Table of contents:
- What is meant by injectable birth control?
- How it works and the types of contraceptive injections
- Who needs to get injectable birth control?
- What are the advantages of injectable birth control?
- 1. Injectable birth control is effective in preventing pregnancy
- 2. Does not interfere with sexual activity
- 3. Injectable contraceptives are classified as safe
- 4. Useful for health conditions
- What are the disadvantages of injectable birth control?
- 1. Menstruation becomes irregular with injection contraceptives
- 2. Various health problems arise
- 3. It took a long time for the fertile period to return to normal
- 4. Weight gain
- 5. Does not protect from sexually transmitted diseases
Injectable contraceptives or injectable contraceptives are one that is quite popular in Indonesia. KB is a contraceptive with a high level of effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. However, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of injectable birth control before deciding to use it.
What is meant by injectable birth control?
Before understanding the advantages and disadvantages of injectable contraception, it is better if you know about this contraceptive first. Injectable birth control is one option of contraception that you can use if you want to prevent pregnancy.
This birth control usually lasts to protect you from pregnancy for 8 to 13 weeks. Typically, this will depend on the type of injection you are using. So, you don't need to worry if you don't use other contraceptives, such as condoms, when you have sexual activity with your partner during that time.
Plus, this is certainly beneficial for those of you who often forget or easily forget if you have to take oral contraceptives, such as the KB pill. With this contraceptive, you don't have to remember the time to use it every day.
How it works and the types of contraceptive injections
Injectable birth control is given by releasing the progestin hormone into your bloodstream by injection. You can get family planning injections at the nearest clinic, health center, or hospital.
Types of injectable birth control are usually differentiated by the dose and duration of administration. There are 2 types of birth control injections that are most commonly used:
- 1 month birth control injection (trademark Cyclofem or Mesigyna)
- 3 month contraceptive injection (trademark Depo-Provera)
If used properly, injectable contraceptives are one of the 99% effective contraceptives to help you prevent ovulation, so that you don't get pregnant even though you have sex with a partner.
You only need to pay attention to when you have to repeat the injection before it expires. The reason is, if the validity period of this family planning runs out, this contraceptive device will no longer work effectively.
Who needs to get injectable birth control?
Injection or injection birth control is not only used to prevent pregnancy, but is also useful for treating health conditions related to the menstrual cycle.
This contraceptive is recommended for those of you who:
- Don't want to use birth control pills every day
- Want or should avoid taking the extra estrogen hormone
- Have certain health problems, such as anemia, seizures, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids
However, not everyone can use birth control injections. Before getting this contraceptive, consult your doctor first if you have any of the following health problems:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Breast cancer
- Liver disease
- Sensitive to the content of birth control injections
- You are at risk for osteoporosis
- Have or are currently suffering from depression
- Have had or are having heart problems
What are the advantages of injectable birth control?
The use of injectable contraceptives does have several advantages over other contraceptives. Are as follows.
1. Injectable birth control is effective in preventing pregnancy
According to Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization that provides reproductive health services in the United States, this injection is an effective contraceptive tool.
The reason is, family planning is considered to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy if done properly. Only 3 out of 100 women who reported conceding pregnancy after using this birth control because of misuse.
One injection of this hormone can prevent pregnancy for 2-3.5 months (8-13 weeks). Therefore, you don't have to bother remembering the schedule for taking doses or going back and forth to refill prescriptions such as birth control pills. You only need to go to the doctor every three months for the injection.
2. Does not interfere with sexual activity
Another advantage that is also important to know about using birth control is that you don't have to worry about having sexual intercourse with your partner.
As long as this contraceptive method has not expired, this method will be effective in preventing pregnancy, even if having sex without using a condom.
In addition, compared to other types of contraception, such as spiral contraception, this tool does not interfere with sexual activity with a partner. The reason is, the spiral birth control cord hanging or remaining in the vagina often makes sex feel a little uncomfortable.
3. Injectable contraceptives are classified as safe
Not only that, injectable contraceptives are one of the safe contraceptives during breastfeeding. For breastfeeding mothers who have to use injectable birth control, you can breathe easier while using this contraceptive.
Plus, this injection contraceptive does not have a negative reaction to other medicines you use. So, you don't need to worry if you have to take certain drugs to treat your other health conditions.
4. Useful for health conditions
Another benefit that you may feel when using birth control injections is that this contraceptive helps relieve the following menstrual symptoms:
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- menstrual disorders that occur due to endometriosis
- pain during menstruation every month
Plus, this contraceptive method can also help you avoid the risk of uterine cancer and ectopic pregnancy.
What are the disadvantages of injectable birth control?
Unfortunately, apart from the advantages of using injectable birth control, there are also drawbacks that you should pay attention to. Some of them are as follows:
1. Menstruation becomes irregular with injection contraceptives
One of the side effects of using injectable birth control is a change in the menstrual cycle. If you previously had a normal menstrual cycle, you should be prepared if your cycle changes later.
The menstrual cycle you may experience after using this type of birth control is that it is longer, faster, less, or you may not have your period at all.
2. Various health problems arise
There are various health problems that you may experience after using this contraceptive. Even though what is meant may not be a serious health problem, you still have to pay attention to it.
For example, you may experience the following health conditions:
- Headache
- Acne
- Nausea
- Bone pain
- Breast pain
- Hair loss
- Mood swings
- Decreased sex drive
This condition may last up to three months, until synthetic progesterone levels are depleted or out of your body.
The side effects that appear may also be different, depending on whether you use 1 month and 3 month injection of contraceptives
According to an article from Journal of Family and Reproductive Health, the effect of headaches and breasts was more pronounced in patients using 1 month family planning injections, whereas more users of 3 months family planning injections reported effects in the form of weight gain and bone pain.
3. It took a long time for the fertile period to return to normal
Given that contraceptives function to prevent pregnancy, during the use of birth control, you may not experience pregnancy even though you have had sex with a partner.
However, if you want to get pregnant again and your fertility returns to normal, you may have to wait a while to do so.
In fact, you can wait for your fertility to return to normal for up to 10 months or more after stopping use. During this time, you may just experience pregnancy.
Therefore, if you want to do a pregnancy program in the next year, maybe this contraceptive is not the best choice for you.
4. Weight gain
This is probably one of the side effects that you don't want. Yes, the use of birth control has the potential to increase your weight. According to the EMC website, the average weight gain after using birth control injections for 1-2 years is around 2-4 kg.
But, you dont have to worry. The reason is, you can overcome this condition by balancing the use of these birth control injections with diet and exercise.
5. Does not protect from sexually transmitted diseases
Although it can help protect you from pregnancy, using birth control cannot protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. That way, if you want to stay protected from this disease, you may have to keep using a condom while having sex.
According to the Mayo Clinic page, there is even a possibility that using birth control injections actually increases your risk of getting chlamydia and HIV. The relationship between injectable contraceptives and the risk of contracting venereal diseases still needs further investigation.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of using injectable birth control with your partner, before you decide. It would be better if you ask the doctor first. Your doctor will help you choose the best contraceptive for your condition.
x
