What is family planning injection? – Dr. Jyoti Kala

The family planning injection is a long acting reversible and a very effective method of contraception. The family planning injection available in India is DMPA or depo medroxy progesterone acetate. It is given as a single shot to the muscle within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle and works for upto 12 weeks. Your doctor will ensure you whether you are pregnant or not, the advantage of the DMPA injection are that it can be taken once every 12 weeks only. It does not interfere with sexual intercourse, it can be taken during breast feeding. It is totally private. So no one neds to know you are taking an injection and it also decreases heavy and painful periods in many people. But there are a few disadvantages too, some women have prolonged or irregular bleeding. So this effect can last for upto 3 to 6 months. Some women may even stop their period after a year or few. But do not worry. This is not harmful to your body and will settle down once you stop these injections. Some men may also have weight alterations including weight gain during the use of these injections. And also a decrease in bone density, you also need to be sure that you are not pregnant before the use of these injections because they are contraindicated in pregnancy. There are certain other contraindications that your doctor will rule out prescribing the injections to you. So the DMPA injection is an ideal option to you. If you are not planning pregnancy in the next year, if you are breast feeding your baby and if you find it bothersome to take a pill on a daily basis or if you want your privacy and do not want an intrauterine device, like the Copper T inserted.