Myth: Health Risks And Side Effects
Some women who seek family planning do not want to use implants because they have misconceptions about implants causing illness or problems such as cancer, blindness, or birth defects.
Fact: Implants have several known health benefits
In addition to changes in menstrual bleeding, the most common side effects of implants are headaches, abdominal pain, and breast tenderness. These side effects are not an indication of illness and usually lessen or go away within the first year of use. Studies have not shown increased risk of cancer, blindness or birth defects with the use of implants.
They have been shown to greatly reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy and protect against symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease. Implants may also help protect against iron-deficiency anemia.
Also Check: What Causes Spotting In Early Pregnancy
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.
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.
Also Check: How Do You Test For Pregnancy
The Side Effects/ Not So Great Of Nexplanon
Like with anything, there are always some not so great things that come with the great.
For one, the first 6 months of Nexplanon were kind of sucky. My period was all over the place. I would go one to two months without one and then be spotting for almost an entire month the next. I always had a tampon on me in case of an emergency and that was annoying. Not to mention that guys just had to get over the fact that I was probably going to be on my period for a while, thanks to my body adjusting to this new birth control.
After I got over that hump , I then started to experience breakouts like I did in high school. All of the acne that had started to pop up was clearly hormonal because I had never had pimples form on my chin or neck before. The acne thing was definitely something that almost made me get it taken out, and I know a lot of other people who have had it taken out for that exact reason. It honestly just depends on how much you can handle and if you can find a way to manage your breakouts like I have.
What Should You Avoid When Using
When you are using Nexplanon implant, avoid smoking. This is because smoking elevates your chances of developing blood clots, serious complications like stroke, and heart attack. These risks increase with age the older you are, the more risky you are to develop blood clots and stroke or heart attack. Hence, when you are over 35 years of age and smoking, do not use Nexplanon implant.
Nexplanon implant cannot protect you against sexually transmitted infections. Use a condom to protect you against STIs.
Reference List
Also Check: Is It Normal To Cramp At 7 Weeks Pregnant
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.
Getting Contraception During Coronavirus
If you need contraception, call your GP surgery or a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Only go in person if asked to.
It might not be possible to have an implant fitted or replaced at the moment.
You normally have a contraceptive implant for 3 years, but it can be left in and will continue to work for up to 4 years.
The risk of getting pregnant during the 4th year is very low. If youre worried about getting pregnant, you could use condoms or the progestogen-only pill as well.
You May Like: When Can I Tell If I M Pregnant
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.
Questions And Answers About Implants
1. Do users of implants require follow-up visits?
No. Routine periodic visits are not necessary for implant users. Annual visits may be helpful for other preventive care, but they are not necessary or required. Of course, women are welcome to return at any time with questions or to have implants removed.
2. Can implants be left in a woman’s arm?
Leaving the implants in place beyond their effective lifespan is generally not recommended if the woman continues to be at risk of pregnancy. The implants themselves are not dangerous, but as the hormone levels in the implants drop, they become less and less effective. After they lose effectiveness, they may still release a small dose of hormone for several more years, which serves no purpose.
If a woman wants to continue using implants, she may have a new implant inserted in the other arm even if the first implant is not removed at that time, for example, if removal services are not immediately available.
3. Do implants cause cancer?
No. Studies have not shown increased risk of any cancer with use of implants.
4. How long does it take to become pregnant after the implants are removed?
Women who stop using implants can become pregnant as quickly as women who stop nonhormonal methods. Implants do not delay the return of a woman’s fertility after they are removed. The bleeding pattern a woman had before she used implants generally returns after they are removed.
6. Can implants come out of a womans arm?
Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Wine Can You Drink While Pregnant
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.
Are There Any Side Effects From Using The Implant
When the implant is first inserted and when it is removed, you may have some bruising and tenderness on your arm. This may last for up to a week. Wearing a bandage over your arm for 24 hours helps reduce bruising and tenderness. You may also develop a small scar where the implant was inserted and removed.
Your vaginal bleeding pattern will change. It might be more often and/or irregular . Around 20% of people using the implant will have no bleeding at all . Around 20% of people have frequent or prolonged bleeding which may get better with time. Some medications can help with this bleeding, speak to your doctor or nurse for more information.
Other possible side effects for a small number of users can include:
- headaches
- sore/ tender breasts
- mood changes.
These side effects often settle with time. The implant has not been shown to cause weight gain.
Read Also: What Helps With Nausea While Pregnant
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 Do I Use The Implant
The implant is inserted under the skin of your inner upper arm by a trained doctor or nurse. A local anaesthetic is used before the implant is inserted so that you will not feel pain when this is happening. After the implant is inserted, you should be able to feel the implant under the skin.
Local anaesthetic: a medicine used to numb a part of yourbody for a short while. You remain conscious.
Removing the implant is also done by a trained doctor or nurse. A local anaesthetic is used and then a small cut made in your skin to remove the implant.
Recommended Reading: Is It Normal To Have Diarrhea When Pregnant
Where Can I Get Depo
This type of birth control is a prescription medication that must be ordered by your healthcare provider . In many cases, the injection is given in your providers office by a nurse or a nurse that can come to your home. There is a different brand of the birth control shot that can be administered by patients at home. This shot is called Depo-subQ Provera 104. Unlike the Depo-Provera® shot that you may receive in your providers office, this version doesnt need to go into your muscular tissue. Your provider will teach you how to properly give yourself this shot before you start doing it on your own. Currently, theres no generic version of this medication. For cost reasons, many patients plan for intramuscular injections given by nurses.
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.
Don’t Miss: How To Calculate Safe Days To Avoid Pregnancy
Chances Of Getting Pregnant After Implanon Expires
havent had one since they put the thing in, Your partner may still get you pregnant if Hi jus wantd to know what are my chances of becoming pregnant., If a womans partner has not gotten another woman pregnant in the past, change cervical mucus, Have had one period since and due on tomorrow if cycles are back to normal .
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
My implanon has been expired since February of this year. In the last 2 years my periods had stopped completely on it which I heard can be common but even though it has expired they still have not returned. I had unprotected sex early this month but my partner withdrew long before ejaculating. I took the Ella one pill approx. 30 hours after intercourse as I know I am not protected with an expired implanon. I have been experiencing nausea and heavy abdominal cramps since taking the emergency contraceptive and have lost my appetite. I am still panicking about being pregnant. I’m unsure about when to take a pregnancy test as my periods have not yet returned at all so I have no way of judging. Any advice would be appreciated,
Thanks
Hello there,
In my opinion I’d say it’s rather doubtful that you’re pregnant. What ypu could be experiencing is a hormone imbalance. Your body’s hormones have basically been repressed with the implant and now it’s trying to return to normal. It’ll take a while for your hormones to return to normal during which time it’ll be much tougher to conceive.
You’ve taken all the necessary precautions anyway so it’s highly doubtful even if your body has returned back to normal.
But your body is probably just trying to compensate for the lack of hormone release over the amount of time the implant has been in. So you’ll be a bit out of balance for a few months. You may be able to read up more about it on the NHS website.
Hope this helps!
Don’t Miss: What Helps With Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
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.
Dont Miss: Can You Have Postpartum Depression During Pregnancy
When Do You See A Doctor
After Nexplanon implant, some women can have swelling in the face, allergic reactions or difficulty in breathing. Get emergency medical assistance if you show the above symptoms. Other signs and symptoms that you must call a doctor are as follows:
- When the site of the implant becomes swollen and some discharge emanating from it
- You feel symptoms of depression such as difficulty in sleeping, fluctuating moods, and fatigue
- You feel pain, swelling, and redness in one or both of your leg
- When you have sudden severe headaches
- If your skin and eyes become yellow, a condition called jaundice
- You experience pain or cramping in your pelvic region
- If you feel numbness or weakness on one side of your body
- If you feel pain in your chest
Also Check: Which Aflac Policy Covers Pregnancy
Contraception And Future Fertility Our Conclusions
Contraception doesnt generally affect future fertility. Its not something to be afraid of, and you can discuss any concerns you have with us in greater detail so that you know your future pregnancy plans wont be challenged by contraception.
O& G is a team of obstetricians, gynaecologists and womens health professionals based in Adelaide, Australia. However, the information in this blog is not a substitute for personal medical advice. We designed it to prepare and guide you, not take the place of a consultation. Always talk to your doctor or call O& G to arrange an appointment.
Connery House
What Happens If I Get Pregnant On The Implant
In the very rare chance you become pregnant whilst using the contraceptive implant then you should contact your doctor. If you become pregnant whilst on Nexplanon, then you have a slightly higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy . If you experience unusual vaginal bleeding or lower stomach pain then you must call your doctor immediately. The Nexplanon implant should be removed if pregnancy occurs, but there is no evidence to suggest falling pregnant whilst using the implant poses any harm to the developing pregnancy.
Don’t Miss: What Should You Eat Pregnant
