Getting It

How well the contraceptive injection works

When used correctly, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective.

If you get your injection late, it's 94% effective, which means 6 in 100 women using it will get pregnant in one year.

Find out how well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.

Getting the contraceptive injection

The contraceptive injection is given by a doctor or nurse once every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type.

If you prefer, you can choose to do one type of contraceptive injection (Sayana Press) yourself at home. A doctor or nurse can show you how to do this.

If you use the contraceptive injection for more than 2 years, have a check-up with your doctor to make sure it's still the right contraception for you.

Starting the contraceptive injection

If you get your first contraceptive injection in the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period), you will be protected from pregnancy immediately.

If you get your first contraceptive injection after day 5 of your menstrual cycle, you will not be protected from pregnancy immediately. Use another form of contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days after getting your injection.

If there's a chance you could already be pregnant when you get your first contraceptive injection, take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after the last time you had sex without contraception. If you are pregnant, speak to your doctor or nurse for advice.

If you're late for your injection

If your injection is due and you do not have it on time, there's a risk of pregnancy if you have sex without a condom.

Use condoms until you can get your injection, and for 7 days afterwards.

Emergency contraception

If you have sex without a condom when late for your injection, you may need emergency contraception.

Speak to a pharmacist, sexual health clinic, GP or call 111 for advice as the contraceptive injection can affect how some emergency contraception works.

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