The Contraceptive Injection Explained

What’s covered?

Contraceptive injection is a popular and effective way of preventing pregnancy. It is also called Depo-Provera injection by some people. The injection contains the hormone progestin and lasts for up to 3 months. You need to get it every few months, so you mustn't miss any appointments with your doctor or nurse if you want to keep using this method of contraception.

The medical world refers to the injection as LARC or long-acting reversible contraception that doesn't need to remind yourself to take them daily. It is a word that refers to types of birth control that are highly efficient, user-friendly, and have a lifespan of several years at a time. The intrauterine device (IUD) and the contraceptive implant are both parts of the long-acting reversible contraception method of birth control.

However, young women below 18 years of age should have a thorough discussion with a doctor or nurse before taking injectable contraception.

Other contraceptive methods available

Other methods of hormonal birth control include:

• The vaginal ring.

• The hormonal implant.

• The hormonal intrauterine device (IUD).

• Oral pills (the combination pill and the mini pill).

• The contraceptive implant.

When used correctly, injectable methods of contraception are pretty efficient. Talking to a medical professional or a registered nurse about the many ways of birth control available to you can be of significant assistance when determining which type of contraception will work best for you.

Getting the injection

You'll need to visit a clinic if you're ready to get the contraceptive injection. You should make an appointment in advance so that they can see you at the right time. Your healthcare provider might also ask about your identification.

Before a healthcare provider gives you the contraceptive injection, they will need to check that:

You have not had a pregnancy test within the last 12 weeks (it's best if you did this within the previous seven days).

You have not had a sexually transmitted infections (STIs) test in the last three months (it's best if you did this within the previous seven days).

How does a contraceptive injection work?

For the injection to be effective, it must stop the ovaries from releasing an egg every month. Additionally, it causes a thickening of the fluid that surrounds the cervix. It serves to prevent the sperm from entering the egg and causing fertilisation to take place.

It may take up to seven days for the medication to begin to prevent pregnancy once it has been administered for the first time or after a break.

An excellent contraceptive method

A contraceptive injection is an excellent method of birth control. It's safe, effective, and convenient.

Most users have no vaginal bleeding at all or very light bleeding during their monthly cycle. It can also help to reduce the pain associated with periods.

It lasts 8 to 13 weeks, so you don't need to remember to do anything daily or every week.

You can use it while breastfeeding—and there are no medications that stop it from working while you're using it!

How long does it last?

The injection also lasts for up to three months. It means you don't need to worry about taking a pill daily, however, to prevent from STI's you should still ensure that you use a barrier contraception. It's a great option if you have trouble remembering daily pills and have been worried about the side effects of long-term contraception like the pill and patch.

However, injectable contraception is not suitable for everyone. Your doctor can tell you more about whether or not it is appropriate for your situation. If you are unsure whether the injection is proper for you, kindly ask them.

After the delivery of the baby

If you are not currently nursing, you can have the contraceptive injection whenever you choose after you have given birth. If you are nursing, you will typically receive the injection after six weeks.

You will be instantly protected against pregnancy if you begin injections on day 21 or later after giving birth. Still, you must do it before day 21.

Suppose you begin your injections after day 21. In that case, your healthcare provider will require you to take additional contraception for the following week, such as condoms. This need will remain in effect for the whole 28 days.

If you have the injection within the first few weeks after giving birth, you significantly increase your risk of experiencing heavy and irregular bleeding.

Taking injectable birth control while still nursing your child is entirely safe.

What are the advantages of a contraceptive injection?

• Suppose you cannot utilise birth control methods that use oestrogen. In that case, one alternative is to have injections that last 8 or 13 weeks and do not interfere with sexual activity.

• You do not need to worry about whether or not you have taken your daily medication.

• It is OK to use when you are still nursing your child.

• It is not influenced in any way by other medications.

• Some women may get lighter, less painful periods as well as relief from the symptoms of their premenstrual syndrome if they take this supplement.

Here are the disadvantages of a contraceptive injection

• Your periods may become irregular, heavier, shorter, lighter, or cease completely; this can continue for several months after you stop receiving the injections.

• You have no protection against sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

• There is a possibility that your periods will not return to normal for up to a year, which will delay your ability to become pregnant.

• When using the injectable contraceptives Depo-Provera or Sayana Press, some individuals can experience weight gain.

• Headaches, acne, hair loss, reduced sexual desire, and mood fluctuations are some of the possible adverse effects of this medication.

• Any potential adverse effects may last for the whole duration of the injectable treatment (eight to thirteen weeks), as well as for some time afterwards.

Long-term side effects

Long-term side effects of contraceptive injections can cause irregular bleeding, headaches, weight gain, breast tenderness and mood swings. These symptoms do not occur in all women and may not be severe enough to stop you from using Depo Provera. However, suppose these symptoms are severe or persistent. In that case, you should talk with your doctor about other methods of contraception. Long-term use of Depo Provera could lead to the bones becoming thinner than usual (osteoporosis), which can increase your risk of breaking a bone. This risk increases with age. And for this, it would be necessary for older women who have stopped having children or are not planning any more children in the future to talk with their doctor about alternative contraceptive options such as the IUD or contraceptive patch/ring/pill.

Risks and side effects

While the injection is a very effective contraceptive, it does have some side effects.

• Hormonal side effects include vaginal dryness and thinning of the skin (which can cause stretch marks), but they're usually mild.

• Weight gain: Studies show that women who use the injection gain an average of 2-3kg per year on Depo Provera and often struggle to lose this weight after stopping use. It isn't necessarily dangerous for your health. Still, it does increase your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

• Blood clots: Women using Depo Provera have a higher chance than usual of getting deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the legs or lungs). Your doctor will advise you about how to minimise this risk - for example, by changing position when travelling long distances on flights or car journeys. If you notice swelling in your legs while travelling, you should immediately raise it with a doctor. If the swelling doesn't go away within 24 hours, seek medical attention, as it could be a sign of blood clotting in one or both legs.

• Bone loss: Some studies suggest that women taking Depo Provera may lose bone mineral density at twice the rate of non-users over five years. Although others say there's no evidence yet that this causes problems later in life, such as fractures due to osteoporosis, so long as calcium intake remains adequate (and even then, only when women stop treatment after five years). Experts agree that taking calcium supplements helps prevent any potential damage caused by using Depo Provera. However, few studies show whether this works, so don't rely solely on supplements alone! Bone loss seems not to cause long-term risk for most women.

• Unprotected from sexually transmissible infections - No doubt the injection works perfectly to prevent pregnancy. Still, it would not protect you against STIs. It is up to you to get the proper protection.

Will it affect my weight?

While the injection won't affect your weight, you should be aware of the risks.

Before starting the contraceptive injection, you must discuss possible side effects with your doctor. Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of hormonal contraception, but there are ways you can minimise this risk. Weight gain is more likely if you are overweight or obese and may also occur if you have a history of high blood pressure or diabetes.

It's worth noting that some people might lose weight when they start taking the injection as their bodies adjust to dealing with periods without bleeding every month. In other words, their monthly cycle will no longer include a period.

You have to get the injection every few months

It would be best if you got the injection every few months, depending on your type. Depo Provera lasts for up to 12 weeks. If your periods are irregular or painful, you can take a pill called tranexamic acid at the time of your next injection as a booster dose. This helps delay bleeding while you wait for your next period to start (this is not recommended if you have heavy bleeding).

Why visit a sexual health clinic?

Visiting a sexual health clinic is a good habit. The clinic will help you find a suitable birth control method for your body and will also give you advice on how to use it properly.

Moreover, healthcare providers in health clinics are highly trained when it comes to the birth control method. So, please don't take for granted the benefits you'll get once you visit one of them.

The best time to visit a sexual health clinic is at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. During this time, you'll be able to get answers to questions like: "Do I need an injection?" and "What is the most commonly used injection?" You'll also be able to learn about any potential side effects of using these injections—and whether or not they're suitable for your body.

If you're still unsure whether an injection is proper for you, don't worry! The staff at your local sexual health clinic can help guide you through this process until you feel confident in making an informed decision.

Conclusion

Contraceptive injections are a popular form of birth control. It's easy to use and often more convenient than other methods. The injection also offers long-term protection against pregnancy, making it an ideal choice for people who don't want children right now but want to be prepared for future pregnancies.

On the brighter side, getting injectable contraceptives may offer specific protection against pelvic inflammatory disease and womb cancer. You'll be immediately protected against pregnancy after a week of injectable contraception. Depo Provera is a safe and effective way to avoid pregnancy for those with sickle cell disease.

But as always, you should consult health professionals and discuss the best contraceptive method for you. This is a good idea to determine your medical history, including severe liver disease, painful periods, breast cancer or even allergic reaction.

A few alternative methods include Vaginal Ring. They might also suggest progestin-only contraceptives instead of Depo Provera, the famous brand for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, to avoid risk factors for certain health conditions.

Click here to learn more about the different types of reliable contraceptives available at Welzo.

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