Supporting the User

Give specific instructions
  • Tell her not to massage the injection site.
  • Tell the client the name of the injection and agree on a date for her next injection in about 4 weeks.

How Can a Partner Help?

The client’s partner is welcome to participate in counseling and learn about the method and what support he can give to his partner. A male partner can:

  • Support a woman’s choice of a monthly injectable
  • Show understanding and support if she has side effects
  • Help her to remember to get her next injection on time
  • Help to make sure she has ECPs on hand in case she is late more than one week late for injection
  • Use condoms consistently in addition to monthly injectables if he has an STI/HIV or thinks he may be at risk of an STI/HIV

“Come Back Any Time”: Reasons to Return Before the Next Injection

Assure every client that she is welcome to come back any time—for example, if she has problems, questions, or wants another method; she has a major change in health status; or she thinks she might be pregnant.

General health advice: Anyone who suddenly feels that something is seriously wrong with her health should immediately seek medical care from a nurse or doctor. Her contraceptive method is most likely not the cause of the condition, but she should tell the nurse or doctor what method she is using.

Planning the Next Injection

  1. Agree on a date for her next injection in 4 weeks.
  2. Ask her to try to come on time. She may come up to 7 days before the scheduled date or 7 days late and still get an injection.
  3. She should come back no matter how late she is for her next injection. If more than 7 days late, she should abstain from sex or use condoms, spermicides, or withdrawal until she can get an injection. She can also consider emergency contraceptive pills if she is more than 7 days late and she has had unprotected sex in the past 5 days (see Emergency Contraceptive Pills).