Definition This procedure involves giving a woman an injection of a progesterone.
Who is a candidate for the procedure? Progesterone injections, or hormone injections, can be used for birth control, or for control of heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding. The injections are generally given in the muscle of the buttocks or upper arm.
How is the procedure performed? Hormone injections, such as long-acting medroxyprogesterone, prevent pregnancy by:
inhibiting ovulation.
thickening female secretions to prevent sperm from travelling through into the uterus to fertilise an egg.
changing the lining in the uterus to prevent a fertilised egg from developing any further.
Hormone injections do not guarantee that pregnancy will not occur. The only guaranteed way to avoid pregnancy is to refrain from having sexual intercourse.
A single injection provides birth control for 12 weeks. There is less chance of getting pregnant with hormone injections than with birth control pills. A woman does not need to remember to take a pill every day. Many women will stop having periods within a year of using this form of birth control.
The use of hormone injections can decrease the risk of cancer of the uterus. injections may be given more often than once every 12 weeks if they are used for heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding.
What happens right after the procedure? A woman can go home and return to normal activities.
What happens later at home? No home care is needed. Over-the-counter analgesics, such as paracetamol, can be used if the site of the injection is sore.
What are the potential complications after the procedure? Hormone injections have possible side effects, including:
weight gain
abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
headaches
mood changes
nervousness
abdominal or stomach bloating
dizziness
fatigue
Author: Eva Martin, MD Reviewer: eknowhow Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr John Hearne Last Updated: 12/06/2005 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
