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Injectable birth control method caused increased glucose, insulin levels
Berenson AB. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;117:41-47.
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Women who used depot medroxyprogesterone acetate as a contraceptive showed an increase in their serum glucose and serum insulin levels compared with women who used oral contraceptives or non-hormonal contraceptives, according to researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch.
“It has been suggested that depot medroxyprogesterone acetate may adversely affect serum glucose and insulin levels,” the researchers wrote. “It is not clear whether use of very-low-dose oral contraceptive pills containing desogestrel adversely affect insulin-glucose metabolism.”
The study included 703 women who were counseled on the types of contraception available and then allowed to select one of three types of birth control: 245 women chose oral contraceptives, 240 chose depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, and 218 chose a non-hormonal contraceptive. All of the women received free well-woman care and contraception during the study.
Serum glucose and insulin levels were measured at baseline and then every 6 months for 3 years. The participants also completed questionnaires about demographic and behavioral measures.
During the 3-year period, the women who used depot medroxyprogesterone acetate had increases in the levels of glucose and insulin. The glucose increased steadily, although the highest increase was experienced during the first 6 months. Glucose increased by 2 mg/dL during the first 6 months and gradually increased by 1 mg/dL by 30 months. The insulin increased by 3 units during the first 6 months and an additional unit by 18 months, and then leveled off. Women who used non-hormonal or oral contraceptives showed little change to their glucose and insulin levels.
“When counseling women about contraception, the provider and the patient must weight potential adverse effects of each method against the risk of unintended pregnancy,” the researchers wrote.
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