Contraceptive injection - meaning and definition
Alsothe shotbirth control shotdepoDepo-Proveradepo shotSayana Pressthe jab
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
The contraceptive injection is a progestogen injection given every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type, that mainly prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation.
At a glance
- It is a progestogen injection repeated every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type.
- It mainly works by stopping ovulation.
- Some types are given by a clinician, and a newer form can be self-injected at home.
- It is more than 99% effective with perfect use and about 94% with typical use.
- Fertility can take up to a year to return after the last injection.
In detail
Some versions are given by a clinician into a muscle, while a newer form can be self-injected under the skin at home. With perfect use it is more than 99% effective; with typical use, often due to late repeat injections, it is about 94%.
Periods frequently become irregular or stop. Fertility can take up to a year to return after the last injection, which matters for people planning a pregnancy soon. Long-term use is linked to a small, mostly reversible reduction in bone density, which clinicians take into account.
In a sentence
- I set a calendar reminder for my next contraceptive injection.
- She switched from the injection to the implant because she plans to try for a baby in a year or two.
Not to be confused with
- Contraceptive implant
The implant is a rod under the skin that lasts years, not a repeat injection.
Common questions
How long after the injection does fertility return?
Fertility can take up to a year to return after the last injection, which matters for people planning a pregnancy soon. Other methods may suit people who want to conceive in the near future.
Does the contraceptive injection affect bones?
Long-term use is linked to a small, mostly reversible reduction in bone density. Clinicians take this into account when discussing whether the injection is a good long-term choice. A clinician, pharmacist or sexual health service can help with questions about a specific situation.