Contraceptive injection
You can use the contraceptive injection immediately after
having your baby. It can be given in the hospital before going
home.
The contraceptive injection contains a hormone called
progestogen, which releases a hormone into your bloodstream to
prevent a release of an egg each month (ovulation).
The injection is normally administered into your
buttock.
It also thickens your cervical mucus, which makes it
difficult for sperm to move through the cervix and thins the lining
of the womb, so a fertilised egg is less likely to implant
itself.
If used correctly, the contraceptive injection
is 99% effective. This means than 1 woman in
100 who use the injection will become pregnant in a
year.
Advantages:
- Suitable for breastfeeding women
- Each injection lasts for 13 weeks.
- It can reduce your menstrual flow or stop your
periods.
- It can reduce heavy or painful periods & help PMS
symptoms for some women.
- Can be given before you leave hospital.
- Does not contain oestrogen (safer for some
people).
- It is not affected by other medication.
- You do not need to remember to take a pill every
day.
Disadvantages:
- In real world use about 6 women in 100 become pregnant in
a year because people forget to get their next injection (94%
effective).
- Your periods may change & become irregular, heavier,
shorter, light or stop altogether.
- It does not protect you against sexually transmitted
infections (STI's)
- There can be a delay in 1 year before your periods return
or you become pregnant.
- Possible weight increase.
- Side effects like headaches, acne, hair loss, mood
symptoms.
