The Contraceptive Injection

This is a Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC). LARC methods do not rely on you remembering to use them.

This is a 12 - 14 week injection and contains one female hormone (progesterone). This has to be prescribed by your doctor or Contraception and Sexual health Clinic.

This may not be the most suitable method of contraception for you if you are under 19 years of age, and have not yet finished growing. Your doctor or nurse will advise you.
This is a very effective method of preventing a pregnancy. It is 99% effective, which means less than 1 woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
If you have your injection within the first 5 days of your period it is effective immediately.
The injection works by:

• Stopping your ovaries produce an egg each month.
• Thickening the mucous around your cervix, making it impenetrable to sperm.
• Making the lining of your womb thinner it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg.

Even though the contraceptive injection is a very effective way of preventing a pregnancy, it will offer you no protection against sexually transmitted infections; therefore we recommend the use of condoms as well.

The advantages of the contraceptive injection:

• You do not have to remember to take a pill every day.
• You can use this if you are breastfeeding, from 6 weeks after you have had your baby.
• The contraceptive injection can give you some protection against cancer of the ovaries.
• It can also give you some protection against pelvic infections.
• It is a useful method if because of your medical history you are unable to take the combined pill.

The disadvantages of the contraceptive injection:

• Your periods may become irregular and might even stop completely.
• Some women may put on weight.
• Some women may experience side effects, such as headaches, spotty skin, breast tenderness, mood swings and bloating.
• The injection lasts for 12 – 14 weeks, and cannot be removed once given, so any side effects you experience cannot be reversed.
• If you are planning to have another baby, it may take some time after you stop your injection for your periods to return to normal.