The effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages of Noristerat are similar to Depo Provera but its duration of action is shorter (Noristerat lasts for eight weeks as compared to Depo Provera, which lasts for 12 weeks). Noristerat does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Noristerat is also known as Doryxas, Norethisterone injectable, Norigest, Nur-Isterate, Syngestal, and Unidepo.
Uses
Noristerat is a contraceptive that is injected into the muscle of the buttock. The injection is usually given during the first one to five days of your monthly period. Noristerat will continuously release progestin into your bloodstream over a period of eight weeks (two months).
Indications
Noristerat is meant to be a short-term method of contraception. It is mainly used by women under these circumstances:
Their partner is having a vasectomy (the Noristerat injection will offer pregnancy protection until the vasectomy becomes effective). They are being immunized against rubella.
Noristerat does not have any estrogen, so this injection may be a good short-term birth control method if you cannot use estrogen-based contraceptives. It is also a contraceptive option if you are breastfeeding.
How It Works
The norethisterone protects against pregnancy mainly by preventing ovulation. Towards the end of the eight weeks, the Noristerat works mainly by thickening your cervical mucus. The hormone may also thin the lining of the uterus.
After the Injection
For the eight weeks that you are using Noristerat, it is important for you to check your breasts and nipples once a month for any changes (such as dimpling of the skin or lumps). If you need to have blood work done, make sure that your healthcare provider knows that you are using Noristerat. This is because Noristerat may affect some of your results.
Your healthcare provider also needs to be aware that you have had the Noristerat injection if you are going to undergo any surgery during the eight-week time frame. Keep in mind that once you stop taking Noristerat, it can take up to a month longer (than other hormonal methods) for you to start ovulating again and regain your fertility.
Side Effects
Not every person will have side effects from this injection. The most commonly reported Noristerat side effects are:
Spotting or breakthrough bleedingDelayed periodIrregular or heavier bleedingWeight gainHeadachesDizziness and/or nauseaSkin reactions (such as pain, rash and/or itch at the injection site
Effectiveness
Noristerat is 97% to 99.7% effective. This means that with typical use, 2 out of every 100 people who use Noristerat become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than 1 out of every 100 people who use Noristerat will become pregnant in one year.
If you receive the Noristerat injection during the first five days of your period, then it is effective immediately and no back-up birth control is needed. There are certain medications that can lower the effectiveness of Noristerat.
Cannot use estrogen-based contraceptivesWant to continue breastfeedingAre waiting for a partner’s vasectomy to become effectiveJust received the rubella vaccine (to avoid pregnancy and the risk of rubella-associated birth defects)
By causing the cervical mucus to thicken, preventing sperm from reaching the ovum (egg)By thinning the lining of the uterus, preventing implantation of the ovum even if fertilization does occur
Spotting or breakthrough bleedingDelayed periodHeavier periodsIrregular bleedingBreast painWeight gainHeadachesDepressionDizzinessNausea
