Depot Provera Injection Induced Bone Density Loss Recovers After Discontinuation.

Depot Provera is a commonly used contraceptive method by women in the childbearing age. In 2004, the FDA raised concerns about the loss on bone in women who use the medication for a prolonged period. Many South African women use this type of contraception. A recent study was done on South African women who used Depot Provera and Norethindrone (given by injection and is similar to Depot Provera). Bone loss measurement by ultrasound showed loss of bone that was worse in women who used the medications for ten years or more. The good news is that when the women discontinued the injections, the loss of bone recovered within 2 years.

This is good news for women who are using this medication to prevent pregnancy. There is hope that when they discontinue the injections their bone loss recover. This should give assurance to caregivers and women to continue using this effective and convenient hormonal contraceptive method.

Reference: Bone status after cessation of use of injectable progestin contraceptives. Rosenberg et al.

Women Positive About Aging

A recent poll on women on their attitudes towards aging showed that many said the best was yet to come. Please, read more:

CHP Lorain Spirit of Women Wins National Recognition

Mario Sertich, MD, introduced the spirit of women to the Lorain Community Hospital. This organization aims at bringing women's attention to different programs in the community hospital. Please, read on:

Gardasil Vaccine Protects Older Women.

Gardasil, the new Human Papilloma Virus vaccine approved for use in women aged 9 -26 years, in recent studies has been found to effective in women older than 27 years. It is effective up to age 45 years. I have had many of my older patients inquiring about the use of the Gardasil vaccine in older women. This is good news for those older women who are not already infected by the Human Papilloma Virus.

Raloxifene (Evista) Approved for Lowering Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

The FDA has approved Raloxifene to be used in two groups of women, namely those with osteoporosis and those at high risk of having breast cancer. This drug is like Tamoxifen that is currently used as prophylaxis in women with breast cancer. However, unlike Tamoxifen, Raloxifene does not cause cancer of the uterus. Both of them can cause hot flashes and clots in the veins. Unlike drugs like Fosamax or Actonel, Raloxifene does not prevent hip fractures. This is a boon to women with a history of osteoporosis in their spine and with a family history of breast cancer.