Bone mineral density during long-term use of the progestagen contraceptiveimplant Implanon((R)) compared to a non-hormonal method of contraception

An open, prospective, comparative study was done in healthy women, aged bet ween 18 and 40 years, to study the effects of long-term etonogestrel treatm ent on bone mineral density (BMD). The control group used a non-hormone-med icated intrauterine device (IUD). The BRID was measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry instrument. Measurements included the lumbar spine (L -2-L-4), the proximal femur (femoral neck, Ward's triangle, trochanter) and distal radius. The period of treatment was 2 years and 44 women in the Imp lanon(R) group and 29 in the IUD group provided data. Groups were comparabl e at baseline with respect to age, weight, body mass index, BRID and 17 bet a-oestradiol status. Changes from baseline in BR-ID in the Implanon(R) grou p were not essentially different from those in the IUD group. There was no relationship between 17 beta-oestradiol concentrations and changes in BMD i n this study population. The results of the present study indicate that Imp lanon(R) can safely be used in young women who have not yet achieved their peak bone mass.