Mumbai women give contraceptive injections a shot

If Shriya, 32, had to choose between the ring and the pill, she’d rather go for an injection instead. Like her, many single, working and newly married women are choosing injectable contraceptives over pills to put off pregnancy, say city gynaecologists. “More women in the city have begun using the injectable contraceptive (IC) over the past two years. At least 20 to 30% of women who come to me for contraceptive advice choose the shot over pills,” said Dr Anita Soni, consultant of gynaecologists, Hiranandani Hospital. She added that most of these patients are expats. Dr Soni said, “There has been a steady acceptance of injectable contraceptives in Mumbai over the past few years. It is preferred by working women since they often forget to take contraceptive pills. It is also far more convenient since it needs to be administered once in three months.” For an injectable contraceptive, the woman has to first go for a medical check-up, after which the doctor administers the pregnancy-preventing hormones every three months.

Dr Sudeshna Ray, consultant of gynaecologists and obstetrician, Jaslok Hospital said, “A detailed analysis that takes into account blood pressure, body weight, and examination of the breasts, uterus and ovaries is carried out. It basically rules out any diseases that IC can worsen.” The first shot is given within five days after the start of menstruation, and is effective immediately.

For those who opt for IC, doctors warn against potential side-effects, which include nausea, weight gain, irritability, depression and mid-cycle bleeding.In addition, the injectable contraceptive, which came to India only recently, should be taken strictly after consulting a doctor, warned Dr Ray.

“Injectable contraceptives are very popular abroad. Here, there has been increasing awareness among women about IC. It is a fantastic contraceptive method for postpartum women as women taking IC take a longer time to return to fertility, which can be anywhere between nine to twelve months,” she said.
Courtesy DNA