Contraceptive injection for 3 months
The contraceptive injection is given once every three months, on the fifth day of menstruation (a total of 4 times during the year). The injection is injected into the buttock or shoulder bone. The effect is much higher than that of other hormonal drugs (up to two pregnancies per 100 people per year).
Such injections are practically safe to use, and they do not affect the possibility of getting pregnant in the future. According to world statistics, there have been no recorded cases of infertility that would have been caused by such injections.
But it is important not to forget that after discontinuation of the drug, reproductive function is not immediately restored. It is possible to become pregnant after using injections no earlier than six months to a year. This is exactly the time period needed for the normal functioning of menstruation.
Injectable contraception Depo Provera
In Russia, only the drug Depo Provera (Depo Provera) from Pfizer is approved. Its price ranges from 100-200 rubles per ampoule. This is the most popular injectable contraceptive in the world. It is used by several million women in more than 100 countries.
How the drug works
Hormonal contraceptives contain a progesterone analog or its combination with any estrogen.
These are artificially synthesized female sex hormones, the levels of which change during the menstrual cycle. The brain reacts to the introduction of artificial hormones and releases fewer natural substances that can trigger ovulation and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
Depo-Provera is a drug called medroxyprogesterone (an analogue of progesterone) that is injected deep into the muscle and is gradually released from it. The injectable depot form was adopted in the United States in 1960. It has been used as a means of contraception since 1992.
The action of the drug is based on 3 effects:
- Suppression of ovulation.
- Thickening of mucus in the cervical canal, which prevents sperm from moving through the woman’s genital tract.
- The endometrium changes so much that it cannot accept the developing embryo.
Advantages
Depo-Provera is recommended for women of late reproductive age and older, when there are restrictions on taking oral contraceptives. It is used for uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and hyperplastic processes in the endometrium.
Depo-Provera also reduces the risk of developing endometrial cancer, inflammation of the genital organs and vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush).
Flaws
Depo-Provera is more suitable for women who are planning a pregnancy in the distant future. The first ovulation after discontinuation of the drug can occur even after 10 months; in some cases, pregnancy occurs only 2 years after stopping injections.
Contraindications
Depo-Provera does not contain estrogens, which increase blood clotting.
But while taking it, the risk of blood clots also increases. It is not prescribed if a woman has blood clots or a clear tendency to form them. This is dangerous because a blood clot can block an important vessel in the heart, brain, lungs and other organs. If blood relatives had a similar situation, you need to inform your doctor about it.
Other contraindications are liver disease and bleeding from the genital tract, the cause of which has not been established.
Depo-Provera is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Medroxyprogesterone can cause fetal malformations. But in cases of pregnancy occurring after the injection, there was no negative effect on the fetus or an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. However, before taking such a long-term contraceptive injection, you need to make sure there is no pregnancy.
If there was an allergic reaction to the drug or it was very poorly tolerated, it will not be re-prescribed either.
Side effects
The most common side effects are irregular bleeding from the genital tract, absence of menstruation, headache and depression.
Depo-Provera negatively affects bone density, resulting in increased bone fragility. It is not entirely clear whether this effect can be reversed or not. Depo-Provera may increase your risk of osteoporosis and fractures in the future. Therefore, in the United States it is not recommended to use this drug without interruption for more than two years.
This is especially important for teenagers whose skeleton is not yet fully formed, as well as for women whose blood relatives have osteoporosis.
Another dangerous side effect is the formation of blood clots, which is the most important obstacle to hormonal contraception.
Nausea, abdominal pain, and increased body temperature may also occur. Pain in the mammary glands and even the release of breast milk are possible.
Due to the action of Depo-Provera, hair loss or male-pattern hair growth, changes in body weight, acne, and a moon-shaped face may occur.
The body can react to Depo-Provera, like any other drug, by developing allergies of varying severity.
Conditions for which it is prescribed with caution
With special attention, Depo-Provera is prescribed for epilepsy, migraine, asthma, heart and kidney failure, diabetes and depression.
Mechanism of action
The drug contains the hormone progesterone, which has a prolonged effect. It enters the body and is gradually released, helping to maintain the desired concentration of the drug in the blood.
As a result, there is a significant decrease in the production of hormones responsible for ovulation and the maturing egg - these processes are now impossible. Cervical mucus becomes very viscous, the walls of the cervix increase, the canal decreases and becomes narrow. All of the above completely inhibits the onset of pregnancy.
The contraceptive reaches its maximum concentration in the body approximately on the twentieth day after the injection, for this reason, in the first month, doctors recommend protecting yourself with a condom.
Who is it suitable for?
Any method of contraception is much better than abortion. Women who cannot regularly use progestogens can switch to contraceptive injections. What are the reasons for prescribing such a drug:
- An active lifestyle, very frequent flights, and constant business trips create an additional risk of finding yourself without certain protection at the right moments.
- Constant failure to take oral contraceptives. If these drugs are used irregularly, the function of the genital organs can be destabilized, as well as their effectiveness reduced, which will lead to a possible unwanted pregnancy.
- If there are diseases for the treatment of which long-acting progestin agents are used. The effect (contraceptive) may become a side effect in this case, despite its reliability.
Indications and preparation for implantation
The main indication for inserting an implant is the woman’s reluctance to become pregnant at the moment. Also, its use may be indicated in the late reproductive period, if there are contraindications for taking COCs containing estrogen, in combination with the treatment of certain hormone-dependent diseases.
Before inserting the implant, the doctor prescribes an examination, which includes:
- tests to exclude pregnancy;
- tests to exclude individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- ultrasound examination of the pelvis;
- examination of a smear of vaginal discharge;
- exclusion of other possible contraindications.
Only a doctor in a clinic should insert an implant in compliance with antiseptic rules. The procedure is prescribed on a specific day of the menstrual cycle. After childbirth or medical abortion, contraception can be installed after six to eight weeks. The implant is inserted into the subcutaneous fat through a small incision or puncture. The injection site is the inner side of the shoulder. The contraceptive effect of the drug begins almost immediately after administration.
What is the effect of contraceptive injections?
The effect of contraceptive injections is close to 100%. In the body, when using this method, ovulation is blocked, so fertilization is practically excluded. Our popular drug, Depo-Provera, is affordable (about a thousand rubles) and one injection lasts for three whole months. Compared to other contraceptives, this one is much more economical. There are minimal contraindications (oncology, cardiovascular diseases). There are tangible advantages in the form of a decrease in menstruation, it becomes painless, some people forget what PMS is.
How does the procedure work?
Before choosing a drug, the attending doctor conducts a comprehensive examination of the woman to find out if she has any concomitant diseases that would contraindicate the use of parenteral contraceptives. The hereditary history must be studied.
In addition, the doctor always warns the woman about possible side effects and complications, and also gives recommendations on how to behave in such cases and where to turn.
On what day of the cycle should the injections be given?
Injections of hormonal contraceptives can be done on the following days of the female cycle:
- one and a half months after birth, if the woman is breastfeeding;
- on the fifth day after birth, if the woman does not plan to breastfeed;
- a week after artificial termination of pregnancy;
- on any day of the cycle in the absence of pregnancy (preferably on the seventh day).
Dosage of the drug and method of administration
Almost all injectable contraceptive formulations are administered intramuscularly. The gluteal muscle is best suited for this. The injection is given in the outer upper quadrant of the buttock.
Injections of drugs should be performed by a nurse in the manipulation room of a medical institution. This will help avoid local complications and side effects.
Each parenteral contraceptive has its own dosage, which is precisely indicated in the instructions for use. For example, a single dose of Depo-Provera is 150 mg or 1 ml of suspension, and Net-En is 200 mg or 1 ml.
Scheme and duration of use
Injections of hormonal contraceptives are done according to the following schemes:
- Depo-Provera - this contraceptive injection is designed for 3 months, so it is given every 12 weeks;
- Deladroxate – requires re-administration every 12 weeks;
- Net-En - injections are indicated every eight weeks;
- Mezigina - injections must be given every four weeks;
- Cyclofem - the drug is administered once a month.
What are the advantages of contraceptive injections?
- getting rid of daily pill taking;
- no contraindications for smoking;
- does not cause a risk of infertility;
- effective protection (about 99%);
- almost all drugs can be used during breastfeeding;
- can be used at any age;
- inhibits the development of certain diseases: uterine fibroids, mastopathy, endometriosis;
- The drug is not contraindicated for car enthusiasts (does not distract attention); an accessible and inexpensive method of contraception.
Disadvantages of contraceptive injections:
- in rare cases causes cycle (menstrual) disruption;
- there is a small chance of weight gain;
- rarely – decreased libido;
- there is no protection against various infections (unlike a condom) that are sexually transmitted.
- prohibited if there is a history of depression, any bleeding, oncology, or impaired blood clotting;
- if you use this type of contraception, you should visit your gynecologist at least twice a year;
- if side effects occur, it will not be possible to immediately eliminate the cause, since the effect of the drug is three months and it is difficult to remove it from the body;
- in rare cases, the risk of osteoporosis increases;
- after the drug is discontinued, the desired pregnancy may not occur as soon as desired (about a year).
Reviews
“I was prescribed DEPO-PROVERA in 1999. I remember this time for a long time. Never ever!
At first I was happy, I thought that I would inject myself for 3 months and be free. Whatever the case.
I had terrible side effects:
- I gained 13 kg almost instantly, although I ate as usual;
- constantly feeling nauseous;
- my nerves were in turmoil, I was incredibly irritated over trifles;
- menstruation disappeared.
In general, I could barely wait for the injection to wear off and didn’t go any further. And then I couldn’t get pregnant for a long time. Then another doctor explained to me that this drug should not be prescribed to young girls. Them for the side effects.
The only plus: there is no need to take pills every day and be afraid of missing them.”
Yana Alexandrovna
“I was prescribed Depo-Provera for medicinal purposes. I am an adult woman, I have two children and I don’t want any more. Therefore, I was not afraid of infertility.
The gynecologist with whom I consulted explained that it is not prescribed to young women and those who have not given birth. Then it is difficult to conceive.
I’ve been taking drugs for five years now. Among the side effects, I might note a slight weight gain, but it can also be age-related. And even then, it was short-lived. And my periods stopped.
No depression. But I no longer need problems with pregnancies and abortions. Therefore, saving on gaskets is quite satisfactory.
So such injections are simply ideal for me. Every time I thank scientists for such developments. It would be possible, of course, to take oral contraceptives. But it’s so boring.”
Valentina
“This drug is not for everyone, that’s for sure.
I've been using it for 5 years now. I took a break for a year and a half.
I had no side effects at all. In addition to the fact that there were no periods for six months. But I was just happy.
At 22 she gave birth to a daughter. Then a year later I became pregnant again, had to have an abortion, then a second one. I don't want to go through this anymore. I don’t need childbirth, abortions, or all these “charms” with PMS. When I took a break, I couldn’t wait to inject the drugs again.
I can’t stand condoms; I absolutely don’t like the coil and it gets in the way.
As for weight, the kilograms “stuck” on me during pregnancy. Then I ate away at the stress. And when I started using drugs, I even lost a little weight.”
Tatiana
“I administered this injectable drug at the antenatal clinic. A friend recommended it, and the price is normal.
But the doctor did not warn that the weight would jump. Although, to be honest, I didn’t have any special problems. Nothing hurt. There was no nausea. My periods disappeared, but the doctor said it was normal.
But the weight grew so much that I didn’t even know what to do. After each injection - more than a kilogram of gain. In general, I refused these injections because I felt that I was turning into a hamster. I managed to gain 6 kg, which just wouldn’t go away.
Yes, I consulted a doctor before the injection. They weighed me and took my blood pressure.”
How many days does the discharge last after childbirth, read on our website.
Guzel
How long can you use this method of contraception?
There are no age numbers as such. Each organism is individual. If there are no contraindications to injections and a woman does not want to get pregnant, then they can be done until the onset of menopause. But you need to monitor your health and visit your gynecologist once every 6 months to undergo a full medical examination in order to exclude possible contraindications that have arisen. The effectiveness of hormonal injections does not change over time and remains at a high level, as before.
Do I need to use protection after the first Diferelin injection?
Many questions arise around the drug Diferelin. It causes the so-called “artificial menopause”. Women are concerned about the question: “Is there a chance of getting pregnant after the first injection?” Diferelin stimulates the pituitary gland and increases the levels of pituitary hormones, but ovulation will not occur. But you need to keep in mind that there are very rare exceptions, and some doctors recommend playing it safe. During the first month, hyperstimulation occurs (there is a chance of becoming pregnant), for this reason a condom should be used.
Injections during breastfeeding
After you give birth, the injection can be given immediately, but only if breastfeeding is not part of your plans. In this case, such a procedure can be applied only after six weeks. If this injection is given in the first 21 days, then the drug’s protection will work immediately, but if the injection is made after 21 days, then there will be a need for additional contraception within a week.
If you use this method after giving birth, your periods may be irregular and there may be some side effects.
