Summary

In this Study Session, you have learned that:

• The contraceptive injections are contraceptives which a health worker gives a woman a hormone shot to keep her from getting pregnant. Most injections contain only progestin. Depo-Provera and Noristerat are the most common brands. These injections are safe to use while breastfeeding and are safe for other women who should not use oestrogen.
• Progesterone-only injectable contraceptives have the same mechanism of action as that of the progesterone-only oral contraceptives, except that injectable contraceptives have a longer duration of action.
• Injectable hormonal contraceptives are very effective. Very few women who use this method become pregnant. Another advantage of this method is that a woman does not have to do anything before having sex. And no one except her health worker needs to know she is using a family planning method
• When a woman stops getting injections, it may take longer than usual (as much as a year or more) for her to get pregnant. Women should always be told this before getting injectable contraceptives. For this reason, injections are best for women who are sure they do not want to get pregnant in the next year or more.