Injectable Contraceptives Toolkit

Injectable contraceptives are composed of synthetic steroid hormones that release slowly into the bloodstream from the injection site. Injection schedules differ for progestin-only and combined injectables:

• Progestin-only injectables, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), contain a progestin like the natural hormone progesterone in a woman's body. DMPA is injected every three months, and NET-EN is injected every two months.
• Combined injectables contain progestin and estrogen like the natural progesterone and estrogen in a woman’s body. Two types contain medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and estradiol cypionate or NET-EN and estradiol valerate. Combined injectables are injected monthly and are also called monthly injectables.
  

For more information, see Injectables Today and Tomorrow and Questions and Answers About Injectables from "Expanding Services for Injectables," Population Reports issue K-6.

Why Focus on Injectables?

Use of injectables has risen dramatically. Worldwide between 1995 and 2005 the number of married women using injectables nearly tripled—from about 12 million to over 32 million. By 2015 use is projected to reach nearly 40 million. The increasing demand for injectables challenges programs to increase access and improve quality of care. This Toolkit provides up-to-date and accurate information on injectables, guidance on best practices, and resources and tools to help improve access to and quality of services.

Who Should use This Toolkit?

• Program Managers will find information and job aids to help them develop a strategy to respond to the increasing demand for injectables.
• Family Planning Providers will find information and job aids to help them counsel about injectables, give safe injections, and safely dispose of used equipment.
• Policy Makers will find research and information to help set national guidelines about injectables and plan for future changes in service delivery.
• Logistics Managers will find tools and resources to help maintain a steady flow of supplies and to resond quickly if shortages occur.
• Communication Professionals can use these resources to explore strategies, media, and messages about injectables for potential users, current users, their partners, and communities.
• Trainers can review the latest training techniques for injectables.
• Researchers can create customized searches for scientific articles, reports, photos and other materials relating to injectable contraceptives. 

How is This Site Organized?

This site is organized by resources for specific audiences, found in the tabs across the top of the page. You can also access specific topic areas directly from the home page in the lefthand column.

What is a Feed?

A Feed, also known as an "RSS Feed," allows you to view the latest research about injectable contraceptives. By subscribing to this feed you will be notifed as soon as this information is posted on the Injectables Toolkit Web site.

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