Birth Control Implant

 

What is the birth control implant?

The birth control implant (AKA Nexplanon) is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. The implant releases hormones into your body that prevent you from getting pregnant. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into your arm and that’s it — you’re protected from pregnancy for up to 5 years. It’s get-it-and-forget-it birth control.

How does the implant work?

The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. It’s also called Nexplanon and there’s a slightly older version called Implanon. A doctor inserts the implant under the skin of your upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin to stop you from getting pregnant.

The hormones in the birth control implant prevent pregnancy in two ways:

Progestin thickens the mucus on your cervix, which stops sperm from swimming through to your egg. When sperm can’t meet up with an egg, pregnancy can’t happen.

Progestin can also stop eggs from leaving your ovaries (called ovulation), so there’s no egg to fertilize. When eggs aren’t released, you can’t get pregnant.

One of the awesome things about the implant is that it lasts for a long time — up to 5 years — but it’s not permanent. If you decide you want to get pregnant or you just don’t want to have your implant anymore, your doctor can take it out. You’re able to get pregnant quickly after the implant is removed.

Does the implant prevent STDs?

Nope. Nexplanon doesn't protect against STDs. Luckily, using condoms or internal condoms every time you have sex does lower your chances of getting or spreading STDs. So using condoms with your implant is the best way to prevent infections.

How effective is the birth control implant?

Once a nurse or doctor inserts the birth control implant into your arm, it’s almost mistake-proof, making the birth control implant one of the safest, most effective, and convenient methods available. 

How effective is the implant?

The implant is one of the best birth control methods out there — it’s more than 99% effective. That means fewer than 1 out of 100 people who use Nexplanon will get pregnant each year. It doesn’t get much better than that.

The implant is so effective because there's no chance of making a mistake. Since it’s in your arm, you can’t forget to take it, or use it incorrectly. It protects you from pregnancy all day, every day for up to 5 years. If you decide you want to get pregnant, a nurse or doctor can take it out and you can get pregnant right away.

The implant doesn’t protect you from STDs, so use condoms along with the implant to help protect you from both pregnancy and STDs. That’s how you make sex worry-free.

How long does it take for the birth control implant to work?

If you get Nexplanon during the first 5 days of your period, you’re protected from pregnancy right away.  

If you get the implant at any other time in your cycle, use some other form of birth control (like condoms) during the first week. After that first week, the implant starts working and you’re protected from pregnancy for up to 5 years. That’s why it’s called get-it-and-forget-it birth control.

Do antibiotics affect Nexplanon?

Common antibiotics, like amoxicillin, won’t change the effectiveness of nexplanon. The antibiotic rifampin (also known as Rifadin and Rimactane) is the only exception — it can lower the effectiveness of nexplanon and other birth control methods. Rifampin is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. 

Some other medicines can make nexplanon less effective. It’s important to let your nurse or doctor know about any drugs and medicines you take — prescription, over-the-counter, recreational, vitamins, and herbal supplements — before they prescribe anything new for you. 

How much does a birth control implant cost?

Getting your birth control implant — also called Nexplanon — can cost anywhere between $0 and $1,300. Implant removal can cost between $0 and $300. But the good news is that implants are totally free (or low cost) with most health insurance plans, Medicaid, and some other government programs.

Even if the implant costs more than other methods up-front, it ends up saving you money in the long run because it lasts for 5 years.

Can I get the birth control implant for free or at low-cost?

There’s a good chance you can get the implant for free (or at a reduced price) if you have health insurance. Because of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), most insurance plans must cover all methods of birth control, including the implant.

If you don’t have health insurance, you’ve still got options. Depending on your income and legal status in the U.S., you may be able to enroll in Medicaid or other state programs that can help you pay for birth control and other health care.

What happens when the birth control implant is inserted?

A doctor or nurse uses a special device to place the implant under the skin of your arm. Insertion is really fast and they’ll numb your arm so it won’t hurt. 

How is the implant inserted?

First, your doctor or nurse will ask you some questions about your health to see if the implant — also called Nexplanon — is a good method for you. They may also give you a physical exam.  

The doctor or nurse gives you a shot to numb a small area of your arm. Then, they use a special inserter tool to slide the implant under your skin.  Putting the implant in only takes a few minutes.

How does it feel to get an implant inserted?

Most people just feel a little pinch or stinging when they get the numbing shot. After that, you shouldn’t be able to feel the implant being inserted. After the pain medication has worn off, your arm may ache a little where the implant was inserted, but it goes away quickly.

You may have some tenderness or swelling around the implant for a few days and it may look bruised for a week or two. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to wash and take care of the skin around your implant for the first couple of days. 

How soon after getting the implant can I have sex?

You can have sex right away after getting the implant. But if you don’t get the implant during the first 5 days of your period, you should use some other type of birth control (like condoms) for the first week after getting your implant. (If you do get the implant during the first 5 days of your period, you’re protected from pregnancy right away.)

What are the side effects of the birth control implant?

The implant may cause side effects for some people, but they usually go away after a few months. And some birth control implant side effects are positive.

What birth control implant side effects should I expect?

The hormones in the birth control implant may cause side effects in some people, but this doesn’t happen to everyone — many people use the implant with no problems at all. Negative side effects usually go away after a few months, once your body gets used to your implant. So if you just got the implant and you have side effects that bother you, try to stick it out and give your body a chance to adjust to the hormones. 

The most common birth control implant side effect is spotting (light bleeding or brown discharge), 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 their periods way lighter. And some people even stop getting a period at all while they’re on the implant (don’t worry, this is totally safe).

Other possible side effects that aren’t as common include:

·        Headaches

·        Breast pain

·        Nausea

·        Weight gain

·        Ovarian cysts

·        Pain or bruising on your arm where the implant was inserted

·        An infection where the implant was inserted 

Are there any positive Nexplanon side effects?

Side effects aren’t always a bad thing — many people use the implant because some of the side effects can be really helpful. The hormones in the implant can help with painful or heavy periods. The implant may ease cramps and PMS, and it will usually make your period lighter. 1 in 3 people even stop getting their period altogether after a year on the implant.

It’s totally safe to not get a period while you’re on the implant. And you don’t need to worry about being pregnant even if you don’t get a period, because the implant is really good birth control — it’s more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. (You can always take a pregnancy test if you want to be sure.)

What are the Nexplanon side effects after removal?

Any time there’s a change in your hormones — like when you go on or off hormonal birth control such as the implant — there’s a chance of temporary side effects. But they usually go away after a few months.

When you go off the implant, your body will eventually return to the way it was before you went on it. So if you stopped getting your period on the implant, your period will eventually come back after the implant is out. It can also take a few months for your period to go back to the cycle you had before you got the implant (but you can still get pregnant during this time).

Everyone’s body is different, and our bodies also change over time. So there’s no way to know exactly how your body will react to going off the implant. But any negative side effects that you may have will go away within a few months as your body gets used to being off the hormones.

Another important thing to note: you can get pregnant right away once the implant is out of your body (even if your periods aren’t regular). So if you stop using the implant but you don’t want to get pregnant, make sure to use another birth control method.

If you’re really worried about the side effects of going off the implant, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may be able to give you more specific information about what to expect based on your personal medical history.

Does Nexplanon make you gain weight?

The birth control implant (AKA Nexplanon) may cause weight gain in some people while they’re using it, but this doesn’t happen to everyone. It’s not a very common side effect, and many people use the implant without gaining weight.

Everyone’s body is different, so birth control affects everyone a little differently. But birth control shouldn’t cause problems in your everyday life — it’s there to help you. So if you think the implant makes you gain weight and this bothers you, or if you notice other side effects that you don’t like, talk with a nurse or doctor. They may be able to help you find another type of birth control that works better for you. The pill, patch, ring, and IUD are methods that won’t affect your weight. Many people try a few different methods before finding one that works well for them. 

Once the implant is out of your arm, any side affects you had will fade. So if the implant causes you to gain weight, that should stop shortly after having the implant removed. And remember, once you stop using the implant, you’ll be at risk for pregnancy. So if you don’t want to get pregnant, make sure you use another method of birth control (like condoms).

How safe is the birth control implant?

The implant is very safe for most people, but all medications have some risks and side effects. Your doctor will help you figure out if the implant is safe for you.

Can I get the birth control implant?

Most people can use the implant — also called Nexplanon — safely, but you shouldn’t use it if you’ve had breast cancer. Talk with your nurse or doctor about any other health conditions you have and you can decide together if the implant is a good fit for you.

What are the risks of using the birth control implant?

Serious problems with Nexplanon are rare, but they include arm pain that lasts for longer than a few days, an infection in the arm that needs medicine, or a scar on your arm where the implant goes.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following while using Nexplanon:

Bleeding, pus, discoloration, or pain in your arm where the implant was inserted that doesn’t go away

Yellowing of your eyes and skin

Much heavier or longer than normal bleeding from your vagina

The implant seems to have moved

Is it safe to use the implant while breastfeeding?

Yes, it’s safe to use the implant while you’re breastfeeding.  It shouldn’t have any effect on how much milk you produce, and it won’t hurt your baby. In fact, the implant is a great method to use if you’re breastfeeding and you don’t want to get pregnant.

What are the benefits of using the birth control implant?

The implant is a super effective and convenient way to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years — you get it, then forget it. The implant also has positive side effects.

Birth Control implants are SUPER effective.

Nexplanon gives you great, long-term protection against pregnancy — it’s more than 99% effective. The implant works as well as sterilization and IUDs.

Implants are one of the most effective methods you can get because there’s almost no way you can mess it up. You can’t forget to use it or use it incorrectly. Implants are “set-it-and-forget-it” birth control.

The implant is convenient and private.

Once your Nexplanon is in, you barely have to think about it — it works until it expires or you have it taken out. That means no trips to the pharmacy, no pill to take or ring to put in, and nothing you have to do before sex to prevent pregnancy. Most of the time you can’t see the implant under your skin, so nobody knows you have it unless you tell them.

Implants make your periods better.

Nexplanon can help cut down on period cramps. It also makes your period way lighter — and 1 in 3 people with the implant stop getting their periods at all after a year.

Implants only have one hormone.

Many hormonal birth control methods contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin.  Some people with certain health problems can’t use methods that contain estrogen. Nexplanon is super effective at preventing pregnancy AND it’s estrogen-free, so more people are able to use it.

You can get pregnant after taking out your implant.

Nexplanon is reversible. If you decide you want to get pregnant, you can get it removed at any time. The birth control implant won’t affect your fertility or make it harder to get pregnant in the future. In fact, it’s possible to get pregnant as soon as your implant is out.

Can I use Nexplanon if I'm breastfeeding?

Yes. The hormones in the birth control implant don’t affect your breast milk or how much milk you make, and they won’t have any effect on your baby. The implant is a safe birth control method to use while you’re breastfeeding, and it’s really good at preventing pregnancy. You can start using the implant right after you give birth.

What are the disadvantages of birth control implants?

Some people get side effects that bother them after getting their implant, but these usually go away after a few months. Rarely, the side effects can be serious.

The implant can have negative side effects.

Like all medicines, there can be side effects with the implant. But many people adjust to the implant with no problems. Negative side effects usually go away after a few months, once your body gets used to your implant.

The most common side effect is irregular bleeding (aka spotting), especially in the first 6-12 months. But most people on the implant get lighter periods, or their periods stop altogether while they have the implant. Other possible side effects that aren’t as common include headaches, breast pain, and nausea. There may also be temporary pain, bruising, or an infection on your arm where you got the implant.

Birth control shouldn’t make you feel bad. Luckily, there are many different types of birth control, so you’ve got options. If you keep having side effects that bother you, talk with your nurse or doctor about trying another birth control method. 

Birth control implants don’t protect against STDs.

Birth control implants are one of the best methods of birth control out there, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Luckily, using condoms every time you have sex really reduces your chances of getting or spreading STDs. So using condoms + Nexplanon is the best way to protect yourself from pregnancy and STDs.

What happens when the birth control implant is removed?

A nurse or doctor will take your implant out of your arm after 5 years or whenever you want to stop using it. Nexplanon removal is usually fast and easy.

When should I get the birth control implant removed?

Nexplanon works for 5 years, and a nurse or doctor must remove it once it expires. You can also get your implant taken out any time before then if you want to get pregnant or stop using it.

If you’ve had your implant for 5 years and you still don’t want to get pregnant, you need to replace it (or pick another birth control method). You can get a new implant when you have the old one removed.

How does it feel to get the birth control implant removed?

Nexplanon removal only takes a few minutes, but the process is a little longer than getting it put in.

Just like with the insertion, a doctor or nurse gives you a shot to numb a small area of your arm. Then they make a small cut and remove the implant. You usually just feel a little pinch or stinging when you get the numbing shot. After that, it shouldn’t hurt when they make the incision or take the implant out.

If you want to continue using Nexplanon, you can get another implant put in during the removal of your old one.

How soon can I get pregnant after getting the implant removed?

It's possible to get pregnant right away. If you get your implant removed and you don’t want to get pregnant, use another method of birth control.

What should I expect after I get my implant removed?

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. 

Any side effects that you may have had while on the implant will eventually go away after the implant is out. Unless you start another hormonal birth control method after removing the implant, your period will go back to how it was before you got Nexplanon.