How Can I Have Fun Without Getting Pregnant
Guess what, kissing will not get you pregnant, nor will making out. Neither will dry humping if either you or your partner is wearing some kind of clothing that covers the genitals. You also cant get pregnant by masturbating, either by yourself or while masturbating in the same room as someone else. Searching for more frisky fun? Try using sex toys with yourself or a partner, or what Scarleteen calls manual sex, aka fingering and hand jobs. These are all risk-free from pregnancy and are great options if youre not using birth control and dont want to be pregnant.
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Myth: Who Can Use The Method
Some women who seek family planning believe that implants should not be used by women who are young or who have not had children.
Fact: Nearly all women can use implants safely and effectively
Implants are suitable for women of any age, regardless of whether they have had children or not. Implants do not make women infertilefertility returns as soon as implants are removed. Breastfeeding women can use implants if at least six weeks have passed since they have given birth.
Implants may not be suitable for women who require a family planning method without hormones. For example, women who have or have had breast cancer and women with active, serious liver disease should choose an alternative method.
Barrier Methods And Natural Methods
If you were using a barrier method, there is good news. These methods do not interfere with fertility. Barrier methods include:
Barrier methods block sperm from reaching your egg. These methods do not stop ovulation. Whether you are using them or not, your monthly cycle does not change.
As an added bonus, condoms also protect you from sexually transmitted infections . Left untreated, some STIs can lead to infertility.
Some people use natural family planning methods. If this is you, you may be able to get pregnant faster. Many of these methods have you keep track of your most fertile days. So now, just do the reverse. Instead of avoiding sex around those days, go try to make a baby.
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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.
How Nexplanon Implant Works

Nexplanon implant prevents you from pregnancy in the following ways:
- It alters cervical mucus so that it is harder for sperms to swim through and reduces tubal contraction hence preventing fertilization
- It also makes your uterus lining less receptive to implantation
- It can also prevent you from ovulating.
Implant Nexplanon
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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.
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Benefits And Side Effects
The implant is super effective and convenient to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon gives great, long-term protection against pregnancy its more than 99% effective. The implant works as well as sterilization or IUDs. The implant is convenient and private. It makes the periods better by cutting down on period cramps. Also, it makes the period lighter. Implants only have one hormone as compared to many hormonal birth control methods contain two hormones. Nexplanon is reversible as can get pregnant after taking out the implant.
The hormones in the implant may cause side effects for some people but usually go away after a few months. So if you got the implant and have side effects that bother, try to stick it out and give the body a chance to adjust to the hormones. The most common birth control implant side effect is spotting , especially in the first 6-12 months. Sometimes the implant causes long-term spotting or periods can get longer and heavier. But for most people, the implant makes the periods way lighter. And some people even stop getting a period at all while on the implant. Other possible side effects are
- Headaches
- Pain or bruising on the arm where the implant was inserted
- An infection where the implant was inserted
If not fine with the implant, contact the doctor, and try a different birth control methods.
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Does Nexplanon Last 3 Or 5 Years
If you wish to continue using Nexplanon® for longer than three years, it is safe and effective to have one implant removed and another placed in the same visit. And while Nexplanon® is effective for up to three years, if youre unhappy with your Nexplanon®, you can always choose to have it removed sooner.
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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How Well Does Implantable Contraception Work
Implantable contraception is a very effective method of birth control. Over the course of 1 year, fewer than 1 out of 100 typical couples using the implant will have an accidental pregnancy. The chances of getting pregnant increase if a girl waits longer than 3 years to replace the tube. So it’s important to keep a record of when a tube was inserted, and:
- Get a new contraceptive implant on schedule. or
- Have the old tube removed and switch to another birth control method.
In general, how well each birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a girl has any health conditions or is taking medicines or herbal supplements that might affect its use. For example, some antibiotics or herbs like St. John’s wort can affect how well implantable contraception works.
Does The ‘depo’ Contraceptive Injection Affect Fertility
The short answer: Contraceptive injections can have lingering contraceptive effects for up to 1.5 years but do not affect long-term future fertility.
The long answer: Depo-Provera or Depo-Ralovera is a contraceptive injected once every three months. Like other hormonal contraceptives, it works by preventing ovulation. Because it is designed to last longer than the contraceptive pill, the contraceptive injection may not be the best option if youre hoping to become pregnant fairly soon. Though the injection is unreliable as a contraceptive after three months, it can potentially remain in muscle tissue for much longer. Ten months is the median time it takes to return to fertility. By 1.5 years after the last contraceptive injection, fertility rates are the same in Depo users as in the general population.
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When It Starts To Work
You can have the implant put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you’re not pregnant.
If the implant is fitted during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you’ll be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.
If it’s fitted on any other day of your menstrual cycle, you’ll need to use additional contraception for 7 days.
Where To Get More Information

- Your local doctor
- Womens Welcome Centre Tel: 8345 3037 or 1800 442 007
- Family Planning VictoriaTel: 9257 0116. If you are under 25, you can also call the Action Centre 9660 4700 or 1800 013 952
Information about long acting reversilble contraception , including contraceptive implants, is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese see section on this page.
Related information
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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
Nexplanon Insertion Is A Quick And Painless Procedure
Getting a Nexplanon inserted is a relatively quick process. Here’s what to expect during a typical insertion procedure:
- You will lie flat and rest your non-dominant arm facing upward.
- Your health care provider will locate a space on your arm between the muscles to insert the device.
- They will then clean the area and apply a local anesthetic, usually lidocaine.
- The device will be inserted directly beneath your skin, which should take less than 20 seconds.
- The skin where the implant is located may be slightly raised, but is not usually visible. You should be able to feel the rod just beneath the skin if you palpate the area, but it should not disturb your regular movement or range of motion of your arm.
- Your provider will apply a small bandaid over the site of the implant that you should wear for 3-5 days and a pressure bandage around the arm that you should wear for 24 hours after the procedure.
The procedures should not be painful, but you may experience soreness or bruising a day or two after the device is inserted or removed.
If you are experiencing consistent pain or have a fever following your insertion or removal of Nexplanon you should contact your health care provider right away as it may be a sign of allergic reaction or improper placement.
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How Nexplanon Prevents Pregnancy
Nexplanon is a progestin-only, hormonal birth control option. It uses a synthetic form of progestin, called etonogestrel.
Etonogestrel works to prevent pregnancy in three ways:
The hormones stored in the device are slowly and continuously released into the bloodstream over the course of the three years that the device is inserted.
After the first six weeks the daily dose of hormones you receive slightly decreases, but it is still enough to prevent pregnancy. Most side effects will be most severe the first few months.
Myth: Infertility And Ectopic Pregnancy
Some women who seek family planning believe that using implants will cause infertility, delay the return of fertility after the implants are removed, or cause ectopic pregnancies .
Fact: Implant doesn’t affect your fertility, and reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy
Implants stop working once they are removed and their hormones do not remain in the womans body. Implant use does not affect a womans ability to become pregnant, although fertility decreases with a womans age. One major study found that women who have had their implants removed can become pregnant as quickly as women who have stopped using nonhormonal methods.
Implants substantially reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy. In the United States, the rate of ectopic pregnancy among women who are not using a contraceptive method is 650 ectopic pregnancies per 100,000 women per year. The rate of ectopic pregnancy among women using implants is 6 ectopic pregnancies per 100,000 women per year.
Even in the very rare cases when implants fail and pregnancy occurs, the great majority of these pregnancies are not ectopic. Only 10 to 17 of every 100 pregnancies due to the failure of implants are ectopic.
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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 Does The Contraceptive Implant Start Working To Protect Against Pregnancy
The implant can be inserted any time during your menstrual cycle. If the implant is inserted at the beginning of your menstrual cycle then you should be protected against pregnancy immediately.
If the contraceptive implant is fitted on any other day of your menstrual cycle then you will need to ensure that you use another method of contraception such as condoms for 7 days.
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Where Can I Get A Contraceptive Implant Fitted Or Removed
You can get the contraceptive implant for free, even if you’re under 16, from:
- contraception clinics
- sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics
- GP surgeries
- some young people’s services
Some GPs or practice nurses are able to fit and remove implants, so you’ll need to check at your GP surgery.
Alternatively, most sexual health clinics will be able to do this for you.
How Does Female Sterilisation Affect Future Fertility

The short answer: As you would expect, sterilisation can have a significant effect on future fertility.
The long answer: Tubal ligation, or sterilisation, is a process by which the fallopian tubes are blocked , preventing sperm from reaching and fertilising the eggs. Sterilisation is generally considered a permanent contraceptive, and is only recommended for women who are absolutely sure they dont want to have children. There is a reversal process for sterilisation, though fertility is not the same following a reversal.
The chance of getting pregnant after a reversal is around 40-70%, depending on age, how long between the sterilisation and reversal, and the method of the original surgery. There will likely be some scarring that will affect fertility. Around 50% of women eventually achieve pregnancy after a reversal. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increases for women who have undergone sterilisation and reversal.
Its important to remember that pregnancy can be achieved using IVF without performing a reversal, as the eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries. Using IVF, the likelihood of pregnancy after tubal ligation is the same as in the general population.
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Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Implant
Advantages:
- it works for 3 years
- it doesn’t interrupt sex
- it’s an option if you can’t use oestrogen-based contraception, such as the combined contraceptive pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring
- it’s safe to use while you’re breastfeeding
- your fertility will return to normal as soon as the implant is taken out
- it may reduce heavy periods or period pain
Disadvantages:
- you may experience temporary side effects during the first few months, like headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings
- your periods may be irregular or stop altogether
- you may get acne or your acne might get worse
- you’ll need a small procedure to have it fitted and removed
- it doesn’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use additional contraception as well
If You Use The Birth Control Pill
Contrary to popular belief, your fertility will usually return quite quickly after you stop using the birth control pill. The precise amount of time depends on several factors, including the type of birth control pill you use.
According to a 2009 study, 72 percent to 94 percent of women who use oral contraceptives become pregnant within 12 months of stopping.
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