Depo-Provera Does Not Cause Breast Cellulitis
Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate/DMPA) does not cause breast cellulitis. This is not a recognized side effect of this contraceptive method in any of the established medical literature or FDA guidance.
Known Side Effects of Depo-Provera
The documented side effects of DMPA are well-established and do not include breast cellulitis or breast infections:
- Common side effects include menstrual irregularities (with 57% experiencing amenorrhea by one year), weight gain, headache, nervousness, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, and asthenia 1
- Breast-related effects are limited to breast tenderness, which is a recognized but uncommon side effect 2
- Women using DMPA for several years do not observe changes in breast size, and the method does not cause breast tissue inflammation or infection 3
Mechanism of Action
DMPA works through multiple mechanisms that have no relationship to breast tissue infection:
- Inhibits ovulation by suppressing the midcycle LH peak 3
- Causes endometrial atrophy 3
- Thickens cervical mucus 3
- Maintains serum estradiol levels in the early to midfollicular phase range (mean approximately 50 pg/mL) 3
Safety Profile
The extensive safety data on DMPA, used by over 90 million women worldwide, has established that:
- DMPA does not increase risk of cardiovascular events, breast cancer, other gynecologic malignancy, or postmenopausal fracture 4
- The method has no appreciable effects on blood pressure or thrombosis risk 5
- Contraindications include undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, known or suspected breast malignancy, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular disease, and liver dysfunction—but not conditions related to breast infections 1
Clinical Implication
If a patient develops breast cellulitis while using Depo-Provera, investigate other causes. Breast cellulitis typically results from:
- Bacterial skin infection (most commonly Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus species)
- Trauma or breaks in skin integrity
- Mastitis (in lactating women)
- Underlying breast conditions
The temporal association with Depo-Provera use would be coincidental rather than causal.