Implant

Implanon (Contraceptive implant or rod)

Implanon is a small flexible rod that is placed just under your skin in your upper arm. It releases a hormone called progesteron and protects you from pregnancy for 3years.

How effective is it?
It is over 99% effective.
This means that less than 1 woman in a 100 using Implanon will get pregnant in a year.

How does it work?
The main way Implanon works is to stop the ovaries from realising an egg each month.

Where can I go to get an Implanon inserted?
In Dumfries and Galloway you an get an Implanon inserted at a Family Planning and Sexual Health Clinic and some GP’s. If you are under 20  and attend a C2U clinic they will make arrangements for you to come to a Family Planning and Sexual Health Clinic for the insertion.

Can anyone have an Implanon?
Most women who want an Implanon can have it. click here to read more about conditions which may mean you may not be suitable for an Implanon.

How old do I have to be have an Implanon inserted?
Once your periods have started and you are in need of protection from pregnancy you can have an Implanon inserted.

What are the advantages of Implanon?
Some of the good things about Implanon are:

• Once inserted you do not need to think much about it
• There are no serious side effects
• You can use it if you are breast feeding
• It is useful if you cannot take oestrogens, like those found in the combined oral contraceptive pill
• Your normal level of fertility will return as soon as Implanon is removed
• It may reduce painful heavy periods

What are the disadvantages of Implanon?

• Your periods are likely to change. In some women the periods will stop completely. Some women will have irregular periods or spotting between the periods and others may have bleeding that lasts a long time and can be heavy. Click here for more information about what to do if you have problems with your bleeding.

Problems with your bleeding.

If you have problems with bleeding then discuss it with your doctor or nurse. They may wish to check the bleeding is not due to some other causes, such as infection. If the bleeding is thought to be due to the Implanon sometimes the best things is to wait and see since it can settle by itself. If the bleeding is very troublesome it may be that some tablets would help to control it. If you do decide to have your Implanon removed the bleeding problems should settle quite quickly
• When you start any contraception which contains hormones, you may get some annoying side effects in the first few months. With Implanon these include spotty skin, sore breasts, headaches, changes in mood and sex drive. These symptoms normally stop within a few months. Speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns.
• Implanon will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections and many women continue to use condoms.

Are there any serious risks linked with using Implanon?

• There may be a small increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who have used hormonal contraception.
• You may have an allergic reaction to local anaesthetic or Implanon, or develop an infection at the site of insertion but these are all very rare.

When should I have the Implanon inserted?
It is usual to have an Implanon inserted within the first 5 days of your period. This means you will be immediately protected from pregnancy. If it is not possible to do this way your doctor or nurse will discuss other options with you. If you have it inserted after the first 5 days of a period you will not be protected from pregnancy for 7 days after the insertion.

How is an Implanon inserted?
Implanon is about the size of a hair grip. A specially trained doctor or nurse will insert it under the skin of your upper arm. They will have injected some local anaesthetic into the skin the numb the area so that inserting the Implanon will not hurt. You will not have any stitches and it will only take a few minutes. The area may be a bit sore and bruised but it will have a dressing on it to help keep it clean and dry. Try not to knock it. After a few days you can remove the dressing and once healed  you really should not be aware that it is there. You should be able to do all the things you would normally do with your arm. Usually you cannot see the Implanon but you are normally able to feel it.  

Can anything make Implanon less effective? 

• The common antibiotics a doctor or nurse gives you will not affect your Implanon. Antibiotics for TB (tuberculosis) and antibiotics to treat or prevent meningitis can affect Implanon as can some drugs used to treat epilepsy and HIV.  The complementary medicine St John’s Wort can also make Implanon less effective. If you use any of these drugs it would better to use a different contraception and you should discuss this with your doctor or nurse. Always tell your doctor, nurse or dentist that you are using Implanon if they want to prescribe you any medicine.
• Diarrhoea and vomiting does not affective Implanon.

How is an Implanon removed?
It can be left in place for 3 years or it can be taken out sooner. A specially trained doctor or nurse will inject a small amount of local anaesthetic into the skin and will then make a small cut in the skin though which the Implanon will be removed. They will apply some paper stitches and a dressing to keep the area dry and clean. The dressing and stitches can be removed after a few days. The area may be a bit sore and bruised for a few days. If an Implanon is very difficult to feel under the skin it may not be so easy to remove. The doctor or nurse may refer you to a specialist centre to have it removed with the help of an ultrasound scan.

How long can I use Implanon for?
If you are happy with Implanon and have not developed any conditions for which you cannot use it then you could have an old one removed and a new inserted every three years until you have reached the menopause.

Finally
It is important that you are happy with the type of contraception you choose to use. Doctors and nurses are trained to work with you to find a method of contraception that suits you. Do not be afraid to discuss any concerns you may have.