Injection
Sayna Press: A self-administered hormonal injection given in the thigh every 13 weeks, offering a discreet and user-controlled method of contraception.
- 99.8% effective if used correctly
- Takes 1 week to start working
- It works by stopping you producing an egg
- It thickens the mucous at your cervix to prevent sperm making its way to your womb
- It thins the lining of your womb, making it difficult for fertilised eggs to implant
Information
The Contraceptive Injection is a Progesterone-only method that contains one hormone. It is a highly effective method of contraception that is more than 99% effective if used correctly. It works by stopping you from producing an egg, thickening the mucous at your cervix to prevent sperm from reaching your womb, and thinning the lining of your womb, making it difficult for fertilised eggs to implant.
Contraceptive Injection is available in two forms:
- Depo-Provera: Given into the muscle, usually the bottom, but the arm can also be used.
- Sayana-Press: Given into fatty areas, usually the stomach or thigh.
Like any contraceptive method, Contraceptive Injection has benefits and risks.
Benefits
- The Contraceptive Injection is more than 99% effective if used correctly.
- It only needs to be administered every three months.
- It can reduce the amount of bleeding during your period, and some women may experience no periods at all.
- Depo-Provera may reduce pain with endometriosis and sickle cell crisis pain.
- There is evidence to suggest that Contraceptive Injection can reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Side Effects
- Weight gain
- Injection site redness
- Acne
- Reduced libido
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Vaginitis
It is important to note that while there is a small risk of reduction in bone density, this returns to normal once injectable contraception is stopped. Also, there is no evidence that Contraceptive Injections cause thromboembolism or heart attacks. There is a weak association between Depo-Provera and cervical cancer when used for more than 5 years, but any risk is reduced after stopping.
Contraceptive Injection is a safe and effective method of contraception for most women. However, there are some contraindications to consider:
- A medication that interacts with the Contraceptive Injection
- Multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Stroke
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Breast cancer (Depo-Provera is weakly associated with breast cancer)
- Severe (decompensated) cirrhosis
- Malignant liver tumor or hepatocellular adenoma
We offer a telephone consultation for £100 and the cost of the drug varies depending on the pharmacy. For Depo-Provera, we offer a home visit for an additional £400, and Sayana-Press comes with a free sharps bin. Alternatively, we can offer a home visit for Sayana-Press for £500.