Birth Control Shot
The Birth control shot or commonly known as birth control injections are done and are effective every three months or every month, depending on the kind of birth control injection used. It contains a high level of progesterone which mimics what our body actually produces, to prevent fertilization or the release of an egg from the ovary to the uterus. This type of contraception is suitable for women who have hectic work schedules or a woman who finds it hard to keep up with a daily time schedule.
There are two kinds of birth control shots available in the market.
(1) Depo-Provera contains progesterone, a hormone that results to changes in the production of cervical mucus as well as the lining of the uterus. It becomes immediately effective after each birth control shot (or within 24 hours) and lasts up to 3 months. The original Depo-Provera must be injected into the upper arm of the buttocks. The newer version has a smaller needle and may give less pain. This must be injected by the physician into the thigh or the abdomen to provide immediate protection against pregnancy.
A woman's body may go through several changes as it adjusts to the dosage of hormones given by the birth control shot. Therefore, knowing what to expect is important to understand fully the advantages and disadvantages of this birth control option. For instance, before taking this injection a woman should know that irregular bleeding is likely to occur while under the Depo-Provera.
(2) Lunelle which contains estrogen and progesterone has side effects similar to birth control pills. Just like the combination pills, combination injections also have the same content which is a combination of man-made estrogen and progestin. This is injected every 28 to 30 days.
This method was once cancelled in the year 2002 but was again sold in the market with a different name, the Cyclofem. It also important to know that just like the Depo-Provera, irregular bleeding may occur with the use of Lunelle. It was reported that over one-third of women stopped having their regular periods by the sixth month and by the twelfth month, half of the women's period have stopped. Many women have been willing to go through the irregular to severe bleeding which results to the gradual stopping of their menstrual periods.
Disadvantages of the birth control shot include:
- Weight gain
- Irregular spotting
- Headache
- Many women have stopped using the use of Depo-Provera due to severe, prolonged and irregular bleeding which usually happens in the first three months of use.
- Six percent of women experienced skin irritations in the area of the skin where they got their birth control shot.
- A woman has to stop having her injections a year before she decides to finally get pregnant.
- A number of women reported to have pain every after injections.
Advantages of the birth control shot are:
- A great alternative for the hassles of the pill.
- Is Highly effective and gives almost a hundred percent assurance of not getting pregnant
- Does not interfere with having sex and allows for sexual spontaneity
- Is a private and discreet contraceptive choice
Other Advantages:
Ongoing studies showed that the Depo-Provera injection is a remedy for the cure of endometriosis-related pain.
Not all women can use the birth control shot. Consult your doctor for other birth control options as a back up if you are planning to use it.