Medroxyprogesterone injections are used as contraception. The injection is long lasting and stops you from getting pregnant for at least 3 months after you have it.
Medroxyprogesterone (also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a type of medicine called a progestogen. Progestogens are similar to a natural hormone made in the body called progesterone.
Medroxyprogesterone works in the same way as natural progesterone, but has stronger effects. The injection stops your body from releasing an egg each month and also makes it less likely that an egg would be fertilised or develop.
Medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections are only available on prescription. You'll usually have them at a GP surgery, contraception clinic or sexual health clinic.
The most commonly used brand is called Depo-Provera. There is another brand called Sayana Press that you can be taught to give yourself.
Other types of medroxyprogesterone
Medroxyprogesterone also comes as tablets used to treat hormonal conditions including heavy periods, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hot flushes caused by treatment for prostate cancer.
It also comes mixed with another hormone called oestrogen as a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for menopause symptoms.
High dose medroxyprogesterone tablets (100mg, 200mg and 400mg) are used to treat some types of cancer.
Read about medroxyprogesterone for treating cancer from Macmillan
Key facts
- The medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective.
- If you have the injection in the first 5 days of your period, it will start working straight away.
- If you have the injection at another time or if you have not been having periods, it will take 7 days to start working. You'll need to use another type of contraception such as condoms for 7 days.
- After you've had the injection your fertility should eventually come back, but how long this takes varies from a few months to over a year.
- Common side effects include headaches, stomach pain and mood changes.
- Medroxyprogesterone injections can affect your periods. They may become either heavier or lighter. Sometimes, it can improve your monthly cycle by helping with heavy bleeding, period pain or premenstrual symptoms.