How Does Implantable Contraception Work
The implanted tube slowly releases low levels of the hormone to prevent . If a girl doesn’t ovulate, she can’t get pregnant because there is no egg to be fertilized.
The released progestin also thickens the mucus around the cervix. This makes it hard for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The progestin also thins the lining of the uterus so an egg will have a hard time attaching to the wall of the uterus.
When Using Condoms Improperly
They seem pretty easy to use, and hey, we all tested them out on bananas in Health class back in the day. How can anyone screw them up? Heres the short list: using them with oil-based lubricants, like petroleum jelly or coconut oil, which erode latex using expired condoms or any that have been exposed to extreme temperatures accidentally ripping them with teeth, scissors, or a nail when opening the packet not leaving enough room at the tip and not pulling out quickly enough after sex. Maybe thats not such a short list, after all.
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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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
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 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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What Happens If You Dont Get Your Nexplanon Removed
If the implant is not removed, then the effects of NEXPLANON will continue for a longer period of time. Other problems related to insertion and removal include pain, irritation, swelling, bruising, numbness and tingling, scarring, infection, injury to the nerves or blood vessels, and breaking of the implant.
Getting Pregnant On Nexplanon
Although the chances of getting pregnant while on Nexplanon implantation is very rare, it is still possible. 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 occurs when the fertilized eggs gets attached to any place other than the uterus .
The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding which is heavier or lighter than your usual period, sharp or stabbing pain that will come and go and vary in intensity usually in the abdominal or pelvis region. Ectopic pregnancy can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. It is highly advised to contact you health care provider if you think you might be pregnant.
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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
When Should I Have The Nexplanon Inserted
It is usual to have an Nexplanon inserted within the first 5 days of your period. This means you will be immediately protected from pregnancy. If it is not possible to do this, your doctor or nurse will discuss other options with you. If you have it inserted after the first 5 days of a period you will not be protected from pregnancy for 7 days after the insertion.
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What Happens To Your Body After Implant Removal
Overall, you should feel completely normal after getting your implant taken out. Your arm may feel tender or swollen around where the implant was for a few days. It may look bruised for a week or two. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to wash and take care of your skin for a couple of days after removal.
How Effective Is The Implant At Preventing Pregnancy
The implant is a very effective method of long acting contraception, and while no form of contraception is completely failsafe, using it makes the risk of a woman getting pregnant far less likely.
It is estimated that 84% of women would get pregnant within a year if they had regular, unprotected intercourse.1
For women using the contraceptive implant, the chances of getting pregnant are less than 1%, providing the implant has been in place for less than three years. So, for every 100 women with an implant having intercourse, less than one will become pregnant over the course of one year.2
This number is similar to the efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive pill .
While your implant is in place, it releases a steady amount of the hormone progesterone. However, the amount it releases decreases slightly year on year. This is why it needs replacing after three years. Research has shown that during this three-year period, for women of a healthy body weight, the implant becomes no less effective at preventing pregnancy however.3
Other methods of contraception including the copper coil, the Mirena coil, and the contraceptive injection, all have similar failure rates to the implant. If you compare this to the withdrawal method, which has a 27% rate of pregnancy within a year when used typically,5 you will see why this is not a recommended method of contraception.
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Can You Ovulate On Nexplanon
Nexplanon is a hormone implant that prevents ovulation . This medication also causes changes in the cervical mucus and uterine lining making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
The implant is very safe for most people but all medications have some risks and side effects. The doctor will figure out if the implant is safe or not. This is 99% effective.
References
The Nexplanon Arm Implant
The Nexplanon implant is a small, flexible plastic rod that measures . Using a specially designed applicator, your doctor will insert it under the skin in your upper non-dominant arm. The procedure takes less than a minute or two to complete.
The implant contains the progestin hormone called etonogestrel. Etonogestrel is a hormone that is similar to a natural hormone made in your body. The implant releases enough hormone into your body each day to prevent pregnancy.
Before you get Nexplanon implanted, your doctor will perform a pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant.
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How Is A Contraceptive Implant Fitted Or Removed
A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area on the inside of your upper arm.
The implant is then inserted under your skin it only takes a few minutes to put in and feels like having an injection. You wont need any stitches after your implant has been fitted.
Nexplanon works for 3 years before it needs to be replaced. You can use this method until you reach the menopause, when a womans monthly periods stop naturally.
The implant can be removed at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It only takes a few minutes to remove, and a local anaesthetic will be used. The doctor or nurse will make a tiny cut in your skin to gently pull the implant out.
As soon as the implant has been removed, youll no longer be protected against pregnancy.
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How Is The Nexplanon Implant Used
Nexplanon is inserted through a needle into the skin of your upper arm, just inside and above the elbow. After the implant is inserted, your arm will be covered with 2 bandages. Remove the top bandage after 24 hours, but leave the smaller bandage on for 3 to 5 days. Keep the area clean and dry.
The timing of when you receive the Nexplanon implant depends on whether you were using birth control before, and what type it was.
You should be able to feel the implant under your skin. Tell your doctor if you cannot feel the implant at any time while it is in place.
The Nexplanon implant can remain in place for up to 3 years. If the implant is placed correctly, you will not need to use back-up birth control. Follow your doctors instructions.
You may have irregular and unpredictable periods while using Nexplanon. Tell your doctor if your periods are very heavy or long-lasting, or if you miss a period .
If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, or if you need medical tests, may need to have your Nexplanon implant removed for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you have a Nexplanon implant.
Have regular physical exams and mammograms, and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using this medicine.
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How Is A Nexplanon Inserted
Nexplanon is about the size of a short kirby grip. A specially trained doctor or nurse will insert it under the skin of your upper arm. A cold numbing spray or an injection of local anaesthetic into the skin to numb the area will be used to so that inserting the Nexplanon will not hurt. You will not have any stitches and it will only take a few minutes. The area may be a bit sore and bruised but it will have a dressing on it to help keep it clean and dry. Try not to knock it. After a few days you can remove the dressing and once healed you really should not be aware that it is there. You should be able to do all the things you would normally do with your arm. Usually you cannot see the Nexplanon but you are normally able to feel it.
What Are The Side Effects Of Nexplanon
The common side effects that a lot of implants face are Changes in menstrual bleeding, Headache, Vaginal infections, Acne, Weight gain, Breast tenderness or pain, hair loss, nervousness, dizziness, increased appetite, Irritation or pain at site of implant. In a few cases there might be few more severe and uncommon side effects such as breast enlargement, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, oedema and constipation. In very rare cases side effects can also be blood clot formation, liver disease and rise in blood pressure.
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Disclaimer
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
NOTE: Some of the links in this post might be affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, well receive a small commission at no extra cost for you, which helps us cover the costs for the blog.
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Does Nexplanon Lose Effectiveness Over Time
Nexplanon prevents pregnancy by continually releasing a low dose of progestin over a three-year period. The amount of progestin released slowly decreases over time. By the end of the third year, the dose released is too small to prevent pregnancy, which is why the implant must be removed at that time.
Can Anyone Have A Nexplanon
Most women who want a Nexplanon can have it.
Conditions which may mean you may not be suitable for Nexplanon.
- Now or in the past you have had breast cancer
- You have had certain types of liver disease
- You have bleeding between the periods or after sex and you have not seen a doctor or nurse about this, or you have seen a doctor or nurse but you are still waiting to be told why this is happening
- You have certain rheumatic diseases
- Also you should stop using Nexplanon if you have a heart attack or stroke
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What Could Cause Pregnancy
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After Having Infertility Issues Or Using Ivf To Get Pregnant
Just because youve had infertility issues, it doesnt necessarily mean youre infertile. It could just mean that you have a very low chance of conceiving naturally which means theres still a chance.
According to one study in the journal Fertility and Sterility, 17 percent of women who had conceived through IVF subsequently got pregnant naturally shortly after. While researchers arent quite sure why this happens, some suggest that pregnancy kicks the body into gear and can also suppress the effects of conditions like endometriosis, allowing conception to happen more easily. Plus, pregnancy-related stress is at an all-time low since its the last thing on your mind until surprise! If youre not quite ready for a surprise, make sure to take the proper precautions.
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Birth Control : : Nexplanon And Weight Gain
Ive had Nexplanon for a year now and within a month of getting it put in, Ive gained almost 30 pounds with no change to my diet, exercise or daily routines. Ive tried dieting and exercising and cant seem to lose more than ten pounds. Im finally getting it removed but Im having a hard time deciding what BC to use next because I really want to lose this weight and Im scared the next BC I use is going to give me the same issue. Has anyone else had this issue and found a BC that was better without the weight gain?
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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.
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How Will I Know If Im Pregnant With The Implant In My Arm
On the rare chance that you may become pregnant on the implant, it is recommended that you look out for certain signs. Looking out for a change in your period is not a good indicator of pregnancy as one of the side effects of Nexplanon is changes in the menstrual cycle. You may experience tiredness, nausea and tender breasts. If you are concerned you may be pregnant, we recommend taking a pregnancy test before contacting your GP.
