Combined injectable contraceptives (CICs) are a form of hormonal birth control for women. They consist of monthly injections of combined formulations containing an estrogen and a progestin to prevent pregnancy. The contraceptive injection releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.

The contraceptive injection steadily releases the hormone, which prevents the release of an egg each month (ovulation). It also thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for sperm to move through the cervix, and thins the lining of the womb so a fertilized egg is less likely to implant itself.It’s very useful for women who find it difficult to remember to take a pill at the same time every day. It does require you to remember to have a repeat injection before it expires or becomes ineffective.

It can be useful for women who can’t use contraception that contains oestrogen. It’s not affected by other medicines. Annoying side effects may affect some people while using the birth control shot, but many of them usually go away after 2 or 3 months. Many people use the shot with no problems at all. After giving birth you can have the contraceptive injection any time after you have given birth if you’re not breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding, the injection will usually be given after 6 weeks.

Advantages:

• each injection lasts for either 8 or 13 weeks
• it doesn’t interrupt sex
• it’s an option if you can’t use estrogen-based contraception
• you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day
• it’s safe to use while you’re breastfeeding
• it’s not affected by other medicines
• it may reduce heavy, painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms for some women

Injectable Birth Control: 11 Side Effects

However, no birth control method is perfect, and the shot isn’t an exception. Here are a few potential side effects to be aware of if you use it.

You might stop having periods.

The one side effect of the shot is a change in a woman’s bleeding pattern.In the short-term, that can mean you might have irregular periods and spotting. But after a few months, the progesterone in the shot causes your uterine lining to thin, and as a result, your period may go away.

After you stop using the shot, it can take some time to get pregnant.

A person’s return to fertility can take anywhere from 10 to 22 months after they stop using the shot. For family planning, it is not considered a good medicine if you want to get pregnant soon, in the sense that you can have a pretty much instant return to fertility with options like the Pill.

It can mess with your bones.

Using Depo-Provera for more than two years can cause you to lose bone density. There is a decline in bone density increases with duration of use and may not be completely reversible even after the drug is discontinued. As a result, Cackovic says that some doctors recommend that women take calcium and vitamin D supplements while they’re on the shot.

You might start to get headaches.

It is just a normal side effect of the birth control, it could be triggering something or may be exacerbating something that’s already there.

It won’t help your skin the way the Pill can.

If you’ve been on a combination estrogen and progesterone birth control pill, you’ve probably noticed that your skin looks clearer. It is due combination pills tend to help remove excess testosterone in your body that can exacerbate acne. It won’t necessarily make your skin worse, but it also won’t make it better.

You could get bloated.

Bloating and stomach cramps are a common initial complaint about the shot. It’s due to the fact that progesterone can slow down your intestines’ digestion slightly—but it doesn’t last forever. These symptoms, like most side effects, tend to improve with time as women become accustomed to the medication.

You could gain some weight.

Using the shot isn’t a guarantee that you’ll gain weight, but it’s a potential side effect that causes concern in some people.

Nausea

It is is a common symptom that may accompany.Many medications can cause nausea.

​Breast tenderness

Sharp pain in one or both breasts that occurs commonly.The degree of soreness, and where and how it is felt, differs for each woman.

Depression

There are several high-quality prospective studies of adult women and adolescents that indicate no increased risk of depression or adverse mood changes.

Bruising

Slight bruising where the shot was given very rarely, a small, permanent dent in the skin where the shot was given.

Despite having side effects, most experts say the shot is a good birth control method. But, as with any medication, it’s really best to talk to your doctor about all of your options before deciding on one.