Doubts on Depo. (Letter)

In response to M. Jones report (People 4:4) implying a case against injectables the main problem is seen as being against medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; Depo-Provera). In October 1970 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended withdrawal of oral contraceptives (OCs) containing chlormadinone acetate (CMA) or MPA and in November 1975 the British Committee on Safety of Medicines recommended withdrawal of OCs containing megestrol acetate. Research findings have incriminated only the 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone derivatives e.g. CMA MPA and megestrol acetate but not the 19-nortestosterone derivatives. Research into injectable contraceptives containing 19-nortestosterone derivatives (Depo-Provera) will aid in ending the dilemma of registration of only 19-nortesterone derivatives. It is estimated that currently Depo-Provera is being administered to approximately .3% of the worlds 15-44 year old women or 1/20 of the proportion using oral contraceptives.