
Weight gain is a concern with the contraceptive depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA); however, this issue remains controversial. The objective of this study was to compare body weight (BW) and body composition (BC) in DMPA and copper intrauterine device (IUD) users at baseline and after one year of use.


METHODS
We enrolled new DMPA users and age and weight matched new IUD users into this prospective study. Weight and height were measured, BC (fat and lean mass) was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and physical activity was assessed at baseline and at 12 months. Student's paired t test and the Wilcoxon paired test for matched samples were used.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven women were enrolled for the study; 26 matched pairs continued using the initial method for at least one year, and completed the baseline and 12 month assessments. An increase of 1.9 kg occurred in BW (p=.02) in DMPA users at 12 months of use, resulting from an increase in fat mass of 1.6 kg (p=.03). Weight remained stable in IUD users; however, there was an increase in lean mass at 12 months of use (p=.001). The number of women practicing physical activity increased in this group. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding the variation in the percentage of central fat (p=.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Weight gain in the DMPA group after the first year of use resulted from an increase in fat mass. Weight remained stable in the IUD group; however, an increase in lean mass and a reduction in localized abdominal fat mass occurred, possibly because more users were practicing physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a greater increase in body weight in DMPA users compared to TCu380A IUD users in the first year of use of the contraceptive method. Furthermore, the weight increase in users of DMPA occurred principally as the result of an increase in fat mass. Physical activity probably could increase the lean mass in the users of TCu380A IUD.
Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: na_taliads@hotmail.com.
Natália
N
Dal'Ava
Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Luis
L
Bahamondes
Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
M Valeria
MV
Bahamondes
Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Bruna F
BF
Bottura
Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Ilza
I
Monteiro
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
Body mass; DMPA; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Fat mass; Hormonal contraceptives; Lean mass