Health Conditions

Benefits

Very low failure rate

No risk of estrogen side effects

Reduced risk of:

• Ectopic pregnancies (a fertilized egg that has implanted outside the uterus)
• Endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining)
• Endometriosis (a condition in which cells of the endometrium ? the lining of the uterus - grow outside the uterus causing bleeding and pain)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Pregnancy for women who have trouble remembering to take pills
• Seizures in women with seizure disorders

Appropriate for:

• Breast-feeding women
• Smokers
• Women with a history of blood clots
• Women taking anti-epilepsy drugs

Risks

No protection against sexually transmitted infections

Inconvenient to use (physician office visit required for each injection)

Possible reactions at the site of injection

Fertility may take up to 18 months to return after shots are stopped

Possible increased risk of breast cancer for young women

Reduced

• Bone density in long-term users (2 years or longer)
• HDL-cholesterol ("good cholesterol")

Possible progestin side effects:

• Acne
• Depression
• Increased appetite
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Weight gain

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.