sidewalkcounseling.com

Predictors of Higher Bone Mineral Density Loss and Use of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), an article in the January 2010 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, can be a useful tool when presented to patrons of clinics that dispense birth control.  It was found that “of the initial 240 DMPA users, 95 completed 24 months of follow-up. Forty-five of the 95 DMPA users (47.4%) had at least 5% BMD loss at the lumbar spine or femoral neck by 24 months.”  And the conclusion reached was that “the risk of higher BMD loss associated with DMPA use may be reduced by quitting smoking and increasing calcium intake. Having had a child is also protective.”

In its overview of Depo-Provera (the DMPA birth control shot), Planned Parenthood lists the following side effects: “Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect, especially in the first 6 to 12 months of use. There are also some less common side effects:

• change in sex drive
• change in appetite or weight gain
• depression
• hair loss or increased hair on the face or body
• headache
• nausea
• sore breasts

There is no way to stop the side effects of Depo-Provera — they may continue until the shot wears off, in 12 to 14 weeks.”

“Because the birth control shot is long lasting, it can take a long time to get pregnant after getting your last shot — anywhere from nine months to more than a year. So, Depo-Provera is not a good birth control method for you if you’re thinking of getting pregnant soon.”

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-shot-depo-provera-4242.htm

It is not as if Pfizer, the maker of Depo-Provera, is hiding the fact that the drug causes bone loss, it is just pertinent that the user reads it.  The package labeling of the Depo-Provera shot reads “Use of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection may cause you to lose calcium stored in your bones. The longer you use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection the more calcium you are likely to lose. The calcium may not return completely once you stop using Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection.”

It also includes this warning about cancer: “However, women under 35 years of age whose first exposure to DEPO-PROVERA Contraceptive Injection was within the previous 4 to 5 years may have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer similar to that seen with oral contraceptives.”

http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/ppi_depo_provera_contraceptive.pdf

As a sidewalk counselor, it is a good idea to educate yourself on the risks and side effects of all types of birth control.  You may even want to print the list of side effects to give to the women that are interested in the birth control shot.  I find it best to give them sources such as this study from the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal or from the Planned Parenthood website itself. Honestly, if they see that it is a source from a pro-life organization, they may not trust it.  They obviously are putting a lot of trust in Planned Parenthood if they are entering the clinic to seek counseling.  It is information that PP has posted on their website but that they may not otherwise get once they enter the clinic.  It may even be a good idea to put a reminder at the bottom of any handout you give encouraging the reader to ask questions once they get inside.