The three-month injection: advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive method
The three-month injection is often recommended by doctors if the pill is not tolerated. It is injected every three months and is similarly effective as a contraceptive. Find out here what advantages and disadvantages the three-month injection has.
What is the three-month injection?
The three-month injection or depot injection is a long-term contraceptive. Your doctor will inject the progestogen medroxyprogesterone acetate into your buttock muscles every three months. The way the syringe works is similar to that of other hormonal contraceptives such as the pill , the vaginal ring or the hormone IUD . Since the three-month injection affects the hormone balance significantly more than the pill, according to the Federal Health Office it may only be prescribed by the doctor in exceptional cases, for example if the pill is not tolerated. Would you like to know what other contraceptives are available? Find out more about the various methods and means in our “Contraception” section:
Advantages of the three-month injection
- This contraceptive method only needs to be used a few times a year.
- As with the pill, there are no errors in taking it.
- In addition, the safety of the three-month injection is very high with a Pearl Index of 0.3 to 1.4.
- While diarrhea, nausea and vomiting affect the contraceptive effectiveness of the pill, this is not the case with the shot because it directly injects the hormones.
Disadvantages of the three-month injection
- Most of the time, the menstrual bleeding becomes irregular due to the three-month injection.
- Depression and spotting or heavy continuous bleeding that make a curettage necessary can also occur.
- The side effects last as long as the effects of the injection, but often longer.
- After stopping the drug, it can take a few months for your cycle to start again.
The syringe should not be used for some diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, jaundice or phlebitis.
Reliability of the three-month injection
With a Pearl Index of 0.3 to 1.4 (number of women in 100 who became pregnant despite this contraceptive method), the three-month injection is just as safe as the mini-pill. Only the hormone stick, the vaginal ring and the hormone spiral have an even lower Pearl Index.