Side Effects And Risks
Nexplanon has several potential side effects, which means that this option may not be suitable for everyone.
According to the FDA, over 10% of people who use Nexplanon may experience one or more of the following common side effects:
Certain people should not use Nexplanon. The FDA states the following groups should avoid using it:
- people who have had serious blood clots
- people who may be pregnant
- people who have or have had breast cancer
- people with allergies to anything in the product
- people living with liver tumors or disease
- people with unusual vaginal bleeding
A person will also need to take additional steps to prevent STIs. This may include using condoms or avoiding sexual contact while their partner has any flares in symptoms.
What Are The Advantages Of Nexplanon
Although the side effects and risks shouldnt be discounted, there are many advantages to this form of birth control. Its totally private only you and your provider need to know the implant is there. Its not necessary to stop intercourse to get condoms . You dont have to take medication daily. And theres no need to keep track of a dosage scheduleyou can get it and forget it for up to five three years, depending on what your provider advises.
Once the implant is removed, you can get pregnant right away. It is also a safe option for breastfeeding women who want highly effective contraception in fact, if youre taking birth control at all while breastfeeding, a progestin-only contraceptive is your safest bet. You can get the birth control implant four weeks after giving birth. It also wont change how much breast milk youre producing.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Nexplanon
Certain other medicines or herbal products may make etonogestrel less effective, which could result in pregnancy. You may need to use a non-hormonal form of back-up birth control while you are taking certain medicine, and for up to 28 days after stopping the medicine.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any other medicines you start or stop using, especially:
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When Youre Already Pregnant
Oh, yes, you read that right: You can get pregnant when youre already pregnant. Its called superfetation, and its very, very, very rare. It happens when a pregnant woman releases an egg a few weeks into her pregnancy and then has sex at just the right time. This is so rare that the majority of women, myself included, wont take precautions against it, but you should still know that its a thing.
So there you have it: seven ways you can get pregnant when youre least expecting it. Be aware, be careful, and use this information to be fully in charge of your reproductive health.
Can I Get Pregnant If I Have Implanon The Birth Control Implant
Can i still get pregnant if i have the Implanon?
Implanon is the old brand name for the birth control implant. Its now available under the brand name Nexplanon. The implant is one of the most effective birth control methods out there its more than 99% effective. That means fewer than 1 out of 100 people who use the implant get pregnant each year.
The implant works by releasing the hormone progestin into your body. Progestin prevents pregnancy by keeping your ovaries from releasing eggs . Pregnancy cant happen if theres no egg to join with sperm. Progestin also thickens the mucus in your cervix, which blocks sperm.
For most people who use the implant, periods become fewer and lighter. Some people worry that theyre pregnant if they dont have a regular period, but this is a common side effect of the implant and doesnt mean youre pregnant. If you use the implant, you can be confident that the chances of pregnancy are very very low.
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How Effective Is Nexplanon
The Nexplanon implant is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when implanted correctly, which makes it one of the best contraceptive options for people who opt to use hormonal birth control. Its also a good choice for anyone who is sensitive to estrogen, since Nexplanon relies on progestin to prevent pregnancy.
Although the implant is not as widely used as the pill, it is far more effective and just as safe. Because it is a get it and go type of birth control, the likelihood of user errorsuch as forgetting to take your birth control pill every day, change your patch weekly, or swap out your NuvaRing every three weeksis eliminated.
Who Can Use Implantable Contraception
Girls who want long-term protection against pregnancy may be interested in implantable contraception.
Not all women can or should use the implant. Some health conditions make it less effective or more risky to use. The implant is not recommended for those who have had:
- blood clots
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
- some types of cancer
Girls who have diabetes, migraine headaches, depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gallbladder problems, seizures, kidney disease, or other medical problems should talk with their doctor.
Anyone who thinks she might be pregnant should not have a contraceptive implant inserted.
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Who Can Use The Implant
Most women can be fitted with the contraceptive implant.
It may not be suitable if you:
- think you might be pregnant
- don’t want your periods to change
- take other medicines that may affect the implant
- have unexplained bleeding in between periods or after sex
- have arterial disease or a history of heart disease or stroke
- have liver disease
- have breast cancer or have had it in the past
- have a medical condition that may affect which contraception you can use speak to your GP or practice nurse, or visit your nearest sexual health clinic to discuss further
Will The Contraceptive Implant Make Me Gain Weight
There is no strong evidence that the contraceptive implant makes women put on weight. Progesterone can do this, but more so when taken in higher doses than you receive from the contraceptive implant. It can also cause fluid retention initially – which will make your weight go up – but this is usually due to fluid rather than fat.
However, many women do feel that the contraceptive implant has made them gain weight. If this happens to you then this weight gain is likely to reverse when you stop using the implant.
The early side-effects of the contraceptive implant are rather like the early symptoms of pregnancy. This is not surprising, since the early symptoms of pregnancy are caused by progesterone. It is not unusual for women to feel they may be pregnant when they first have the implant. A pregnancy test will give you an accurate answer.
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Can I Have The Implant After Emergency Contraception
After taking levonorgestrel as emergency contraception the implant can be inserted immediately. You should avoid sex or use a barrier method of contraception for 7 days. In addition you should take a pregnancy test 3 weeks or so after the time you had unprotected sex.
If you took ulipristal acetate the implant should be inserted 5 days after taking the tablet. You should avoid having unprotected sex or use a barrier method of contraception until the implant is inserted and for 7 days after. You should also take a pregnancy test no sooner than 3 weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex.
How Does The Implant Work
The contraceptive implant works by slowly releasing a hormone called progestogen into your bloodstream which stops you from releasing an egg each month.
It will also thicken the mucus in your cervix, making it much more difficult for sperm to travel, and also thin the lining of your womb making it harder for a fertilised egg to implant. This makes the implant more than 99% effective according to the NHS.
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Where To Get More Information And Support
If you are using the internet for information, only use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones provided above.
Disclaimer
This website and any related materials are for general information purposes only and should not be relied on as medical or other professional advice. You should seek specific medical or professional advice for your individual circumstances.
The copyright for material on this website is owned by Family Planning Victoria and is subject to the Copyright Act 1968. We permit you to reproduce or communicate our copyright material if you are a not-for-profit educational organisation, for the purpose of providing the information to your students provided that you include any disclaimers associated with that material. Any other reproduction or communication of our material requires our prior consent, via our consent form which you can complete and submit.
28 May 2021
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What Happens If Youre Pregnant On Nexplanon
If you are pregnant while on Nexplanon than you have higher chances that you pregnancy will be ectopic than the women who do not use birth control. Ectopic pregnancy
A condition where fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus.
pregnancy occurs when the fertilized eggs gets attached to any place other than the uterus .
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Does Breastfeeding As Birth Control Work
The short answer: No, breastfeeding is not a reliable form of birth control.
The longer answer: While it is true that you may not get your period if youre breastfeeding, you can still ovulate, and if youre ovulating, you can get pregnant.
When you breastfeed exclusively, defined as nursing at least every four hours during the daytime and at least every six hours at night, for the first six months postpartum and before the return of your period, you typically no longer ovulate, and your chances of getting pregnant are much lower. Only about 2 out of 100 women who breastfeed according to these exact criteria get pregnant.
But if you know you want to space your children out over a specific period of time, or you simply know youre closing up shop for good , youll definitely want to use some form of birth control.
This is especially true once your baby is ready to start solid food , as youll likely get your period again. Its also true if you start supplementing with formula or dont stick to all the criteria of exclusive breastfeeding.
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Are There Any Side Effects From Implantable Contraception
Contraceptive implants can sometimes cause such side effects as:
Some of these side effects may go away after a few months.
Sometimes there can be irritation, infection, or scarring where the tube was placed.
Implantable contraception increases the risk of blood clots. Blood clots can lead to serious problems with the lungs, heart, and brain. Smoking cigarettes while using the implant can increase the risk of blood clots. Don’t smoke if you use implantable contraception or another form of hormonal birth control.
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How Does Nexplanon Work
Nexplanon contains etonogestrel. Etonogestrel is the synthetic form of naturally occurring female hormone, progesterone. Nexplanon releases etonogestrel into the blood stream of the implant. The main way in which Nexplanon prevents pregnancy is that it releases high amount of synthetic progesterone, tricking the body into believing that ovulation has already occurred and prevents the eggs from being formed in the ovary. Etonogestrel also effects the natural mucus at the cervix. This increases the thickness of the mucus making it difficult for the sperm to enter the womb and hence successful fertilization.
What Else Should I Know About The Implant
- The implant does not protect you from sexually transmissible infections .
- It is good to record the date or enter a reminder into your phone for when your implant is due to be removed. You will need to have it taken out before it expires . You can have a new implant inserted at the same time the existing one is being removed
- The implant is one of many types of contraception. See other contraceptive options
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Before You Begin Trying
Not getting your period after stopping birth control isnât necessarily a sign you canât get pregnant. You might ovulate without getting your period. If you ovulate, you can get pregnant.
An ovulation predictor test can tell you if youâre ovulating. You can buy one at a drugstore. There are also apps you can download that can help you figure it out.
If your body temperature goes up a little bit, that can be a sign of ovulation. So can cervical mucus thatâs stickier or more like raw egg whites.
If youâve recently quit using birth control and youre not ready to get pregnant right away, use a backup method .
If youâve been trying to get pregnant for 6 months or longer, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Most women successfully conceive within a year of trying. But itâs still a good idea to discuss whether there are steps you can take to make conception more likely.
Human Reproduction: âPregnancy and lifestyle study: the long-term use of the contraceptive pill and the risk of age-related miscarriage.â
Mayo Clinic: âMinipill ,â âBirth control FAQ: Benefits, risks, and choices,â âDepo-Provera ,â âDepo-Provera .â
University of Colorado OB-GYN & Family Planning: âGetting Pregnant After Birth Control.â
Obstetrics & Gynecology: âRate of Pregnancy After Using Drospirenone and Other Progestin-Containing Oral Contraceptives.â
Kaiser Permanente: âGetting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control,â âThe Birth Control Patch.â
When To See A Doctor
Women should speak to a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect that they are pregnant or have had a positive result on a pregnancy test while on birth control.
Conversely, if a woman misses a period and gets a negative pregnancy test result, she should also seek medical advice unless she is taking a form of birth control that prevents regular periods.
Although they are rare, false negatives are possible. There may be other underlying conditions causing missed periods or other pregnancy symptoms.
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Can You Get Pregnant On The Implant
When Nexplanon is inserted correctly the chances of getting pregnant are very few which is around 1 out of every 100 which is just 1 percent. There are still some unanswered questions about how effective Nexplanon is on overweight women as not many studies have been done including overweight women. The chances of getting pregnant on Nexplanon are very rare but it is technically possible. But you should know that the side effects just after the implantation of Nexplanon can mimic the symptoms of pregnancy as the body is not usually used to the hormones at that time.
Will Other Medicines Affect The Implant
Some medicines can make the implant less effective, such as:
- medicines for HIV, epilepsy and tuberculosis
- complementary remedies, such as St John’s Wort
- some antibiotics, such as rifabutin or rifampicin
If you’re taking any of these medicines, you’ll need additional contraception , or you may wish to use a different method of contraception that isn’t affected by your medicine.
Always tell your doctor that you’re using an implant if you’re prescribed any medicine. You can also ask them whether the medicine you’re taking will affect the implant.
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Who Shouldnt Get Nexplanon
There are some significant, life-threatening risks involved with using the birth control implant that you should discuss with your healthcare provider before choosing the implant. According to its prescribing information, you should not use Nexplanon if you have the following risk factors:
- Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
- Have blood clots anywhere in your body
- Have liver disease, tumors, or cancer
- Experience non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
- Have had or are currently diagnosed with cancer, especially breast cancer
- Are allergic to the Nexplanon implant
- Are looking for birth control that offers protection against sexually transmitted infections
Other contradictions to consider include:
- A history of mood disorders
- An allergy to anesthetics
- Kidney or gallbladder problems
Should You Use The Same Type Of Birth Control You Used Before You Got Pregnant
It depends some methods are more effective and comfortable pre-pregnancy and some are incompatible with nursing.
For example, some women who love their diaphragm before giving birth feel afterward that the spermicide is uncomfortable or drying. Do you find it inconvenient that you have to be re-fitted after birth to make sure it fits you properly ? Next, please!
Its also possible your period will change after pregnancy, though whether its for the better or worse is variable. Some women find that their cramps are much less severe once theyve had a baby, while others have the opposite experience.
If youre one of the unlucky ones, you may want to opt for a hormonal IUD or the pill, which will lessen the severity of your symptoms . Skip the Paragard since heavy, longer periods is a common side effect at least for the first few months.
And of course if youre breastfeeding, your hormonal birth control options are limited to the mini-pill and others without estrogen.
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Are There Side Effects
As with any form of hormonal birth control, it is possible that you will experience side effects if you get the birth control implant. Possible side effects include spotting, irregular periods, or your period stopping . Other possible, less common side effects include, headache, nausea, weight gain, ovarian cysts, and pain, bruising, or infection at the insertion site.
Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Birth Control Implant with a Gynecologist. Book an Appointment at Lona Sasser Obstetrics and Gynecology!
