The Relationship Between Duration of Injectable Contraception Use and Increased Blood Sugar Levels

Ainun Zakiyah1, Rani Safitri2

Authors

  • Ainun Zakiyah Undergraduate Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Technology, Science and Health, Dr. Soepraoen Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
  • Rani Safitr Undergraduate Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Technology, Science and Health, Dr. Soepraoen Hospital, Malang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53713/htechj.v4i1.594

Keywords:

injectable contraception, blood sugar levels, duration of use

Abstract

Long-term use of progestin-based injectable contraception, particularly depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), may influence glucose metabolism by increasing insulin resistance, thereby elevating the risk of prediabetes and hyperglycemia. This study aims to examine the relationship between the duration of injectable contraceptive use and blood sugar levels among family planning acceptors. A quantitative correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in 2025. A total of 30 respondents were selected using purposive sampling from 150 active injectable contraceptive users. Blood glucose levels were measured using a digital glucometer through random blood glucose testing, and data on the duration of injectable contraceptive use were collected via structured interviews. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of p < 0.05. Most respondents were aged 26–35 years (53.3%) and had used injectable contraception for 1–3 years (40%). Overall, 40% of participants exhibited elevated blood sugar levels, categorized as prediabetes or hyperglycemia. A statistically significant association was identified between a more prolonged duration of injectable contraceptive use and elevated blood sugar levels (p = 0.021). Prolonged use of injectable contraception is significantly associated with elevated blood sugar levels. Routine glucose monitoring and targeted health counseling are recommended for long-term injectable contraceptive users to reduce the risk of metabolic complications.

References

Abukres, S. (2025). Real-World Effectiveness of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA): A Physician Survey on Failure Rates and Contributing Factors: Effectiveness of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA). Lebda Medical Journal, 10(1), 21-37. https://doi.org/10.65137/lmj.v10i1.226

Alrashed, F. A., Ahmad, T., Almurdi, M. M., Alqahtani, A. S., Alamam, D. M., & Alsubiheen, A. M. (2023). Investigating the relationship between lifestyle factors, family history, and diabetes mellitus in non-diabetic visitors to primary care centers. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 30(9), 103777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103777

Anderson, D. J., Bearak, J. M., Grimstad, F. W., Palanee-Phillips, T., & Van der Straten, A. (2025). Biomedical innovations in contraception: Gaps, obstacles, and solutions for sexual and reproductive health. The Lancet, 406(10515), 2119-2132. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01187-0

Avenant, C., Singata-Madliki, M., Bick, A. J., Africander, D., Balakrishna, Y., Storbeck, H., Moliki, J. M., Dlamini, S., Skosana, S., Smit, J., Beksinska, M., Beesham, I., Seocharan, I., Batting, J., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Hapgood, J. P. (2024). The injectable contraceptives depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone enanthate substantially and differentially decrease testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin levels: A secondary study from the WHICH randomized clinical trial. PLOS ONE, 19(8), e0307736. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307736

Ayuk, B. E., Yankam, B. M., Saah, F. I., & Bain, L. E. (2022). Provision of injectable contraceptives by community health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of safety, acceptability and effectiveness. Human Resources for Health, 20(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-022-00763-8

Battipaglia, C., Spelta, E., Monterrosa-Blanco, A., & Genazzani, A. (2025). The hormonal contraceptive choice in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome. GREM Gynecol Reprod Endocrinol Metab, 6(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.53260/grem.256011

Enríquez, J., Sosa-Larios, T., Díaz-Díaz, E., & Morimoto, S. (2023). The potent contraceptive gestodene exerts insulinotropic effects via its a-ring-reduced metabolites, which possess intrinsic estrogen-like activity in pancreatic β-cells. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 46(7), 1333-1341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-022-01977-2

García-Sáenz, M., Ibarra-Salce, R., Pozos-Varela, F. J., Mena-Ureta, T. S., Flores-Villagómez, S., Santana-Mata, M., De Los Santos-Aguilar, R. G., Uribe-Cortés, D., & Ferreira-Hermosillo, A. (2023). Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12103388

Gemmill, A., Bradley, S. E., Berger, B. O., & Bell, S. O. (2023). The relationship between contraceptive method use and return of fecundity among women attempting pregnancy in low-and middle-income countries. Demography, 60(4), 1163-1179. https://doi.org/10.1215/00703370-10877719

Genazzani, A. R., Fidecicchi, T., Arduini, D., Giannini, A., & Simoncini, T. (2023). Hormonal and natural contraceptives: a review on efficacy and risks of different methods for an informed choice. Gynecological Endocrinology, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2023.2247093

Genazzani, A. R., Fidecicchi, T., Arduini, D., Benagiano, G., Birkhaeuser, M., Schenker, J., … Kihara, A. B. (2025). Contraception today and family planning: a comprehensive review and position statement on the ethical, medical, and social dimensions of modern contraception. Gynecological Endocrinology, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2025.2543423

Gold, J. I., Gold, N. B., DeLeon, D. D., & Ganetzky, R. (2022). Contraceptive use in women with inherited metabolic disorders: a retrospective study and literature review. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 17(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-022-02188-x

Maksimovic, J. M., Vlajinac, H. D., Maksimovic, M. Z., Lalic, N. M., Vujcic, I. S., Pejovic, B. D., ... & Kavecan, I. I. (2024). Oral contraceptive use, coffee consumption, and other risk factors of type 2 diabetes in women: a case–control study. Journal of Substance Use, 29(3), 399-407. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2023.2173090

Marc Bertrand, D. S., Donald Séverin, D. B., Lynda, T. F., & François, Z. N. (2024). Metabolic syndrome and related factors in Cameroonian women under contraceptive use. PLOS ONE, 19(11), e0309054. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309054

Mosorin, E., Ollila, M., Nordström, T., Jokelainen, J., Piltonen, T., Auvinen, J., Morin-Papunen, L., & Tapanainen, J. (2023). Former long-term use of combined hormonal contraception and glucose metabolism disorders in perimenopausal women: A prospective, population-based cohort study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 102(11), 1488-1495. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14636

Panou, T., Gouveri, E., Gerede, A., Tsikouras, P., Papazoglou, D., & Papanas, N. (2025). Contraception and Diabetes Mellitus. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 133(5), 268–277. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2561-9460

Polis, C. B., Bradley, S. E., Micks, E. A., & Steiner, M. J. (2025). Contraceptive effectiveness: A synthesis of the literature. Contraception, 111282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2025.111282

Santos, M. P., Cauduro, L. F., Ferreira, M. M., Martucci, L. F., Vecchiatto, B., Vilas-Boas, E. A., ... & Azevedo-Martins, A. K. (2023). Effect of Low-Dose Progesterone on Glycemic Metabolism, Morphology and Function of Adipose Tissue and Pancreatic Islets in Diet-Induced Obese Female Mice. Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, 28(11), 312. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2811312

Shah, S., Asghar, A., & Rafiq, S. (2023). A study on injectable DMPA (Depomedroxy Progesterone Acetate) and the effect of its use as a short-term contraception in immediate postpartum women. International Journal of Health Sciences, 7(S1), 296–304. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v7nS1.14195

Turki, A., Ayalew, A., Mossie, A., & Mitiku, S. (2023). Effects of hormonal contraceptives on lipid profile among women attending family planning unit in Goba Town Public Health Facilities, Bale, Southeast Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. Reproductive Health, 20(1), 185. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01727-4

Zhou, L., Xiong, X., & Chen, L. (2024). Serum progesterone, glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin levels with the risk of premature rupture of membranes in gestational diabetes mellitus. Clinics, 79, 100461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinsp.2024.100461

Downloads

Published

2026-02-14

How to Cite

Zakiyah, A., & Rani Safitr. (2026). The Relationship Between Duration of Injectable Contraception Use and Increased Blood Sugar Levels: Ainun Zakiyah1, Rani Safitri2. Health and Technology Journal (HTechJ), 4(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.53713/htechj.v4i1.594