Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Previously, I was using Mirena birth control pills. Now, I want to switch to birth control injections. I want to know under what circumstances it is suitable to use, and I also want to know the effects of birth control injections.Medical history: No medical history.
Additional question: I also want to know the price per injection of birth control shots.
Doctor's answer:
Hello:Contraceptive Injection
Progesterone acetate is a commonly used long-acting contraceptive injection. It is administered as a muscle injection in the buttocks or upper arm every three months. Progesterone acetate contraception is highly effective but can cause menstrual disorders. About one-third of women using the medication may experience a three-month period of amenorrhea after the first injection, while another one-third may have irregular bleeding or bleeding periods longer than 11 days each month. As the duration of use increases, these symptoms gradually decrease, but the incidence of amenorrhea increases. After two years of use, approximately 70% of women may experience amenorrhea.
After discontinuing the medication, about half of the amenorrheic women may regain regular menstrual cycles within six months, and three-quarters of them within one year.
Progesterone acetate has long-lasting efficacy, and fertility may not return within a year after stopping injections, but it does not cause permanent infertility in women. The medication may cause a slight increase in weight and temporary osteoporosis, but the original bone density can be restored after discontinuing injections. Progesterone acetate does not increase the risk of malignant tumors, including breast cancer, and can significantly reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. It interacts rarely with other medications, and its contraindications are the same as those for oral contraceptives.