Contraceptive injection

LegacyUser

hi, was just wondering what the story is with the contraceptive injection?

how long does it last for and what are the different side affects? i wanted to go on the pill but the whole weight gain side affect has put me off so im just looking down different avenues at the mo.

has anyone here used it and would you recommend it? and around how much does it cost?

oh yeah and do you have to be a certain age to use it too? im 17. sorry for so many questions! thanks

Black Swan

You need to consult with your GP, pharmacist, or clinic.

Nevyn

http://www.ifpa.ie/contraception/index.html

http://www.ifpa.ie/contraception/ic.html

Guide to Contraception: Injectable Contraceptive

injectable contraceptiveThis page gives you some information about injectable contraception, also known as the jab. Only one type is available in Ireland, it is called Depo-Provera. This contains a similar hormone to that in the progestogenonly pill. It can be used by women who cannot use other methods of hormonal contraception. One injection gives 12 weeks protection.

How effective is it?
Tests show that for every 100 women using it, less than one will get pregnant in a year. It is very effective.

Who is it suitable for?
Once you have a regular injection the contraception cannot be forgotten, this makes it useful for women who find daily pill taking hard to remember, those who must avoid pregnancy and those unable to use other methods. It does not interfere with intercourse.

How is it used?
The hormone is injected into a muscle, usually during the first five days of a period, and is released very slowly into the body. Further injections are needed every 12 weeks.

Discuss with your doctor the best time to have your first injection. If you have just had a baby it is believed that delaying the injection for six weeks often makes irregular bleeding less likely. It does not affect your milk supply. A small amount of hormone enters the milk, but is thought to be harmless for the baby.

How does it work?
While similar in many ways to the hormone in the progestogen-only pill, the injectable hormone stops the body releasing an egg each month (ovulation).

Are there any problems?

* The most common side-effect of injectable contraception, like the progestogen-only pill, is that it may alter your periods. Some women find they have fewer or no periods, especially after one or more injections. A few women experience more frequent light bleeding which may be a nuisance. Lack of periods or irregular periods in relation to this method are not harmful to your health. However, frequent and/or heavy bleeds which might occur can, in a woman with a poor diet (low iron content), lead to anaemia.
* Some women gain weight when using this method, and some experience depression which may or may not be related to Depo-Provera. You should seek your doctor’s advice on these, and other less common sideeffects.
* As the injection lasts three months, you can only reconsider whether or not to use it when the next injection becomes due. In the meantime it cannot be removed from the body and any side-effects may continue.
* Some women find that when they stop injections of Depo-Provera there is a delay of many months before their periods come back again. Return of regular periods and fertility may be delayed for up to a year after the last injection.
* The findings with regard to cancer of the breast and cancer of the uterus (womb) in humans are reassuring. The question of a very small increase in the risk of cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) remains uncertain. Regular smear tests are advised.

Where do you get it?
Only a doctor can prescribe an injectable. You will be asked your medical history to make sure that the method suits you. If you are offered this method, you should discuss any possible side-effects before you have the injection. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is your choice whether to have it or not. You are under no obligation to accept it if you do not want to. If you find it does not suit you, you don’t have to have a repeat injection.

A final word
This page can only outline basic information about injectable contraception based on evidence available and current medical opinion at the time of publication. You may come across conflicting advice on certain points concerned with the use of injectable contraception. If in doubt, seek your doctor’s advice in your individual case.

Content and format developed by the IFPA with some text provided by FPA UK.

Weight gain on the pill need not be a big deal if you find the right pill for you there is no such thing as just one form of the pill there are different types.
It maybe that you have to try a few to find one that works best with your body.

A small ammount of weight gain is a small trade off comapred to the weight gain of a pregancy never mind the rest of what goes with that.

You should make an appointment with your dr or practice nurses or with the ifpa or wellwomen centre's dr and discuss what contraception options are best for you and your body the pill and other artifical hormoanal contraception are not suitible for everywoman.

Don't for get the pill will not protect you against sti's.

LegacyUser

Hi, Dont think this was mentioned above. I was on the injection for a little over two years with no real problems, my GP informed me last september that there was new testing done into the product and they determined it isnt suitable for women to take as a long term contraceptive (she defined long term as over 2 years) because it was shown to have side affects which hugely increase the risk of osteoperosis in later life, and she said I needed to switch. I got the implant last september which wasnt good for me as I kept bleeding all the time. got the pill then which I dont really like either so do date i havent found anything as good as the injection!

Ask your doctor when you go to get it about the osteoperosis connection...oh and I started on it when I was 17 so dont have to worry about your age

LegacyUser

unreg0003 wrote: »

hi, was just wondering what the story is with the contraceptive injection?

how long does it last for and what are the different side affects? i wanted to go on the pill but the whole weight gain side affect has put me off so im just looking down different avenues at the mo.

has anyone here used it and would you recommend it? and around how much does it cost?

oh yeah and do you have to be a certain age to use it too? im 17. sorry for so many questions! thanks

For a 17 year old i would recommend the injection as theres not a fear you can pregnant on it. I myself have been on it for 3 years and found it brilliant. But I'm off the injection two months now and trying for children with my husband but from reading up about pregnancy after been on the injection it could take up to a year to two years to get pregnant which obviously i'm not happy about. I havn't had a period in two years (which was a great side affect) but now i have know idea when i'm ovualting as i havn't got a period yet. In Ireland it cost 15 euros for the injection every 12 weeks but you have the doctors fee on top of it. Its your safest option(as one of my friends got caught twice on the pill) but might be the more expensive option. Hope i was of some help.

Wurly

I was on this for 7 years - never again.

There is a link to this injection and osteoporosis.

Since coming off it, I am less highly strung, moody etc. I thought that was just the way I was cos I was on it for so long. Not the case - it was the injection all along.

My weight gain was unbelievable. I was always a ten. I went up to a 14 and I was bursting out of that tbh. I am a small 12 now and am still finding it hard to shift weight even though i'm off it nearly 2 years.

It does have its good points - no periods, not having to worry about taking a pill etc. But the above would make me never ever touch it again. Ever.

Also - I spotted constantly for 9 months before my periods went away. If I hadn't have given it time to settle in my system, I still would have bled anyway while my system adjusted to the injection not being in my body. Just something to consider.

I am not trying to scare you or say the above will happen to you. Not at all. But i'm just sharing my experience so you know what could happen.

Good luck.

xzanti

I was on it for 2 years. Every pill I was on before that made me gain weight and affected my moods terribly. With the injection I had none of the above but my libido diminished quite a bit and as someone else said above, constant spotting, which turned to a brownish discharge towards the end of my use of it.

The reason I came off it was because I noticed my hair beginning to thin. I read up on it on the internet and, that was indeed one undesirable side effect that was listed. (Didn't really do much reseach before going on it) :rolleyes:

It took about 8 months for my normal cycle to return and my hair returned to it's normal luster

Having stated all the above, it doesn't appear to have done me any longterm damage and it did what it said on the tin at the time.

I guess every medicine has it's side effects and risks.

Plus everyone is different.

Good luck.

mam1

Hiya had to share my experiances of depoprovera(contraceptive injection)DONT DO IT I went onto this over 10 years ago thought it was the answer to my prayers(no periods no daily pill to remember)at first I didnt notice any side effects and then the weight just crept up and up no matter what I did seriously!Still I stayed on fast forward 5 years and having gotten married decided to begin family cue to major problems..stopped the injection and it tok 2.5 years for regular cycle to return and then hormone levels were totally crazy much investigation later and I have whats known as unexplained infertility which took another 2 years to resolve itself finally have my child but what a journey so my advice stay away from this crazy drug.BTW did you all know its what they use to chemically castrate paedophiles in US...just thought OP should be informed..tell her to try something else perhaps the IUD that came out a couple of years ago:eek:

newtoboards

Be as informed as you can be when choosing what contraceptive is right for you. I started on combined pill then moved onto mini pill and neither worked well for me however both of these have worked fine in friends. The injection was eventually suggested to me and I was on it for 5 years wit a break of a year in the middle. I loved it and would be on it in the morning if the doctors would let me. I've had no bad side effects coming off it except for the hormonal dips and highs mood wise (i'd spent 5 years being nice and even and no crazy lady moments) and almost back to a normal cycle and it's a year since my last injection. I was on the implant for one year during my injection break and that really wasn't a suitable drug for me. There are risks and side effects wit all medications but only a doctor and you together can decide if it's a good option for you. The iud's are generally recommended for those who already have a family but again talk to your doctor about this. Remember though that the pharmaceutical company only recommend being on the injection for 2 years at a time and that it can take up to 2 years for normal menstrual cycle to return. As others have mentioned there is some weight gain associated wit the injection but it can be managed wit diet and exercise. I had no issue with weight gain at all on it.

Avoiding Work

Hey,

Was on the injection from age 18-24 (had to change doc's a couple of times as they dont like to give it for more than 2 years!) found it brilliant. No crazy mood swings, no weight gain, no periods, LOVED IT!!

Eventually gave in and came off it for a break and am now on the pill. Its going ok apart from going up a full bra size in a matter of weeks :eek: and personally I cant see why anyone would choose to have periods when the injection is available (Although not all people will stop bleeding on it)

Anywho, they told me to take a years break so I will be going back in exactly one years time to get the depo injection again.

Not everyones the same of course but you wont know till you try it out. I recommend giving any form of contraception 3 months for your body to settle unless the symptoms are unbearable.

Hope this helps & good luck

Silverfish

3 year old thread.