Injection
Injection
AKA
Jab
Efficacy
94% typical; 99.8% perfect
Routine
12 weeks
STI protection
No
Pros
Easy to access, low maintenance, can assist managing periods and symptoms, progestogen only.
Cons
Some user action required, may cause side effects, requires a script, may be a delayed return to fertility for a few months (up to 18 months).
How does the Contraceptive Injection work?
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DPMA) is a 150mg dose of the hormone progestogen. It works by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg and thickens the cervical mucous, preventing sperm from accessing the uterus. Once you’ve had the Injection, it cannot be reversed. This means that if you experience negative side effects, you need to wait for it to wear off. It can also take up to 18 months for fertility levels to return to pre-injection levels.
Tip: Want to try depo, but scared of needles? Try listening to music through headphones before and during the injection; it helps keep your mind off the needle.
How do I use the Contraceptive Injection?
Step 1. Because the injection is a method of LARC, it doesn’t require you to do anything except show up regularly for injections by your doctor.
Step 2. Once you’ve had your shot, you can forget about it for the next 3 months, before you need to get another one.
Step 3. The efficacy of the injection relies on having the injections regularly, so make sure you schedule your follow up appointments in advance and set alerts to remind yourself.
Explore more methods
MALE CONDOM
(Rubber, Prophylactic)
Condoms are a barrier that’s placed on an erect penis to prevent contact with the vulva and vaginal canal.
FEMALE CONDOM
(Femidom)
The female condom wraps the inside of the vaginal canal and covers the vulva, preventing a penis from coming into contact with either.
DIAPHRAGM
(Caya)
A diaphragm is a small cap that sits at the entrance to your cervix and prevents sperm from getting through.
THE PILL
(Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, Contraceptive Pill)
The pill contains oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent ovulation, and to thicken cervical mucous; preventing sperm from getting through.
THE MINI PILL
(Progestogen Only Pill)
The mini pill contains progestogen which prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucous, stopping sperm from getting through into the uterus.
VAGINAL RING
(Contraceptive Ring, Combined Hormonal Ring)
A thin band that contains oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent ovulation, preventing sperm from getting through.
IMPLANT
(Rod, Bar, Contraceptive Implant)
A small bar inserted into the upper arm that slowly releases progestogen into your bloodstream; preventing ovulation, and thickening the cervical mucous; preventing sperm from getting through.
INJECTION
(Jab)
A 150mg dose of progestogen hormone, it prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucous which prevents sperm from getting through.
HORMONAL IUD
(Intrauterine System, IUS)
Releases small quantities of progestogen to your reproductive system. This thickens the mucous of your cervix, so sperm can’t get through.
COPPER IUD
(IUD, Non-hormonal IUD, The Coil)
Releases very low levels of copper ions which affect sperm’s ability to move. Also stops fertilised eggs from implanting in the uterine wall.
TUBAL LIGATION
(Getting your tubes tied, Female Sterilisation)
Surgically creating a block so any potential sperm can’t gain passage along the fallopian tubes.
VASECTOMY
(The Snip, Male Sterilisation)
A vasectomy involves cutting and separating the vas deferens, which are the tubes that move sperm from the testicles to the penis.
FERTILITY AWARENESS
(FAM, Rhythm Method, Calendar Method, Period tracking)
A system of monitoring when ovulation occurs and making sure unprotected sex only occurs on days of minimal fertility.
WITHDRAWAL METHOD
(Pull out method, Coitus Interruptus)
The act of withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculating.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION PILLS
(Morning After Pill)
Works by preventing or delaying ovulation, ensuring any viable sperm will be out of the body by the time an egg is released.