UTI Info Accordion Category: Contraceptive injection

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:
  • each injection lasts for either 8 or 13 weeks
  • it does not interrupt sex
  • it’s an option if you can’t use oestrogen-based contraception
  • you do not have to remember to take a pill every day
  • it’s safe to use while you’re breastfeeding
  • it’s not affected by other medicines
  • it may reduce heavy, painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms for some women

Disadvantages:

  • your periods may change and become irregular, heavier, shorter, lighter or stop altogether – this can carry on for some months after you stop the injections
  • Using Depo-Provera affects your natural oestrogen levels, which can cause thinning of the bones, but it does not increase your risk of breaking a bone. Sometimes the doctor may recommend that you stop after 2 years so there’s no long-term effect on your bones.
  • it does not protect you against STIs
  • there can be a delay of up to 1 year before your periods return to normal and you can become pregnant
  • some people may put on weight when they use Depo-Provera or Sayana Press contraceptive injections
  • you may experience side effects like headaches, acne, hair loss, decreased sex drive and mood swings
  • any side effects can continue for as long as the injection lasts (8 or 13 weeks) and for some time after

Key points

Depo-Provera is most commonly given in the UK and lasts for 13 weeks. Occasionally, Noristerat may be given, which lasts for 8 weeks. Sayana Press also lasts for 13 weeks, but it’s a newer type of injection so is not available at all clinics or GP surgeries. You usually have the Depo-Provera and Noristerat injections in your bottom, but you can have them in your upper arm. You can have the Sayana Press injection in your tummy (abdomen) or thigh and would normally learn to do this yourself.