Objective: To determine the 1-year efficacy of contraception, changes in bleeding pattern and weight with the use of Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-subcutaneous injected subcutaneously once every 3 months.
Study design: Descriptive case-series.
Place and duration of study: Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, from March 2003 to June 2004.
Methodology: Twenty five patients were selected by purposive sampling and followed up in Holy Family Hospital, Gynaecology and Obstetric Unit for a one-year period using DMPA-SC every three months. Hospital Ethical Committee permission was obtained prior to commencement of the study. Informed written consent was taken. Body weight was measured at baseline and every 3 months thereafter. Bleeding analysis in terms of blood flow and severity of bleeding was also done at 3 months interval using a 5-point scale.
Results: DMPA-SC showed 100% efficacy in preventing pregnancy in the 25 patients who were followed up. Mean and SD of age was 34.24+/-3.57 years. Mean and SD of weight was 63.44+/-13.81 kg.There was a mean weight gain of 0.1 kg at visit 1-3 (first 3 months) and an average weight gain of 1.036 kg at the end of the year. There was a trend towards amenorrhea with 56% of the patients included in the category of bleeding less than usual at the end of treatment period.
Conclusion: DMPA-SC can be used in women desiring reversible contraception with unremarkable weight gain and overall bleeding pattern leading towards amenorrhea.