Birth Control Shots - Latest Contraceptive Injection Method for Women

The birth control shot, Depo-Provera, is a hormonal injection that prevents unplanned pregnancy for three months at a time. (1) The hormone in this shot is a progestin. Progestin works to prevent you from getting pregnant in two ways. Firstly, it prevents ovulation. Without ovulation, an egg is unable to leave the ovaries. If the egg can’t leave the ovaries, then sperm can’t fertilize the egg. Secondly, progestin thickens the mucus that lines the cervix. (2) This thicker, sticky mucus is difficult for sperm to penetrate. If an egg is released during ovulation, this helps prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg and prevent you from getting pregnant. Contraception shots are one of the best birth control methods and better than oral contraceptive pills. (3)

When it’s received as directed, the shot is 99 percent effective. To ensure optimal effectiveness, women should get their injection every three months, as directed. If you have your shot on time without delay, there’s a one in 100 chance that you will get pregnant. 

For women who don’t take the shot exactly as prescribed, which is often called “typical use,” the efficiency rate slips to around 94 percent. Getting the injection every 12 weeks is vital to maintaining your protection against pregnancy and prevents you from getting pregnant.  Contraception shots are one of the best birth control methods and better than oral contraceptive pills. (4)

This contraceptive shot doesn't protect against STIs. You should still use a barrier method, such as latex or female condoms.

After your last contraceptive shot, you may not return to normal fertility and be able to get pregnant for up to 10 months. If you’re only looking for a temporary birth control method and wish to get pregnant again, the shot may not be right for you. Contraception shots are one of the best birth control methods and better than oral contraceptive pills. (5)

How are birth control shots used?

The first thing you need to do is get a prescription. This can be provided by your doctor or a health care provider after an appointment with you to review your medical history. The health care provider will provide the injection and temporary bruising may occur on your arm. Contraception shots are one of the best birth control methods and better than oral contraceptive pills. (6)

You have to visit your doctor and will inject the hormone into the upper arm or in the buttocks. The first contraceptive injection is injected within the first five days of your menstrual bleeding. and the next injections are taken every three months. It is very important to get your injection on time. If you are more than two weeks late for an injection, you may need to get a pregnancy test before the contraceptive shot. Contraception shots are one of the best birth control methods and better than oral contraceptive pills. 

What is the effectiveness of birth control shots?

It is 98% effective when taken every 3 months. If not taken regularly, it’s effectiveness reduces to 94%. (7)

How long birth control shots is effective?

A single shot prevents pregnancy for three months.

What are the advantages of birth control shots?

• Preventing cancer on the lining of the uterus
• No daily pills required
• Contains no estrogen (for women who are breastfeeding)
• Private method of birth control (no messy packaging left around)
• Improved sex life (feel more spontaneous)
• No prep work before having sex (as required for condoms)
• It is simple and convenient
• It provides long lasting and effective pregnancy protection
• Nothing to do right before sex
• It is a private method of birth control (8)

What are the disadvantages of birth control shots?

• Irregular bleeding during the first 6 to 12 months,
• Periods usually become low and lighter or may stop after one year of use
• There are few side effects like bleeding between periods and breast soreness (9)

What are the risk factors to keep in mind?

You shouldn’t use a birth control shot if you:

• Have or have had breast cancer
• Take aminoglutethimide, which is a prescription medication used to treat Cushing’s disease
• Have thinning of the bones or bone fragility (10)

To know more about the uses and side effects of Oral Contraceptive Pills, explore our article on Side effects of Contraceptive Pills. There are also natural ways to avoid pregnancy. For more insights, please read our article on Home Remedies To Avoid Pregnancy.