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Family Planning Injection
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Family Planning Injection
- Periods that become irregular, longer or stop altogether, more likely the longer you use it
- Weight gain
- Headaches or mood changes in some women
- Weaker bones with use for more than a year, which usually recover after stopping
- A delay of several months in getting pregnant after stopping
The contraceptive injection releases a progestogen hormone that stops the ovaries releasing an egg. There are two kinds. DMPA is given every 3 months (13 weeks); it is sold as Depo-Provera, or as Sayana Press, a small pre-filled device for injecting under the skin. NET-EN is given every 2 months (8 weeks) and is sold as Noristerat. The injection is very effective when each one is on time, and it is private: there is nothing to keep at home or remember each day. Two things are worth knowing before you choose it. Periods usually change, often becoming irregular or stopping altogether, which is not harmful. And after the last injection it can take several months, sometimes up to a year, for fertility to return, so it may not suit you if you want a baby soon. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Periods that become irregular, longer or stop altogether, more likely the longer you use it
- Weight gain
- Headaches or mood changes in some women
- Weaker bones with use for more than a year, which usually recover after stopping
- A delay of several months in getting pregnant after stopping
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now if you have very heavy bleeding with dizziness or fainting, sudden severe pain low in the tummy with bleeding, or pain and swelling in one leg, chest pain or sudden breathlessness. See a doctor if your injection is late, because you may need emergency contraception and a pregnancy test before the next one; if bleeding is heavy or goes on for a long time; or if you want a baby within the next year or so, since another method may suit you better. A doctor can talk the injection through with you by video and tell you whether it suits your health. The injection itself is given by a trained provider, or by you at home once you have been taught to inject yourself.
Treatment options
- DMPA (Depo-Provera, or Sayana Press under the skin), every 3 months
- NET-EN (Noristerat), every 2 months
- Injecting yourself at home with Sayana Press, once a trained provider has taught you
- The date of the next injection written down or set as a reminder on your phone
- Condoms as well, for protection against sexually transmitted infections
- A change to another method if the side effects do not suit you
Common Questions
How long does it take to get pregnant after stopping the injection?
Longer than with other methods. It can take up to a year for fertility to return to what it was before. The World Health Organization's handbook puts the delay at about four months longer than other methods on average for DMPA, and about one month longer for NET-EN. The injection does not cause infertility.
My period has stopped on the injection. Is that normal?
Yes. Periods often become irregular or stop, especially with longer use. It is not harmful, and blood is not building up inside you. If you think you could be pregnant, do a pregnancy test.
What if I am late for my injection?
You may not be protected. Use condoms and see a provider as soon as you can. They will check whether you need emergency contraception or a pregnancy test before giving the next injection.
Can I inject myself?
With Sayana Press, yes, once a trained provider has shown you how. The World Health Organization recommends self-injection as an option where women are supported to do it.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call, who advises on the right test and treatment, and tells you if you need to be seen in person.
See a doctor by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
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The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Family planning: a global handbook for providers, 2018 edition. World Health Organization, 2018. Clinical guideline.
- Contraceptive injection: what is it?. NHS. Patient information.
- Contraceptive injection: side effects and risks. NHS. Patient information.
- WHO guideline on self-care interventions for health and well-being, 2022 revision. World Health Organization, 2022. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.