Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
The study of effects on weight and blood pressure in long term DMPA acceptors is reported. The objectives were to study body weight and blood pressure changes in long term DMPA users compared with intrauterine device (IUD) acceptors. A total of 50 healthy women who had been using DMPA for 120 months were compared with 50 IUD acceptors who had been using an IUD for 120 months. Age, parity, income, body weight, and blood pressure at the initiation of contraception were matched. The mean +/- SD body weight at 120 months in the DMPA and IUD groups were 60.9 +/- 7.5 kg and 62.1 +/- 9.3 kg. No difference in mean body weight was demonstrated. The blood pressure change between DMPA and IUD acceptors also was not different. It is suggested that long term DMPA use does not have unfavorable effects on weight or blood pressure.