Reasons for discontinuation of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate

Introduction: Approximately 16 million women worldwide use injectable contraceptive to regulate their fertility, 13 million women use depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Since 1996, DMPA has been used by several thousands of women in Iran. DMPA have some benefits such as highly efficacious in preventing pregnancy, increase hemoglobin levels, easy usage, no increased thromboembolism risk for adverse effect on lipids. low cost, et c. However. despite the advantage mentioned above, after one or two times (3-6 months) of injecting the DMPA, many women asked for discontinuation. There are many reasons for dissatisfaction and discontinuation. The aim of this research was to determine the reasons for discontinuing DMPA. Methods: This study was retrospective, 900 samples were selected of women who stopped injecting. The data was collected through interview with samples, while interviewer was completing questionnaires during 10 months in health centers in Tehran. Results: 92.4% of samples were housewives, 70% had one to two children. 45% of women consult with midwives for selecting DMPA, and 61% of cases discontinued injecting the DMPA after 3-6 months and 40% had delayed menstruation after discontinuing it. The reasons for stopping injection were amenorrhea (50.6%), headache (33.5%) and depression (28%). Conclusions: Therefore. the most important task of clinic-staffs, working at family planning units, is selecting women for DMPA with more attention and following them up regularly. They should perform regular and periodical examination to be able to help those women in case any problem occurs. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.