Medical question about contraceptive injection

[Hogi]

Hi all,

I know if you want protection straight away from pregnancy they recommend getting the injection the first five days of your period.

What if you don't want protecting from pregnancy and only want it to stop periods? Does it still need to be done on your period or can you have it done anytime?

Thanks

Do you know they may not stop?

Disrupted periodsYour periods may change significantly during the first year of using the injection. They'll usually become irregular and may be very heavy, or shorter and lighter, or stop altogether. This may settle down after the first year, but may continue as long as the injected progestogen remains in your body.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/contraception/contraceptive-injection#:~:text=Your%20periods%20may%20change%20significantly,progestogen%20remains%20in%20your%20body.

As said, it doesn't necessarily stop periods. I don't think any is guaranteed. I had an implant years ago and mine stopped, whereas a friend had one and hers got unbearably worse.

They've always stopped my periods when I've been on in them in the past but it's not a big deal if they don't - I was just wondering if I could have one anytime or do I have to wait for my period as I'm not protecting against pregnancy

You can have it any time in your cycle

Thank you. I thought so but the nurse insisted it had to be within the first five days of my period which is right to protect against pregnancy.

I'll call tomorrow, thank you 😊

I just checked because I doubted myself after you said a nurse told you otherwise but this is from the NHS website:

"When it starts to work
You can have the injection at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you're not pregnant.

If you have the injection during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you'll be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.

If you have the injection on any other day of your cycle, you'll need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days"

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/contraceptive-injection