Monohormonal Contraceptive Injection
It is a method of contraception for women. It is an injection given into the muscle, containing only the progesterone hormone. It is taken every 3 months and works to prevent pregnancy through:
- Stopping ovulation.
- Thickening of cervical mucus; This makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize an egg.
- Reducing the thickness of the lining of the uterus.
The pregnancy rate for people using monohormonal injections is less than 1%.
Instructions for first use:
The injection is given by a doctor at any time during the menstrual cycle after confirming that there is no pregnancy:
- If the injection is done within the first 7 days after the start of the menstrual cycle; There is no need for an additional method of contraception.
- If the injection is made more than 7 days after the start of the menstrual cycle; An additional method of contraception should be used or sex avoided during the seven days after injection.
- When changing from another contraceptive method to a monohormonal injection, you must stop using the other method at the same time as the injection and use of an additional contraceptive method, or avoid sexual intercourse for seven days if more than 7 days have passed since the start of the menstrual cycle.
- When switching from an IUD to a monohormonal injection; The IUD can be kept for 7 days after the injection and then removed, or the IUD can be removed on the same day as the injection and an additional method of contraception can be used for 7 days after the injection.
Side effects:
- The most common side effects are irregular or prolonged bleeding and spotting, especially during the first few months of use.
- There may be an interruption in the menstrual cycle, which is not worrisome, and ovulation usually returns six months after stopping use.
- May lead to weight gain in some people.
- A decrease in bone density may occur in some users.
- If you want to become pregnant soon after stopping use; This method is not ideal; As pregnancy may be delayed for 10 months after stopping the injection.
Benefits of using compared to birth control pills:
Women often prefer monohormonal injections over birth control pills because:
- Difficulty remembering to take a pill every day.
- For the inability to use estrogen.
- Are taking epilepsy medications, which may be less effective with combined hormonal contraceptives.
- Lower risk of uterine cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease.