Implanon how is it used

Contraceptive implants are a long-term birth control option for women. A contraceptive implant is a flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick that is placed under the skin of the upper arm. It releases a low, steady dose of a progestational hormone to thicken cervical mucus and thin the lining of the uterus endometrium. Contraceptive implants typically suppress ovulation as well. Contraceptive implants are radio opaque and can be seen on X-rays — useful for identifying the location of an implant.

Contraceptive implants offer effective, long-term contraception. Among various benefits, a contraceptive implant:. Contraceptive implants aren't appropriate for everyone, however. Your health care provider may discourage use of a contraceptive implant if you:. Although the label for etonogestrel Nexplanon says it shouldn't be used by women with a history of blood clots, it isn't clear whether the contraceptive implant affects the risk of blood clots. The warning comes from studies of combination birth control pills that contain the same progestin as is used in the contraceptive implant.

Talk to your health care provider if you have any risk factors for blood clots, including a history of blood clots in your legs or a prior diagnosis of a blood clot in your lungs pulmonary embolus.

The contraceptive implant isn't contraindicated for use in women who are overweight. However, it's possible the device may not be as effective in women with a body mass index BMI above Certain medications and herbal products may decrease the levels of progestin in your blood, which can decrease the contraceptive implant's effectiveness.

Medications known to interact with the contraceptive implant include some seizure medications, certain sedatives, some HIV medications, as well as the herb St. John's wort. Talk with your doctor about your contraceptive options if you take any of these medications. Fewer than 1 out of women who use the contraceptive implant for one year will get pregnant. If you do conceive while using a contraceptive implant, there's a higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic — when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.

However, because a contraceptive implant prevents most pregnancies, women who use it are at lower risk of having an ectopic pregnancy than are other sexually active women who aren't using contraception. Your health care provider will evaluate your overall health before inserting the contraceptive implant. He or she will determine the appropriate timing for the insertion of the implant based on your menstrual cycle and your previous birth control method.

You may need to take a pregnancy test and use a nonhormonal backup method of contraception for one week. The contraceptive implant is inserted beneath the skin of the upper arm. The implant releases a progestational hormone to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Progestogen levels are not detectable within a week of removal.

Most people return to their normal menstrual cycle and fertility within a month of removing the implant. If you do not want to be pregnant you need to use other contraception as soon as it is removed. Occasionally the implant can be difficult to feel or remove and you may need to have an ultrasound to check its position in your arm. Irregular bleeding is a common side effect and will usually settle down within 3 months.

Whatever your bleeding pattern, the implant is still effective. If the bleeding does not settle or you are unhappy with the bleeding you can see a doctor for medications that can help with this. People who are pregnant, people with breast cancer, people with unexplained vaginal bleeding, people with severe liver disease or using medication that affects the liver, should not use the implant. The implant is prescribed by a doctor and can be inserted at SHINE SA clinics and by doctors, nurses and gynaecologists who have been trained in this procedure.

For You For Professionals. Search for:. Speak with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for more information. Your doctor or nurse will provide a script which you can take to the pharmacy, who will sell you the implant.

You will need to return to the clinic to have the implant inserted. If you do not have a Medicare card it will be more expensive. It will be cheaper if you have a healthcare card. When the implant is first inserted and when it is removed, you may have some bruising and tenderness on your arm. This may last for up to a week. Wearing a bandage over your arm for 24 hours helps reduce bruising and tenderness. You may also develop a small scar where the implant was inserted and removed.

Your vaginal bleeding pattern period will change. Some medications can help with this bleeding, speak to your doctor or nurse for more information. Rarely the implant is inserted too deep and you may need a surgical procedure to have it removed. If you do not want to become pregnant and the implant has been in for more than 3 years, you can abstain from sex or use condoms until you can have it replaced. If you have unprotected sex and your implant has been in for more than 3 years, you might need emergency contraception.

The implant is not known to harm a pregnancy. It is safe to continue the pregnancy and remove the implant or to have an abortion. The implant can be removed by a trained doctor or nurse. Your fertility will quickly return to what is normal for you. If you are using the internet for information, only use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones provided above.

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