Recent studies have suggested that use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) may have an adverse effect on bone mineral density (BMD). In contrast, use of oral contraceptives has been reported to have a beneficial effect or no effect. In a preliminary study, we observed a decrease of 3.0 percent in BMD among users of DMPA as compared with an increase of 0.1 percent-2.9 percent among users of 30-35 mug pills. Questions regarding the specific relationship between BMD and DMPA, however, have not been fully addressed. Furthermore, almost no data are available on the effects of the recently marketed pills containing only 20 mug of estradiol. Considering that over 11 million women in the US use hormonal contraception each year, it seems imperative to obtain accurate information on the effects of these medications on skeletal health. To address this important question, we propose to conduct a prospective clinical trial comparing changes in BMD over a 2-year interval experienced by women using DMPA or oral contraceptives containing 20 mug estradiol as compared with women not using hormonal contraception. Each cohort will be comprised of 229 women aged 16 to 33 years of white, black, or Hispanic race/ethnicity. The primary outcomes (ie, BMD and biomarkers of bone metabolism) will be analyzed to assess changes from baseline within each contraceptive group at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months as compared to changes observed among controls. Furthermore, we will be able to assess the reversibility of potential adverse effects of hormonal contraception on BMD among those who discontinue their method by conducting a bone scan and measuring biomarkers at the point of discontinuation and at 6-month intervals from this point. This study will be among the first to investigate the role of race/ethnicity and age in contraceptive-related BMD changes while accounting for behavioral correlates (eg, prior contraceptive use, nutritional intake, exercise habits, alcohol use, smoking) in a multivariate fashion. Ultimately, this study will determine which women, if any, are placed at increased risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis as a result of using these hormonal contraceptives during their reproductive years.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD039883-05
Application #
6936613
Study Section
Reproductive Endocrinology Study Section (REN)
Program Officer
Kaufman, Steven
Project Start
2001-09-11
Project End
2008-08-31
Budget Start
2005-09-01
Budget End
2008-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$606,938
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Medical Br Galveston
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771149
City
Galveston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77555
Berenson, Abbey B; Rahman, Mahbubur (2012) Effect of hormonal contraceptives on vitamin B12 level and the association of the latter with bone mineral density. Contraception 86:481-7
Rahman, Mahbubur; Berenson, Abbey B (2012) Self-perception of weight gain among multiethnic reproductive-age women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 21:340-6
Berenson, Abbey B; van den Berg, Patricia; Williams, Karen J et al. (2011) Effect of injectable and oral contraceptives on glucose and insulin levels. Obstet Gynecol 117:41-7
Hosain, G M M; Rahman, M; Williams, K J et al. (2010) Racial differences in the association between body fat distribution and lipid profiles among reproductive-age women. Diabetes Metab 36:278-85
Rahman, Mahbubur; Berenson, Abbey B (2010) Predictors of higher bone mineral density loss and use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. Obstet Gynecol 115:35-40
Rahman, Mahbubur; Berenson, Abbey B (2010) Accuracy of current body mass index obesity classification for white, black, and Hispanic reproductive-age women. Obstet Gynecol 115:982-8
Le, Yen-Chi L; Rahman, Mahbubur; Berenson, Abbey B (2010) Perceived weight gain as a correlate of physical activity and energy intake among white, black, and Hispanic reproductive-aged women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 19:1987-93
Rahman, Mahbubur; Berenson, Abbey B (2010) Racial difference in lean mass distribution among reproductive-aged women. Ethn Dis 20:346-52
Berenson, Abbey B; Rahman, Mahbubur; Wilkinson, Gregg (2009) Effect of injectable and oral contraceptives on serum lipids. Obstet Gynecol 114:786-94
Rahman, Mahbubur; Temple, Jeff R; Breitkopf, Carmen Radecki et al. (2009) Racial differences in body fat distribution among reproductive-aged women. Metabolism 58:1329-37

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