Hello there. Thank you for your question. Both injections and implants are long-acting and effective hormonal contraceptive methods.

The contraceptive injections and implants work the same way by releasing progestogen hormones into your bloodstream. This stops the process of ovulation which releases an egg every month. Besides that, it thickens the mucus from the cervix, which makes it more difficult for the sperm to travel to the womb and reach an unfertilised egg. It also makes the lining of the womb thinner, which causes the womb to be unable to support a fertilised egg.

There are several types of contraceptive injections which last for different durations ranging from about 8 to 12 weeks. They are given into a muscle in either your upper arm or buttocks. Once given, it is not possible to remove it from your body until it wears off.

The contraceptive implant is a small flexible tube that is put in under the skin of your upper arm by a trained doctor or nurse under local anaesthetic to numb that specific area. The small wound is then closed with a dressing and does not require stitches. The implant can lasts up to about three years before it needs to be replaced. It can also be removed at any time by a trained doctor or nurse if you decide to discontinue the treatment.

Both injections and implants protect against pregnancy once the first injection is given or the implant is put in. Their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy is over 99%, which means that less than one in 100 women who use these contraceptive methods will become pregnant each year.

As these are long-acting contraceptive methods, it is advisable to consult with your doctor on the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and the most suitable method for you.