Depo Provera is Not Approved for Male Contraception
Depo Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is not approved or recommended as a form of contraception for men. The available guidelines and evidence only support its use as a female contraceptive method.
Current Approved Uses and Efficacy for Women
- Depo Provera is a highly effective female contraceptive with a typical use failure rate of only 6% and perfect use failure rate of 0.2% 1
- It is administered as an injection every 13 weeks (up to 15 weeks) at a dose of 150 mg intramuscularly or 104 mg subcutaneously 1, 2
- For women, it provides long-acting reversible contraception that is independent of intercourse and user memory beyond remembering quarterly appointments 3
Absence of Male Contraceptive Indication
- All major contraceptive guidelines, including the CDC's Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, only address Depo Provera use in women 1
- The comprehensive tables of contraceptive methods in multiple guidelines consistently list Depo Provera exclusively as a female contraceptive option 1
- There is no mention of male use of Depo Provera for contraception in any of the guidelines 1
Current Male Contraceptive Options
- The only approved contraceptive methods specifically for men are condoms (with typical use failure rate of 18%) and vasectomy (with typical use failure rate of 0.15%) 1
- Male condoms provide the additional benefit of STI protection, which hormonal methods like Depo Provera do not offer 1
Physiological Considerations
- Depo Provera works in women primarily by suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the endometrial lining 1
- These mechanisms of action are specific to female reproductive physiology and would not translate to effective male contraception 1
Safety Considerations
- The safety profile of Depo Provera has been extensively studied in women but not in men for contraceptive purposes 4
- Known side effects in women include menstrual irregularities, weight gain, bone mineral density changes, and delayed return to fertility 1, 2
- The effects of long-term progestin use on male reproductive and general health have not been adequately studied for contraceptive purposes 3, 5
Clinical Implications
- Healthcare providers should not prescribe Depo Provera as a contraceptive for men due to lack of approval, evidence of efficacy, and safety data 1
- Men seeking contraception should be counseled on the approved methods available to them: condoms and vasectomy 1
- For couples seeking highly effective contraception, female methods including hormonal contraceptives, IUDs, and implants remain the standard options with established efficacy and safety profiles 1
In conclusion, while research into male hormonal contraception continues, Depo Provera is not currently an approved or recommended contraceptive option for men. Couples should be counseled on the range of approved contraceptive methods available to them based on their individual needs and preferences.