METABOLIC PARAMETER, BLEEDING, AND WEIGHT CHANGES IN US WOMEN USING PROGESTIN ONLY CONTRACEPTIVES

Our objective was to determine the effect of progestin-only contracept ives on metabolic parameters, bleeding patterns, and weight changes du ring the first year of use. Seventy-one women (>95% Caucasian), who we re advised regarding contraception alternatives, self-selected levonor gestrel implants (n = 44), depo-madroxyprogesterone acetate (n = 22), or oral norethindrone(n = 5). One year later, 11 levonorgestrel implan t and five depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate patients were randomly sel ected to compare (pre- and post-progestin use) levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), apolipoproteins A-1 and B- 100, bilirubin, and sex hormone binding globulin. Monthly bleeding and spotting records were kept in each group. Body weights were also moni tored in each group. No statistically significant differences in metab olic parameters were found between pre- and post-progestin use in the levonorgestrel implant and depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate groups. Co ntinued bleeding patterns were more prominent in the levonorgestrel im plant and oral norethindrone groups than in patients receiving depo-me droxyprogesterone acetate. No significant weight gain was detected in any group. No changes in metabolic parameters or weight were noted ove r the one year of use of levonorgestrel implants or depo-medroxyproges terone acetate. Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetatehad the highest incide nce of amenorrhea.