Contraceptive injection: benefits and harms

In addition to oral contraceptives or using condoms, oral contraceptive injection is now considered one of the effective and temporary methods of contraception. The drug works by inhibiting the ovulation process in the female body, limiting and preventing sperm from entering, attaching and implanting in the uterus.
Injectable contraceptives include 2 main groups:
Group I: The composition includes estrogen and progestin. Group II: Progestin-only ingredients, in this group there are 2 types, NETEN (Norethindrone Enanthate) and DMPA (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate), in which DMPA is more common. Oral contraceptive injection is indicated intramuscularly with a dose of 1-3 months / time. Depending on the drug, the duration of action will vary. Usually, birth control injections work within a few weeks, so they shouldn't be used every day. However, to be effective in preventing pregnancy, it is necessary to inject the pill periodically.

Compared with other birth control methods, the injection is convenient, has a long duration of action, does not need to be taken every day or before sex. Oral contraceptive injection is a safe method with the following advantages:
High ability to prevent pregnancy: With the effect of inhibiting almost the entire ovulation process and preventing sperm penetration, oral contraceptive injection is a method of contraception. method is almost completely effective. Does not affect the ability to become pregnant and give birth: Oral contraceptive injection is a temporary method of birth control, just stop injecting for a few months, the body will gradually stabilize and a woman can become pregnant again. again. Can be used in lactating women: Oral contraceptives do not affect lactation of nursing mothers, only a very small amount of the drug is excreted in breast milk and does not affect development. children's height and weight. Does not interact with other drugs and does not cause edema, disturbances in blood pressure, pulse, and does not affect the immune system.

Although oral contraceptive injection has many advantages such as high efficiency, convenience, long acting and safety, however, women should also consider and be careful with some side effects caused by injection such as After:
Amenorrhea: Oral contraceptive injection can cause amenorrhea because it changes progesterone levels in the body, inhibiting the growth of the lining of the uterus. However, as mentioned above, this condition does not affect a woman's fertility at all. If you want to get pregnant again, simply stop the injection and your period will gradually return to normal.

Menorrhagia, heavy bleeding, menorrhagia: Oral contraceptive injections can cause phenomena such as prolonged menorrhagia, heavy bleeding during menstruation, or heavier-than-normal bleeding. However, this side effect usually only appears after the first dose of birth control pills, after that, the body will gradually adapt and stabilize. Weight gain, osteoporosis: Oral contraceptives can cause long-term weight gain and osteoporosis in any woman of any age. If you experience unusual rapid weight gain, you should contact your doctor to change the medication and dose accordingly. Osteoporosis can occur with long-term use of injectable contraceptives (>2 years). Some other side effects such as: Mood swings, headache, dizziness, nausea, flatulence, ... are some other side effects that can also occur when injecting birth control pills, due to high concentrations. hormone levels in the body change. These symptoms will stop when the body gradually gets used to the drug. Women who have long-term mood problems should see a doctor for advice on treatment.

Injectable birth control is a method of birth control suitable for the following:
Women of childbearing age and want to temporarily prevent pregnancy (for about 2 years). Women who are breast-feeding (children 6 weeks of age or older). Women who want to avoid pregnancy by a convenient, effective method that does not affect their married life and do not want to use oral contraceptives every day (due to side effects or contraindications to drugs containing estrogen).

Injectable birth control pills are not suitable for the following cases:
Girls <16 years old. Women who have a tumor in the breast, have breast cancer or have been treated for breast cancer, ovarian cancer. Women have endocrine diseases or have bleeding, menorrhagia with unknown cause. Women who are pregnant but do not know yet, so to be on the safe side, they should check their pregnancy status before injecting birth control pills. Women who are taking drugs or are being treated for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, hepatobiliary disease, epilepsy, headache, depression, immunodeficiency, sexually transmitted diseases. Women experience side effects when using oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptive injection has many advantages such as high efficiency, convenience and safety, but also has certain limitations. Therefore, women of pregnant age who want to inject birth control pills need to carefully research and consider before deciding to avoid pregnancy with this method.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including Obstetrics and Gynecology. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline for support.