There are two hormonal methods of contraception, which are administered by injection. They are Depo – Provera and Lunelle.
Depo - Provera
 Depo – Provera injection is medroxyprogesterone, which is a synthetic form of the progesterone hormone, and it has a prolonged action. From the point of view of estrogen containing, Depo – Provera is similar to the Birth Control Minipill. The Depo – Provera injection prevents the egg’s releasing from the ovary (this process is called ovulation). It also makes the cervical mucus thicker so, that it does not let the sperm get into the uterus.
How and Where Can a Woman Have the Depo – Provera Injection
In order to provide protection against unplanned pregnancy, a woman, who chooses this kind of contraception method, is to have one Depo – Provera injection every three months. The injection is to be given by a health care professional. It is usually given in the area of buttocks or upper arm, so, that it would cause minimal soreness. A woman is to be administered the Depo – Provera injection during a period of first five days of her menstrual period. After that, she is protected from pregnancy within 24 hours of receiving the injection.
How It Works
A woman may not have her menstrual periods if she uses Depo – Provera for one year, if two years – about 70 % of women do not have menstrual bleeding. It happens because the Depo – Provera injections make the ovaries to go into the so – called “resting” state. If the ovaries do not release eggs for months, the regular growth of the lining of the uterus does not occur, and thus, the uterus does not release the “extra” lining during the menstrual cycle.
In case if a woman stops to use the Depo – Provera injections, her menstrual periods usually are renewed during 6 – 18 months. A woman can become pregnant again in 12 – 18 months after she stops to use Depo – Provera.
What if a Woman, Who Uses the Depo – Provera injections, feeds a baby with the breast milk?
Women, who have recently delivered a baby, and breast feed their children, may begin to use the Depo – Provera injections 5 – 6 weeks after the delivery. These injections do not influence the flow of the woman’s breast milk, and do not effect her baby in a harmful way.
However, if a woman does not feed a baby with her breast milk, she may have Depo – Provera injections right after the delivery.
Possible Side Effects of the Depo – Provera injections
Any woman is to be aware, that if she had the Depo – Provera injection made, and she began to experience some kind of side – effect, she will not be able to eliminate or neutralize it. She will have to live with these feeling until the Depo – Provera’s action (up to three months). The most usual side effects, caused by the Depo – Provera injections are the following:
• Irregular menstrual cycles;
• Weight gaining;
• Cessation of menstrual periods;
• Nervousness;
• Headaches;
• Breast tenderness;
• Fatigue;
• Stomach discomfort;
• Dizziness
Continuous using of Depo – Provera injections may cause the osteoporosis development, as it makes the amount of calcium, stored in the body decreased, which makes the bones become thinner and weaker. If a woman decided to use the Depo – Provera injections as the contraception method, she is to make sure that her diet contains enough of calcium.
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