What is a contraceptive (birth control) injection?

The contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera), also known as the birth control injection, is a highly effective and reversible method of birth control. It is a good option for individuals who struggle to remember to take a daily or weekly contraceptive.

How does it work?

The birth control injection is a hormone that prevents the ovary from releasing an egg and changes the lining of the uterus to make it difficult for an egg to attach or for sperm to fertilize an egg.

How effective is it?

• The birth control injection is highly effective and reversible method in preventing pregnancy if taken perfectly
• With perfect use, it is 99% effective.  Perfect use means getting the birth control injection on time.
• Because people are not perfect, and we can forget or have challenges getting an appointment with a health-care provider to ensure you get the injection on time, the birth control injection is actually 96% effective.
• That means 4 out of 100 people who take the birth control injection get pregnant every year
• For a more effective option consider an IUD or implant.

Check out this infographic from Sex & U for more information.

How do I get the birth control injection?

A physician or nurse practitioner prescribes the birth control injection. They will give it every 12-13 weeks (about three months), four times a year.

Talk to your health-care provider to determine if the birth control injection is the right choice for you.

Planned Parenthood NL has health-care providers who can prescribe the birth control injection and/or other forms of birth control that would work best for you.

Does it prevent sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs)?

The birth control injection will not protect a person from STBBIs. To protect you and your partner(s) from STBBIs and pregnancy, use a condom and/or oral dam (dental dam) with another method of contraception, also known as dual protection.

To be effective, use birth control correctly and consistently. If you want to prevent unintended pregnancy, choose a method that you and your partner(s) will use every time you have intercourse.

Talk to your healthcare provider or visit a sexual health clinic to find out what might work best for you.

Services related to this information:

• Contact Planned Parenthood — NL Sexual Health Centre at 1-877 NO MYTHS (666-9847) or 709-579-1009
• Contact your Public Health Nurse.
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555

Eastern-Urban:

• Contact the Sexual Health Clinic at sexualhealthclinic@easternhealth.ca.
• Contact the community walk-in clinic (Mundy Pond) at 709-777-1706