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Confidence

hormonal contraceptive injection

Confidence

Confidence is an injectable hormonal contraceptive made from synthetic progestin, similar to the natural hormone progesterone that is made by a woman’s body. Confidence contains a sterile aqueous suspension of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 150 mg/ml. After Confidence is given intramuscularly, the hormone is released slowly into the bloodstream. A Confidence injection must be taken every three months. Confidence can be used throughout breastfeeding. However, the first injection should not be given to a breastfeeding mother until at least six weeks after birth.

Effectiveness

Effectiveness depends on the user. If used properly, the probability of pregnancy is 0.3%.

Return of fertility after Confidence is stopped:  Often delayed by up to a year

Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS: None

Health Benefits

In addition to pregnancy prevention, Confidence helps protect against or reduces:

• Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer) and ovarian cancer
• Benign breast disease
• Uterine fibroids
• Sickle cell crises among women with sickle cell anemia
• Symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, irregular bleeding)

Confidence may help protect against:

• Symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease
• Iron-deficiency anemia

Who can use Confidence

Nearly all women can use Confidence safely and effectively, including women who:

  • Have or have not had children
  • Are married or not married
  • Are of any age, including adolescents and women over 40 years old
  • Have just had an abortion or miscarriage
  • Smoke cigarettes, regardless of woman’s age or number of cigarettes smoked
  • Are breastfeeding (starting as soon as 6 weeks after childbirth)
  • Are infected with HIV, whether or not they are on antiretroviral therapy can   Safely use Confidence.

Who can’t use Confidence

Confidence should not be used in women with any of the following conditions:

  • Known or suspected pregnancy
  • Active liver disease
  • Abnormal liver function
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology
  • History of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Cancer of the breast or sex organs
  • Diabetes
  • Headaches and history of migraine
  • Hypersensitive to any component of this product

Side Effects

For the first several months:

  • Irregular bleeding
  • Prolonged bleeding
  • Frequent bleeding
  • Rarely heavy bleeding
  • Later, no monthly bleeding
  • Weight gain (about 1–2 kg per year)
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal bloating and discomfort
  • Mood changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Confidence may stop monthly bleeding, but this is not harmful. It is similar to not having monthly bleeding during pregnancy. Blood is not accumulated inside the woman.

Confidence does not make women infertile.

You are entering a page about contraceptive methods that can only be administered by a trained
health professional. The contents of this page are for information only. The information is not
intended to diagnose and/or treat any medical condition and should not be interpreted as a
substitute for professional medical advice. Please visit a trained professional if you wish to use
any of the contraceptive methods described in this page.