Accessibility Options
Pros
- Does not interrupt sex
- Women do not have to remember to take a pill
- May protect against cancer of the womb.
Cons
- Does not protect against STIs
- Periods may be irregular or stop altogether
- Can cause headaches and skin problems
- Can take a year or more after stopping the injection for regular periods to return
- As the hormone is injected into the body, any side effects may continue for as long as the injection lasts, and sometimes longer
- Depo-Provera works by lowering levels of the female hormone oestrogen and this can cause slight thinning of the bones by reducing bone mineral density
Remember...
No STI protection
Only barrier contraception, such as condoms, prevent STIs from being passed on.
Any sexual contact without a condom may pass on STIs.
Watch out for
Some things make the injection less effective - that means it doesn't work properly!
- Some prescribed and complementary medicines
- Follow-up injections must be given on time
Injection
Protect Yourself
An injection containing the hormone progestogen. There are two types of injectable contraceptive -
Depo-Provera which lasts for 12 weeks, and Noristerat which lasts for eight weeks.
The hormone progestogen stops ovulation (release of an egg) and thickens the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the womb.
The injection is 99% effective when used correctly.
