Side effects
Sayana Press injection common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
51% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported lower back pain
49% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported sweating more than usual
49% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported period like cramps
49% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported tender breasts
47% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported vaginal discharge
Sayana Press injection rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
4% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported cystitis
4% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported pelvic infection
1% of Sayana Press injection reviewers reported hair loss
Possible Sayana Press injection side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Lower back pain (51%)
- Sweating more than usual (49%)
- Period like cramps (49%)
- Tender breasts (49%)
- Vaginal discharge (47%)
- Vaginal dryness (40%)
- Breast enlargement (36%)
- Nausea or vomiting (27%)
- Body hair increase (17%)
- Headaches (17%)
- High blood pressure (16%)
- Body hair getting darker (15%)
- Thrush (15%)
- Migraines (11%)
- Dizziness (10%)
- Migraine with aura (10%)
- A latex allergy (8%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (7%)
- Cystitis (4%)
- Pelvic infection (4%)
- Hair loss (1%)
Reviews
2.9
83 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I would have rated this 5 stars last year. I used to be on the depo jab that had to be done at the doctors but I work 12 hour shifts meaning it was a struggle to attended every 12 weeks. So I was over the moon when I found out about sayana press that I could do myself. I usually do the injection around 11 weeks but the last 3 times I get to 10 weeks and get crippling period pain that completely debilitates me. Even after I’ve done the injection this will continue for about a week afterwards. I’ve never experienced child birth but the pain is horrendous. It will wake me up in the middle of the night, happen at work and is just completely random spouts of unbearable pain until at whatever point doesn’t happen again until I am next at the 10 week mark. I’ve recently learned that it’s a lower strength to Depo-Provera and maybe that’s why however I’m confused as to why it’s only started happening. My gp surgery is useless and it the whole process of going back to having the higher strength at the surgery is going to take some time but being able to do it at home is not worth this horrendous ordeal. I would not recommend switching
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Jan 26
Great if you’re looking to prevent pregnancy with less admin. Having the year’s supply ant home and not needing to see a doctor every few months was handy. Stopped my periods aside from some very minimal spotting and my skin was great - I barely had any spots over the years I was on it. I did feel like I was quite numb emotions wise. I didn’t experience mood swings but it was alarming that I often didn’t really feel anything! My libido was extremely low too.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Oct 25
I have had no negative side effects with Sayana Press and my periods have stopped completely, of the four different contraceptives I've tried over the years, this one is my favourite.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Aug 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th May 25
Used for over 10 years, completely stopped my periods which was fantastic. The devices became harder and harder to use, needing a lot of force to inject so I ended up turning myself into a pin cushion & wasting a few, which made reordering a faff. Don’t think I gained weight and if anything my skin improved (but that could just be normal from teenage to late 20s). The only negative I noticed was decreased sex drive - but it didn’t totally go so not a massive issue for me.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 25
I was on this injection for 2 years, the whole process put me off . when i started the injection i had a period of 16 days (over two weeks) and it was so heavy, months went on and my periods stopped all together, i didn’t have a period for minus 2 years , i’m now on the combined pill but i did receive higher anxiety and depression towards taking it for ages, the doctor offered me antidepressants but i didn’t want to be taking them as i am a quite smily happy person but i literally lost all my energy and motivation to do anything.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Apr 25
I like the injection as no periods at all but gained over 2 stone in weight and no amount of dieting, eating less or exercising helps loose any weight at all I just gain even more.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Aug 24
Completely stopped my periods which has been amazing. Very convenient only have to think about 4 times a year and GP now very good at supplying in comparison to when this brand was new on the market. Have struggled to use the devices recently as have to apply a lot of pressure to inject the suspension and have therefore had to discard a few injections on occasion which isn’t ideal. Having using it for so long I can’t tell if my weight or mood have been negatively or positively impacted, but will be keen to see what happens when I stop using.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Nov 23
I was on the sayanna press injection for 3 years. My periods started off a little irregular for the first couple of months and then stopped completely, which was a blessing as they have always been heavy and painful! Would start to get slight cramps in the week before the injection was due but otherwise, it seemed to suit me quite well. I'm a healthcare professional so injecting myself didn't bother me at all! I gained a little weight whilst using it but I am overweight anyway so unsure if I can attribute this to the injection!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Oct 23
I can not tell you how much I adore this. The injection is a bit intimidating, but it's very quick, I did my first one with the help of a nurse (watch videos on how to do it and ask the nurse any questions you have). The injection is a bit weird in that you squeeze it into you, vs using a plunger, but it is a very short needle, and it didn't even hurt! I have had next to no side effects, my life has become a lot better, I sleep better, and I am able to get up early for uni. I get no PMS or cramps and I don't even get a bleed anymore (I am a bit sad as I had just bought a bunch of sanitary towels on a Prime Day). I switch from POP to this, and Syana is what birth control should be. On POP, I had so many side effects (which you can read about on my profile), this is amazing, my mind is so much clearer and I lack the PMS brain fog. My only complaint is to do with my NHS trust, they can only prescribe one at a time so if the one you get is faulty you need to request a new one which could take a week, also means you can't have one on standby for if you don't have time to contact GP and go to a pharmacy. The nurse who is my point of contact dislikes this rule and has tried to change it.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
2 comments
