The contraceptive injection
There are two contraceptive injections – Depo-Provera, which lasts for 12 weeks, and Noristerat, which lasts for eight weeks. The most popular is Depo-Provera.
The injection contains progesterone. This thickens the mucus in the cervix, stopping sperm reaching an egg. It also thins the womb lining and, in some, prevents the release of an egg.
The injection contains progesterone. This thickens the mucus in the cervix, stopping sperm reaching an egg. It also thins the womb lining and, in some, prevents the release of an egg.
At a glance: the contraceptive injection
- If used correctly the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective. This means that less than one woman in 100 who use the injection will become pregnant in a year.
- The injection lasts for eight weeks or 12 weeks (depending on the type), so you don't have to think about contraception every day or every time you have sex.
- It can be useful for women who might forget to take the contraceptive pill every day.
- It can be useful for women who can't use contraception that contains oestrogen.
- It's not affected by medication.
- The contraceptive injection may provide some protection against cancer of the womb and pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Side effects can include weight gain, headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and irregular bleeding. The injection can't be removed from your body, so if you have side effects they'll last as long as the injection and for some time afterwards.
- Your periods may become more irregular or longer, or stop altogether (amenorrhoea). Treatment is available if your bleeding is heavy or longer than normal – talk to your doctor or nurse about this.
- It can take up to one year for your fertility to return to normal after the injection wears off, so it may not be suitable if you want to have a baby in the near future.
- Using Depo-Provera affects your natural oestrogen levels, which can cause thinning of the bones.
- The injection does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By using condoms as well as the injection, you'll help to protect yourself against STIs.
Advantages and disadvantages of the injection
The main advantages of the contraceptive injection are:
Using the contraceptive injection may have some disadvantages, which you should consider carefully before deciding on the right method of contraception for you. These are as follows.
The main advantages of the contraceptive injection are:
- each injection lasts for either eight or 12 weeks
- the injection does not interrupt sex
- the injection is an option if you cannot use estrogen-based contraception, such as the combined pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring
- you do not have to remember to take a pill every day
- the injection is safe to use while you are breastfeeding
- the injection is not affected by other medicines
- the injection may reduce heavy, painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms for some women
- the injection offers some protection from pelvic inflammatory disease (the mucus from the cervix may stop bacteria entering the womb) and may also give some protection against cancer of the womb
Using the contraceptive injection may have some disadvantages, which you should consider carefully before deciding on the right method of contraception for you. These are as follows.
For more information visit: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraception.aspx