What is Sayana Press?

Sayana Press is a long-term contraceptive. It’s injected every 12-13 weeks (about 3 months) to prevent pregnancy.

How does Sayana Press work?

Sayana Press is a form of progesterone-only contraception. It works by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) and thickens the mucus at the entrance of the womb to prevent sperm entering. It also thins the womb lining – this makes it more difficult for an egg to attach to it.

Sayana Press effectiveness

If used correctly, Sayana Press is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. It won’t stop you getting an STI, so if you’re not sure about the STI status of your partner(s) use a condom.

Who can have Sayana Press?

Sayana Press is suitable for many women. You will need to tell us during your consultation about any health conditions. We will only prescribe Sayana Press if it’s suitable.

How to inject Sayana Press

We can only prescribe Sayana Press if you’ve used it before and you’ve already been shown how to inject Sayana Press by a healthcare provider. They should have been through the following instructions with you:

• Sayana Press is injected at home. The pouch should not be damaged or expired. It must be kept at room temperature.
• Inject your stomach or thigh, and avoid your belly button and any bony areas, such as your hips. Try to inject a different place each time.
• When the pouch is open, make sure the needle has a shield and there’s a gap between the needle and the port. If the gap is not there, or there’s damage, throw it away and use a new one.
• Wash your hands and clean where you are going to inject.
• Hold the device by the port and shake for 30 seconds to mix. It should be evenly white – if not, throw it away and use a new one.
• Remove the needle shield and pinch where you are going to inject. Put the needle in until the port touches your skin.
• Slowly squeeze the container for about seven seconds to ensure you’re injecting all the medicine.
• Pull the needle out and apply gentle pressure with a clean cotton pad or tissue.
• Throw away the needle as instructed by the healthcare provider who showed you how to inject.  

This video provides a useful reminder of how to inject.

Sayana Press side effects

Like all medicines, Sayana Press can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people) may include:

• Weight gain
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Acne
• No period or very light period
• Heavy, frequent and/or unexpected bleeding
• Irregular periods
• Period pains
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Back and/or limb pain
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood changes
• Pain and/or soreness around the injection site
• Difficulty sleeping
• Low sex drive

Uncommon side effects (up to 1 in 100 people) may include:

• Excessive hair growth (hirsutism)
• Bloating
• Fluid retention
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sex
• Pelvic pain
• Change in appetite
• Muscle cramps
• Migraine
• Vertigo
• Hot flushes
• High blood pressure
• Rash
• Itching
• Hair loss

For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects are worrying you, you can talk to us through your account.

What are the risks of Sayana Press?

The contraceptive injection can reduce the density of your bones, causing them to become thinner. This mainly happens the first few years you use Sayana Press, after this bone density stabilises. It also appears that bone density may recover when you stop having the injection.

Will Sayana Press stop my periods?

If you stay on Sayana Press you are likely to experience a change in the pattern of your periods. Some women will experience irregular bleeding, and after 12 months of use, around 60% of women will experience no bleeding at all.