• Make sure you are not pregnant before starting Sayana Press.
• You may start using Sayana Press at any time during the month. If you start in the first five days of your cycle (day 1 is the first day of bleeding), then Sayana Press will start working immediately.
• If you start using Sayana Press at any other time of the month, make sure you are not pregnant before using the shot. Use a back-up method for the next 7 days. After 7 days you are protected from Sayana Press.

Women who:

• are already pregnant;
• have severe hypertension or have had a heart attack/stroke;
• regularly have or develop migraines;
• experience undiagnosed vaginal bleeding;
• have severe liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or Lupus (an autoimmune disorder);
• have or suspect breast cancer;
• are breastfeeding a baby that is younger than 6 weeks old.

If given within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle (day 1 is when your bleeding starts), then Sayana Press will start working immediately.

BUT if given at any other time of your cycle then you should rule out pregnancy before taking the injection and use a back-up method for the next 7 days.

After 7 days, you are already protected from pregnancy by Sayana Press.

Yes. It is safe to switch from Depo-Provera to Sayana Press. Sayana Press is a lower dose version of Depo-Provera and is good for three months.

Follow the same injection schedule you were using for Depo-Provera.

Once every 3 months (12 to 14 weeks). You should write down the date of your injection so you can remember this easily.

We cover this in our “How to Use” section and include a video.

Side effects from Sayana Press should go away 15-52 weeks after the last shot.

Yes. If you are not able to do it yourself, you can ask a friend or family member to inject you.
Before injecting, they should read this website, watch the video, and feel comfortable performing the steps.

Any extra pouches of Sayana Press should be stored at room temperature. Do not store Sayana Press in the refrigerator, and keep it away from heat, including direct sunlight.

1. First, check the expiration date on the pouch. If today’s date is after the expiration date, you probably should not use it.
2. Second, look at the liquid in the reservoir when you open the pouch. After shaking it, the medicine should be white or off-white.

• Put the needle shield back on the injector. Throw the entire injector into a sharps bin or a thick plastic or glass container with a lid.
• Do not let anyone else touch the used needles.
• Keep the container out of reach of children and animals.
• Talk with the person who gave you the Sayana Press for more recommendations.

Sayana Press is over 99% effective when used correctly. It contains the same hormone as Depo Provera injections and prevents pregnancy for 3 months. Only women who are not already pregnant will be able to prevent pregnancy.

The Pfizer website gives more technical information about Sayana Press, including effectiveness.

Some women experience some minor side effects and you can read about them here: Side Effects.

Most side effects are easily managed and some are likely to stop a few months after the last shot.

Depending on how long you have been taking Sayana Press, your body needs time to remove the hormones from your system.

While some women may experience heavier flow periods while using Sayana Press, many will have lighter flow periods, experience light spotting between periods, or stop period bleeding. These effects will go away once you stop using Sayana Press.

See the page on side effects for more information.

Each shot prevents the woman’s egg from being released from the ovary (ovulation). Sayana Press will not interfere with an existing pregnancy.

Sayana Press cannot cause an abortion and should not be used for that purpose.

Sayana Press contains 104 mg of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a progestin.

This is a lower dose of the hormone used in another contraceptive injection called Depo Provera.

1. First, make sure you are not pregnant by taking a pregnancy test.
2. If you are not pregnant, you can give yourself another injection.
3. Try to make a reminder so you won’t forget next time.

The amount you will pay may be different in each country, but if you live in Africa or Asia Sayana Press should cost around $1 – $2 per dose.

Regular menstrual bleeding will return within 15-52 weeks (4 months – 1 year) after the last Sayana Press shot, depending on how long you have been using the contraceptive.

Over 80% of women get pregnant within a year of stopping Sayana Press. Sayana Press does not cause infertility, so you will need to investigate for other causes of delay if you are unable to get pregnant after a year.

If you are breastfeeding, you can start using Sayana Press once your baby is 6 weeks or older. Sayana Press will not prevent breast milk from flowing.

If you are not breastfeeding, you may start Sayana Press 5 days after giving birth. Your periods may be heavier and longer than normal for a few months.

More and more organizations are working to make Sayana Press available around the world.

A complete list is not yet available but if you email us at easy@injectsayanapress.org, we may be able to tell you if Sayana Press is available in your country.

A team of individuals dedicated to ensuring access to family planning services and information. Learn more about us here.

Please email us at easy@injectsayanapress.org to let us know what else you would like to see on this website.

You can also visit the resources we used in building this website for more details.