Depo Provera

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Depo Provera

• Paul Humphrey, Shannon Dwyer, Ashley Sendelbach

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What is it?

• Depo Provera, medroxyprogesterone acetate, is a
  drug very similar to progesterone.
• Given intramuscularly in the buttocks or arm.
• Reproductive Use Contraceptive, prevents
  pregnancy for three months
• Chemical Classification Progestin synthetic
  progesterone

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Mechanism of Action

• The progestin decreases GnRH production.
• This in turn decreases the release of
• FSH and LH.
• Lower levels of FSH inhibit follicular
  development
• The lack of estrogen positive feedback on LH
  release prevents a LH surge.
• Inhibition of follicular development and the
  absence of a LH surge prevent ovulation.

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Mechanism of Action (cont.)

• Depo Provera prevents the thinning of cervical
  mucus.
• The thickened cervical mucus blocks sperm from
  entering the uterus.

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Side Effects

• Weight gain, headaches, nervousness, abdominal
  discomfort, dizziness and weakness.
• May take 9 months to get pregnant after treatment
  has stopped.
• Calcium loss

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Calcium Loss

• Low estrogen level causes significant bone
  mineral density (BMD) loss.
• In a 5 year study, a BMD loss of 5-6 was found
  in women taking Depo Provera, compared to the
  control.
• This BMD loss can be irreversible and can lead
  to osteoporosis.
• Treatment should not last more than 2 years