Depo-Provera decreases number of teen pregnancies; not a cure

by Kristen Williams assistantcopy editor

Every year 115 out of every 1,000 girls between the ages of 14 and 20 are faced with the life altering, and sometimes devastating, issue of teen pregnancy. A new contraceptive, DepoProvera, has taken the issue of "safe sex" to new extremes, and seems to be making a dent in the numbers of teen pregnancies that occur.

Gloria Feldt, the president of Planned Parenthood, explained Depo-Provera as a "reversible birth control that regulates the menstrual cycle of a woman."

Feldt went on to explain exactly what Depo-Provera is and what it does. Depo-Provera, the brand name for depot-medroxyprogesterone, is given as an injection placed in either the arm or buttocks. Every 12 weeks, during the first five days of her menstrual cycle, a patient must receive a new shot. For those 12 weeks, however, Depo-Provera prohibits ovaries from releasing eggs, thickens cervical mucus so that sperm can not join with eggs, and will be 99.7 percent effective against pregnancy.

Feldt said that "Out of 1,000 users, only three will become pregnant during use of the drug. This is a great deal lower than the ll5 we see today."

She continued to explain other advantages of the shot, such as the idea that no one would know you were using it, it works for 12 weeks, and requires no surgery or daily activity to beef- fective. She also stated that it contains no estrogen, reduces menstrual cramps and reduces the chances of ovarian cancer.

"Although the shot is very effective against pregnancy, it will not, however, protect a sexually active teen from sexually transmitted diseases and therefore additional contraception should be used," Feldt said.

There are, however, disadvantages and side effects of "the shot."

The most common side effects that Feldt noted were that irregular bleeding occurs in most patients and once a woman has used DepoProvera, it could take up to five years for her period to begin again. Other not-so-common side effects that were mentioned by Feldt were increased appetite and weight gain, headaches, nausea, nervousness, depression, rashes, hair loss or increased facial and body hair, and an increase or decrease in one's sex drive.

Feldt sees the need to get a new shot every 12 weeks as a disadvantage, and that once drug use is stopped, it can take up to eight months for the body to be completely rid of it.

'The two most upsetting disadvantages of Depo-Provera are that its use cannot be immediately reversed, and after it has stopped being administered, a woman may not be able to get pregnant for up to a full year," Feldt said.

The shot, however, can be used by most women, which is its greatest advantage. If a woman wants effective, long-term birth control, it is the most appropriate

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contraceptive available.

"Teenagers have been the biggest of users of the new contraceptive," Feldt said, "It is a sure-fire way for them to avoid pregnancy, and though it can be costly, they see it as a better choice."

The initial exam to use DepoProvera can cost anywhere from $35 to $125, and each additional visit can cost between $20 and $40. Each shot, in addition to the exam fee, can cost anywhere from $30 to $75. So far, Planned Parenthood has estimated that one full year of coverage can cost anywhere from $215 to $545.

Along with the expense factor, Feldt said that there are people who should avoid using this new drug. They include those who are already pregnant, have diabetes, suffer from depression, have a history of liver disease or are at risk of breast cancer. If a woman wants to use Depo-Provera, and has any of these characteristics, "regular clinical supervision is suggested."

So, is "the shot" the cure for teen pregnancy? According to Feldt, and other Planned Parenthood staff, the answer is no. "We understand that we cannot tell all of society how to behave, but the best way to end the problem of teen pregnancy in the United States is to keep enhancing and trying to enforce abstinence,"

Feldt said, "For now, though, contraceptives must be made available, and Depo-Provera is an extremely effective choice."