The shot: is an injection that contains a synthetic version of progesterone, which is a hormone (aka chemicals) that is naturally occurring in the body. The hormones in the ring regulate the hormonal variations in a body to reduce the risk of pregnancy. The shot commonly causes lighter irregular periods, and sometimes weight gain.

To use the shot, a healthcare provider will inject your upper arm every three months (or every 12 weeks). A delay in getting a follow up shot past 13 weeks can impact the effectiveness of the shot, so it’s important to stay on schedule.

The shot is 96% effective at preventing pregnancy with typical use and is around $40 for every shot in Ottawa. The Sexual Health Centre in Ottawa sometimes provides the shot at a discounted rate for those who need it.