Make the Switch: From Depo-Provera to Sayana Press

Medroxyprogesterone (also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a type of medicine called a progestogen. Progestogens are similar to a natural hormone made in the body called progesterone.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a prescription only medicine, sold under the brand names Depo-Provera and Sayana Press. 

Medroxyprogesterone works in the same way as natural progesterone, but has stronger effects. The injection stops your body from releasing an egg each month and also makes it less likely that an egg would be fertilised or develop.

Medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injections are only available on prescription. You'll usually have them at a GP surgery, contraception clinic or sexual health clinic.

• The medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective.
• If you have the injection in the first 5 days of your period, it will start working straight away.
• If you have the injection at another time or if you have not been having periods, it will take 7 days to start working. You'll need to use another type of contraception such as condoms for 7 days.
• After you've had the injection your fertility should eventually come back, but how long this takes varies from a few months to over a year.
• Common side effects include headaches, stomach pain and mood changes.
• Medroxyprogesterone injections can affect your periods. They may become either heavier or lighter. Sometimes, it can improve your monthly cycle by helping with heavy bleeding, period pain or premenstrual symptoms.

Sayana Press is a contraceptive injection that contains the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate, just like Depo-Provera. However, it offers the added benefit of self-administration, giving you more control over your contraception.

✔ Convenience – Sayana Press can be self-administered in the comfort of your own home, saving you the time and effort of attending an appointment every three months for your injection. We will provide you with a prescription for 4 injections, giving you a whole year’s supply.

✔ Control – Take charge of your reproductive health by administering your own contraception.

✔ Privacy – Enjoy the discretion of managing your contraception privately.

✔ Support – Our practice nurses will show you how to administer Sayana Press and supervise your first injection to ensure you feel confident and comfortable.

Sayana Press prevents pregnancy by:

✔ Preventing ovulation – Stops the release of an egg from the ovary.
✔ Thickening cervical mucus – Makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
✔ Thinning the uterine lining – Reduces the chance of a fertilised egg implanting.

Medroxyprogesterone works in the same way as natural progesterone, but has stronger effects. The injection stops your body from releasing an egg each month and also makes it less likely that an egg would be fertilised or develop.

✔ Switching from Depo-Provera – You can use Sayana Press when your next Depo-Provera injection is due and will have full contraceptive cover (more than 99% effective).

Thereafter you will need to repeat the injection every 12-13 weeks. 

✔ First-time use:

• If your first injection is within the first 5 days of your period, you are protected immediately.
• If your first injection is more than 5 days after the start of your period, use additional contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.

If you do not have the injection 14 weeks after your last injection, you could get pregnant.

If you forget to have it, talk to one of our nurses as soon as you remember. You'll need to use another type of contraception. You will not be able to have the dose late if there's a chance you might be pregnant.

If you have the injection less than 12 weeks after your last injection, it's unlikely to harm you but you could get more of the common side effects.

Talk to the nurse, or your pharmacist.

✔ Receive your injection every 13 weeks – If you are late, contact our healthcare provider for advice.

✔ Bone health matters – Maintain a balanced diet rich in calcium, do regular weight-bearing exercise, and avoid excessive alcohol and smoking.

✔ Thinking about pregnancy? – If you plan to conceive, stop using Sayana Press. Fertility return times can vary from a few months to a year, just like Depo-Provera.

As Sayana Press and Depo-Provera contain the same active ingredient, they share similar side effects, including:

Weight gain
Headaches
Mood changes
Irregular bleeding or spotting
Injection site reactions (redness, itchiness, swelling)