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.
Where To Get More Information And Support
If you are using the internet for information, only use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones provided above.
Disclaimer
This website and any related materials are for general information purposes only and should not be relied on as medical or other professional advice. You should seek specific medical or professional advice for your individual circumstances.
The copyright for material on this website is owned by Family Planning Victoria and is subject to the Copyright Act 1968. We permit you to reproduce or communicate our copyright material if you are a not-for-profit educational organisation, for the purpose of providing the information to your students provided that you include any disclaimers associated with that material. Any other reproduction or communication of our material requires our prior consent, via our consent form which you can complete and submit.
28 May 2021
Family Planning Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our offices stand and in the regions in which we provide our services. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
What Type Of Birth Control Is Nexplanon
Nexplanon is a small plastic rod that is implanted by your specially trained healthcare provider just under the skin of your upper arm. It contains 68 mg of the estrogen-free, progestin hormone called etonogestrel. The implant releases a small amount of the progestin hormone into your body each day. The amount of hormone it releases is enough to prevent pregnancy for up to three years.
Read Also: Does Nugenix Have An Estrogen Blocker
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
- don’t 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
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.
Read Also: What Causes Breakthrough Bleeding When On Bioidentical Hormones
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider About Before Using Nexplanon
Talk to your healthcare provider about using Nexplanon if you:
- Have diabetes
- HIV medicines
- Hepatitis C Virus medicines
Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above.
If you are taking medicines or herbal products that might make Nexplanon less effective, you and your doctor may decide to leave Nexplanon in place in that case, an additional non-hormonal contraceptive should be used. Because the effect of another medicine on Nexplanon may last up to 28 days after stopping the medicine, it is necessary to use the additional non-hormonal contraceptive for that long.
When you are using Nexplanon, tell all of your healthcare providers that you have Nexplanon in place in your arm.
How Supplied/storage And Handling
Nexplanon is supplied as follows:
NDC 78206-145-01
One Nexplanon package consists of a single implant containing 68 mg etonogestrel, 15 mg of barium sulfate and 0.1 mg of magnesium stearate that is 4 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter, which is pre-loaded in the needle of a disposable applicator. The sterile applicator containing the implant is packed in a blister pack.
Read Also: Estrogen Cream For Lichen Sclerosus
Risks & Side Effects Of Nexplanon
Nexplanon can have side effects, and the most common one is a changing menstrual bleeding pattern. One out of ten women may have to stop using Nexplanon because of this change.
A woman can experience spotting between menstrual cycles, different time periods in between the cycles. There can be times when there are no regular gaps, shorter or longer cycles, or no bleeding at the time of the period. Women must tell their healthcare provider if they think they are pregnant or if the bleeding goes on long and heavy.
Other side effects of Nexplanon can be:
- Headache
- Viral infection or flu-type symptoms
- Nervousness
- Pain at the insertion site
- Dizziness
Exact Answer: After 7 Days
Nexplanon, a well-known rod implanted in the body to prevent from being pregnant for up to five years. The size of Nexplanon would be equal to the size of a matchstick. Nexplanon works by releasing a small amount of progestin for about three years. The effect of Nexplanon decreases slowly and the release of progestin also reduces over time.
It is usually recommended to remove the implant after three years, as the dose of progestin is almost reduced. This birth control is inserted under the skin of the arm by experts to avoid risks. You will also be given an anesthetic injection to numb the particular area.
Recommended Reading: Can Tubal Ligation Cause Early Menopause
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.
Dont Miss: How To Prevent Hormonal Breakouts
What Are The Downsides
There’s a comprehensive list of possible risks and side-effects on Nexplanon’s website.
The most common side-effect is a change in menstrual bleeding, which could mean longer or shorter periods, an irregular cycle, spotting in between periods, or having no period at all.
In order for Nexplanon to work, it has to implant properly. Once the wound has healed, the implant should be visible and tangible under the skin. If it isn’t, it could have moved to another part of the body and may need to be surgically removed.
Don’t Miss: Can Getting Your Tubes Tied Cause Early Menopause
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
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.
Also Check: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Therapy
Hormonal Contraceptives And Cancer
Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women using oral combined pills, but it is not known whether this is caused by the treatment. For example, it may be that tumours are found more in women on combined pills, because they are examined by the doctor more often. This slight increase in the numbers of breast cancer diagnoses gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after stopping use of the Pill.
It is important to regularly check your breasts and you should contact your doctor if you feel any lump in your breasts.
You should also tell your doctor if a close relative has or ever had breast cancer.
In rare cases, benign and even more rarely malignant liver tumours have been reported in women using the Pill.
If you experience severe abdominal pain, you should contact your doctor immediately.
This information has been obtained in studies with women who daily take an oral combined contraceptive Pill. It is not known whether these observations are also applicable to women who use a different hormonal contraceptive, such as implants containing only a progestagen.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Nexplanon
The most common side effects of Nexplanon include:
- Changes in Menstrual Bleeding Patterns . The most common side effect of Nexplanon is a change in your normal menstrual bleeding pattern. In studies, one out of ten women stopped using the implant because of an unfavorable change in their bleeding pattern. You may experience longer or shorter bleeding during your periods or have no bleeding at all. The time between periods may vary, and in between periods you may also have spotting. Tell your healthcare provider right away if:
- You think you may be pregnant
- Your menstrual bleeding is heavy and prolonged
Besides changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, other frequent side effects that caused women to stop using the implant include:
- Mood swings
- Pain
- Pain at the site of insertion
Implants have been reported to be found in a blood vessel, including a blood vessel in the lung which can be associated with shortness of breath, cough and/or the coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider for advice about any side effects that concern you. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800- FDA-1088.
You May Like: Does Melatonin Cancel Out Birth Control Implant
Side Effects Of Implanon Nxt
Various undesirable effects that have been associated with the hormones used for birth control are similar to those that may occur during pregnancy. The reason for this is the similarity between these hormones and the natural hormones produced in extra large amounts during pregnancy. These effects can also occur during the use of Implanon NXT but are not necessarily caused by it.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while using it.
Like all medicines, Implanon NXT can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
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.
Also Check: Breakthrough Bleeding On Bioidentical Hormones
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.
Nexplanon: An Overview Of Birth Control Implant
NEXPLANON is a birth control option to prevent pregnancy in the long term. It is an implant that can last up to three years. It is not an Intrauterine Device . Nexplanon is an arm implant that is placed under the skin of the upper arm on the inner side by a healthcare provider. A thin, flexible, and small contraceptive can be over 99% effective, just like a contraceptive pill.
This contraceptive implant prevents pregnancy when it releases hormones that can thicken cervical mucus and prevent the ovary from releasing eggs.
Recommended Reading: How Fast Does Testosterone Build Muscle
Recommended Reading: Does Tubal Ligation Cause Hormonal Imbalance
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.
Will There Be Any Side Effects To My Body
Side effects do also include weight gain and vaginitis. Vaginitis is also known as vaginal inflammation, which causes unusual vaginal discharge, itching or irritation, painful urination and pain during intercourse. Vaginitis can be treated with medication. The weight gain side effect is only temporary as well until your body gets used to the implant.
Recommended Reading: Can Having Your Tubes Tied Cause Hormonal Imbalance
Read Also: Nugenix Estro Regulator Reviews
Do Antibiotics Affect Nexplanon
The common antibiotics a doctor or nurse gives you will not affect your Nexplanon. Antibiotics for TB and antibiotics to treat or prevent meningitis can affect Nexplanon as can some drugs used to treat epilepsy and HIV. The complementary medicine St Johns Wort can also make Nexplanon less effective.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Use The Nexplanon Implant
Nexplanon may not be as effective in women who are are overweight. The Nexplanon implant should not be used in girls younger than 18 years old. Etonogestrel can pass into breast milk, but effects on the nursing baby are not known. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. How is the Nexplanon implant used?
Don’t Miss: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Testosterone Replacement Therapy