# Medroxyprogesterone acetate (injectable contraceptive) in Nigeria

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/medroxyprogesterone/
- Drug class: Progestogen (long-acting contraceptive) (Family Planning)
- Also known as: Depo-Provera, DMPA, Sayana Press, The injection, Depo
- Prescription required: yes
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: July 2026

## Price in Nigeria

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (injectable contraceptive) prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.

## What is Medroxyprogesterone acetate (injectable contraceptive)?

Medroxyprogesterone acetate, given as an injection, is a long-acting reversible contraceptive — one dose prevents pregnancy for about three months. It is one of the most popular family-planning methods in Nigeria, offered widely in family-planning clinics, primary health centres, and by trained community health workers. It is best known by the brand Depo-Provera (Pfizer), and by the newer Sayana Press, a small pre-filled injection designed to be given just under the skin.

The injection contains a progestogen hormone (DMPA) that works mainly by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, and by thickening cervical mucus so sperm cannot pass through easily. Because there is no egg to fertilise, pregnancy is prevented. The traditional Depo-Provera is injected into a muscle (usually the upper arm or buttock) by a health worker, while Sayana Press is injected into the fatty layer under the skin and can, with training, even be self-administered.

The great appeal of the injection is convenience and privacy: once you have had it, you are covered for about 12-13 weeks with nothing to take daily, and no one needs to know you are using it. It is very effective when repeat doses are given on time. Two things to understand before starting: it commonly changes your monthly bleeding — often making periods irregular at first and frequently stopping them altogether with continued use, which is harmless — and after you stop, it can take several months (sometimes up to a year) for fertility to return, so it is not the best choice if you want to conceive very soon. Genuine products carry a NAFDAC registration number.

## What is Medroxyprogesterone acetate (injectable contraceptive) used for?

- Long-acting reversible contraception, one dose every three months
- A convenient method for women who do not want a daily pill
- A discreet, private family-planning option
- Contraception during breastfeeding (progestogen-only methods are suitable)
- Spacing or limiting pregnancies as part of family planning

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: The standard intramuscular dose (Depo-Provera) is 150mg injected into a muscle every 12 weeks (about every 3 months) by a health worker. Sayana Press is 104mg injected under the skin, also every 13 weeks. The first injection is usually given within the first 5-7 days of your period, or at any time if it is reasonably certain you are not pregnant (with condoms as backup for the first 7 days). Repeat injections must be given on schedule — being a couple of weeks late reduces protection.
- Children: Adolescents of reproductive age can use the injection for contraception under the guidance of a health worker, who can also advise on protection against sexually transmitted infections. With long-term use, effects on bone density are considered, particularly in younger users.
- Elderly: Not applicable — this is a contraceptive used by people who can become pregnant.

Get your repeat injection on time — clinics allow a short grace period, but a late injection can leave you unprotected, so use condoms if you are delayed and ask the clinic. Expect changes to your bleeding: irregular spotting is common early on, and many women stop having periods altogether with continued use, which is normal and not harmful. If you are planning a pregnancy in the near future, remember that the return of fertility after stopping can be delayed by several months to a year.

## Side effects

Common: Changes in monthly bleeding — irregular spotting at first, and often no periods at all with continued use (this is normal and harmless); Weight gain in some women; Headache; Mood changes; Reduced sex drive or breast tenderness; Delayed return of fertility after stopping (up to several months to a year).

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Heavy or prolonged bleeding that soaks through protection — see a health worker; Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing; Severe, persistent abdominal pain, or a lump or pain in the leg or chest (rare); Symptoms of depression that are new or worsening.

When to see a doctor: See a health worker if bleeding becomes very heavy or prolonged, if you develop severe abdominal pain, or if you have new or worsening low mood. If you are considering the injection but plan to have a baby soon, discuss the delayed return of fertility first — another method may suit you better. Bone health is a consideration with very long-term use, so your provider may review this and recommend adequate calcium and vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Do not use if you are or might be pregnant; Do not use if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding until it has been assessed; Use with caution if you have current or past breast cancer, severe liver disease, or significant risk factors for osteoporosis; It does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections — use condoms as well if you are at risk.

Interactions: Certain anti-epileptic medicines (such as carbamazepine and phenytoin), rifampicin (a TB medicine), and St John's Wort can, in theory, reduce hormonal contraceptive effectiveness, though the injection is less affected than pills — discuss with your provider if you take these; The injection does not interfere with most other everyday medicines; Very long-term use may lower bone density, so its use alongside long-term steroids is considered carefully.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: The injection must not be used if you are pregnant. It is, however, an excellent option while breastfeeding: progestogen-only methods like DMPA do not reduce milk supply and are recommended for breastfeeding mothers who want reliable contraception. If you plan to become pregnant, remember that fertility can take several months to a year to return after your last injection, so switch to a method with a faster return if pregnancy is a near-term goal.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Depo-Provera (Pfizer, made in Belgium); Sayana Press (Pfizer, made in United Kingdom).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/medroxyprogesterone/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. The injection should be given by a trained health worker at a pharmacy, clinic, or health centre — this is the safest way to ensure a genuine product and correct technique
2. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the vial or Sayana Press pack — genuine injectable contraceptives sold in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
3. Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app
4. Check the expiry date and that the vial or device is sealed, intact, and has not been tampered with
5. Obtain the injection through licensed pharmacies, family-planning clinics, or recognised programmes rather than informal sellers
6. Ask your provider to record the date so you know exactly when your next dose is due

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### Will the injection stop my periods, and is that dangerous?

It very often does, and no, it is not dangerous. Irregular spotting is common in the first few months, and with continued use many women find their periods become very light or stop altogether. This happens because the hormone keeps the womb lining thin — there is simply little or nothing to shed. It does not mean blood is 'building up' inside you, and it is not harmful; many women actually welcome it. Your normal bleeding pattern returns after you stop the injections.

### How long does it take to get pregnant after stopping the injection?

Longer than with most other methods — that is the main thing to know before choosing it. After your last injection, it can take several months, and sometimes up to a year, for your fertility and normal cycle to return. The injection is fully reversible, but the return is not immediate. If you want to become pregnant soon, another method — such as the pill, an implant, or an IUD, which allow a quicker return to fertility — may suit you better. If you are spacing children or not planning a pregnancy in the near future, the injection is a convenient, effective choice.

### Does the family planning injection cause weight gain?

Some women do gain weight on the injection, and it is one of the more commonly reported effects, though not everyone experiences it and the amount varies. If weight change is a concern for you, mention it to your family-planning provider — there are several other effective methods (pills, implants, IUDs) that are less associated with weight gain, and you can switch if the injection does not suit you. Eating a balanced diet and staying active also help manage weight while using any method.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)