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Contraceptive injection

CONTRACEPTIVE

INJECTION

    • The most common contraceptive injection is given by a healthcare provider. After cleaning the area, the doctor or nurse will inject the contraceptive into the buttock or upper arm with a syringe.
    • There is also a type of injectable contraceptive which you can inject yourself after you have been shown how to do it by a healthcare professional. This is injected into the anterior thigh or abdomen.

    Depending on the type, you will need to go back either 12 or 13 weeks for your next injection. If you are using the self-injectable version you only have to go back annually because you will be given a year’s supply.

    Injection step 1

    The contraceptive injection must be prescribed to you by a doctor or nurse.

    You can get the contraceptive injection for free, even if you're under 16, from:

    • Contraception clinics
    • Sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
    • GP surgeries
    • Some young people's services

PP-UN-WHC-GB-0297 July 2025