How and when to have medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections

Medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections come in syringes that already contain the right dose.

For Depo-Provera the dose is 150mg and for Sayana Press, the dose is 104mg.

You'll usually need to see a doctor or nurse to get the injection. This could be at your GP surgery or at a sexual health or contraception clinic.

Depo-Provera is injected either into a muscle in your bottom or into the top of your arm.

Sayana Press is injected under the skin in your tummy or thigh. You can be taught how to inject it yourself. However, the Sayana Press injection is not available everywhere.

You have the injection during the first 5 days from when your period starts.

You'll usually need to have an injection once every 12 to 13 weeks. Your clinic will advise you on how often to have it.

This will depend on how long you need contraception and your reasons for choosing the injection.

Medroxyprogesterone injections are sometimes stopped after 2 years, but you can keep having them for longer.

If you stay on medroxyprogesterone injections for more than 2 years a doctor may suggest a bone scan to check the strength of your bones.

If you do not have the injection 14 weeks after your last injection, you could get pregnant.

If you forget to have it, talk to the doctor or nurse as soon as you remember. You'll need to use another type of contraception. You will not be able to have the dose late if there's a chance you might be pregnant.

If you have the injection less than 12 weeks after your last injection, it's unlikely to harm you but you could get more of the common side effects.

Talk to the nurse, doctor or your pharmacist.