Contraceptive injection (three-month injection)
The contraceptive injection is given in a muscle or subcutaneously by a doctor or medical professional.
It prevents pregnancy very reliably for three months.
The contraceptive injection is also called the three-month injection.
Because hormones can have side-effects and hormonal contraception is not appropriate for all women, you need a prescription from a doctor to obtain the contraceptive injection. Because this method often has more severe side-effects than other hormonal methods of contraception, it is rarely prescribed in Germany.
A woman using a contraceptive injection does not have a natural menstrual cycle and does not ovulate.
Method of action
The contraceptive injection works like this.
- It prevents ovulation.
- It makes it difficult for sperm (sperm cells) to reach the uterus.
- The mucus membrane in the uterus does not thicken so much, so that the egg cell cannot implant itself.
How the contraceptive injection is administered
Before administering the injection, the doctor makes sure that the woman is definitely not pregnant.
The injection is administered in the muscle of the upper arm or buttock or subcutaneously in the stomach or upper thigh. It is effective immediately. The next injection is administered after 12–14 weeks.
What reduces its reliability?
If the next injection is administered more than 14 weeks after the preceding one, contraceptive protection is not reliable. In this case, you should use an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, until your next injection and for 7 days afterwards.
Health effects
- With long-term use (longer than 2 years), there is a risk of reduced bone density.
- Women gain weight more frequently with this method than with other hormonal contraceptive methods, particularly if they are already overweight.
- If severe side-effects occur, the woman cannot stop using the method early, since the injection remains effective for three months.
- After a few weeks, menstrual periods (menstruation) often stop altogether. This can be a relief for women with heavy periods and period pains.
Cost
The contraceptive injection costs between 27 and 23 euros. A pack of six injections is considerably cheaper. In addition administration of the injection may cost up to 15 euros.
Young women with statutory health insurance may be covered for the cost of contraceptive injections until their 22nd birthday. Ask your doctor.
