Implanon Vs Nexplanon The Difference
Like Implanon, Nexplanon is also an implant, but there are two key differences, according to Bedsider.org. For starters, the Nexplanon is said to be radiopaque, which simply means its easier for your health care provider to make sure the implant is in the right place after being inserted as the implant can show up in CT scans, x-rays, ultrasound scanning and MRIs. The second key difference, the insertion, is said to be much quicker for Nexplanon due to a new applicator, but Implanon is said to be painless as well, so some may not agree this is a big difference.
Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Cost Of Testosterone Injections
Nexplanon Is A Little Matchstick
Commonly called the implant, Nexplanon is small yet mighty. All its baby-fighting power comes in the form of a flexible plastic stick that is around an inch and a half long, board-certified ob/gyn Antonio Pizarro, M.D., tells SELF. It prevents pregnancy for up to three years by steadily releasing the hormone etonogestrel.
A synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, etonogestrel prevents ovulation by basically tricking your body into constantly thinking its already released an egg, Jamil Abdur-Rahman, M.D., board-certified ob/gyn and chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, Illinois, tells SELF. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm move around.
You may hear people call Nexplanon by the name Implanon, but theres only one contraceptive implant currently on the market. Implanon is Nexplanons predecessor. Nexplanon is the new and improved form, revamped so its easier to insert, Pizarro explains.
Dont Miss: What Hormones Do Birth Control Pills Have
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, dont do any heavy lifting for a few days. Youll 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 girls 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 theres no need to wait the full 3 years.
Also Check: Tubal Ligation Cause Early Menopause
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.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Implant
Advantages:
- 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
- youll need a small procedure to have it fitted and removed
- it doesnt protect you against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use additional contraception as well
Read Also: How Much Melatonin For 5 Year Old
Recommended Reading: Can I Give My Cat Melatonin
What Are The Advantages Of Nexplanon
Some of the good things about Nexplanon are:
- Once inserted you do not need to think much about it
- There are no serious side effects
- You can use it if you are breast feeding
- It is useful if you cannot take oestrogens, like those found in the combined oral contraceptive pill
- Your normal level of fertility will return as soon as Nexplanon is removed
- It may reduce painful heavy periods
My Insurance Was Running Out And I Didn’t Want To Risk Not Having Birth Control
I got the Nexplanon implant in October of 2016. I was 25 and had it in for around a year and a half. At the time, my insurance through my parents was running out and I didn’t have a full-time job. I didn’t want to risk not having birth control if I didn’t get a full time job, so I got the implant to be on the safe side. Not because I wanted to. I loved the pill I was on.
Getting it in wasn’t bad because the area was numbed, but there was pain in my arm afterwards, which lasted for a few daysâlike someone punched me really hard in the arm. There werenât any mood swings, but there was HORRIBLE acne. I always had almost perfect skin before, then I started to break out every other day, and nothing cleared it up. My period was completely irregular too. I would bleed for three to four months straight, then not get a period for three months, and then it would be back for months again. It was horrible. My period was light most months, but I use a cup exclusively so things got sore inserting a cup every day for months on a light flow. I had to switch back to pads/liners, and I hated using them again.
Recommended Reading: Estrogen Liquid
How Does The Nexplanon Implant Work
This birth control implant is tiny, like a matchstick, and is called Nexplanon. The name of the older version of Nexplanon is Implanon. The doctor or a healthcare worker will insert the implant under the skin of the upper arm and releases the hormone progestin, which stops the woman from getting pregnant.
These hormones are present in the birth control implant, and can prevent pregnancy in 2 ways:
- Progestin can stop the egg from leaving the ovaries , meaning there will be no egg to be fertilized. If the eggs arent released at all, a woman cannot get pregnant. The sperms that enter the body will have no egg to fertilize.
- The hormone can also thicken the mucus in the cervix, which will stop the sperm from getting through to the egg. Again, if the sperm doesnt meet the egg, there will be no fertilization.
The good thing about implants is that it can last for a good amount of time as long as five years. However, it isnt permanent. If a woman decides to remove the implant or have children, then it is easy to remove.
The fertility period resumes after that, and a woman can get pregnant anytime after. It is important to understand that these implants only prevent pregnancy but do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Using a preventive barrier like condoms can prevent the chances of contracting STDs.
The Page On Rxlist Cannot Be Found
It is possible that the page has been removed. Please use the search function above or the following links:
- Drugs A-Z List by drug brand and generic name.
- Pill Identifier Tool identify drugs and medications by imprint, color, or shape. Includes drug pictures.
- Picture Slideshows interactive medical slideshow on important medical topics.
- Image Gallery learn about skin disorder, medical anatomy, tumors and more through images and illustrations .
- Latest Drug News WebMD & FDA Updates and news releases on prescription medications and drug manufacturing/distribution.
- Diseases, Condition and Tests The RxList disease and condition listing contains explanations of many diseases, conditions, medical procedures and tests.
- Drug Medical Dictionary definitions and explanations of many medical terms including prescription medication abbreviations.
Neurontin
Recommended Reading: How Safe Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Don’t Miss: Does Insurance Cover Testosterone Injections
I Did Not Connect The Depression With The Device Until I Had The Implant Removed
I got an Implanon four years ago, and had it removed a year ago. The reason I got one is because I was anemic and my doctor recommended it to reduce heavy periods. Insertion was easy. At first it made my periods impossible to track, then it settled down. My periods became lighter but this might also be because of my age I put on quite a bit of weight and experienced depression which struck especially just after my period, and went away as soon as I had the device removed. I did not connect the depression with the device until I had the implant removed and experienced a dramatic change in my moods.
I had my implant removed because they wear out after 3 years. I have not replaced it with a different kind. My advice would be: Track your moods carefully. Keep a mood diary. If you notice you are getting depressed and anxious, find a doctor who will listen to you and believe you. My implant definitely made me depressed in a way I had not experienced before.
Implanon is easy to put in, and difficult and painful to take out. The doctor had to dig in my arm for ages. Doctors also didnât want to believe me when I told them my hormonal contraceptive was affecting my mental health.âMasha, female, 46, Cape Town, South Africa
Can The Side Effects Of Nexplanon Be Prevented Or Avoided
Although many women want to prevent pregnancy or address other issues that can benefit from hormone therapy, some women stop using hormonal contraceptives like Nexplanon because of the side effects.
It appears that many of the side effects caused by hormonal contraceptives are nutritionally linked the World Health Organization has stated that hormonal contraceptives such as Nexplanon can contribute to nutritional deficiencies of vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and vitamins B2, B6, B12, C, and E.
The nutritional deficiencies caused by hormonal contraceptives like Nexplanon have been linkedto common side effects like depression, and low folate levels may prevent women from responding to treatment with antidepressants compared to people with high folate levels.
Other common side effects of hormonal contraceptives, such as headaches, fatigue, low libido, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping may also be caused by nutritional deficiencies resulting from the hormones contained in the medication.
The nutritional deficiencies caused by some forms of hormonal contraceptives, like Nexplanon, can be addressed with a specially formulated dietary supplement, which helps support hormone balance and mitigate side effects.
Recommended Reading: Does Melatonin Cancel Out Birth Control Implant
Just Like The Iud The Implant Is A Great Option For Someone Who Wants Something Long
Better yet, Nexplanons protection is basically unmatched. While the hormonal IUDs failure rate is 0.2 percent and the copper IUDs stands at 0.8 percent, Nexplanon squeaks past both with an even lower failure rate of 0.05 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It does make things easier for women, and its also nice, discreet option if someone is looking for that, says Abdur-Rahman. Its often possible to feel the implant through the skin of your arm, but usually you can only see it if your arm is really thin.
Insertion And Removal May Sound Scary But They’re Actually Very Simple Procedures
Yes, if you want the implant, it has to get inserted under the skin of your arm. “It doesn’t require a large incisionit’s a very small cut, almost more of a puncture,” says Pizarro. Your doctor will numb the area first, so besides the anesthesia injection, you shouldn’t feel much of anything. It definitely shouldn’t be as uncomfortable as IUD insertion is often reported to be. “The implant is a little bit of a nuisance, but not a big deal,” Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School, tells SELF. “Numbing the cervix is a little bit trickier!”
If you get the insertion during your period, Nexplanon starts working immediately. If not, you’ll need backup contraception for seven days, says Pizarro. And no matter what, your doctor will probably have you wear pressure bandages for a few days, says Nexplanon’s site, but after that you’re golden.
Removal should also be pretty straightforward. “It simply requires another incision, then the implant is pulled out with special instrument,” says Pizarro. In rare cases, Nexplanon can get stuck or the doctor may have a hard time locating it, in which cause removal may require surgery. But that’s so rare Pizarro’s never heard of anyone actually having to get it done. “The skin is an interesting organthe connective tissue has an integrity that keeps things from moving around,” he explains.
Recommended Reading: Nugenix Estrogen Blocker
Talking With My Doctor Helped Open My Eyes About Birth Control Options I Had Dismissed
I got an Implanon implant inserted in September 2017, and have had it for over a year now. I wanted to have sex with my significant other without worrying about getting pregnant. I also hoped it would help reduce the frequency of my periods and my acne. Getting the implant inserted was a simple and quick process. I had a large bruise in the area for a few days, but no other discomfort since then. The first few months with the implant left my cycle significantly altered and unpredictable, but keeping track of it with Clue helped me a lot. My acne and frequency of bleeding are still all over the board, but I am a firm believer that this is the best birth control choice for me, and I will continue to use it for the next several years.
Your doctor should go over all of the different birth control options and side effects before you receive any type of birth control. Doing so helped open my eyes about other birth control options I had dismissed. Also, practicing healthy sex is extremely important! Just because you are on birth control does not mean you shouldn’t use a condom when you’re with someone new or don’t know the sexual history of a partner. Better safe than sorry!âBonk, nonbinary, 19, Minnesota, USA
What Happens When You Come Off The Implant
Your arm may swell a little. There could be some bruising in the area that might last a couple weeks. But generally, you should feel fine after they remove your implant. Any side effects that you had with Nexplanon like weight gain, headache, acne, and mood swings might ease once the implant is gone.
You May Like: Does Kaiser Cover Hormone Replacement Therapy
How An Etonogestrel Implant Is Inserted
- Before you are given the implant you will be asked to read the printed information leaflet from the implant package. The manufacturer’s leaflet will give you important information about the implant and will provide a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from it. If, as a result of reading the leaflet, you have any questions, please discuss them with your doctor/nurse before you have the implant.
- The implant will be inserted for you by a person who has been specially trained. A check will be made to ensure it is inserted correctly. Once this is confirmed, it is effective straightaway.
- The implant is usually first inserted within five days of a period starting, to ensure that you are not pregnant. It will be put in the inner side of your upper arm. You will be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb your skin, and a special needle will be used to put the implant in place. The area around the implant may be bruised and sore for a few days, but the wound will soon heal just like any other small cut.
- You will be given a User Card which contains some details for you to keep. This will note the date the implant was inserted and will give a suggested date for it to be removed/replaced.
Insertion And Removal May Sound Scary But Theyre Actually Very Simple Procedures
Yes, if you want the implant, it has to get inserted under the skin of your arm. It doesnt require a large incisionits a very small cut, almost more of a puncture, says Pizarro. Your doctor will numb the area first, so besides the anesthesia injection, you shouldnt feel much of anything. It definitely shouldnt be as uncomfortable as IUD insertion is often reported to be. The implant is a little bit of a nuisance, but not a big deal, Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School, tells SELF. Numbing the cervix is a little bit trickier!
If you get the insertion during your period, Nexplanon starts working immediately. If not, youll need backup contraception for seven days, says Pizarro. And no matter what, your doctor will probably have you wear pressure bandages for a few days, says Nexplanons site, but after that youre golden.
Removal should also be pretty straightforward. It simply requires another incision, then the implant is pulled out with special instrument, says Pizarro. In rare cases, Nexplanon can get stuck or the doctor may have a hard time locating it, in which cause removal may require surgery. But thats so rare Pizarros never heard of anyone actually having to get it done. The skin is an interesting organthe connective tissue has an integrity that keeps things from moving around, he explains.
Also Check: Can I Take Unisom And Melatonin