Association Between Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Injection and Periodontal Health in Reproductive Age Women: A Case Control Study in Iran

It seems that depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) use can have an effect on a woman’s oral health, and cause periodontal changes in adult women. However, there is little research in this regard and consensus has not been reached in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the association between DMPA injection and periodontal health in reproductive age women. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 194 women aged 20 - 40 years in Ahvaz health care centers, southwest of Iran, during 2015. Ninety-seven women taking DMPA were assigned to the case group and 97 women who did not use DMPA were assigned to the control group. Periodontal parameters such as bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 19 using descriptive and analytic (Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and student’s t-test) statistical methods. There was a statistically significant difference regarding bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss between the case and control groups. Totally, 56.7% of the women in the case group had periodontitis compared to 16.5% in the control group (P < 0.0001). Based on our findings, the use of DMPA can affect the periodontal health status of women. Therefore, women who use this method must have a strict oral hygiene care program.