Depression in users of depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Mental Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Depression is prevalent in young, low-income, Hispanic women.
• Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a widely used contraceptive in this demographic.
• DMPA labeling indicates a potential for worsening depression with use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between DMPA use and worsening depressive symptoms.
• To determine if DMPA's contraceptive effects impact mood in women.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 80 English-speaking DMPA users at a family planning clinic.
• Administered the CES-D depression scale twice: pre- and post-injection.
• Analyzed scores in relation to injection timing, duration of use, age, parity, education, and pregnancy outcomes.

Main Results:

• Depression scores (median CES-D=14) were not linked to the timing of DMPA injections.
• Scores were slightly higher in women receiving their first injection and those with four or more injections.
• No significant correlation found with age or parity; higher scores associated with less education or recent adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Limited evidence suggests DMPA use does not increase depression with long-term use.
• No short-term effect of DMPA dose on mood was observed.
• Women at risk for depression should not be excluded from using DMPA as a contraceptive choice.