Depo-Provera injection vs Sayana Press injection

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Depo-Provera injection

Want to switch contraception?

Sayana Press injection

£From £0.25/day

Overview

Rated 3.0

178 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

96% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

75 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

96% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Depo-Provera injection ingredients

Main hormones in Depo-Provera injection

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Sayana Press injection ingredients

Main hormones in Sayana Press injection

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

30% no impact on mood

68% stopped periods

57% lost sex drive

49% gained weight

59% no impact on skin

Cycle return

35% don’t know impact

40% somewhat negative

67% stopped periods

59% lost sex drive

47% gained weight

60% no impact on skin

Cycle return

61% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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Want to switch contraception?

Try it now

£From £0.25/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Depo-Provera injection reviews

178 reviews

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

Stopped my periods completely which was great, but was depressed the entire time I was on it (and didn't realise why until I came off) also had zero sex drive until I came off it.

Read more

Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd May 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I was not offered an alternative injection and was adbised against it as i already was dinosed with depression.its been very difficult trying to feel normal and have a great s** life. I am already a mother and would like to wait a while before or IF i do have any more children. This contraception is extemly strong, i noticed many changes to my body. From the frist day i took the injection. It is brilliant at stopping me from getting pregnnt again though.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st May 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I was placed on the Depo injections back in 2019 and had a total of 5/6 injections. They were stopped because they caused severe anxiety, multiple panic attacks daily and severe depression. The GP deemed it unsafe for me to continue as the mental health side effects were incredibly awful.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

Stopped my periods completely which was great, but was depressed the entire time I was on it (and didn't realise why until I came off) also had zero sex drive until I came off it.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd May 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I was not offered an alternative injection and was adbised against it as i already was dinosed with depression.its been very difficult trying to feel normal and have a great s** life. I am already a mother and would like to wait a while before or IF i do have any more children. This contraception is extemly strong, i noticed many changes to my body. From the frist day i took the injection. It is brilliant at stopping me from getting pregnnt again though.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st May 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I was placed on the Depo injections back in 2019 and had a total of 5/6 injections. They were stopped because they caused severe anxiety, multiple panic attacks daily and severe depression. The GP deemed it unsafe for me to continue as the mental health side effects were incredibly awful.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Sayana Press injection reviews

75 reviews

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Nov 23

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Oct 23

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Aug 23

Sayana Press injection  

I only ended up using this for the three month period as I found it made my periods longer and heavier. I was left with only two weeks in between my periods, with my menstural bleeding lasting for at least 10 days. It didn't help with my PMDD/PME or my acne, which are my main goals with contraceptive.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Nov 23

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Oct 23

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Aug 23

Sayana Press injection  

I only ended up using this for the three month period as I found it made my periods longer and heavier. I was left with only two weeks in between my periods, with my menstural bleeding lasting for at least 10 days. It didn't help with my PMDD/PME or my acne, which are my main goals with contraceptive.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th May 23

Sayana Press injection  

I started using the sayana press following an increase in undesirable side effects of the implant. There was no difference between the injection on my body, I absolutely loved using this for years. Lately, I have become increasingly moody and have random cramping throughout the month, especially when the next injection is due. I am going to come off the injection but overall it was very convenient for me.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Apr 23

Sayana Press injection  

recently left a review saying periods stopped, just after this i had my first one. it was considerably lighter and shorter but spotting before and after. the spotting did continue for 1week+


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Apr 23

Sayana Press injection  

As my first form of contraception I’m really pleased, I opted for this as I don’t think my lifestyle supports the pill and due to familial health issues I had a reduced list of options. I’d heard a number of negative side effects but I haven’t experienced most of these. My period hasn’t come nor any spotting, this was a surprise but I’m not complaining. The only negative so far has been a slight increase of headaches, aside from this my experience (albeit not long) is fairly positive. The main thing to take away is that the post symptoms are super individual and dependent on your body, so the only way to really know is to do your research and then try what you think will suit you best.


Top side effects not reported

4 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 22

Sayana Press injection  

After three miscarriages I was really struggling with periods bringing back the trauma and constant reminder of my 'failure' to have kids. This was leading to awful moods and depression around my period. I knew there was a chance that the contraceptive injection could stop my periods entirely and I'm so happy that it has; no more periods, no more mood swings, no monthly reminder of my traumatic miscarriages. I highly recommend this option of contraception to EVERYONE! Following 9 months of injections (Depro) at my GP surgery, I chose to carry them out myself at home using Sayana Press which is super easy and I only have to inject once every 3 months. Job done!


Very positive mood

5 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Sep 22

Sayana Press injection  

I have previously been on depo with very few side effects so had hopes that this would be similar. After having a break from contraception, I decided to give sayanna press a go as I thought it would be easier to do at home. The administration is a lot easier than I thought it would be, and being able to do it myself is a definite bonus. However, I have experienced very bad mood swings. After being hormone free for a long time, it could be my body adjusting to it, but it is making me feel as though I can't control my emotions and don't know what is my hormones and what's not. I have also felt nauseous and dizzy a lot of the time, which never happened before so I can only assume is the injection. Generally feel low energy, and low mood a lot of the time. My periods were previously very regular and relatively light but now have spotting nearly every day, and occasionally heavier bleeds with cramping and pms, but this is not regular. It has effected my sex life because of this, but I wouldn't say the injection has decreased my sex drive. I want to keep going with the injection in the hope that it will settle itself down, but also don't know how long I can continue feeling like I do now.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

3 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Feb 22

Sayana Press injection  

At first this was perfect for me, but after me and my partner talked we have discussed getting pregnant, but it has been 9 months since I stopped and I still haven’t had a period and we haven’t managed to conceive since I haven’t a clue if I’m ovulating or not. I wouldn’t recommend using this contraception if you have any thoughts about getting pregnant in the near future. It gave me the lowest sex drive of my life and I have gained over a stone in weight since using this contraception. I wish I would have gone with the coil again!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

5 helpful

1 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Dec 21

Sayana Press injection  

Originally started taking as I had been taken off the patch due to doctors realising I’d had a migraine 10 years recently, and thought it would be more convenient than going into the doctors for depo. Since starting it I have noticed massive mood swings and probably cry about 3 times a day - my boyfriend also told me he had noticed I wasn’t my usual self. Breaking point was when I nearly failed a practical exam after a simulated patient told me about his dead fake wife and I started crying in the exam. Had very irregular periods and spotting - had light constant bleeding for nearly two months. Also seems to be unavailable everywhere currently - tried pharmacists and 2 online pharmacies but was told it wouldn’t be available until after my next injection was due and was offered depo at my local GP but was unable to attend the appointment due to covid - part of the reason I am stopping but mainly due the effects it had on my mood. When I had my first injection the nurse told me it may take up to 6 months for the spotting to stop but I’m not having another injection to find out


Very negative mood

2 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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Compare the Sayana Press injection with other contraceptives

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