The World Health Organisation (WHO), in a statement on Hormonal contraception and Bone health, has recommended that there should be no restriction on the long-term use of the combined oral contraceptive and the 3-monthly contraceptive injection DMPA among women aged 18 to 45 who are otherwise eligible to use the method.
According to the statement, hormonal contraceptives including the injectables are highly effective and widely used. These contraceptives have important health benefits both contraceptive and non-contraceptive. For most women the health benefits of using a contraceptive outweighs the insignificant risks associated with contraceptive use.
DMPA is a safe, effective, convenient, private, reversible and mid-term spacing option. The benefits of this product has gained worldwide acceptance and is endorsed by the leading professional and regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organisation. The benefits of using a contraceptive are higher than the minimum risks associated with its use.
Speaking at an interaction organised by the Family Welfare Committee of the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Dr. Mandakini Parihar, chairperson of the Committee said, “After recent reports of hormonal methods allegedly affecting bone mineral density of women, we needed WHO to review all the evidence and give a statement for future direction. The evidence that WHO has reviewed clearly indicates that not only is the BMD reversible post discontinuation, but that in light of future maternal and child health women can use it for a long time – that is till they require contraceptive protection. As part of a network that advocates the right of women to choose a contraceptive that is suitable for them, is safe and effective, WHO statement once again reassures us that DMPA is indeed one such option.”
World Health Organisation put out its recommendations at a consultation held in Geneva on June 20-21 2005 to assess current evidence on the relationship between hormonal contraceptives and bone health. The consultation was held in response to some questions regarding the alleged association of hormonal use to bone loss.