Depo-Provera injection vs Sayana Press injection

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Depo-Provera injection

Add your Depo-Provera injection review

Sayana Press injection

£From £0.25/day

Overview

Rated 3.0

189 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

78 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

94% - 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

29% no impact on mood

69% stopped periods

56% lost sex drive

49% gained weight

59% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

41% somewhat negative

68% stopped periods

59% lost sex drive

46% gained weight

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

58% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Try it now

Add your Depo-Provera injection review

Try it now

£From £0.25/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Depo-Provera injection reviews

189 reviews

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

Worst decision I’ve ever made Gained a lot of weight Depressed Anxious Moods all over the place

Read more

Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 25

Depo-Provera injection  

This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Dec 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

Worst decision I’ve ever made Gained a lot of weight Depressed Anxious Moods all over the place


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 25

Depo-Provera injection  

This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Dec 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments


Sayana Press injection reviews

78 reviews

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Apr 25

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Aug 24

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Apr 25

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Aug 24

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Depo-Provera injection with other contraceptives

Compare the Sayana Press injection with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them