Inclusion Criteria

Patients may be eligible for this study if they:

• Are HIV-positive.
• Have plasma HIV-1 RNA (level of HIV in the blood) below 10,000 copies/ml within 30 days before study entry.
• Had their last menstrual period (LMP) less than 35 days before study entry.
• Have serum follicle-stimulating hormone below 40 MIU/ml if their LMP occurred more than 35 days before study entry.
• Have been on the same anti-HIV drugs for at least 30 days before study entry, if taking anti-HIV drugs. If not taking anti-HIV drugs, patients must have been told about anti-HIV drugs within the 3 months before study entry and have chosen not to take them now or in the future.
• Intend to continue on their anti-HIV drugs, if taking them, for at least 3 months after study entry.
• Have a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3 if taking anti-HIV drugs, or a CD4 cell count above 350 cells/mm3 if not taking anti-HIV drugs, within 30 days before study entry.
• Have not had menopause (change of life) and have a normal reproductive system.
• Have not had any infections or AIDS-related diseases requiring drugs within 14 days before study entry.
• Are 13 years of age or older.
• Are female.
• Have a negative pregnancy test within 30 days before study entry.
• Agree to avoid becoming pregnant for the entire study. If sexually active, agree to use at least 1 barrier method of birth control (male or female condom with or without spermicide [a cream or gel that kills sperm] or diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide) while receiving DMPA in this study.
• Have consent of a parent or guardian if under 18 years of age.
• Weigh at least 40 kg (88 lbs) and are within a certain range of their ideal body weight.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients will not be eligible for this study if they:

• Have taken anti-HIV drugs within 30 days before study entry but have chosen not to take them.
• Are taking only 1 NRTI.
• Are taking anti-HIV drugs other than those listed in the treatment groups, including tenofovir, amprenavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir, or have taken tenofovir, amprenavir, or lopinavir/ritonavir within 30 days before study entry.
• Have taken ZDV and d4T together within 30 days before study entry.
• Are not able to take the anti-HIV drugs properly while on the study, in the opinion of the investigator.
• Are allergic to DMPA, MPA, or any of the other ingredients in DMPA.
• Have received DMPA within 180 days before study entry.
• Have received other hormones (Provera, oral contraceptives, hormonal replacement therapy, or anabolic drugs [e.g., nandrolone decanoate, megestrol acetate]) within 30 days before study entry.
• Are taking any of the following: amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, buspirone, carbamazepine, cimetidine, cisapride, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, diltiazem, ergotamine, erythromycin, flecainide, glucocorticoids, grapefruit juice, St. John's wort, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lovastatin, midazolam, nefazodone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pimozide, pioglitazone, propafenone, propofol, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, rosiglitazone, simvastatin, tacrolimus, terfenadine, ticlopidine, triazolam, or verapamil.
• Have taken any of the following drugs within 30 days before study entry: amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, buspirone, carbamazepine, cisapride, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, erythromycin, flecainide, glucocorticoids, St. John's wort, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lovastatin, midazolam, nefazodone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pimozide, pioglitazone, propafenone, propofol, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, rosiglitazone, simvastatin, tacrolimus, terfenadine, ticlopidine, or triazolam.
• Have started, stopped, or changed doses, within 30 days before study entry, of certain drugs including: benzodiazepines, except midazolam and triazolam; bupropion; calcium channel blockers, except diltiazem and verapamil; fluconazole; lipid-lowering drugs except pravastatin (i.e., atorvastatin, cerivastatin, and fluvastatin, but not lovastatin and simvastatin); isoniazid; mexiletine; zaleplon; and zolpidem. The patient can, however, remain on stable doses of these drugs during the study.
• Are receiving methadone maintenance treatment for less than 60 days before study entry.
• Are breast-feeding.
• Have had a baby within 30 days before study entry.
• Have had their uterus or both ovaries removed.
• Abuse drugs or alcohol.
• Cannot stop drinking alcohol 1 day before and during the testing at entry and at Week 4.
• Have had a change in smoking habits within 6 weeks before study entry. Patients may have either stopped or started smoking more than 6 weeks before study entry.
• Have cancer of the reproductive system, vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, thyroid problems, liver tumors, or serious eye problems at any time before study entry.
• Are taking investigational drugs without approval of the protocol chair.