Whatever Strap you want to give
What are injectable contraceptives?
Many experts believe that contraceptives that are injected and long lasting could be the solution to India’s inherently gender unequal society where women are rarely partners in the decision to have a child; in most cases they merely carry out the wishes of the husband. Deoxymedroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) is the commonest injectable drug that prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation – which is the release of an egg from the ovary. It is given in a dose of 150 mg intra-muscularly every three months. It is marketed as Depo-Provera in India. There are other kinds of injectable contraceptives such as Norethindrone Enanthate (NET-EN) and Combined Estrogen and Progestin (monthly Injections) but neither is currently available in India.
How does DMPA work?
DMPA blocks the Luteinising Hormone (LH) surge that causes ovulation. Unless ovulation happens, it is not possible for the egg and sperm to meet and form a zygote which when implanted marks the beginning of pregnancy. It also makes both the processes of fertilisation and implantation more difficult.
When can DMPA be administered?
It can be started at any time during the menstrual cycle but the best period to ensure optimum effect is within the first five days. It can be started as early as six weeks after childbirth and can also be given to a lactating mother. However if a woman wants to get pregnant after having been on DMPA for a certain period, it can take upto 8-9 months from the last shot.
Where will injectable contraceptives be available?
Minister of state for health Anupriya Patel told the Lok Sabha some time back that injectable contraceptives will first be available in medical colleges and then in a phased manner in district hospitals. At a later stage they will be available in sub-district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres. Government health centres and hospitals will not charge for the injections. Outside, various brands sell the injection for anywhere between Rs 50-Rs 230 in India.
What are the side-effects of DMPA?
Primary side-effects are changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, acne, weight gain and depression. It prevents ectopic pregnancies, endometrial cancer and uterine fibroids, part of the reason why it is preferred, apart from the fact that it is long lasting and even if an injection is missed chances of pregnancy remain low.
Why are injectable contraceptives controversial?
Activists say that in introducing DMPA, government is shirking its own obligation of ensuring that women are able to assert their reproductive rights. Moreover some studies in Africa raise the spectre of heightened risk of HIV infection in DMPA users.
Are India’s sterilisation figures skewed?
Women constitute 98 per cent of the sterilised population in India, even though the procedure is less complicated for men. Of the total 41,41,502 sterilisations done in India in 2015-16 under government programmes, 40,61,462 were tubectomies. In 2014-15, out of a total 40,30,409 sterilisations, 39,52,043 were tubectomies and, in 2013-14, the corresponding numbers were 43,03,568 and 42,13,172. The commonest reason given for the skew is social resistance to vasectomies the process of tying up of the male vas deferens that prevents the sperm from entering the female body.
