Contraceptive Implant: Risk Factors You Must Know
Contents
A contraceptive implant is a small, flexible rod placed just under the skin of your upper arm. It releases a progestogen hormone similar to the natural progesterone made by the ovaries.
The implant works mainly by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. The older version, Implanon, has been replaced by Nexplanon, which is radiopaque. That means it shows up on X-ray, which helps doctors locate it if needed.
The implant is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. The NHS says it lasts 5 years before it needs replacing; older guidance and labels said 3 years, so follow your clinician's advice on when to change it.
If it is fitted in the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, it works straight away. If it is fitted later, use another method, such as condoms, for the first 7 days.
The implant often changes your bleeding pattern. Periods may become lighter, heavier, longer, irregular or stop completely. Some users stop bleeding altogether, which isn't harmful.
Frequent or prolonged bleeding may settle with time. Some medicines can help, so speak to your doctor or nurse if it bothers you.
Other reported side effects include headaches, sore breasts, acne and mood changes. These often settle with time. Some people report weight gain, but there isn't enough evidence to show the implant causes it.
Contraceptive implant can be used by whom?
Most women can use the contraceptive implant, including those who can't use contraception that contains estrogen. You should not use the contraceptive implant, or should talk with a doctor first, if:
- You think you’re pregnant
- You have had breast cancer, a serious liver condition such as cirrhosis, or a heart or blood vessel condition such as a stroke; your doctor will ask about this to decide if the implant is safe for you
- You have unexplained bleeding from your vagina; your doctor will ask about this before fitting the implant
- You take medicines that can stop the implant from working properly, including some treatments for epilepsy, TB or HIV, and the herbal remedy St John's wort
It is important to speak to your doctor or nurse to find out whether the contraceptive implant is a good choice for you. If you're at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), use condoms as well as the implant.
Risk factors
The contraceptive implant doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections. Fewer than 1 in 100 women who use the contraceptive implant for one year will get pregnant.
If you do get pregnant while using an implant, there is a higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic, meaning the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. However, because the implant prevents most pregnancies, users have a lower overall risk of ectopic pregnancy than sexually active women using no contraception.
Other risks include infection where the implant was inserted and the implant moving a short distance from where it was placed. Serious complications, such as blood clots, are rare, according to the NHS side effects page.
Side effects reported with contraceptive implants include:
- Abdominal or back pain
- An increased risk of noncancerous ovarian cysts
- Changes in vaginal bleeding patterns, including the absence of menstruation (amenorrhea)
- Decreased sex drive
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Acne
- Mood swings and depression
- Nausea
- Potential interaction with other medications
- Sore breasts
- Vaginal inflammation or dryness
- Weight gain (reported, but not proven to be caused by the implant)
Advantages of Contraceptive implant
Contraception implant has different advantages like:
- It is more than 99% effective
- It lasts for several years
- Your fertility returns to normal as soon as it is taken out
- It can be a cost-effective type of contraception
- Some women have very light bleeding or no bleeding at all while the implant is in place
- It may make periods less painful for some women
- It is safe to use when breastfeeding
- It can be used by most women who can't use contraception that contains estrogen
Disadvantages of Contraceptive implant
Contraception implant has different disadvantages as well as different advantages, which are as follows:
- Your periods may change in a way that isn't acceptable to you
- You may get temporary side effects when you first start using the implant, such as headaches, breast tenderness and mood changes. These often settle within a few months.
- You may get acne or your acne may worsen.
- It may not work properly if you take certain enzyme-inducing medicines.
- It requires a minor procedure to fit and remove it.
- An implant doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so you'll need to use condoms as well.
Does the implant cause weight gain or weight loss?
Some people report weight gain while using the implant. However, there isn't enough evidence to show that the implant itself causes weight gain.
If you are worried about changes in your weight, talk with your doctor or nurse.
HP Thoughts: Learn about some popular birth control methods here: Effective Birth Control Methods.
