DEPOT MEDROXYPROGESTERONE - MANAGEMENT OF SIDE-EFFECTS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH ITS CONTRACEPTIVE USE

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate is one of the most popular, effectiv e methods of contraception used in the United States. Many women exper ience unpleasant side effects from this method, including episodic vag inal bleeding, hair loss, depression, and weight gain. This Clinical P ractice Exchange describes the treatment strategies for these side-eff ects used by nurse-midwives from a variety of settings and locales. Co ntraceptive use can be more acceptable for many women if they are bett er able to cope with unpleasant side effects of the method. This Clini cal Practice Exchange provides knowledge to enhance client coping. (C) 1997 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.