Project Focus
Hormonal Contraception and bone mineral density

Project Location
KwaZulu- Natal

Duration of Project
2000 -2007

Project Partners
WHO

Project Donors
World Health Organisation

Contact Details
Mags Beksinska

Project Aim/ Objectives
Aim
The study aims to assess the relationship between bone density and hormonal contraceptive users

Objectives
To explore whether the use of progestin injectable or combined oral contraceptives, when compared to non-use, is associated with an increase, decrease or no change in bone mass among women aged 15-19 years and 41-49 years

Project Activities

• The study was conducted at a large family planning clinic in central Durban.
• Recruitment began in July 2000
• The study collects information via questionnaires and physical measurements that include bone mineral density, weight, height and blood pressure

Anticipated/Actual Results

• The study has completed data collection
• Update report have been produced as required.
• The analysis of the cross sectional data has been completed and a full descriptive report on the descriptive data for the cohort has been produced.
• A interim analysis was submitted on the younger women in June to the WHO bone health meeting
• The final results of this study are anticipated to answer crucial issues around possible effect of different hormonal contraceptives on bone mass
• Findings will be used to make policy recommendations related to the use of these methods in the two age groups.
• Final data analysis is underway

Additional Outputs
Papers presented and published:

1. Beksinska M E, Smit J A, Kleinschmidt I, Farley T M M, Mbatha F. Bone mineral density in women aged 40-49 years using depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethisterone enanthate or combined oral contraceptives for contraception. Contraception 2005; 71(3): 170 – 175.
2. Beksinska M, Smit J, Kleinschmidt I, Rees H, Farley T, Guidozzi F.  Detection of raised FSH levels amoungst older women using depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone enanthate.  Contraception 2003; 68 (5); 339-343.
3. Beksinsa M, Kleinschmidt I, Smit J, Farley M M.  Bone mineral density in adolescents using norethisterrone enanthate, depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, or combined oral contraceptives for contraception.  Contraception.  Submitted
4. Various presentations at Reproductive Health Priorities Conference in South Africa , October 2005.

Future Plans

• Data analysis and write up of the final results

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