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Contraception

Contraceptive injection

The contraceptive injection contains the hormone progestogen. This is similar to the hormone progesterone that is naturally produced in the ovaries and works to prevent pregnancy.

Quick guide

Hormones

Contains progestogen

Mood/Emotions

Can help with feeling low or anxious

STIs

No protection against STIs

Visibility

No one else can see it

Periods

Periods may become irregular, lighter, less painful, or stop altogether

Lasts for

Lasts up to 13 weeks each time

Acne/Skin

Can cause acne

Preventing pregnancy

More than 99% effective

Starting on this method

Requires an appointment with a specialist nurse or doctor to have it fitted. You may have to use additional contraception for seven days depending where you are in your cycle when you first start using the injection.

Maintenance

Remembering to go for repeat injections

Important
Fertility can take longer to return after using the injection (up to a year).

How the injection works

Pregnancy happens when sperm reaches an egg and fertlises it. The injection works in three ways to interrupt this process:

  1. It stops ovulation
  2. It thickens the mucus around the cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to get through
  3. It makes the lining of the womb thinner so that a fertilised egg cannot implant

The injection is a method of long-acting reversible contraception (or LARC). These methods don’t rely on you remembering to take them, but they do need a trained doctor or nurse to administer or fit them for you.

The most commonly used injection is Depo-Provera (or DMPA). Depo-Provera and Noristerat must be administered by a doctor or nurse. However, there is now an injection called Sayana Press which you can be taught to inject yourself at home.

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Pros and cons

Pros

  • Over 99% effective
  • No interruption to sex
  • Not visible
  • Works for 8, 12 or 13 weeks (depending upon which one is used)
  • May reduce heavy periods and period pain
  • Can be used if you cannot use the contraception that contains oestrogen
  • The injection is not affected by vomiting, diarrhoea or antibiotics (like some methods)
  • Using Sayana Press (self-injection) may mean only one visit to the clinic per year

Cons

  • No protection against STIs
  • Can cause slight thinning of the bones by reducing bone mineral density (this usually recovers once the injections stop)
  • Some people may put on weight when they use Depo-Provera
  • Can cause some side effects including headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and irregular bleeding. Because the injection can’t be removed from your body if you do have any side effects they are likely to last as long as the injection and for some time afterwards
  • Can cause acne
  • Very small risk of infection at the site of the injection
  • It’s important to remember to have a repeat injection on time

Periods and the injection

Periods can become lighter, shorter or less painful. It is also common for periods to become irregular or stop altogether whilst using the injection. This is not harmful. You may experience spotting, particularly when you first start using this method. It may take a while for periods to return to normal if you stop having the injection.

How to get the injection

The injection is available free of charge from contraceptive clinics, your GP and Brook. Find your nearest using our find a service tool.

Contraception and sexual health services such as Brook are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16. Health professionals work to strict guidelines and won’t tell anyone else about your visit unless they believe you’re at serious risk of immediate harm. Find out more about Brook’s confidentiality policy.

At the appointment

Sayana Press (the one you inject yourself) is not available everywhere at the moment.

When you go to get the injection, an appointment will typically include:

  • A few questions about your medical and family history, to work out what would suit you best.
  • The doctor or nurse will take your blood pressure and they will weigh you.

Depending on the type, you will need to go back to the clinic either 8, 12 or 13 weeks for your next injection. If you are using the Sayana Press (which you inject yourself at home) you only have to go back to the clinic annually because you will be given a year’s supply.

INFORMATION
You will not be required to have a vaginal or breast examination for the injection.

Can you use the contraceptive injection yourself?
Sayana Press is currently the only type of injection that you can use yourself at home. The nurse or doctor will teach you how to inject yourself and also how to dispose of the needle safely. You will be given a yearly supply of the injection to use at home (every 13 weeks).

When to start the injection

You can have the injection at any time in your menstrual cycle if you are certain you are not pregnant. If you’re given the injection during the first five days of your period you will be protected against pregnancy immediately.

If you have the injection on any other day of your cycle you will not be protected for the first seven days, so you will need to use another method of contraception, like condoms. You may also be required to take a pregnancy test after the injection has been given.

NameHow often are the injections?Site of injection
Depo-Provera12 weeks Buttocks or arm
Noristerat8 weeksButtocks
Sayana Press13 weeksFront of the thigh or abdomen

Follow-up injections must be given on time. If you think your next injection is late, use condoms until you know that your contraception is definitely protecting you again.

Getting the injection after pregnancy

You can get the injection after a birth, abortion or miscarriage but when you can get it fitted does vary.

After giving birth

You can get pregnant from as little as three weeks after giving birth.

  • If you aren’t breastfeeding, you can have the contraceptive injection any time after giving birth.
    • If you have the injection within three weeks of the birth you are protected immediately.
    • If you have it during the first few weeks after birth you are more likely to have heavy and irregular bleeding.
  • If you are breastfeeding, you will most likely have to wait six weeks before you can get the injection.
    • The injection is safe to use while breastfeeding.
    • You will need to use alternative contraception after week three until you get the injection and then for another seven days.
After an abortion or miscarriage

You can become pregnant from two weeks after an abortion or miscarriage.

  • The injection can be given straight away after an abortion or miscarriage.
  • If this is within five days of the abortion or miscarriage, you will be protected immediately from pregnancy. If not, you will need to use alternative contraception for seven days.

Speak to your midwife, GP or a nurse at a sexual health clinic to check if this method is right for you.

FAQs

What happens if I forget to go for another injection?

If you forget to go for your next injection, you may not be protected from pregnancy depending on the type of injection you get and how long it’s been. Use contraception like condoms until you have spoken to a healthcare professional and are sure you are protected from pregnancy.

Does the injection affect your long-term fertility?

It can take up to one year for your fertility to return to normal after stopping this method. If you might be looking to get pregnant soon (within the next couple of years) this method probably isn’t the best for you-talk to a healthcare professional about your options.

Unsure which contraception method is best for you?
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