About Sayana Press DMPA-SC

Sayana Press is an easy-to-use hormonal birth control option for women. It is an injection, with a very small needle, that women can give to themselves to prevent pregnancies for 3 months. A woman using Sayana Press will need a new injection every 3 months, for a total of 4 shots every year. A woman can inject herself with this product at home or with the help of a friend or family member. This website explains how to do that and answers common questions.

Sayana Press only prevents pregnancy.

To prevent sexually transmitted infections, like HIV, please use a male or female condom every time you have sex.

What makes Sayana Press DMPA-SC unique?

Sayana Press is a subcutaneous contraceptive injection. A subcutaneous injection goes into the fatty layer of the skin while most injections go into the muscle. Sayana Press has a much smaller and shorter needle than a regular injection which is why most women report little or no pain during the injection.

Sayana Press also comes pre-filled with the drug, so the injection is ready-to-use.

Sayana Press has been approved for self and home injection in some countries. Other countries are reviewing requests to allow home and self-injection of Sayana Press and it is expected that these requests will be approved. Home and self-injection are generally considered very safe but there are some important things you should know.

Sayana Press DMPA-SC injections have four pieces:

• A small, round reservoir. This reservoir contains the birth control hormone;

• The ‘port’, which is where the needle attaches to the reservoir;

• The needle on these devices are very short (only 3/8” long, less than 1cm);

• A needle cover (also called a shield).

Sayana Press comes in a small, rectangular pouch that is easy to store, and it should be stored safely out of reach of children or animals. Sayana Press should be used once, as shown in the video, and thrown away properly after using. Methods to throw away used Sayana Press are described in the FAQ section but please talk with the person who gave you Sayana Press about the best way to throw it away safely after you are done.