The quarterly injection

What is it?

It is an injection containing a hormonal substance similar to progesterone, one of the hormones produced by the ovaries. The quarterly injection protects against pregnancy for 12 weeks. 

How it works

• It inhibits ovulation by putting the ovaries into a prolonged resting period.
• It acts on the womb lining which is no longer prepared for a possible implantation.
• It thickens the secretions of the neck of the womb (cervix) thus creating a barrier against the spermatozoids. 

How it is used

• The first injection is given during the first 5 days of menstruation or during the 10 days following childbirth,
• and then every 12 weeks, however, make the next appointment for 10 weeks later, which will give you a leeway of 15 days !
• The contraceptive effect is assured 10 days after the injection and lasts 12 weeks.
• The injection is given by your doctor or in certain Sexual Health and Family Planning clinics. It is sometimes possible for women to learn to self-inject.

What you must know

...The quarterly injection can cause irregular bleeding after the 1st injection. The bleeding will slowly diminish with the following injections and menstruation will usually cease altogether. Don’t worry this is normal.

...Periods and fertility resume spontaneously when injections are stopped, but the delay varies from one woman to another (from 2 weeks to 1 year). 

Good to know

• The best way to protect yourself from HIV or other sexually transmitted infections is to practise safer sex:
  1. Always use a condom, male or female, for penetrative sex (vaginal or anal sex).
  2. For more personal sexual advice, do the safer sex check on www.lovelife.ch.

2018, SANTÉ SEXUELLE SUISSE, Fondation suisse pour la santé sexuelle et reproductive; ALECSS Association suisse latine des spécialistes en santé sexuelle, Éducation – Formation – Conseil; faseg, Fachverband sexuelle Gesundheit in Beratung und Bildung