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Contraceptive injections are one of the most effective methods of contraception. It is a good choice for women who forget to take a pill and for breastfeeding mothers. Contraceptive injections are given once every three months. There is only one type of contraceptive injection available in Poland.
How do contraceptive injections work?
Contraceptive injections they contain a hormone called progestogens. They cause a woman to become infertile, such as during pregnancy or in the early stage of breastfeeding (up to 6 weeks after giving birth). Their duration of action, i.e. protection against pregnancy, is approximately 14 weeks. It is recommended that you take the first dose (taking the first dose) contraceptive injection) at the beginning of the cycle.
Contraceptive injections they do not contain estrogen, which is a hormone that inhibits lactation; therefore it is recommended for breastfeeding women. Contraceptive injection should be used 5 days after childbirth if the woman is not breastfeeding and in the 6th week after childbirth if the woman is breastfeeding a child.
Contraceptive injection it is performed intramuscularly in the buttock, shoulder or hip. The hormone, which is the active substance of the administered preparation, stops ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, which prevents sperm from entering the genital tract and prevents fertilization.
It is agreed with the gynecologist when the next ones will be given injections. It should also be remembered that after discontinuation of this method, it takes up to several months to return to normal fertility and regulate menstrual cycles. Nevertheless, even after administration contraceptive injection there is a risk of becoming pregnant unplanned.
Advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive injections
The advantage of contraceptive injections is that they are taken once every three months, so you don’t have to remember a tablet every day. They also do not inhibit lactation, so they are a good option for women who are breastfeeding.
Contraceptive injections However, they should not be taken by women with arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, thromboembolism. An allergy to any of the ingredients of the preparation is also a contraindication.
Reception advantage contraceptive injections is that they do not burden the liver, so they can also be taken by women with liver disorders. Contraceptive injections they are also quite cheap – one injection costs PLN 40, and it should be remembered that shot it is administered once every 3 months. Contraceptive injections relieve the symptoms of premenstrual tension. They also reduce the risk of developing endometriosis.
Contraceptive injection it works immediately after administration, i.e. it immediately protects against unwanted pregnancy.
Unfortunately, this method of contraception also has disadvantages. These are mainly: possible mood changes and depressive moods, brittle nails, hair loss, headaches, breast tenderness, acne lesions, hyperthyroidism, vaginal spotting and dryness, and amenorrhea.
Defect contraceptive injections it is also that when improperly given (for example, self-made) they are quite painful.
If a couple is planning a baby, remember that after weaning contraceptive injections you can get pregnant only 10 months after the last injection on average. It also happens that after weaning contraceptive injections menstrual bleeding and cycles do not come back spontaneously. In this case, the menstruation must be induced by a gynecologist by administering hormonal drugs to the patient.
The effectiveness of contraceptive injections
Contraceptive injections they have quite high effectivenessbut are not a reliable method of contraception. The effectiveness of their operation depends on the day of the cycle on which the first is given shot. It should be administered in the first phase of the cycle – it is not used so much later effectiveness and then an additional method of contraception, for example a condom, is indicated.
According to the Pearl Index (the index that determines the effectiveness of contraceptive methods) the effectiveness of contraceptive injections to 0,2 – 0,5.
Side effects of birth control injections
Like other contraceptive preparations, too contraceptive injections may have side effects. The most common are decreased libido (less desire for sex), headaches and weight gain. It also happens that women have prolonged menstrual bleeding after the injection.
Side effects of use contraceptive injections however, they are not more intense than with other methods of hormonal contraception and occur relatively rarely.
Are there hormonal (contraceptive) injections for men?
Currently not available yet hormonal (contraceptive) injections for men, but work is underway on them. Shotand such will contain progestin and testosterone which will cause the reversible loss of sperm in the semen.
If you are planning to start using hormonal contraception, get a pre-contraceptive conscious woman genetic test so that your doctor can choose the safest contraception for you.