How does medroxyprogesterone act as a contraceptive

It is more effective if you have the repeat injection right on time every twelve weeks. The most common side effect of the contraceptive injection is a change in your menstrual bleeding. Many people find their bleeding ceases altogether over time. This has no harmful effects and most people using the contraceptive injection find this a positive side effect. Some people will continue to experience light irregular bleeding and a small number may experience heavy bleeding or longer bleeding.

A small amount of weight gain, headaches, and mild acne may occur in some people. Other people report a change in mood or sexual interest, but there is no evidence that these are caused by the contraceptive injection.

Most people can use the contraceptive injection. When it comes time for your period there is very little lining to shed and so you bleed less than you normally would. After two to three injections, many women will have no periods at all because there is no lining building at all. Some women will have nuisance bleeding, which is usually light and irregular. Occasionally a woman will have troublesome heavy bleeding, which can usually be controlled by hormone treatment.

Hormone levels are very low while using Depo Provera, so there is some concern that this may lead to thinning of the bones osteoporosis in women who use Depo Provera for a long period of time.

The importance of this is not yet known, but the changes would be expected to happen more slowly than those that occur normally after menopause and reverse after the injections stop.

Although it is extremely difficult to prove a complete lack of risk, Depo Provera has not been shown to have any effect on the risk of breast cancer. It should be noted that protective effects against cancer of the ovary and uterine lining are very likely. No ill effects on the developing baby have been shown to occur if Depo Provera is given when a woman is already pregnant or in the very rare case where a woman becomes pregnant despite the injection.

Depo Provera can be used by most women who do not have any serious medical problems and by many women who use other forms of contraception. It may also be suitable for women who cannot take the combined pill for medical reasons. Information about long acting reversilble contraception LARC , including contraceptive injections, is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese — see Downloads section on this page. Long acting reversible contraception, such as intra uterine devices IUDs , contraceptive implants and contraceptive injections, may be the choice for you.

If you're having sex and don't want to get pregnant, you need contraception. Contraception is also called birth control or family planning. This fact sheet discusses your options. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner.

Made with by the bpac nz team. Prescribing Reports. CME Quizzes. Peer Group Discussions. My Bpac account. Search Mybpac - Login. Latest Articles View Articles. Prescribing Reports View reports. Audits View all audits. Peer Group Discussions View all discussions. Hello there! Remember me. Pregnancy and reproductive health Sexual health. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate DMPA injections: an intermediate option Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections are a form of hormonal contraception administered every 13 weeks for optimal effect.

Please login to save this article. Log in. Contraception: which option for which patient. Condoms: advising on the options. Oral contraceptives: selecting a pill. Long-acting contraceptives: implants and IUCs. Download complete contraception series. A quiz is available for these articles. A peer group discussion is available for these articles. Published: 28 July This is a revision of a previously published article. This is an evidence-based recommendation from the New Zealand contraception guidance.

Injections can be administered up to seven days late i. If excessive adipose tissue is present the deltoid muscle site is another alternative that can be used. Managing persistent or problematic bleeding while using DMPA First-line options recommended in clinical guidelines : A combined oral contraceptive for up to three months with or without placebo pills , e. Acknowledgement This article is a revision of an original article published by bpac nz in References Ministry of Health.