Who Cannot Use The Implant
Most women can use the implant, however, you should not use it if:
- you are pregnant
- you have or have had a clotting disorder
- you have liver problems
- you have abnormal vaginal bleeding
- you have or have had breast cancer or endometrial cancer.
Discuss with your doctor or nurse if the implant is safe for you.
Did You Miss A Day
For the most effective protection against pregnancy, your birth control pills should be taken daily. Heres a helpful tip: taking your pills at the same time each day may help you to remember to take them regularly. If you accidentally miss a pill or two or start a new pack late, its possible your pills will not work as well. What should you do? First, take the missed pill as soon as you remember it, and then keep taking the rest of the pills as usual even if this means taking 2 pills in one day. If you miss more than 2 pills in a row, take the missed pill as soon as possible, leave any other missed pills in the pack, then finish the rest of the pack of pills. In this case, you should use another form of birth control, with your pills, like condoms, any time you have sex in the next seven days. Bedsider has a super helpful guide for protecting yourself from an accidental pregnancy if you miss a pill. They also have a free birth control reminder app if you want some help staying on top of your daily BC routine.
Most pill packs have reminder pills at the end of the pack. These pills have no active ingredients in them, so no need to worry if you miss any of them. Your doctor can confirm if your pills contain a week of reminder pills that do not impact pregnancy prevention if they are late or missed.
If you are worried about getting pregnant, remember you can always call us at SAY-CARA to discuss the best birth control options for you and your lifestyle.
How Much Does The Nexplanon Birth Control Arm Implant Cost
If you have health insurance, the cost of the implant and the procedure is likely to be fully covered under the Affordable Care Act. For uninsured people, the implant may cost about $1,000. Your healthcare provider may also charge additional fees for inserting and removing it. Check with your providers office to see how much they charge for the two procedures.
There are other options for helping with the cost of birth control. Try calling your local womens health clinic or family planning center. They may charge less or offer other resources.
Though the Nexplanon birth control arm implant can have a high upfront cost, it can save you more money than other birth control methods in the long run. Its worth weighing the pros and cons of each option to find the right contraception for you.
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How Is The Nexplanon Birth Control Arm Implant Different From The Iud
The Nexplanon birth control arm implant and IUDs have quite a few similarities:
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Theyre both undetectable. You cant visibly see if someone has Nexplanon or an IUD. So your reproductive choices remain your business and yours alone.
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Theyre both low maintenance. You dont have to remember to take a pill or change a patch. With one office visit, youre good for years.
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Theyre both very effective. Both Nexplanon and IUDs are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This is more effective than the pill, patch, or ring.
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They both take about the same time to have placed. Insertion and removal visits for both Nexplanon and IUDs take about 30 minutes or less.
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Neither protects you from sexually transmitted infections . While both are effective for preventing pregnancy, neither protects against STIs, such as HIV. Its important to use a condom to help protect yourself.
While there are many similarities between the Nexplanon birth control implant and IUD, there are definite differences, too.
The IUD is a T-shaped device thats placed inside your uterus, through the vagina. This means hormones from an IUD only have to travel a short distance to get to the uterine lining. On the other hand, hormones from the Nexplanon arm implant have to make their way through the body using the bloodstream. This raises the chances for side effects with the implant, such as prolonged irregular bleeding .
How Do You Get It
A person needs to visit a doctors office to have the flexible tube inserted into their upper arm. People interested in having a Nexplanon implant should make sure that the doctor has experience in performing the procedure.
During the procedure, the doctor will make a small incision with a tool designed to insert Nexplanon. The procedure only takes a few minutes and does not require any downtime.
The doctor can insert the device at the same time as they remove an old one. To remove the device, they will administer a local anesthetic to the area, make a small incision underneath the implant, and grip the device with forceps to gently pull it out.
A range of healthcare professionals and birth control services offer Nexplanon and other contraceptive options online.
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You Can Have It Removed At Any Time
If you change your mind and want to become pregnant before the implant expires, you can make an appointment with your doctor to have the implant removed. Depending upon where you are in your menstrual cycle when you have it removed, you can become fertile immediately. The Nexplanon implant will not affect your fertility or make it harder for you to get pregnant in the future.
If You Use The Birth Control Implant
If you use the birth control implant, or Nexplanon®, your fertility should return fairly quickly after the implant is removed from your body. Like with the IUD, its possible for some women to get pregnant immediately after removal of the implant.
According to Merck & Co., the manufacturer of Nexplanon, pregnancies have been observed within seven to 14 days after removal of the birth control implant. Most women start ovulating and become fertile again in a month or less after the implant is removed by a healthcare professional.
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Myths And Facts About Implants
This page was originally published in 2012 and has since been updated.
Contraceptive implants are thin, small , flexible rods which are implanted under the skin of the upper arm by a doctor or a nurse. They are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
The implant rods contain progestins which are steadily released into the womans bloodstream. Progestins are like the hormone progesterone, which is produced naturally within a womans body.
The continuous release of progestins stops a woman releasing an egg every month , and thickens the mucus from the cervix , making it difficult for sperm to pass through to the womb and reach an unfertilized egg.
Implants protect against pregnancy soon after as they have been inserted. Depending on the type of implant, they last between 3-5 years, but can be removed at any time. Fertility returns when the implant is removed.
Some women experience side effects form implants. It is common, but not harmful, to experience changes in menstrual bleeding patterns. Other possible side effects include abdominal pain, headaches, breast tenderness and acne. Side-effects often diminish over time, especially after the first few months to a year of use, but if you are concerned about side effects, you should go and talk to your provider.
When fitting the implant, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the area. It makes a small wound in the arm, which is closed with a dressing and does not need stitches.
How Is The Nexplanon Implant Placed And Removed
Your healthcare provider will place and remove the Nexplanon implant in a minor surgical procedure in his or her office. The implant is placed just under the skin on the inner side of your nondominant upper arm.
The timing of insertion is important. Your healthcare provider may:
- Perform a pregnancy test before inserting Nexplanon
- Schedule the insertion at a specific time of your menstrual cycle . If the implant is placed after the fifth day of menses, then you should use an additional contraceptive method for the first 7 days after insertion.
Your healthcare provider will cover the site where Nexplanon was placed with 2 bandages. Leave the top bandage on for 24 hours. Keep the smaller bandage clean, dry, and in place for 3 to 5 days.
Immediately after the Nexplanon implant has been placed, you and your healthcare provider should check that the implant is in your arm by feeling for it.
If you cannot feel the implant immediately after insertion, the implant may not have been inserted, or it may have been inserted deeply. A deep insertion may cause problems with locating and removing the implant. Once the healthcare professional has located the implant, it should be removed.
Depending on the exact position of the implant, removal may be difficult and may require surgery.
Be sure to have checkups as advised by your healthcare provider.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
What if I become pregnant while using Nexplanon?
Can I use Nexplanon when I am breastfeeding?
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How Soon Can You Get Pregnant
This is a different question just because your fertility has returned doesnt mean pregnancy will happen right away.
This can be a really odd experience for someone who has spent years preventing pregnancy. You might assume that without birth control, you would have conceived immediatelybut thats not entirely accurate.
Once you stop contraceptives, you may conceive the very first fertile month, or you may need to try for up to a year. This is the same as for those who have not used any birth control.
How To Prepare For The Procedure
The health care provider evaluates the womans overall health before inserting the implant. They will determine the correct timing for insertion based on previous birth control and menstrual cycle.
A woman may need to take a pregnancy test and be on a non-hormonal backup contraceptive for a week. A backup is not required if the woman previously:
- Did not use any contraception and had the contraceptive implant put into her body in the first five days of the menstrual cycle, even when they were bleeding.
- Used a mini-pill and had the implant inserted while she was on the pill.
- Had used a combination of contraceptives like a vaginal ring, birth control patch, birth control pills.
- Also, if she had the implant inserted within seven days of the beginning of the hormone-free period.
- Took a contraceptive injection and then had the implant added when the next injection was due.
- Previously used an IUD or another contraceptive and then had the Nexplanon inserted after the removal of an old device .
Before the insertion, the woman may need to sign a consent form.
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Anyone Experience Getting Pregnant After Nexplanon Removal
my nexplanon was removed in June of 2019, I decided the implant was right for me, A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into your arm and thats it youre protected from pregnancy for up to 5 years, It may take 3 to 18 months after your last shot to get pregnant, then you could get pregnant very soon, The Nexplanon implant came with a new insertion device, the implant , and less than one out of every 100 women who use Implanon for one year will get pregnant, If you get your implant removed and you dont want to get pregnant, 2020CHANCES OF TWINS AFTER IMPLANON?Getting pregnant after Nexplanon removal
See more resultsThe implant is one of the best birth control methods out there its more than 99% effective, It may take 3 to 18 months after your last shot to get pregnant, Grr Hi Tia, That means fewer than 1 out of 100 people who use the implant get pregnant each year.
Can Anything Make Nexplanon Less Effective
- The common antibiotics a doctor or nurse gives you will not affect your Nexplanon. Antibiotics for TB and antibiotics to treat or prevent meningitis can affect Nexplanon as can some drugs used to treat epilepsy and HIV. The complementary medicine St Johns Wort can also make Nexplanon less effective. If you use any of these drugs it would better to use a different contraception and you should discuss this with your doctor or nurse. Always tell your doctor, nurse or dentist that you are using Nexplanon if they want to prescribe you any medicine.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting does not affect Nexplanon.
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What Is The Contraceptive Implant
The implant, also known by the brand name Nexplanon , is a small plastic rod that is placed in the upper arm by a doctor or nurse, and is used for contraception, or birth control.
The plastic device is about the size of a matchstick. The implant is a highly effective method of contraception but can have some side effects which can include changes to your periods, as well as tender breasts and mood swings for example.
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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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
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 and symptoms of pregnancy. 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.
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Can I Get Pregnant After Implant Removal
Once the contraceptive implant is removed your normal fertility will return to normal and you may be at risk of pregnancy. If you would like to learn more about the process of removing the implant, then check out our full guide on contraceptive implant fitting and removal.
If youre looking for further information on this form of contraception, then our blog on the contraceptive implant everything you need to know covers fitting and removal plus pros and cons of this method of contraception.
Other sources:
Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health
Reviewed and edited on 04/02/21in line with our content policy.
This guide was brought to you by The Lowdown. We are the worlds first contraception review platform, providing real-life experiences from thousands of reviews collected from our community of men and women.
Why not leave us a review of your contraceptive experience? Whether youve got good things to say about the Mirena coil or had trouble with implant removal, we want to hear about it! Tell us about your experience and help people around the world find the right method for them.
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What Are The Benefits
- You do not have to remember to take it every day/week/month or every time you have sex.
- It works for up to 3 years.
- It does not require a pelvic exam.
- It’s reversible and can be removed quickly and easily at any time if you change your mind.
- It’s a good option for users who cannot use estrogen.
- It’s safe to use while breastfeeding.
- You cannot see the implant, but you will be able to feel it. Only you and your health care provider will know it is there.
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When To Remove A Contraceptive Implant If You Are Pregnant
Equally, if you develop stomach pain, you must see your doctor urgently to rule out any chance of an ectopic pregnancy. There is good evidence to show that implants do not cause birth defects and will not cause harm to a developing pregnancy. However, it is suggested that in this situation the implant is removed as soon as possible. 6
Where Can I Get Implantable Contraception
Implantable contraception is only available from a doctor or other medical professional who has been trained to insert it. When the doctor can insert the implant depends on when you had your last period and what type of birth control you currently use.
After numbing the inside of your upper arm, the doctor will use a small needle to insert the tube under the surface. The whole process only takes a few minutes. After the tube is in, don’t do any heavy lifting for a few days. You’ll have a bandage on for a few days after the procedure.
A health care professional must remove the tube after 3 years. It cannot be left in a girl’s arm, even after it is no longer working. The health care professional numbs the area, makes a small cut in the arm, and pulls out the tube. The tube can be removed any time after insertion there’s no need to wait the full 3 years.
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