Experience with the use of depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate in a Nigerian population

Eight hundred and ten patients who accepted to use depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for contraception were studied over a period of 11 years (1976-1986). Important side-effects observed were amenorrhoea (36.3%), weight gain (15.8%), weight loss (10.6%), metrorrhagia (6.7%) and menorrhagia (6.0%). Amenorrhoea, menorrhagia and metrorrhagia were major reasons for discontinuation of DMPA in 11% of acceptors. There were no cases of pregnancy, genital or breast malignancies during DMPA use. Our experience indicates that DMPA as a contraceptive is effective and should be available for suitable clients who demonstrate oestrogen intolerance.