Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > Contraception/Birth Control > Estrogen/Progestin Injections Estrogen/Progestin Hormonal Injections:
A Guide for Teens
Female hormonal methods are very effective in preventing pregnancy. Lunelle contains two hormones: estrogen and a progestin. It is not available in the US.
| Out of 100 Women Using this Method | |
| Typical Use: 1 or Less Women Become Pregnant |  |
| Perfect Use: 1 or Less Women Become Pregnant | |
What are Lunelle injections?
Lunelle injections contain synthetic (man-made) forms of the hormones estrogen and progestin (which your body makes). The hormones suppress your pituitary gland which stops your ovaries from releasing eggs. Without these eggs, pregnancy can't happen. The injections also change the lining of your uterus and the mucus in your cervix. By changing your cervical mucus, the hormones make it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
How often and when should I get Lunelle injections?
The Lunelle injection gives one month protection against pregnancy. Therefore, you should get one injection every month to get the best protection against pregnancy. The injection should be given every 28-30 days. There should never be more than 33 days between injections, or you won't be protected against pregnancy. The first injection is given within 5 days of a normal menstrual period, within 7 days of stopping oral contraceptives, or 11-13 weeks after stopping Depo-Provera.
How effective are Lunelle injections?
If women get Lunelle injections at the right time every month, they are more than 99% effective. This means that if 100 women get Lunelleinjections at the right time, less than 1 woman will become pregnant in a year.
Lunelle injections do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. So you need to use a condom to protect against STDs.
Are there any side effects of Lunelle injections?
There are possible side effects from Lunelle injections. They can be different for each woman. They include:
If you get any of these side effects, talk to your health care provider
.
Will I get my menstrual period while I'm getting Lunelle injections?
Some women have regular periods, others have irregular cycles (especially in the beginning), and some stop getting their menstrual periods while getting Lunelle injections. It's not a medical problem if you are not getting your period. It just means that your ovaries are resting and the lining in your uterus does not grow. So there is no menstrual bleeding. Anyhow, you will get your menstrual period back after you stop getting Lunelle injections.
Can any woman get Lunelle injections?
No. Lunelle cannot by used by women who:
If you are interested in Lunelle, your health care provider will want to do a physical exam on you and ask you about your medical history and your family's medical history. This way, your health care provider can find out if Lunelleinjections are a good type of contraception for you.
What are the differences between Depo-Provera and Lunelle injections?
You have to get a shot once every month with Lunelle, whereas only once every three months with Depo-Provera. However, Lunelle causes less menstrual irregularities than Depo-Provera. There are fewer reports of amenorrhea (not getting your menstrual period), infrequent bleeding, irregular bleeding, and extra-long menstrual bleeding in Lunelle users than in Depo-Provera users. Also, fertility (being able to get pregnant) comes back quicker with Lunelle than with Depo-Provera. Whereas Depo-Provera may possibly cause a decrease in bone density, it is not a problem with Lunelle. Talk with your health care provider about which choice is best for you.
Updated 5/12/2005
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