Indications for Depo-provera (DMPA)

• DMPA is suitable for menstruating women of any age.
• Adolescents: but only after other methods of contraception have been discussed with the patient and considered unsuitable or unacceptable, consider loss of bone density, a particular concern during adolescence.
• Women awaiting sterilisation
• Women whose partners are awaiting vasectomy or following this until vasectomy becomes effective
• Women immunised against rubella during the period of activity of the virus
• Women should be informed that all-progesterone methods may be used by women who have migraine with or without aura. Women should be advised that DMPA is not associated with headaches.

Contraindications for Depo-provera (DMPA)

• A known sensitivity to medroxyprogesterone acetate
• Pregnancy
• Severe arterial disease
• Liver adenoma
• Porphyria
• Hormone dependent malignancy of breast or genital organs
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• Recent trophoblastic disease (hydatidiform mole), until hCG levels have returned to normal
• Past functional ovarian cysts
• Chronic systemic disease including chronic kidney disorders
• Past or present anorexia nervosa
• Women who are unwilling to accept the possibility of a possible delayed return to fertility
• Significant risk factors for osteoporosis - since loss of bone density (BMD) may occur in females of all ages who use Dep-Provera injection long term a risk/benefit assessment which also takes into consideration the decrease in BMD that occurs in pregnancy and lactation should be considered.
• Sex-steroid dependent cancer
• Active liver disease
• Recurrent cholestatic jaundice
• History of jaundice in pregnancy

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