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Injections and implants

If you don't want to have to think about your contraception every day, and don't want an IUD, think about these long-term methods.

What are they?

Pill-free hormone methods can be split into contraceptive injections and contraceptive implants. The injection lasts for eight to twelve weeks, depending upon the brand, and stops the female body from making eggs. The implant lasts for three years and prevents pregnancy by stopping the sperm from meeting the eggs. The implant is a plastic rod that contains progestogen, which is slowly released into the bloodstream.

Advantages:

• If a woman has a hectic lifestyle or is forgetful but would like to use the pill, injections and implants can be a useful alternative


• When an implant is removed, the woman's fertility goes back to normal straight away (not the case with injections)

• Neither method protects against sexually transmitted infections


• The implant needs to be inserted just under the skin, which needs surgery and a local anaesthetic


• The implant can cause temporary side effects such as headaches, weight gain, and breast tenderness in a small percentage of users


• The injection cannot be removed from the body. If the user has side-effects she has to wait up to three months while her body breaks down the hormones


• Both methods can cause irregular periods

• Women with heart, circulatory, or liver disease


• Women with severe depression


• Patients who are taking drugs for epilepsy or TB


• Women who have previously had an ectopic pregnancy

Disclaimer,   Target Audience,   Jurisdiction    Last updated & checked: 24/03/2006