Post-abortion depot medroxyprogesterone acetate continuation rates: a randomized trial of cyclic estradiol

Irregular menstrual bleeding is a common reason for discontinuation of depot medroyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraception. We conducted a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial to estimate if transdermal estradiol used in a cyclic fashion could make DMPA bleeding patterns more acceptable and improve DMPA continuation rates. Women initiating DMPA contraception immediately post-abortion (N = 132) were randomized to receive either a low sustained dose of transdermal 17-beta estradiol (0.10 mg/day, Climara) or an identical placebo to be used in a cyclic manner for 3 months. Bleeding patterns, contraceptive use, and pregnancy rates were measured for 1 year after enrollment. Cyclic transdermal estrogen did not create regular bleeding patterns in new users of DMPA and had no effect on DMPA continuation rates (relative hazard = 0.93, 95%CI 0.65-1.33). By 12 months after enrollment, 19.4% of those randomized to estrogen and 23.9% of those randomized to placebo were still using DMPA for contraception. There was no difference in the frequency of DMPA discontinuation primarily for abnormal uterine bleeding between groups (relative risk ratio = 0.95, 95%CI 0.40-2.23). Few women who discontinued DMPA switched to highly effective methods of contraception and within 1 year of an abortion, there were 18 repeat pregnancies (21.9%). Compliance with the estrogen patches was poor resulting in early study termination and inadequate statistical power to detect a clinically significant difference in DMPA continuation rates. Continuation rates of DMPA were low and repeat pregnancy rates were high among women initiating DMPA at the time of abortion. Cyclic transdermal estradiol use is an unacceptable regimen for preventing the irregular bleeding associated with DMPA initiation.