efficacy/advantages
Last reviewed 01/2018
- efficacy - with a failure rate of 1 in 1000, injectable hormonal contraception
is more effective than use of the combined pill and female sterilisation (1
in 200 failure) (1)
- when administered at the recommended dosing interval the failure rate
of progestogen-only injectable contraception is approximately 0.2% in
the first year of use. With typical use the failure rate is approximately
6% (2)
- when administered at the recommended dosing interval the failure rate
of progestogen-only injectable contraception is approximately 0.2% in
the first year of use. With typical use the failure rate is approximately
6% (2)
- ease and convenience of use
- use can be kept secret
- reduced menstrual loss
- independent of GIT function
- independent of small intestine
- not affected by antibiotics
- avoids pass through the liver
- fewer metabolic effects
- can be used when oestrogens contraindicated
- stimulates erythropoiesis - reduces crises in homozygous sickle cell disease
- probable reduction in menstrual disorders and gynaecological disease as for combined oral contraceptive - exception of irregular bleeding - but amenorrhoea generally supervenes with regular use
- reduced incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease
Reference:
- 1) Prescriber (2001), 12 (5), 83-95.
- 2) FSRH (December 2014). Progestogen-only injection contraception.