Side Effects Of Injectable Contraceptives

Like so many of the birth control methods that deal with hormonal levels the injectable contraceptive can have some side effects. These must be weighed against the highly rated success of this method. Only recently accepted by the FDA, in the fall of 2000, this method is catching on in popularity. Injected either every eight or every twelve weeks, depending on the type chosen, it takes away a woman’s need to remember to take that pesky pill every day. One of the reasons that the injectable may have more problematic side effects than the Pill is that a much larger dose of hormone is used.

The most common side effect is the cessation of a menstrual cycle. This can continue for nearly a near. Do not panic is this occurs, but do consult with your health care provider. Only thirty three percent of all women who use an injectable contraceptive have what is a normal regular period for them. The other two thirds have irregular menstrual cycles or no cycle at all. This can happen the first year that the injectable is used. A women thinking about trying this method should understand that there is nothing that can be done about the way it affects their menstrual cycle.

A more worrisome side effect is the loss of bone mass that has been noticed with some women who use injectable birth control. It appears to affect the calcium causing a decrease in the amount of calcium in the bones. Again, this seems to be something that happens in the first year. This is not a permanent effect, after stopping the use of the injectable the bone mass returns to what it should be and the calcium in the bones increases back to normal. However, the fact that it has any effect on the bone mass at all worries many physicians and researchers. One big concern is that women who have this side effect may be more prone to osteoporosis as they age. Due to the worry about bone mass issues this method is not suggested for anyone under sixteen.

Some women also experience headaches while others develop skin problems like rashes when using the injectable contraceptives. Some women have episodes of dizziness, mood changes, and hair loss or breast tenderness. There may be other period changes that need to be watched for. A woman could have breakthrough bleeding, or periods that are very different in length or heaviness than what they are used to.

This method causes concerns amongst physicians of women who are thinking of getting pregnant shortly. They do not recommend it for short term use. If a woman wants it only for six month because she plans to have a baby shortly most physicians will recommend using another method. These strong hormonal treatments seem to linger and a women takes a chance on her baby being affected by the drug. As well, if a woman becomes pregnant while using the injectable she has a higher probability of miscarrying.

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