Jim Shelton's Pearls

---

Pearl of the Week | Archives | Español | Français

August 05, 2002

Start for Injectable Contraceptives

According to WHO, when can a woman who is having menstrual cycles start the injectable contraceptive DMPA or Net-EN without back-up protection?

1. 1st day of her cycle only
2. Through day 4 of her cycle
3. Through day 5 of her cycle
4. Through day 7 of her cycle
5. As long as she continues bleeding

Through day 7

Actually, she can also have her first injection at any time in the cycle it is reasonably certain she is not pregnant, provided she is advised to abstain from sex or use an additional contraceptive method for 7 days.

References:
World Health Organization, Reproductive Health and Research, Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use. Geneva, 2002.

Previous | Next
Pearl Archive

The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

© 2005 The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.
Security and Privacy Policy, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202, webmaster@jhuccp.org

Photos courtesy of Photoshare, a service of The INFO Project.