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Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers

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Family Planning

A GLOBAL HANDBOOK FOR PROVIDERS

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Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks

Side Effects (see Managing Any Problems)

Some users report the following:

  • Changes in bleeding patterns including, with DMPA:

    First 3 months:
    • Irregular bleeding
    • Prolonged bleeding
    At one year:
    • No monthly bleeding
    • Infrequent bleeding
    • Irregular bleeding
  • NET-EN affects bleeding patterns less than DMPA. NET-EN users have fewer days of bleeding in the first 6 months and are less likely to have no monthly bleeding after one year than DMPA users.Client receiving progestin-only injection
  • Weight gain (see Question 4)
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal bloating and discomfort
  • Mood changes
  • Less sex drive

Other possible physical changes:

Known Health Benefits

Known Health Risks

DMPA

Help protect against:

  • Risks of pregnancy
  • Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer)
  • Uterine fibroids

May help protect against:

  • Symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Iron-deficiency anemia

Reduces:

  • Sickle cell crises among women with sickle cell anemia
  • Symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, irregular bleeding)

 

None

NET-EN

Helps protect against:

  • Iron-deficiency anemia

 

None

NET-EN may offer many of the same health benefits as DMPA, but this list of benefits includes only those for which there is available research evidence.

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