What is the dosing schedule for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraception?

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Multiple Choice

What is the dosing schedule for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraception?

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate is a long-acting progestin that keeps ovulation suppressed and cervical mucus thickened for a defined period. To maintain continuous contraception, the injection is given on a fixed interval of about 12 weeks, roughly every 3 months. Clinically this window is often cited as 11–13 weeks, with reinjection around the 12-week mark to preserve efficacy. Dosing it any more frequently (every 6 weeks) or less frequently (every 12 months) would disrupt the steady hormone levels needed for reliable protection, and daily dosing is not how this method works. If the reinjection is delayed beyond the recommended window, protection wanes and the risk of ovulation and pregnancy increases, so a backup method should be used until the next injection is given.

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate is a long-acting progestin that keeps ovulation suppressed and cervical mucus thickened for a defined period. To maintain continuous contraception, the injection is given on a fixed interval of about 12 weeks, roughly every 3 months. Clinically this window is often cited as 11–13 weeks, with reinjection around the 12-week mark to preserve efficacy. Dosing it any more frequently (every 6 weeks) or less frequently (every 12 months) would disrupt the steady hormone levels needed for reliable protection, and daily dosing is not how this method works. If the reinjection is delayed beyond the recommended window, protection wanes and the risk of ovulation and pregnancy increases, so a backup method should be used until the next injection is given.

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