Obstetric and gynaecological case records and commentaries

Abstract

Fasting serum lipids were serially measured in a group of 7 women desirous of using depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and 8 women who had been using (DMPA). for more than 5 years but less than 6 years. This was done to cover one cycle of DMPA injection of 92 days. The parameters covered were serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, free cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (L.D.L.) cholesterol, Very low density lipoprotein (V.L.D.L.) cholesterol and phospholipids. The aim of the study was to find out if this contraceptive affected the levels of these lipids, particularly HDL - cholesterol, with prolonged use. There was no significant change in the lipids in new users but there was marked differences in the levels of HDL - cholesterol in the group thatahad used DMPA for more than five years.