Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in DMPA Acceptors: Influence on Bleeding Occurrence

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the relationship between levels of serum vascular
 endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bleeding occurrence in
 depo medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) acceptors.
 
 Method: We employed a cross‐sectional study on 70 DMPA acceptors
 with DMPA use of 3 to 6 months who presented for midwifery
 service in Palembang. Blood samples were obtained in order
 to assess levels of serum VEGF using ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent
 assay) method. Laboratory assessments were carried
 out in PRODIA laboratory in Jakarta.
 
 Result: We recruited 70 subjects into our study. After 3 to 6 months
 of using DMPA, as much as 26 subjects (37.1%) reported complaints
 of bleeding and 44 subjects (62.9%) reported no bleeding. The mean
 level of serum VEGF in DMPA acceptors with bleeding was 355 K
 170 pg/ml, and 323 K 202 pg/ml in acceptors with no bleeding. We
 identified a significant association between duration of use and
 bleeding occurrence (p0.05).
 
 Conclusion: In our sample, we found an association between duration
 of DMPA use and presence of bleeding but VEGF levels was not
 found to be different in women experiencing abnormal uterine
 bleeding and those who did not.
 
 Keywords: bleeding, DMPA acceptor, serum VEGF