The contraceptive injection contains a progestogen hormone, this is very similar to the natural hormone that women produce, pregesterone.

Currently there are 2 types of contraceptive injections, the first is called Noristerat and protects you for 8 weeks, the second is called Depo-Provera and protects you for 12 weeks.

The injection is over 99% effective.

About the contraceptive injection

The injection works by stopping eggs from being released by your ovaries, they also make it harder for sperm to reach an egg and finally they thinen the lining of the womb to make it harder for an egg to settle.

You can get the contraceptive injection free from any doctors or sexual health clinic, however the injection can only be given by a doctor or nurse and is not available over the counter.

You are normally injected in the bottom and once you have had the injection you will be protected for 8 or 12 weeks depending on which injection you had.  You will need to have the injection again after 8 weeks if you had Noristerat or 12 weeks if you had Depo-Provera.

Advantages

• you don’t have to worry about contraception for a while.
• it wont interrupt sex.
• other medicines will not affect its effectiveness.
• it can help reduce heavy periods.
• it is a good alternative for those who cannot use the combined pill.

Dis-advantages

• irregular bleeding can continue for months after you stop using it.
• you may put on weight whilst on the injection.
• once in the injection cannot be removed until it stops working after 8 or 12 weeks.
• periods and fertility may take some time to return to normal.
• you are not protected against sexually transmitted diseases.

Although research in continuing, initial research suggest that the contraceptive injection can have a negative effect on your bones and also can increase your chance of breast cancer.

The injection can also cause your periods to completely stop, this does not mean that you are pregnant.

1. Contraception: Contraceptive Implant -The implant is a small flexible rod that is inserted into the skin in your upper arm. It releases a progestogen hormone that is similar to the natural protesterone hormone that women release. The contraceptive implant can last for upto 3 years and is over 99% effective....
2. Contraception: After A Baby -So you have just finished giving birth and have now brought a beautiful baby into the world, now its probably the only thing you think and care about. The baby is your new life, however unless you want to go from 1 baby to 2 babies you really should think about contraception straight away, even if you have no plans on having sex for a while....
3. Contraception: Contraceptive Patch -The patch is a small, skin coloured patch that you stick to your skin and is around 5x5cm in size. The patch releases 2 hormones estrogen and progestogen. These are very similar to the natural hormones that female bodies produce.The UK version of the patch is known as evra....
4. Contraception: IUS -An IUS is a small piece of plastic that releases a hormone called progestogen, this hormone is similar to the natural one that women normally produce. The IUS is t-shaped and will be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse, they will put it into your uterus. ...
5. Contraception: Progestogen Only Pill -Also known as POP, the progestogen only pill (as the name suggest) contains the hormone progestogen which is similar to the progesterone which is produced naturally by women. There are different types of POP available, some which contain different progestogens. They are different from the combined pill because they do not contains estrogen. This pill is over 99% effective....