The injectable is a family planning injection given to a woman at regular intervals by a trained health provider. The three commonly used injectables in Ghana are Depo-Provera given every three months, noristerat given every two months and Noristerat given every two months and Norigynon monthly.
Women who use Depo-Provera and Noristerat are likely to experience irregular bleeding while women on Norigynon have regular monthly periods. A woman will become pregnant after she stops taking any of these injections.
Advantages
- It is Private. No on else can tell that you are using it
- One injection prevents pregnancy for three months in the case of Depo-Provera, two months for Noriterat and one month for Norigynon
- Increased sexual enjoyment because there is no need to worry about becoming pregnant
- Can be used by all women of childbearing age
- Can be used by nursing mothers 6 weeks after childbirth
- May help prevent pregnancies outside the womb (ectopic), and fibroids
- May help prevent cancer of the inner lining of the womb and cancer of the ovaries (egg bag)
Disadvantages
- Changes in the menstrual are likely, including light spotting or bleeding and temporary absence of menstruation for people who use Depo-Provera and Noriterat. This is how they work, especially after the first year of use
- May cause weight gain (average of 1-2 kilograms). Some women see weight as an advantage
- May cause mild headaches and breast tenderness
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections(STI’s) including HIV
