The contraceptive injection or Depo-Provera is an intramuscular injection that is given every three months. It contains only progesterone and is 99.7% effective. What are the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of taking this contraceptive injection?
Advantages of the contraceptive injection
The contraceptive injection is less annoying because it does not require daily tasks. It requires only 4 injections per year. It is a very good method for women who cannot take estrogen. Even if a woman is breastfeeding her child, she can use it. Over time, the contraceptive injection reduces menstrual pain. In some cases, the pain can even be stopped.
Disadvantages of the contraceptive injection
The main disadvantage of this method is that it cannot be stopped abruptly. It is only discontinued when all the side effects have worn off, which is several months. Every three months, the injection must be done by appointment with a professional. A difference of a few days can reduce the effectiveness of the method by up to 94%. With this method, the return of fertility is longer. It takes at least 9 months before it returns. But in most women, the return can be more than 12 years and up to 2 years.
Side effects of the contraceptive injection
There are many side effects associated with the contraceptive injection. These are more present during the first few months and diminish thereafter. These include some pains as loss of bone density, abdominal pain, swelling, loss of libido, depression, dizziness, headaches, weight gain, weakness and fatigue, and periods that become irregular with bleeding between periods (spotting).
Contraindications of the contraceptive injection
The contraceptive injection is contraindicated in the following cases. They are:
- Breast cancer (present or past);
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding;
- Liver disease;
- Risk factors for developing osteoporosis;
- A history of depression;
- A heart attack or stroke.