Comparative study of weight change between long-term DMPA and IUD acceptors

Abstract

The study of weight gain in long-term depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) acceptors is reported. The objectives were to study and compare weight gain in long-term DMPA acceptors with intrauterine device (IUD) acceptors. Fifty healthy women who had been using DMPA for 120 months were compared to 50 IUD acceptors who had been using IUD for 120 months as control. Age, parity, income, and weight at the initiation of contraception were matched. The mean ± SD body weight at 120 months in DMPA and IUD groups were 60.9 ± 7.5 kg and 62.1 ± 9.3 kg, respectively. The mean change in body weight in DMPA and IUD groups were 10.9 ± 1.2 and 11.2 ± 1.5 kg. No difference in mean body weight between DMPA and IUD acceptors was demonstrated. It is suggested that weight gain in long-term DMPA use should not be different from nonhormonal contraception. DMPA should not have an unfavorable effect on weight in long-term users.