Different Kinds of Birth Control Shots | Shot Choices

Different Types Of Birth Control Shots And How They Work

Birth control shots are injections that release a synthetic form of progesterone into your body on a regular schedule. The hormone stops eggs from leaving the ovaries and thickens cervical mucus, so sperm have a hard time reaching an egg. Most shots are given every twelve or thirteen weeks, and a health care provider or trained user gives the dose in the upper arm, hip, or belly.

On the surface, many people talk about “the shot” as if there were only one option. In reality, different kinds of birth control shots exist, with small but meaningful differences in dose, needle depth, and who gives the injection. Some are designed for clinic visits only, while others come in devices that you can learn to give yourself at home.

Before you pick a method, it helps to see the main types side by side. Here is a quick comparison of the birth control injections you might hear about in clinics around the world.

Type Or Brand	Hormone And Route	Typical Schedule
DMPA Intramuscular Shot (Depo Provera)	Progestin injected deep into a large muscle	Every twelve weeks
DMPA Subcutaneous Shot In Prefilled Syringe	Lower dose progestin placed just under the skin	Every twelve to thirteen weeks
DMPA Self Injection Device (Such As Sayana Press)	Single use device with short needle for self injection	Every thirteen weeks after training
Two Month Progestin Injection (Such As Noristerat)	Norethisterone enanthate given into muscle	Every eight weeks
Monthly Combined Injection (Cyclofem Type)	Estrogen plus progestin in one vial	Every four weeks
Monthly Combined Injection (Mesigyna Type)	Different estrogen and progestin blend	Every four weeks
Clinic Based Injection Visit	Shot given by nurse or doctor	Return on schedule set by provider

Progestin Only Birth Control Shots

The most widely used birth control injection is a progestin only shot based on depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, often shortened to DMPA. This medicine comes in intramuscular and subcutaneous versions. Both release a steady dose of hormone over several weeks and give similar protection against pregnancy when you stay on schedule with repeat injections.

The classic intramuscular option is often known by the brand Depo Provera. A nurse or doctor gives this shot deep into a large muscle, such as the buttock or upper arm. With typical use, about four out of one hundred users become pregnant in a year, mostly when injections are delayed beyond the recommended window.

Newer subcutaneous versions place the hormone just under the skin instead of deep into muscle. They use a smaller needle and a lower dose. Some are packaged in prefilled syringes, while others come in an all in one device designed so that users can give themselves the shot after training. This option can cut travel time to clinics and may help some people stay on schedule.

Two month injections that use a different progestin, such as norethisterone enanthate, also exist in certain regions. These still fall under the umbrella of progestin only shots, and the overall effect on ovulation and cervical mucus is similar. The main difference is timing, since users return every eight weeks instead of every twelve or thirteen.

Different Kinds of Birth Control Shots In Everyday Use

When people talk about shot options in daily life, they usually mean the choice between a clinic based shot and a self injection option, or between three month and two month schedules. For many users, the practical difference is how often they sit in an exam room and how often they want to think about pregnancy prevention during the year.

Combined Monthly Birth Control Injections

In some countries, people can also use monthly injections that contain both estrogen and progestin. These combined shots are less common than progestin only options and may not be available where you live. Brands vary, but they generally work on a four week schedule and rely on a mix of two hormones to prevent ovulation.

Combined injections may suit people who prefer a monthly rhythm and who do not have medical reasons to avoid estrogen. They tend to give more regular bleeding patterns than progestin only shots for some users. At the same time, they are usually given only by a health care provider, and eligibility rules follow the same careful screening that applies to combined pills.

Effectiveness Of Birth Control Shots

Across brands and types, injections rank among the more reliable forms of reversible contraception. On the birth control shot page, Planned Parenthood notes that the shot is over ninety nine percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, when people show up late for doses, about six out of one hundred users become pregnant in a year.

Shots do not protect against infections that spread through sex, so condoms are still helpful if you want to lower that risk. The main factor that separates one shot from another is not how strong the hormone is, but how long each dose lasts and how easy it is for you to stay on the right schedule.

The second table gives a general picture of how different injections compare on timing, typical use effectiveness, and who gives the shot.

Injection Type	Typical Use Pregnancies Per Year	Who Usually Gives The Shot
DMPA Intramuscular	About four out of one hundred users	Nurse or doctor in a clinic
DMPA Subcutaneous Prefilled Syringe	Similar to DMPA intramuscular when kept on time	Nurse in clinic or user after training
DMPA Self Injection Device	Similar pregnancy rates when injections stay on schedule	User at home after training, with clinic follow up
Two Month Progestin Injection	Comparable to three month shots when visits stay regular	Nurse or doctor in settings where it is offered
Monthly Combined Injection	Low pregnancy rates when injections happen every four weeks	Nurse or doctor at each visit

Side Effects, Risks, And Safety Checks

Bleeding changes are one of the most common experiences with the shot. Many users notice spotting or unpredictable bleeding during the first months. Over time, periods often become lighter, and a fair number of users stop bleeding altogether while they stay on the method.

Some people like having fewer or no periods, while others find irregular bleeding annoying or stressful. Your reaction can depend on your routine, your health history, and how you feel about menstrual changes. If the pattern bothers you, a clinician can walk through options to manage symptoms or help you switch to a different method.

Hormone shots can also bring headaches, mood changes, or weight change for some users. Not everyone notices these shifts, and many people feel fine on the shot. If new symptoms start after an injection and do not settle after a few weeks, it makes sense to talk with a health care provider about what you are feeling.

Long term use of DMPA has been linked with a small drop in bone mineral density. Guidance from the World Health Organization and national bodies notes that bone strength tends to recover after stopping the method, though this can take time. Because of this, many clinicians use extra caution for users with other bone health concerns, such as a strong family history of osteoporosis or chronic steroid use.

In rare cases, people may have an allergic reaction or injection site problem such as painful swelling at the spot where the needle entered. A trained provider can show you how to watch for warning signs and when to seek care. Whatever type of shot you use, always share your full medical history and current medicines so your clinician can help check that the method fits your health.

Choosing Between Different Injection Options

Picking between different kinds of birth control shots often comes down to rhythm, access, and how much you value privacy. If you like a set routine and can reach a clinic easily, an intramuscular shot given every three months might feel simple. If travel or clinic hours get in the way, learning self injection with a subcutaneous device may give you more control over timing.

Think about how you feel about needles as well. Some users prefer to have a nurse handle every dose and prefer to plan extra visits. Others feel calm about giving themselves a small injection at home once they receive clear teaching and practice materials.

Your health history matters, too. Combined shots are not a good fit for people with certain heart or blood clot risks, migraine with aura, or heavy smoking after a certain age. Progestin only shots may be safer in that setting, but they still call for a careful talk about benefits and downsides.

Bring clear questions to your visit so shot choices better match your own needs.

Main Points About Birth Control Shots

Birth control injections share the same basic goal, which is steady hormone release that protects against pregnancy for weeks at a time. The main differences lie in the dose, where the medicine sits in the body, who gives the injection, and how often you return for the next dose.

If you like set it and forget it methods, want steady private protection, and do not mind a needle every few months, the shot can be a strong option among reversible methods. Work with a trusted health care provider to sort through the choices, match the shot type to your health picture, and plan reminders so you do not miss the next visit or self injection date.