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A. CONTRACEPTIVE HORMONE INJECTION
Question 1
What is contraceptive hormone injection?
Answer 1
It is a synthetic hormone given via injection to avoid pregnancy.
Below are the functions of this hormone:
- Prevents ovulation.
- Thickens cervical mucus and makes it difficult for sperms to move.
- Thins the womb wall and makes it unsuitable for foetal attachment.
The frequency and the effectiveness of injection.
Every injection is effective for 12 weeks (3 months). Follow-up injections should be given every 12 weeks to ensure the effectives.
Question 2
Where can I get the injections?
Answer 2
- Government health clinics and hospitals.
- National Family Development and Population Board Clinics.
- Family Planning Association Clinics.
- Private health clinics and hospitals.
Question 3
When is the appropriate time to take the injection?
Answer 3
Generally, the injection can be taken on the fourth day of menses.
For breastfeeding mothers, after delivery- Injection is best given on or after 6 weeks.
For non- breastfeeding mother after delivery- injection can be given anytime, five days after delivery, but not later than 21 days after delivery. If injection is given after three (3) weeks, the mother should use additional family planning method for the time frame of two (2) to three (3) weeks.
Questio n 4
What are the side effects of the injection?
Answer 4
The side effects that you may have include:
- Irregular menstrual cycle (excessive bleeding or no menses).
- Changes in body weight.
- Headache.
- Abdominal bloating and discomfort.
- Period pain.
- Hair loss.
Usually, the side effects are temporary and occur shortly after the injection.
Question 5
What should be done if you have the above mentioned symptoms?
Answer 5
See a doctor or go back to the clinic that gave you the injection to ensure that the side effects are not due to other concurrent occurring disease.
Question 6
Who cannot be given the injection?
Answer 6
- Pregnant women.
- Heart disease, stroke and hypertensive patients and individuals at risk of having cardiovascular disease (like smokers and diabetic patients).
- Chronic diabetic patients (more than 20 years) or diabetic patients with complications.
- Breast cancer, uterine cancer and cervical cancer patients.
- Women with history of having deep vein thrombosis.
- Women with history of having jaundice (yellowish sclera and skin) during pregnancy or while taking family planning pills.
- Women having liver disease (liver cirrhosis), infection (hepatitis) or growth (tumor).
Question 7
What are the differences between contraceptive hormone injection and family planning pills?
Answer 7
| Hormone Injection |
Family Planning Pills |
| Given via injection. |
Taken orally. |
| Injection given every 12 weekly (3 monthly), following a planned schedule. |
Each cycle requires the pill to be taken regularly for 21 days. The risk of getting pregnant is high if the pill is forgotten to be taken. |
| Effective to avoid pregnancy seven (7) days after the injection. |
Effective in avoiding pregnancy seven (7) days after taking the combination pills. However, usage of Noriday pills is effective within two (2) days. |
| Fertility returns three (3) to six (6) months after the last injection. |
Fertility returns fast as soon as pill is not taken. |
Question 8
What is the chance of getting pregnant again after stopping the injection?
Answer 8
Contraceptive hormone injection is a long term family planning method. Therefore, a longer time will be taken for the effect of the injection to wean off. The average period to get pregnant again is one (1) to four (4) months later than compared to other methods. This means that a woman will get pregnant again on average of 10 months after she stops taking the last injection.
B. USE OF INTRA UTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE (IUCD)
Question 1
What is Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD)?
Answer 1
It is made from a special material and has a thread. It is inserted into the womb via vagina during menstruation and is taken out after 3 years. It is an effective family planning method.
Question 2
What is the function of IUCD?
Answer 2
- Prevents sperm from entering the womb.
- Prevents foetal attachment to the wall of the womb.
Question 3
What special care should be taken after the insertion of IUCD?
Answer 3
- Inspection should be done by a medical personnel after 4 weeks of insertion and every 6 months.
- User is encouraged to do self-examination as taught by the medical personnel to ensure that the IUCD is safe in the womb.
Question 4
How long is IUCD inserted?
Answer 4
Usually around 3 to 5 years depending on the type of IUCD used.
Question5
Will using IUCD, does it interfere with sexual intercourse?
Answer 5
No, because IUCD is in the womb.
Question 6
What are the side effects of using IUCD?
Answer 6
Below are among the side effects of using IUCD:
- Menstrual bleeding is much heavier than usual
- Change in menstrual cycle
- Period pains become worse in the earlier phase of using IUCD
- Waist pain
Question 7
What will happen if IUCD is not removed after the stated period?
Answer 7
If the IUCD is not removed after the stated period, it may cause:
- Reproductive system infection
- Less effective in preventing pregnancy
Last Reviewed: 30 January 2012
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