Depo-Provera is a form of contraception that can be injected every 3 months. You can only get it through a doctor's prescription. It can be given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into a muscle) injection. Some manufacturers allow women to inject their own subcutaneous depot at home. However, the intramuscular version of the depot injection must be performed by a doctor or nurse.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Injecting Yourself Depo-SubQ Provera 104
Step 1. Wash your hands
Hand washing is very important to minimize the chance of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly by performing the following steps:
- Place your hands under a stream of clean water. You can use cold or warm water, according to your choice.
- Rub soap on both hands for about 20 seconds. Don't forget to clean under your nails and between your fingers.
- Rinse hands thoroughly under running clean water.
- Use a clean towel to dry your hands.
Step 2. Prepare the injection
Injections should be administered subcutaneously, according to the doctor's instructions or the instructions on the product packaging. You should not inject Depo-SubQ Provera 104 intramuscularly. Do the following to prepare the injection:
- Make sure the injection is at room temperature (approximately 20-25 °C). It is important to ensure that the mixture has the right level of consistency. Injections should be stored and kept at room temperature. This means, the injection must have the right temperature when it will be given.
- Make sure you have all the materials needed, including a syringe filled with a depot and a 10 mm needle equipped with a safety guard.
- Make sure all materials are still sealed, and are not discolored or leaking.
Step 3. Determine the point to be injected
The best place to give the injection is the upper thigh or stomach. The place depends on your choice. Do the following to clean the injection area:
- Wipe the skin with a pad that has been smeared with alcohol. This is to remove germs and bacteria in the area and reduce the chance of infection.
- Allow the area to be injected to dry on its own. Do not use a tissue or towel to dry it, as this can contaminate the skin.
Step 4. Prepare the syringe
How to do it: shake the syringe so that the contents are evenly mixed, then attach the needle to the syringe.
- Hold the syringe with the needle facing up. Shake the syringe vigorously for about 1 minute.
- Remove the syringe and needle from their packaging.
- Remove the protective cap attached to the syringe, then attach the syringe by pressing the needle cap against the syringe with a slight twist.
- Lift the safety guard and pull it back toward the syringe. The position will be within a 45-90 degree angle from the needle. Remove the needle cover by pulling it straight outward, not twisting it.
- Remove any air bubbles by pointing the needle up and gently pressing the piston until the liquid medicine is at the top of the syringe.
Step 5. Inject the medicine until it runs out
The drug must be injected into the fat layer under the skin. It is very important to inject the drug until it runs out. Otherwise, the injection will be less effective.
- Pinch a thick layer of skin using your index and thumb. The thickness of the pinched skin is about 3 cm.
- Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle from the skin, inserting it between the index and thumb. When the needle is fully inserted, the plastic hub of the syringe will be near the skin.
- Gently press the piston until the syringe is empty. This can take about 5-7 minutes.
- Return the safety guard on the needle to its original position.
- Place a clean cotton swab on the injection site and press firmly. Do not rub the injection site.
Step 6. Dispose of the syringe and needle safely
Follow your doctor's orders, manufacturer's instructions, and government regulations on how to safely dispose of syringes. You may need to dispose of it in a special hard, impenetrable container. If you don't know where to throw it, contact your doctor or pharmacist to ask.
Make sure that children or pets cannot access the used needle, and that no one is accidentally pricked by the needle
Step 7. Store unused injections at room temperature
Do not put it in the refrigerator. Points to note when storing injections:
- The injection should be at 20–25 °C.
- Follow any other storage instructions provided by your doctor or on the product packaging.
Step 8. Record when you have to give the injection again the next time
Depot injections should be given every 12 weeks. If you do it after this time, go to the doctor for a pregnancy test and ask for advice on what to do as a backup method. Great ways to help you remember when to give another depot injection include:
- Mark the date on the calendar
- Set a reminder on your phone
- Ask your partner to remind you
Part 2 of 3: Getting Depo-Provera Injections Intramuscularly
Step 1. Go to the doctor
Depo-Provera injections intramuscularly must be administered by a doctor or nurse. This contraceptive can be obtained from:
- Private health clinic
- gynecological clinic
- Health center or hospital
Step 2. Watch when the health worker injects the drug
The nurse or doctor will first shake the medicine so that the particles in it are evenly mixed, then disinfect your skin by rubbing alcohol. This drug must be injected intramuscularly deep into the muscle. Do not rub the injection site after the process is complete. The doctor will choose these two places to do the injection:
- The deltoid muscle in the arm
- Gluteal muscles in the buttocks
Step 3. Record when you should get your next shot
These injections should be given every 3 months as scheduled to prevent pregnancy. Don't forget to note the date for your next depot injection (12 weeks later).
- If it's too late to get your next shot, you'll need to use a backup method of contraception to avoid getting pregnant.
- Your doctor may also ask you to take a pregnancy test before giving your next depot injection. This injection does not need to be given if it turns out you are pregnant because Depo-Provera can cause birth defects.
Part 3 of 3: Evaluating Whether Depo-Provera Injections Are Right For You
Step 1. Ask your doctor if Depo-Provera is right for you
Not all women are suitable to get this injection. Your doctor may not recommend this method if:
- You are likely pregnant
- You have breast cancer
- Your bones are fragile and break easily
- You are taking aminoglutethimide to treat Cushing's syndrome (a condition caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol in the body)
Step 2. Consider the pros and cons
The upside (if done right) is that these injections are 99% effective and you don't have to remember to take birth control pills every day. The drawbacks are:
- Side effects that cannot be stopped until the impact of the injection wears off. Side effects you may experience include: irregular periods, temporary thinning of the bones, changes in sex drive, weight gain, hair loss, depression, heavy facial or body hair, headache, nausea, and tender breasts.
- The injection method cannot protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS.
- It may take you 6-10 months to become pregnant, even after the effects of the injection wear off. If you want to get pregnant in the near future, you should not use this method.
Step 3. Estimate the cost
Some clinics charge according to the ability of the patient. If you are concerned about the cost, ask if there is an option with a cost that fits your ability. Some of the options you can choose from include:
- Rp0-Rp1,400,000 per injection
- Rp0-Rp3,500,000 if you need an initial gynecological examination
- Rp0-Rp280 thousand if you need a pregnancy test before giving the injection.
