A great option for forgetful women, the injectable contraceptive can be the solution for those who choose hormonal contraception. The oral contraceptive, or the famous pill, is still the most chosen to prevent pregnancy and is usually used for a period of 21 days with a 7-day break.
However, its use can be complicated for forgetful women, and its effectiveness is compromised when taken at different times. If you are one of them, get to know the injectable contraceptive.
Forgetting the Oral Contraceptive
A woman who forgets her pill more than once a month should seriously talk with her gynecologist about another form of prevention1, and that’s where the injectable contraceptive comes in. It works the same way as the oral contraceptive, with the advantage of being applied only once a month (monthly injectable contraceptive) or, in the case of the three-month injection, every 3 months.
Both the oral pill and the injectable contraceptive use hormones to block ovulation. The difference is just in how they are used. Most injectable contraceptives are applied for the first time on the first day of your period and, after this period, are reapplied between the 7th and 10th day of the cycle. Always counted from the first day of active bleeding of the period, and the same applies to long-term use injectable contraceptives.
What is the Injectable Contraceptive Made Of?
Just like the oral contraceptive, the injectable contraceptive can be made with progesterone or with estrogen and progesterone; if used throughout the process, it prevents the ovulatory cycle from happening and stops the woman from ovulating2. After being applied, the injectable contraceptive releases small daily amounts of hormones to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
The injectable contraceptive can be based on either progesterone or estrogen and progesterone. The three-month injection is always progesterone-based, which makes it last longer because the body absorbs it more slowly. It’s worth noting that the estrogen and progesterone injectable contraceptive works very well when the goal is to reduce PMS symptoms.
However, a major inconvenience is breakthrough bleeding (spotting), which occurs due to endometrial atrophy or due to a low amount of estrogen in the contraceptive. Spotting can appear when you least expect it, and often when you are not prepared, without a pad at hand.
IMPORTANT: if you have questions about which method to use, talk to your gynecologist and review the best options for you and your body.
Advantages and Disadvantages
A major advantage of this type of contraceptive is also the reduction of risks for cervical and ovarian cancer. But they can be harmful to women with hypertension because they can cause vascular diseases.
The first cycle, whether with the oral pill or injectables, should still be safeguarded due to the ongoing risk of pregnancy. After the second cycle of continued use, the woman would then be protected from pregnancy. With the three-month injectable, after the second week is already a safe period to have sex relying only on the contraceptive.
Does Injectable Contraception Cause Weight Gain?
Many women are still resistant to injectable contraceptives due to the myth that it causes weight gain. And it’s not a legend, did you know? A disadvantage of the progesterone-based injectable contraceptive is that it can cause swelling in women, giving the impression of weight gain3, and can also cause an increase in fat tissue.
Normally, it is swelling caused by fluid retention, similar to what happens at the beginning of pregnancy. This progesterone-based contraceptive injection is often used after childbirth and is very effective during breastfeeding. Also, progesterone-based contraceptives can cause pregnancy-like symptoms as a side effect, since progesterone is a hormone present during this stage.
The estrogen and progesterone-based injectable contraceptive is less likely to cause this swelling, but depending on how the body reacts, some women may still gain weight or swell. Women planning to become pregnant after using injectable contraceptives should know that it can take 3 to 6 cycles or even up to a year for the menstrual cycle to become regular. Some women can go up to 4 months without menstruating after stopping the medication, and this is normal.
How Much Does It Cost?
Most injectable contraceptives are quite affordable, costing around R$12 to R$20 per application directly at the pharmacy by a specialist (pharmacist). But depending on where you live, the price can be cheaper or more expensive. Another factor that can affect the price is the brand; generics can be more economical.
Readers’ Questions:
I forgot the day to take the injectable contraceptive, now what?
Depending on the type of contraceptive you use, there is a tolerance period of up to 4 days to reapply. However, if that time passes you should wait for your period, which will probably come due to missed use, and then reapply on the first day of the cycle, protecting yourself in the meantime to avoid pregnancy.
How long after stopping the injectable contraceptive will ovulation return?
It usually takes 3 to 6 months for the ovaries to “wake up” after stopping the use of the injectable contraceptive. Sometimes it can take up to a year. However, if you don’t get your period for more than 3 months, you should consult a doctor.
While using the injectable contraceptive, I’ve had periods out of time and dark spotting, could this be pregnancy?
In rare cases, it may be pregnancy. Most of the time it’s usual spotting from the medication. However, prolonged use of the same contraceptive may lead to pregnancy. This is because, as the body gets used to the amount and type of medication, unexpected ovulation may occur, resulting in pregnancy.
It’s a good idea to ask your gynecologist for advice and see if the injectable contraceptive is the best option for you. If you are afraid of needles or have difficulty with this route of medication, look into other contraceptive methods, such as the patch, IUD, or even contraceptive implant. The important thing is to feel safe with your chosen method.
See also: How the Menstrual Cycle Works and Its Phases
Photo: Thomas Weidenhaupt
