What do you know about the monthly contraceptive injection? The method can be used by women of all ages and is very simple.
The monthly contraceptive injection is a good option for those who want to inhibit ovulation or have reservations about oral contraceptives. Composed of injectable hormones, it can be applied monthly or every three months, depending on medical recommendations. Therefore, the contraceptive method, in addition to preventing pregnancy, is also ideal for those who forget to take the pill or simply cannot use them.
First of all, the injectable contraceptive is applied intramuscularly, that is, in the gluteal region, and only by a professional. Normally, the gynecologist or someone responsible for pharmacies performs the injection. It also has the benefit of being cheaper than other contraceptive methods.
It is common for the monthly contraceptive injection to consist only of progesterone, the menstruation hormone, or also contain estrogen, the female hormone. Some of them are Cyclofemina, Mesigyna, Ciclovular or Perlutan.
Check below for more information about the monthly contraceptive injection, as well as its advantages, contraindications and most common questions regarding its use.
How does the monthly contraceptive injection work?
The injection has the same function as any contraceptive method, such as oral contraceptives. It is done in the gluteal region, at least until the 5th day of the beginning of the menstrual cycle, and is repeated 30 days later, with a maximum of 3 days late. In this sense, in addition to the monthly option, there is also a quarterly option, which also prevents menstruation from coming down.
For those who were already using another contraceptive method, it must be done 7 days after using the last contraceptive pill or removing other methods, such as the IUD, the intrauterine device. For postpartum women, the injection must be performed 21 to 28 days after having the baby, if you are not going to breastfeed. However, in the case of breastfeeding women, the application can only be done after the 6th week.
Monthly injection
The monthly contraceptive injection works in such a way that the application is made up to the 5th day after the start of menstruation, and the other doses must be taken every 30 days since the first injection. Consistency must be maintained because progesterone and estrogen levels vary over time, that is, they need to be replaced to maintain the contraceptive effect. In this sense, the side effects are not as apparent, as the mixture of the two hormones still keeps progesterone less elevated.
Quarterly injection
It is common for the quarterly injection to consist only of progesterone, which the body absorbs slowly, which makes the contraceptive effect last longer, thus only repeating the application 3 months after each return. Likewise, the injection must be done no later than the 5th day after menstruation begins. Either way, quarterly still has the benefit of preventing you from menstruating.
This method is more suitable for those who find contraindications to the monthly injection, as it is normally preferred in the postpartum period, making it safer. However, if a woman wants to get pregnant after taking a quarterly contraceptive injection, it is likely that the return of fertility will occur more slowly, making the process more difficult. It is possible that the chances of getting pregnant will only increase months after stopping the applications, and the side effects may be more apparent.
Advantages of monthly contraceptive injection
In addition to being a very quick and easy method to carry out, the contraceptive injection does not yet have a major impact on a woman’s fertility, as the chances of getting pregnant already increase from the following month after stopping the applications. In the case of quarterly, the probability differs.
Along with this, the application can be applied to women of all ages, helping to reduce menstrual cramps and the chances of cysts or ovarian cancer, inflammatory diseases and pain caused by endometriosis. The impact on the bloodstream is minimal, meaning clotting and high blood pressure are not a problem. This is typically a side effect of oral contraceptives.
Side effects
Even if minimal, the side effects of the monthly contraceptive injection are still there. They rarely occur, but come in the form of small bleeds between menstrual cycles, weight gain, amenorrhea, or absence of menstruation, tender breasts and headache.
Injection contraindications
The contraceptive injection can be given to women of all ages. However, there are exceptions. Those who should not undergo the injection are:
- Pregnant women;
- Who are breastfeeding up to 6 weeks after giving birth;
- Hypertensive;
- Who currently have breast cancer or other hormone-dependent malignancies;
- With focal neurological symptoms and severe headaches;
- With vascular diseases;
- Who have a history of thrombophlebitis, thromboembolic disorder or heart disease, both ischemic and valvular;
- Have a history of liver disease;
- Those who suffer from uterine bleeding;
- Smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day and over 35 years of age.
Other common questions
Below, other common questions regarding the application of the monthly contraceptive injection were answered. It is essential to understand that, before making any decision, you need to consult a doctor to learn more about the method and everything that defines it, preferably a gynecologist.
Can the menstrual cycle change with the injection?
In this sense, the medicine’s response depends on each organism. Normally, the monthly contraceptive injection does not prevent menstruation, which occurs normally, unlike the quarterly injection.
Does it already work after the first month?
Yes, the injection is effective from the first application. Despite this, in order to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, condoms must still be used, even with the injection.
Is it okay to take the injection late?
The interval that still allows you to take the injection after delaying it is 3 days beyond the common date. However, the quarterly injection deadline is usually more flexible.
How long is the monthly contraceptive injection?
He does not exist. The monthly contraceptive injection can be used for as long as you want, as long as it does not cause any harm. In this sense, it is possible to take it from adolescence until pre-menopause. However, the quarterly injection is different. It should be used for a maximum of 3 years, as it can induce osteoporosis.
How much does it cost?
The monthly injection prices are very affordable, costing around 30 reais. The quarterly costs 40 reais. It is common for many women to prefer the application over other contraceptive methods, as it is much cheaper.
Does this contraceptive make you fat?
It is common for monthly contraceptive applications to cause weight gain, as this is one of the side effects. This occurs because the greater amount of hormone also increases fluid retention. Thus, once the injections begin, the woman may end up gaining more weight, but each body is different.
If you are interested in this article about monthly contraceptive injection, also take the opportunity to check out Estrogen – What it is, what it is for and how it influences women’s health
Sources: Women’s Tips, Your Health, Your Health
Images: Tua Saúde, Freepik, Ativo Saúde, Panorama Farmacêutico, Minuto Saudável
