If implanted correctly, it's more than 99% effective. Fewer than one woman in 1,000 who use the implant as contraception will get pregnant in one year.
It's very useful for women who know they don't want to get pregnant for a while. Once the implant is in place, you don't have to think about contraception for three years.
It can be useful for women who can't use contraception that contains oestrogen.
It's very useful for women who find it difficult to take a pill at the same time every day.
If you have side effects, the implant can be taken out. You can have the implant removed at any time, and your natural fertility will return very quickly.
When it's first put in, you may feel some bruising, tenderness or swelling around the implant.
In the first year after the implant is fitted, your periods may become irregular, lighter, heavier or longer. This usually settles down after the first year.
A common side effect of the implant is that your periods stop (amenorrhoea). It's not harmful, but you may want to consider this before deciding to have an implant.
Some medications can make the implant less effective, and additional contraceptive precautions need to be followed when you are taking these medications (see Will other medicines affect the implant?).
The implant does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By using condoms as well as the implant, you'll help to protect yourself against STIs.
How the implant works
The implant steadily releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream. Progestogen is similar to the natural hormone progesterone, which is released by a woman's ovaries during her period.
The continuous release of progestogen:
stops a woman releasing an egg every month (ovulation)
thickens the mucus from the cervix (entrance to the womb), making it difficult for sperm to pass through to the womb and reach an unfertilised egg
makes the lining of the womb thinner so that it is unable to support a fertilised egg
The implant can be put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you and your doctor are reasonably sure you are not pregnant. In the UK, Nexplanon is the main contraceptive implant currently in use. Implants inserted before October 2010 were called Implanon. Since October 2010 insertion of Implanon has decreased as stocks are used up, and Nexplanon has become the most commonly used implant.
Both types of implant work in the same way, but Nexplanon is designed to reduce the risk of insertion errors and is visible on an X-ray or CT (computerised tomography) scan. There is no need for existing Implanon users to have their implant removed and replaced by Nexplanon ahead of its usual replacement time.
Nexplanon is a small, thin, flexible tube about 4cm long. It is implanted under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area. The small wound made in your arm is closed with a dressing and does not need stitches.
Nexplanon works for up to three years before it needs to be replaced. You can continue to use it until you reach the menopause, when a woman’s monthly periods stop at around 52 years of age. The implant can be removed at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It only takes a few minutes to remove, using a local anaesthetic.
As soon as the implant has been removed, you will no longer be protected against pregnancy.
Advantages and disadvantages of the implant
The main advantages of the contraceptive implant are:
it works for three years
the implant does not interrupt sex
it is an option if you cannot use oestrogen-based contraception, such as the combined contraceptive pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring
you do not have to remember to take a pill every day
the implant is safe to use while you are breastfeeding
your fertility should return to normal as soon as the implant is removed
implants offer some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (the mucus from the cervix may stop bacteria entering the womb) and may also give some protection against cancer of the womb
the implant may reduce heavy periods or painful periods after the first year of use
after the contraceptive implant has been inserted, you should be able to carry out normal activities
Using a contraceptive implant may have some disadvantages, which you should consider carefully before deciding on the right method of contraception for you. These include:
Disrupted periods
Your periods may change significantly while using a contraceptive implant. Around 20% of women using the implant will have no bleeding, and almost 50% will have infrequent or prolonged bleeding. Bleeding patterns are likely to remain irregular, although they may settle down after the first year.
Although these changes are not harmful, they may not be acceptable for some women. Your GP may be able to help by providing additional medication if you have prolonged bleeding.
Other side effects that some women report are:
headaches
acne
nausea
breast tenderness
changes in mood
loss of sex drive
These side effects usually stop after the first few months. If you have prolonged or severe headaches or other side effects, tell your doctor.
Some women put on weight while using the implant, but there is no evidence to show that the implant causes weight gain.
No comments:
Post a Comment