Sayana Press injection vs Depo-Provera injection

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Sayana Press injection

£From £0.25/day

Depo-Provera injection

Add your Depo-Provera injection review

Overview

Rated 2.8

76 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

185 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Sayana Press injection ingredients

Main hormones in Sayana Press injection

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Depo-Provera injection ingredients

Main hormones in Depo-Provera injection

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

40% somewhat negative

67% stopped periods

58% lost sex drive

46% gained weight

55% no impact on skin

Cycle return

61% don’t know impact

30% no impact on mood

70% stopped periods

56% lost sex drive

49% gained weight

59% no impact on skin

Cycle return

37% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.25/day

Try it now

Add your Depo-Provera injection review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Sayana Press injection reviews

76 reviews

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.

Read more

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 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


Depo-Provera injection reviews

185 reviews

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera injection  

I’ve had a really positive experience with depo. I was on it for around 4 years pre-covid, and have currently been using again for 18 months. Periods have completely stopped and I haven’t experienced side effects (my hair might be slightly thinner, but I’m not sure if I’d just never noticed I have thin hair). After stopping use the first time it did take many months for my periods to return. I’m only thinking about stopping taking it now with the recent studies on links to brain tumours.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera injection  

I have really enjoyed not having periods and not having to remember my pill as I am very forgetful. I have gained an increased sex drive and I used to get cramps all the time and it stopped most of those. I rarely get migraines. Maybe one every two months. My only major issue was my hair loss. I’ve lost about 50% of my hair and now it’s brittle but after taking calcium supplements and changing my diet it’s a bit more normal. It could be unrelated but around the same time as I started the depo I also got Dyshidrotic eczema on my feet. What makes me think this could be related is I’m also very itchy on my hands, and legs since starting. I could just be getting older and I’ve had issues in the past with my hips but I’ve also pulled my back, and badly sprained my ankle and hip. This has only happened after starting the depo. After a year of being on it everything seems to have leveled out. All bad points above have now become less noticeable and I feel very comfortable. External issues are still an issue like being constantly interrogated like I don’t know what I’m doing in the nurses office as I take my depo every 10 weeks due to bleeding for the last 3 weeks of the cycle. They also seem to want you on the coil I’m not sure what that is about but it’s very annoying. Also depending on who is administering the shot you may feel basically no pain or a ton that could last for a few hours These side effects may not be for some but from my past personal issues I am happy with the contraceptive compared to others I’ve tried


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Sep 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera injection  

I’ve had a really positive experience with depo. I was on it for around 4 years pre-covid, and have currently been using again for 18 months. Periods have completely stopped and I haven’t experienced side effects (my hair might be slightly thinner, but I’m not sure if I’d just never noticed I have thin hair). After stopping use the first time it did take many months for my periods to return. I’m only thinking about stopping taking it now with the recent studies on links to brain tumours.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera injection  

I have really enjoyed not having periods and not having to remember my pill as I am very forgetful. I have gained an increased sex drive and I used to get cramps all the time and it stopped most of those. I rarely get migraines. Maybe one every two months. My only major issue was my hair loss. I’ve lost about 50% of my hair and now it’s brittle but after taking calcium supplements and changing my diet it’s a bit more normal. It could be unrelated but around the same time as I started the depo I also got Dyshidrotic eczema on my feet. What makes me think this could be related is I’m also very itchy on my hands, and legs since starting. I could just be getting older and I’ve had issues in the past with my hips but I’ve also pulled my back, and badly sprained my ankle and hip. This has only happened after starting the depo. After a year of being on it everything seems to have leveled out. All bad points above have now become less noticeable and I feel very comfortable. External issues are still an issue like being constantly interrogated like I don’t know what I’m doing in the nurses office as I take my depo every 10 weeks due to bleeding for the last 3 weeks of the cycle. They also seem to want you on the coil I’m not sure what that is about but it’s very annoying. Also depending on who is administering the shot you may feel basically no pain or a ton that could last for a few hours These side effects may not be for some but from my past personal issues I am happy with the contraceptive compared to others I’ve tried


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Sep 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I would absolutely never recommend this to anyone. As someone who has previously struggled with mental health issues but has been well for about 10 years, my mood has been incredibly low and my anxiety through the roof. This is not something I’ve experienced for years (actually last time I was on hormonal contraception). I feel very lucky to be in touch with my moods and still having therapy so I’ve been able to quickly be aware this is likely to be the Depo as nothing else has changed to bring this on. I will not be using this again and would really recommend others proceed with caution.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I went on the depo injection after having my little boy as I thought it was an easy form of contraceptive as I didn’t have to remember to take it everyday. Fast forward a week post injection I started with the most horrific nausea, stomach pains, back pain and anxiety. I thought I maybe have a bug so went to the doctor who ran some bloods (all came back clean) never felt anxious or sick prior to having the injection so the only thing I can think of that is new is the depo. I have now been nauseas well over a month every single day to the point I am on anti - sickness tablets. I will not be having it again as it changes your body and emotions so much and the other downside there is no reversal so once it’s in if you suffer from the side effects you have to basically put up with it until it’s up for renewal. Wish I had done my research before as I have read on numerous sites that the hormone levels they give are so high and this is what causes all the adverse effects.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Being on the injection has changed my life. After years of misery I finally feel like myself again. My mood has almost completely stabilised and my mental health has never been better. Physically my body has found it great too, I no longer find myself exhausted from heavy periods and my boobs have even gotten abit bigger which has been a big plus. I feel like a person again after going on the injection, After years of my hormones controlling my life I no longer feel crazy, I have control of my life again.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Probably the worst method of hormonal contraception I’ve used. In terms of side effects (which the doctors did not discuss with me) there were Night sweats, loss of sex drive, terrible mood swings and Vaginal dryness to name just a few. Yes it did the job it was meant to, but the side effects were enough for me to make the decision to move off hormonal contraceptives altogether now.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jul 24

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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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Compare the Depo-Provera injection with other contraceptives

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