Weight and body fat changes in postpartum depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate users
Christina M Nyirati1, Diane L Habash, Lynn E T Shaffer
1School of Nursing, Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions, Athens, OH 45701-2979, USA. nyirati@ohio.edu
Contraception
|November 27, 2012
Summary
Postpartum women using depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) did not show significant body composition changes compared to those undergoing sterilization. Overweight or obese women may gain more weight on DMPA.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Endocrinology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Background:
- Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a common postpartum contraceptive.
- Weight gain is a frequently cited reason for DMPA discontinuation.
- Limited data exists on body composition changes in postpartum DMPA users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate body composition changes in postpartum women using DMPA.
- To compare DMPA users with women undergoing bilateral partial salpingectomy (BPS).
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements of body composition were taken.
- Women using DMPA postpartum were compared to women who chose BPS.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in weight or body fat percentage changes were observed between DMPA and BPS groups after one year.
- Approximately half of DMPA users returned to their pre-pregnancy weight, while nearly half gained weight.
- Higher pre-pregnancy body mass index was linked to weight gain in DMPA recipients.
Conclusions:
- Overweight or obese women may have an increased risk of weight gain during the first year postpartum when using DMPA.
- Counseling should weigh the risk of DMPA-associated weight gain against potential weight gain from future pregnancies.
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