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Though the topic of contraceptives are not the most common talk points on this blog, I feel that this story is important to share with women. It was quietly reported in the New York Times that the popular birth-control-method, Depo-Provera( who conveniently is under going web construction upon this post) , has been linked to bone loss in women. The study referenced is featured in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The 2 year study reveals that 45 percent of Depo-Provera users experienced bone mineral density losses of 5 percent or more in the hip or lower spine. NYT reports that more than two million American women use DMPA, including about 400,000 teenagers.
These findings raise significant concern amongst researchers for recovering bone mass can take a long time. The hip bone, an unfortunate ironic collateral victim of the drug’s effect, is the most common bone which women are prone to fracture as they age. The thought of teenagers taking this contraceptive for 15 years or so, raises extreme alarm in my conscience.
If you are currently using Depo-Provera or have used it as your birth control method, make sure to up your calcium. Especially if you are planning to have children in the future. If you are interested in learning about natural birth control methods and alternatives, please visit this link.
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Tags: birth control warnings, Depo-Provera warnings
