Contraception. Bone mineral density during long-term use of the progestagen contraceptive implant Implanon(R) compared to a non-hormonal method of contraception

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 118
• Main Authors: Beerthuizen, Rob, Agaath van Beek, Massai, Rebeca, Makarainen, Leo, Hout, Joanneke in't, Herjan Coelingh Bennink
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01.01.2000
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350

An open, prospective, comparative study was done in healthy women, aged between 18 and 40 years, to study the effects of long-term etonogestrel treatment on bone mineral density (BMD). The control group used a non-hormone-medicated intrauterine device (IUD). The BMD was measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry instrument. Measurements included the lumbar spine (L<2<-L<4<), the proximal femur (femoral neck, Ward's triangle, trochanter) and distal radius. The period of treatment was 2 years and 44 women in the Implanon<(R)< group and 29 in the IUD group provided data. Groups were comparable at baseline with respect to age, weight, body mass index, BMD and 17[beta]-oestradiol status. Changes from baseline in BMD in the Implanon<(R)< group were not essentially different from those in the IUD group. There was no relationship between 17[beta]-oestradiol concentrations and changes in BMD in this study population. The results of the present study indicate that Implanon<(R)< can safely be used in young women who have not yet achieved their peak bone mass.