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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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CHAPTER 4
Progestin-Only Injectables

Key Points for Providers and Clients
  • Bleeding changes are common but not harmful. Typically, irregular bleeding for the first several months and then no monthly bleeding.
  • Return for injections regularly. Coming back every 3 months (13 weeks) for DMPA or every 2 months for NET-EN is important for greatest effectiveness.
  • Injection can be as much as 2 weeks early or late. Client should come back even if later.
  • Gradual weight gain is common.
  • Return of fertility is often delayed. It takes several months longer on average to become pregnant after stopping progestin-only injectables than after other methods.
 

What Are Progestin-Only Injectables?

  • The injectable contraceptives depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) each contain a progestin like the natural hormone progesterone in a woman's body. (In contrast, monthly injectables contain both estrogen and progestin. See Monthly Injectables.)
  • Do not contain estrogen, and so can be used throughout breastfeeding and by women who cannot use methods with estrogen.
  • DMPA, the most widely used progestin-only injectable, is also known as "the shot," "the jab," the injection, Depo, Depo-Provera, Megestron, and Petogen.
  • NET-EN is also known as norethindrone enanthate, Noristerat, and Syngestal. (See Comparing Injectables, for differences between DMPA and NET-EN.)

Progestin-Only Injectable Syringe and Vial

  • Given by injection into the muscle (intramuscular injection). The hormone is then released slowly into the bloodstream. A different formulation of DMPA can be injected just under the skin (subcutaneous injection). See New Formulation of DMPA.
  • Work primarily by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation).

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