Factsheet
The Contraceptive Injection - DMPA
Date 05 February 2009
BASIC FACTS |
WHAT IS DMPA?
DMPA stands for Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate. The DMPA available in Australia is called Depo-Provera® or Depo-Ralovera®. It is a chemical that is similar to a hormone called progesterone, which is produced by the ovaries. Each injection of DMPA protects a woman from getting pregnant for 12 weeks.
HOW DOES DMPA WORK?
DMPA stops your ovaries from releasing an egg. If no egg is released, you cannot become pregnant.
HOW WELL DOES IT WORK?
DMPA works very well to prevent pregnancy. It is more than 99% effective.
WHO CAN USE DMPA?
Many women can use DMPA. It can be good for women who do not want to be pregnant for quite a long time. It can be good for women who find it hard to remember to take the Pill. DMPA is safe to use if you are breastfeeding when the baby is more than six weeks old.
WHO SHOULD NOT USE DMPA?
Women should not use it if they could be pregnant. They should not use it if they have had some medical conditions such as breast cancer. It is also not usually recommended as a first choice for women under 18 years of age or women over 46 years because of its effect on bone density. It is important to talk to your doctor to be sure it is safe for you to use.
HOW DO YOU USE DMPA?
The doctor will give you a small injection of DMPA in your buttock, or your upper arm. You usually have the injection during the first five days of your menstrual cycle (the first day of a period is day one). When you have it at this time, it prevents you from getting pregnant straight away. You can have DMPA later if there is no chance that you could be pregnant, but it will take another seven days before it is effective. You need to use another method of contraception such as condoms for those days.
It is important that you keep on having injections every 12 weeks to make sure you do not get pregnant.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Periods are often irregular with DMPA. They could last longer. You could have light bleeding for some weeks or your periods may stop altogether. Some women may gain weight, get headaches or feel depressed while they are using DMPA. Talk to your doctor if you get any symptoms that you think might be caused by DMPA.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
When women stop using DMPA, their periods often take eight months or more to return to their regular cycle. Because of this, it can also take quite a while to become pregnant after a DMPA injection.
HOW CAN YOU GET DMPA?
You need to go to a doctor or Family Planning clinic to get a script for DMPA. The doctor will then give you the injection.
For further information
- Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.
