Sayana Press

Make the Switch: From Depo-Provera to Sayana Press

What is Sayana Press?

Sayana Press is a contraceptive injection that contains the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate, just like Depo-Provera.

However, it offers the added benefit of self-administration, giving you more control over your contraception.

Convenience – Sayana Press can be self-administered in the comfort of your own home, saving you the time and effort of attending an appointment every three months for your injection. We will provide you with a prescription for 4 injections, giving you a whole year’s supply.
Control – Take charge of your reproductive health by administering your own contraception.
Privacy – Enjoy the discretion of managing your contraception privately.
Support – Our practice nurses will show you how to administer Sayana Press and supervise your first injection to ensure you feel confident and comfortable.

Sayana Press prevents pregnancy by:

Preventing ovulation – Stops the release of an egg from the ovary.
Thickening cervical mucus – Makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
Thinning the uterine lining – Reduces the chance of a fertilised egg implanting.

Preparation: Ensure you have:
- Sayana Press injector
- Clean cotton wool, tissue, or antiseptic wipe
- A container for the used injector
Injection Site:
- Choose an area on your abdomen (tummy) or upper front thigh
- Avoid scars or irritated skin
Clean the Area:
- Wash your hands thoroughly
- Clean the injection site with water or an antiseptic wipe
Inject:
- Remove Sayana Press from its package and inspect it
- Inject yourself following the instructions provided by our practice nurses
Disposal:
- Dispose of the used injector in a sharps container with a purple lid, which will be provided by the pharmacy when you collect your first prescription. When your sharps bin is full, you can swap this at the pharmacy for a new one.

Switching from Depo-Provera – You can use Sayana Press when your next Depo-Provera injection is due and will have full contraceptive cover.
First-time use:
- If your first injection is within the first 5 days of your period, you are protected immediately.
- If your first injection is more than 5 days after the start of your period, use additional contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.

As Sayana Press and Depo-Provera contain the same active ingredient, they share similar side effects, including:

Receive your injection every 13 weeks – If you are late, contact the practice for advice.
Bone health matters – Maintain a balanced diet rich in calcium, do regular weight-bearing exercise, and avoid excessive alcohol and smoking.
Thinking about pregnancy? – If you plan to conceive, stop using Sayana Press. Fertility return times can vary from a few months to a year, just like Depo-Provera.