Objective: To prove the influence of gestagen contraception on bone mass with x-ray osteodensitometry (DEXA) with regard to BMI.
Design: Cross-sectional observational descriptive study.
Setting: Osteology centre, NZZ Bormed Ostrava.
Methods: In the study premenopausal women who had been using gestagen contraception (Depo-Provera inj.) at least for one year were included. Bone density was measured in regular manner (whole-body densitometer Hologic W). Z-score at lumbar spine, whole femur and femoral neck was assessed.
Results and conclusions: 58 of 116 patients had normal bone density. In 58 ill patients the bone density dropped below the age norm. In 11 women the Z-score decreased below -2.5 SD. Inverse relationship between BMI and bone density (BMD) was found, both between BMI and Z-score (p=0.0001), and BMI and T-score (p=0.0001). The relationship between duration of gestagen use and bone density was not statistically significant. Marked decline in BMD and correlation with patients' low BMI was identified. When prescribing gestagen contraception possible negative effect on skeleton, particularly in women with low BMI should be considered.