Is The Birth Control Implant Hormonal

What If I Have Problems With The Hormonal Implant

Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns, especially if you are having:

• Very heavy or long menstrual periods
• New painful headaches
• Redness, swelling, or bleeding around or at the area where the implant was inserted

The hormonal implant isnt the right option or choice for everyone. Did you know that you can have the hormonal implant removed anytime? Never, ever try to remove the implant by yourself! The implant MUST be removed by your health care provider!

How To Prepare For The Procedure

The health care provider evaluates the womans overall health before inserting the implant. They will determine the correct timing for insertion based on previous birth control and menstrual cycle.

A woman may need to take a pregnancy test and be on a non-hormonal backup contraceptive for a week. A backup is not required if the woman previously:

• Did not use any contraception and had the contraceptive implant put into her body in the first five days of the menstrual cycle, even when they were bleeding.
• Used a mini-pill and had the implant inserted while she was on the pill.
• Had used a combination of contraceptives like a vaginal ring, birth control patch, birth control pills.
• Also, if she had the implant inserted within seven days of the beginning of the hormone-free period.
• Took a contraceptive injection and then had the implant added when the next injection was due.
• Previously used an IUD or another contraceptive and then had the Nexplanon inserted after the removal of an old device .

Before the insertion, the woman may need to sign a consent form.

Who Can Use The Implant

Most women can be fitted with the contraceptive implant.

It may not be suitable if you:

• think you might be pregnant
• dont want your periods to change
• take other medicines that may affect the implant
• have unexplained bleeding in between periods or after sex
• have arterial disease or a history of heart disease or stroke
• have liver disease
• have breast cancer or have had it in the past
• have a medical condition that may affect which contraception you can use speak to your GP or practice nurse, or visit your nearest sexual health clinic to discuss further

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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.

Patients Should Be Able To Feel The Implant Under Their Skin

You should definitely be able to feel it if you poke at your arm, Rabin says. Whether you can see the outline depends in part on your weight. Generally, if youre heavier with more fat tissue, you might not see it.

I asked Rabin whether she thought this was a barrier to some women using the implant did the idea of seeing the outline of a tiny, rod inside their arm weird patients out? She says no.

cant feel your birth control implant? go to the doctor.

I really think thats minor, Rabin says. The biggest barrier is having a provider who is trained, on board, and willing to take the time to do the procedure.

That being said, it is still possible that one reason women dont ask about the birth control implant in the first place is because theyre not quite ready to see the outline of a foreign object in the side of their arm.

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How Do I Get The Birth Control Implant

While the implant was approved in May 2020 for use in Canada, as of yet, it is only available at a few clinics , and over the next coming months, it will become more widely available. An implant is inserted by a qualified healthcare provider. You can visit select clinics to talk with a healthcare provider about whether an implant is right for you.

• The implant stays in place there is no need to remember to do anything
• Does not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future once removed your fertility quickly returns
• The implant is private/discreet
• You have complete control over the method and no one can interfere with its effectiveness
• A good choice for people who cannot use estrogen
• Improved menstrual symptoms for some users
• Once removed any side effects go away quickly

• Depression
• Severe, lower abdominal pain
• Pus, prolonged pain, redness, itching or bleeding at the implant site
• If you cannot feel the implant under your skin

Some medications and over-the counter herbal supplements may interact with or decrease the effectiveness of birth control. Be sure to mention that you are using birth control to your health care provider or pharmacist.

How Is A Contraceptive Implant Removed

Implants must be removed after three years. They can also be removed earlier if you wish. You need to make an appointment with your doctor to have the implant removed.

To remove the implant, your doctor will first numb your arm. Then theyll make a small incision where the implant is located and take the implant out. At that time, another implant can be inserted. If you choose not to get a new implant, you must use another form of contraception to prevent pregnancy.

One reason the birth control implant is so effective is that its easy to use. Advantages include:

• one of the highest levels of effectiveness of all contraceptives
• no need to worry about birth control for three years
• fertility returns as soon as the implant is removed
• appropriate for women who cant use birth control that contains estrogen

• Depo-Provera shot

All of these methods are highly effective. You dont need to think about birth control on a daily or even monthly basis with any of these options. However, none of these methods protect against STIs.

The biggest difference between these methods is how long theyre effective. The Depo-Provera shot needs to be given every three months. The contraceptive implant works for three years. Hormonal IUDs are effective for three-to-five years, depending on the brand. Copper IUDs can be effective for up to 10 years.

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How Well Do They Work

When used exactly as directed, the pill is very effective. What does that mean?

For the pill, it means you take it at the same time every day. This is sometimes called perfect use. If you do that, you have less than a 1 in 100 chance of getting pregnant in the next year.

But if you miss a day or two or take the pill it at different times of day, the pill becomes about 91% effective.

Once your doctor places the rod in your arm, youâre done. This low-maintenance birth control method provides a less than 1 in 100 chance of getting pregnant in the next year.

Birth Control Implants Dont Protect Against Stds

Birth control implants are one of the best methods of birth control out there, but they dont 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.

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Nexplanon Insertion Is A Quick And Painless Procedure

Getting a Nexplanon inserted is a relatively quick process. Heres 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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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 cant see the implant under your skin, so nobody knows you have it unless you tell them.

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Carcinoma Of The Breast And Reproductive Organs

Women who currently have or have had breast cancer should not use hormonal contraception because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive . Some studies suggest that the use of combination hormonal contraceptives might increase the incidence of breast cancer however, other studies have not confirmed such findings.

Some studies suggest that the use of combination hormonal contraceptives is associated with an increase in the risk of cervical cancer or intraepithelial neoplasia. However, there is controversy about the extent to which these findings are due to differences in sexual behavior and other factors.

Women with a family history of breast cancer or who develop breast nodules should be carefully monitored.

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Who Can Use The Contraceptive Implant

Most women can use the contraceptive implant. It can be used by women who cannot use contraception that has the hormone oestrogen in it.

You should not use the contraceptive implant if:

• you think you are pregnant
• you have some health conditions including a history of breast cancer or severe liver disease – your doctor will need to talk to you about this so that you can decide if it is safe for you to use
• you have unexplained bleeding from your vagina – your doctor will need to talk to you about this beofre putting in the implant
• you take medicines which may stop the contraceptive implant from working properly including some epileptic medications and herbal remedies

It is important to talk to your doctor or nurse to see if the contraceptive implant is a good choice for you. If you are at risk of sexually transmitted infections you can use condoms at the same time as using the implant.

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Where Can I Get A Contraceptive Implant Fitted Or Removed

You can get the contraceptive implant for free, even if youre under 16, from:

• contraception clinics
• sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics
• GP surgeries
• some young peoples services

Some GPs or practice nurses are able to fit and remove implants, so youll need to check at your GP surgery.

Alternatively, most sexual health clinics will be able to do this for you.

How To Use Nexplanon Implant

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist or health care provider before the rod is placed. Read and sign the Informed Consent provided by your doctor. You will also be given a User Card with the date and the place on your body where the rod was inserted. Keep the card and use it to remind yourself when to schedule an appointment to have the rod removed. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Ask your doctor about the best time to schedule your appointment to have the rod placed. Your doctor may want you to have a pregnancy test first. The medication usually starts working right away when the rod is inserted during the first 5 days of your period. If your appointment is at another time in your menstrual cycle, you may need to use a non-hormonal form of birth controlfor the first 7 days after the rod is placed. Ask your doctor about whether you need back-up birth control.

The rod will be inserted under the skin in your upper arm by a health care professional. Usually it will be placed in the arm that you do not write with. Be sure you can feel the rod underneath your skin after it has been placed. If at any time you cannot feel the rod underneath the skin or feel that the rod has been bent or broken, tell your doctor right away.

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How Is The Birth Control Implant Inserted

Nexplanon is always inserted by a medical professional.

• The upper arm is numbed using an anesthetic.
• The implanta match-sized plastic pieceis inserted. The process may feel like an injection.
• It can be worn for between 3-5 years. After that point, it must be removed and replaced by a medical doctor in order to remain effective.
• The implant will not be effective after its effective by date and the user will not be protected from pregnancy after it is removed.

Pro Tip: Try a period tracker to learn more about your symptoms and flow.

Contraceptive Implants And Injections

• Implanon A tiny implant that is placed beneath the skin. It slowly releases progestogen into the bloodstream, preventing pregnancy. Pros: Lasts for three years. Cons: It can temporarily change menstrual patterns.
• DepoProvera and Noristerat These are injections of progestogen, preventing ovulation and pregnancy. Pros: You are protected for 8-12 weeks. Cons: You need to rebook for repeat injections.

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What Are The Nexplanon Side Effects After Removal

Any time theres a change in your hormones like when you go on or off hormonal birth control such as the implant theres 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 .

Everyones body is different, and our bodies also change over time. So theres 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 . So if you stop using the implant but you dont want to get pregnant, make sure to use another birth control method.

If youre 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.

Reasons You Might Want To Consider Switching Birth Control

Not vibing with your birth-control method? That happens! Everyone is different when it comes to which birth control works for them. Sometimes it can take a few tries and doctor visits to land on the perfect fit. Your birth-control preference is allowed to change over time, too.

For the record, you should speak with a healthcare provider if you feel that a new birth-control method might be necessary. However, we broke down a few common signs, symptoms, and experiences that might indicate it’s time to explore making a switch.

Check them out, along with tips on how to best start the process of switching birth control, below.

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