Injection (Depo Provera)

• Also simply known as Depo
• It is an injection containing medroxyprogesterone, a contraceptive injection for women that contains the hormone progestin

How it works

Depo provera injection

• Prevents the release of egg/ovum from ovary
• Changes the lining of the uterus lining  making it unsuitable for implantation
• Causes thickening of the cervical mucus

Effectiveness

• 99.8%

Advantages

• Effective
• Convenient and private
• Reversible
• Does not interfere with sex
• Improves breast feeding
• Protects against infection and pregnancy in tubes
•  Not affected by medication
• Reduces premenstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms and some breast diseases
• Requires a less rigorous schedule keeping

Disadvantages

• Requires a doctor/nurse’s prescription
• Some people have a fear of needles and injections
• Delays in returning to fertility
• Effects can be stopped at will as say with the pill
• Disturbance of the menstrual cycle
• Usually accompanied by side effects

Side effects

• Headaches
• Weight change
• Missed/Irregular periods
• Mood swings
• Loss of sexual desire
• Bloated feeling

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page