THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411041020
SECTION: HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
IT SOUNDED GREAT - a contraceptive that's injected in your arm four times a year, reasonably priced, 99 percent effective. Nicole Statton started rolling up her sleeve just reading the advertisement.
But she quickly realized Depo-Provera had its share of drawbacks, like the many other birth control methods she's tried in her 32 years.
``I would bleed a little every day while on Depo-Provera,'' said Statton of Chesapeake. ``I liked not having to worry about taking any pill, or using any foams or jellies that can break the mood, but I didn't like the bleeding.''
Because of its convenience and effectiveness, Depo-Provera is becoming popular as the new kid on the contraception block. It's been used for birth control in more than 90 countries before its approval in the United States in late 1992, and it has been used as a treatment for endometrial and kidney cancer since the early 1970s.
Depo-Provera is a shot administered in the arm or buttocks every 90 days. It works by preventing the release of hormones from the pituitary gland in the brain. Without these hormones, the monthly release of an egg from the ovary cannot occur. No egg, no pregnancy.
Injections provide protection from pregnancy within two weeks. Many patients are given a pregnancy test before their initial shot because studies show that users who were either pregnant at the time of their first shot or who got pregnant while using the drug were more likely to have low birth-weight babies.
Depo-Provera has several pluses. Shots range in price from $30 to $45 and it's a method that's easy to discontinue. Studies show a decrease in menstrual cramps, pain and anemia and there's a possible reduction in the risk of pelvic inflammatory diseases and endometriosis.
The injections are 99 percent effective, making it one of the most reliable methods.
``It's very convenient. I will recommend it for people who have difficulty with other methods that they have to be responsible for,'' said Dr. Carol Nottingham with Woman to Woman, an obstetrics and gynecology practice in Norfolk.
``But it has significant side effects for those who could use other methods.''
Weight gain is a constant complaint of Depo-Provera users.
``You can gain four to five pounds weight gain a year, due to increase in appetite, not fluid,'' said Dr. Charles Wilkes with Tidewater Physicians for Women.
``It's not necessary that you gain weight . . . but it's much more common than with the Pill.''
Irregular bleeding is also a common problem.
``Sometimes you have bleeding every day; small doses of estrogen taken by mouth can take care of that and then after a while you might not have periods at all,'' Wilkes said.
``Again estrogen can take care of that but if you're taking pills, why get the shots.''
It might take up to two years for fertility to return for those who use Depo-Provera. Sixteen weeks after the last injection, a woman should be able to conceive, but it could take one to two years for the menstrual cycle to return to normal. In one study, more than half the women who wanted to become pregnant conceived after one year and 90 percent had conceived by the end of two.
Depo-Provera may be associated with a decrease in the amount of mineral stored in the bones, which could increase the risk of bone fractures. It was once thought to increase the risk of breast cancer, but that has been discounted with further studies. Depo-Provera can cause some of the same nuisance effects as the Pill and Norplant implants - depression, headaches, nervousness and dizziness.
It's also important to tell your doctor if you have the following conditions: a family history of breast cancer, kidney disease, high blood pressure, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, a history of depression or migraine headaches. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Depo-Provera has been used for birth control in more than 90
countries before its approval in the United States in late 1992.
KEYWORDS: BIRTH CONTROL DEVICES by CNB