Will The Hormonal Implant Make Me Gain Weight
While weight gain is often cited as a side effect of birth control, the truth is that there are many other reasons our weight tends to fluctuate during our lives. Changes in diet, activity, and routine are a big one. According to our friends at Bedsider, Early studies showed that about 5% of women using the implant got them removed due to concerns about weight gain. However, the weight changes dont appear to be different between women using the implant and women using birth control without hormones.Each method of birth control affects each person differently, but as a whole, weight gain is not a common side effect of birth control implants. In fact, the Depo-Provera shot is the only method of birth control that has a proven connection to slight weight gain. If you are concerned about side effects associated with hormonal birth control, you may want to consider trying a non-hormonal IUD.
Can You Get Pregnant While On Nexplanon Birth Control
Immediately after the implant is inserted, you would be protected from getting pregnant as we know there is only a 1% chance for females to get pregnant. It begs the question can you get pregnant while on nexplanon?
No, you cannot get pregnant while using nexplanon birth control. As nexplanon causes lighter periods, some women may think that they are pregnant, but there is no need to worry because it may be one of its side effects.
Nexplanon contains progestin that makes the mucus in your cervix thick, which further stops sperms from reaching your egg. Obviously, when sperm cannot fuse with an egg, pregnancy cannot happen.
Progestin hormone cannot let the eggs leave your ovaries or prevent ovulation, so there will be no egg to fertilize. Therefore you cannot get pregnant if the eggs are not released.
Nexplanon, however, may be less effective when combined with certain medicines. Hence, anyone considering taking any medication should consult their doctor first.
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.
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If I Have The Contraceptive Implant How Would I Know If I Was Pregnant
A missed period isnt a good indicator of pregnancy when you are using the contraceptive implant. This is because the implant often makes periods lighter or more irregular, and some people find that their periods stop completely while they have the implant. However, some find the opposite can occur, and they may have heavier, longer periods.
However, on the very rare chance that you become pregnant while using the contraceptive implant, there are a number of signs you could look for. These may include a change in the pattern of your periods , tender breasts, tiredness, or nausea. The easiest and safest way to check if you are concerned you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
If you do become pregnant while using the implant, it is important to see your doctor as soon as you can. 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.8 However, in this situation, removing the implant as soon as possible is recommended.9
Nexplanon Birth Control Study Seeks Participants
UC Davis Health is now enrolling women in a new study to extend Nexplanons use to five years. Nexplanon is a contraceptive implant that is inserted under the skin of the upper arm to provide birth control. The implant is currently approved for three years of use.
This study will be an incredible benefit to women. The contraceptive implant is the most effective reversible method for preventing pregnancy, said Mitchell Creinin, family planning director at UC Davis Health. Extending the duration of use to five years allows users to require fewer procedures over time and to have control over if and when they become pregnant.
Nexplanon is frequently recommended for use up to five years, despite its three-year label. Those recommendations are based on the real-world experiences of many women. Extending duration for the label would allow a single procedure to provide contraception for five instead of three years.
The study is recruiting potential participants using the following criteria:
- Currently using Nexplanon for almost 3 years
- Desiring to continue using their Nexplanon for up to two more years
- Sexually active with a male
- 35 years or younger at enrollment
- No weight restrictions
For more information or to sign up, contact 916-734-6846 or email
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Symptoms After Nexplanon Removal: What Can You Expect
Nexplanon is a flexible, etonogestrel-containing, rod that is implanted within the inner side of your upper arm and that provides reliable contraception for up to three years. While Nexplanon is an extremely convenient form of birth control, every woman who uses it will have to have the implant removed sooner or later.
Nexplanon: A Quick Overview
In medical terms, Nexplanon is a device that prevents pregnancy. It is a soft, flexible, and disposable device. This product is available as an off-white or white color and measures 4cm long by 2mm in diameter. It consists of ethylene-vinyl acetate containing 68mg of synthetic progestin etonogestrel, barium sulfate, and magnesium stearate, enveloped by an EVA copolymer layer.
The Nexplanon implant is inserted deeply in the upper arm. This implant is best used for up to 3 years. It must be removed at the end of the 3rd year and replaced by a new one if continuous protection is required.
Although it is an effective contraceptive method, still it can cause many adverse effects, such as the formation of blood clots, liver diseases, severe depression, breast tenderness, irregular menstrual periods, and many more. If someone feels one of these symptoms, she should consult the doctor.
Nexplanon does not protect someone from sexually transmitted diseases. It starts working just after 1 week. It prevents pregnancy up to 3 years thats why it is called get-it and forget-it birth control.
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Advantage Of Using Nexplanon
Nexplanon is convenient and effective as it is a one-time use method that needs to be replaced in 3-5 years.
- It is 99% effective and long-term protection against pregnancy. It works as well as IUDs and sterilization. There can be no errors in the use, and there are no repercussions like the pill if you forget to take it.
- The implant is private and convenient. Once its inside, you dont have to think about it and it will work until expiration or removal. This also means that there is no pill to take daily or a ring to put, no trips to the pharmacy for contraception, and you can have sex any time you want. The implant is not visible against the skin, so no one needs to know you are on it, keeping your privacy intact.
- Nexplanon has only one hormone in it, whereas many hormonal birth control devices and methods use two hormones estrogen and progestin. Some women with health issues cannot use estrogen. So, they can freely use Nexplanon as it is estrogen-free.
- These implants can make the menstrual cycle better for women. Nexplanon helps in reducing period cramps and pain. The periods one does get is also quite light, and one-third of the users stop getting the period after one year.
- Fertility is not affected if you remove this implant. Women can get pregnant again after removing the implant. It is a reversible birth control method. It is very much possible that the woman gets pregnant as soon as the implant is out.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Hormonal Implants
Just like any medication, everyones experience with the implant is different, and the hormonal implant can come with both positive and negative side effects. Implants can cause shorter, lighter, and less frequent menstrual periods, which some folks really like. The implant can also improve symptoms of PMS, depression, and issues related to endometriosis. Fewer people have reported unpleasant side effects, like acne, change in appetite, or a change in sex drive, especially within the first few months of getting an implant. These symptoms can be associated with most forms of hormonal birth control. If youre looking to avoid hormones and any symptoms that may be associated with them, consider the copper IUD. It is totally hormone-free and prevents pregnancy for up to 12 years.
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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.
Complications Of Insertion And Removal
Nexplanon should be inserted subdermally so that it will be palpable after insertion, and this should be confirmed by palpation immediately after insertion. Failure to insert Nexplanon properly may go unnoticed unless it is palpated immediately after insertion. Undetected failure to insert the implant may lead to an unintended pregnancy. Complications related to insertion and removal procedures, such as pain, paresthesias, bleeding, hematoma, scarring or infection, may occur.
If Nexplanon is inserted deeply , neural or vascular injury may occur. To help reduce the risk of neural or vascular injury, Nexplanon should be inserted subdermally just under the skin at the inner side of the non-dominant upper arm overlying the triceps muscle about 8-10 cm from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and 3-5 cm posterior to the sulcus between the biceps and triceps muscles. This location is intended to avoid the large blood vessels and nerves lying within and surrounding the sulcus. Deep insertions of Nexplanon have been associated with paresthesia , migration of the implant , and intravascular insertion. If infection develops at the insertion site, start suitable treatment. If the infection persists, the implant should be removed. Incomplete insertions or infections may lead to expulsion.
Implant removal may be difficult or impossible if the implant is not inserted correctly, is inserted too deeply, not palpable, encased in fibrous tissue, or has migrated.
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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.
Pregnancy Symptoms While On Nexplanon
Although nexplanon is the most effective method to prevent pregnancy, still there is a chance of conception, which is exceptional. For instance, assume a woman is pregnant while she is on nexplanon. In that situation, she should see a doctor right away because the risk of an ectopic pregnancy is high.
Females who get pregnant while on contraception can notice the following pregnancy symptoms while on Nexplanon:
- Sleep disturbances
After noticing these symptoms, if you doubt that you are pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test at home. If the test is positive, you need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
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How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Nexplanon Is Removed
Immediately! The body becomes fertile as soon as Nexplanon is removed. With this said, however, keep in mind that youve had a long-acting form of birth control in your body . It can take up to 3 months for ovulation to return.
Nexplanon has also been working to thin the lining of your uterus, potentially making it more difficult for an embryo to implant immediately after Nexplanon is removed. It thickens back up quickly for most women , but it is best to give it a couple of cycles to recuperate. Dont be discouraged if pregnancy does not happen immediately, and keep in mind that pregnancy immediately of removal could carry a slightly increased risk for miscarriage.
If you have been using Nexplanon or other forms of birth control for many years, also keep in mind that age affects egg quality and chance of pregnancy. Every year after about age 25 your fertility slowly declines, making it ever so slightly more difficult to get pregnant as you age. Be patient with your body. Give it a full year of trying before considering infertility.
Ttc After Nexplanon Removal
I had my Nexplanon removed yesterday. Ive been taking the pill since Monday to cover myself but to be honest, were thinking of TTC anyway so I might just ditch the pill and go cold turkey. Do you have to wait until your first AF after you have your implant removed until youre considered fertile or are you good to go as soon as its out? Im starting to worry about my fertility returning as Ive seen so many women say its taken them months, even years to get pregnant again after the implant. If anyone has any advice or experience they could share, that would be great!!
Hi. I had mine removed on 7th Nov as we are ttc. I had regular bleeding in my last year of implant so based on that I expected AF on 21/11 but only had some spotting. Even thought I might have been pregnant but nope. Now on day 40 based on Ovia & think I will soon ovulate based on OPKs so at least I know things are working now. I think everyone is different but thats my story.I would suggest OPKs just to learn what your body is doing.Good luck, here if you have questions.
Thanks for your reply Im getting really anxious that Ive mucked up my fertility. I was on Nexplanon for about 18 months and had regular spotting for most of the time. Do you think its best to stop taking the pill so I can try and get my body back to normal and try and chart my ovulation? I just have this feeling that its not going to be an easy ride for me
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Unintended Pregnancy With Implantable Subdermal Contraceptive Device : A Case Report
Shadi Rezai,1
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1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern California Kaiser Permanente, USA2St Georges University, School of Medicine, Grenada3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, USA4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Medical Care of the Bronx, USA5Takeshige Medical, PO Box 121, Edgewater, New Jersey, 07020, USA
Correspondence: Shadi Rezai MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern California Kaiser Permanente, Kern County, 1200 Discovery Drive, Bakersfield, California, 93309, USA, Tel 7185795000
Received: December 05, 2017 | Published: January 31, 2018
Citation: Rezai SMD, Patel NDBS, Hughes BSN, Shumaker LVNII, Pandya BRMD, et al. Unintended Pregnancy with Implantable Subdermal Contraceptive Device : A Case Report. Obstet Gynecol Int J 9: 00299. DOI: 10.15406/ogij.2018.09.00299
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 womans 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 womans 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?
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