Hormones and weight change.

Dysregulation of body weight has been a common complaint of women on hormonal contraception but an inconsistent event in controlled clinical studies. In a prospective trial to evaluate the relationship between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and change in energy intake, energy expenditure and weight change, no effect from DMPA could be documented. These results refute a causal relationship between use of DPMA and increased weight. While weight gain and use of contraception may be common concomitant events in a population with a substantial propensity for weight fluctuation, the objective data suggest that factors other than contraceptive method are important. The controlled data have major implications for appropriate management and counseling of women seeking a highly effective method of protection against pregnancy.