Who can use the contraception injection?

Most women can be given the contraceptive injection. It may not be suitable if you:

• think you might be pregnant  
• want to keep having regular periods  
• have bleeding in between periods or after sex  
• have arterial disease or a history of heart disease or stroke 
• have a blood clot in a blood vessel (thrombosis)  
• have liver disease  
• have migraines  
• have breast cancer or have had it in the past  
• have diabetes with complications  
• have cirrhosis or liver tumours 
• are at risk of osteoporosis   

After having a baby

You can have the contraceptive injection at any time after you have given birth, if you are not breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, the injection will usually be given after six weeks, although it may be given earlier if necessary.

After a miscarriage or abortion

You can have the injection immediately after a miscarriage or abortion, and you will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the contraceptive injection

Advantages 

• The injection is not affected by other medicines
• It does not interrupt sex
• The injection is an option if you cannot take oestrogen based contraception
• It may reduce painful periods

Disadvantages

• Periods may be irregular or stop altogether 
• It can cause slight thinning of the bones by reducing bone mineral density (this usually recovers once the injections stop) 
• It may take a while for your periods to return to normal when you stop having the injection
• It can cause some side effects including headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and irregular bleeding.