I've had the contraceptive implant, here's what to expect.
By Jess Matthews
I had my first contraceptive implant fitted at my GP surgery when I was 15 years old, I had it replaced every 3 years until I was 24. I had previously tried a few other types of contraceptives including the pill. At the time I was already taking a few other medications daily and wanted to have one less pill to worry about remembering to take. I had it fitted mainly for my periods as I (unknowingly at the time) have endometriosis.
The implant I had was called Nexplanon and it lasts 3 years before needing to be replaced and is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. I found that the implant caused my periods to reduce to around 1-2 per year. This will be different for everybody, it may cause your periods to become irregular, lighter or heavier. Nexplanon is a progestogen based contraceptive and works by releasing progestogen into the bloodstream and preventing the release of an egg from the ovary. It also thickens cervical mucus making it harder for sperm to pass through and thins the lining of the uterus making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant. While the contraceptive implant protects against pregnancy it does not protect against STI’s so it is important to still use other contraceptive methods such as condoms to prevent STI’s if you chose to have an implant fitted.
So, what happens when you have one fitted? In my experience the procedure was very quick and virtually painless. I had mine fitted in a GP surgery so can't comment on how it goes in other settings, but I imagine they will all be a similar experience. First, you go into the room with the doctor or nurse and have a brief chat about your periods, contraceptive history and whether or not you are sexually active. It's at this point that the doctor will advise you when the implant takes full effect and you become protected from pregnancy. For me I was advised to use condoms until 7 days after having it fitted. Then they will ask you to get on the bed and expose your upper arm as this is where it is inserted. The doctor or nurse will then numb the area with local anesthetic, this will sting a little but wears off quickly. The device they use to place the implant looks scary, but you will not feel it. The needle will be inserted under the skin of your arm, they will then push a lever to insert the implant into your arm. The implant is now fully inserted. The needle is then removed, and they will apply steri-strips and a bandage which you keep on for a few days. The area will be tender but shouldn't be painful; this can last up to a week.
The implant can stay in your arm for up to 3 years. You will also be given a card with the insertion date and removal date. It is important that you keep this as they do not book the appointment to change it in advance. When your implant is due to be replaced, I recommend ringing a few weeks in advance to ensure that you are still protected against pregnancy. If you have an implant, you must tell your doctor if you cannot feel it in your arm, if it feels a different shape to when you had it inserted or your skin changes or you get pain around the implant. If you get pregnant while having the implant you must also tell your doctor. You can have your implant removed at any time and in my experience my periods came back within a month. Some people also report that it can cause them to gain weight, have mood swings, nausea and breast tenderness. I experienced a little weight gain but nothing too significant, but I did not experience any of the other negative symptoms. The implant may not be suitable for everyone, and it is always a good idea to have a chat with either your GP or local sexual health clinic to discuss all the available contraceptive options.
