Depo-Provera is delivered by which route?

• A. Oral tablet
• B. Deep intramuscular injection
• C. Subcutaneous implant
• D. Topical cream

Answer: (B)

Depo-Provera is a long-acting contraceptive given by deep intramuscular injection. Injected into a large muscle (usually the gluteal or deltoid muscle), it releases medroxyprogesterone acetate slowly over about three months, maintaining effective hormone levels to prevent pregnancy. This sustained release works by suppressing ovulation and by changing cervical mucus and the endometrium to reduce the chance of fertilization and implantation.

Oral tablets require daily dosing and rely on adherence, so they aren’t the delivery method used for this product. A subcutaneous implant is a different contraceptive device placed under the skin, not an injection into muscle. A topical cream isn’t used because it wouldn’t provide the required systemic, long-acting release. Note there is a separate subcutaneous formulation (Depo-SubQ Provera 104) that’s a different product; classic Depo-Provera is specifically an intramuscular injection.