A Comparative Study of Allopregnanolone Levels and Depression Severity Among Woman Using Contraceptive Implant and Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA)
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Abstract
Introduction: Hormonal contraceptive may influence neurosteroid pathways involved in mood regulation, particularly allopregnanolone, a positive modulator of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Differences in progestin-only delivery contraceptive between implant and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) may result in variations in allopregnanolone levels and potentially influence depression severity.
Objectives: to compare allopregnanolone levels to depression severity among woman using contraceptive implant and DMPA.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included reproductive aged woman using contraceptive implants and DMPA. Allopregnanolone levels were measured, and depression severity were assessed using The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0.
Results: Allopregnanolone levels were higher in DMPA acceptors compared to implant (0.65 (0.12-2.62) vs 0.70 (0.44-2.37) (p=0.473). All participants were in the mild depression category, with no significant difference in HDRS scores between groups (p=0.423). The statistics showed that there was no significant correlation between allopregnanolone levels and depression severity in implant (p=0.053) and DMPA (p=0.600) users.
Conclusions: There were no significant differences in allopregnanolone levels or depression severity between implant and DMPA users, and no significant association was observed between allopregnanolone levels and depressive symptoms in either group.