Is It Normal To Bleed For A Month On Nexplanon
Nexplanon may disturb the female menstrual cycle. Therefore, it results in unusual vaginal bleeding. Indeed, implanted birth controls most common adverse effect is blood spotting and brown vaginal discharge. In many cases, a Nexplanon may cause long-term spotting, intermenstrual bleeding, or even 2 heavy periods in a month. This abnormality is particularly significant in the first few months. After that, the menstrual cycle becomes regulated, and the body becomes adapted to the implanted medicines.
At A Glance: The Implant
- The implant is more than 99% effective.
- Once the implant is in place, you don’t have to think about it again for 3 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 remember to take a pill at the same time every day.
- The implant can be taken out if you have side effects.
- You can have it 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.
- Your periods may become irregular, lighter, heavier or longer.
- A common side effect is that your periods stop . It’s not harmful, but you may want to consider this before deciding to have an implant.
- Some medicines can make the implant less effective.
- It doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use condoms as well.
My Insurance Was Running Out And I Didnt Want To Risk Not Having Birth Control
I got the Nexplanon implant in October of 2016. I was 25 and had it in for around a year and a half. At the time, my insurance through my parents was running out and I didnât have a full-time job. I didnât want to risk not having birth control if I didnât get a full time job, so I got the implant to be on the safe side. Not because I wanted to. I loved the pill I was on.
Getting it in wasnât bad because the area was numbed, but there was pain in my arm afterwards, which lasted for a few daysâlike someone punched me really hard in the arm. There werenât any mood swings, but there was HORRIBLE acne. I always had almost perfect skin before, then I started to break out every other day, and nothing cleared it up. My period was completely irregular too. I would bleed for three to four months straight, then not get a period for three months, and then it would be back for months again. It was horrible. My period was light most months, but I use a cup exclusively so things got sore inserting a cup every day for months on a light flow. I had to switch back to pads/liners, and I hated using them again.
The progestogen hormone in the implant is called etonogestrel. It is released into the bloodstream at a slow, steady rate.
The progestogen works mainly by stopping the release of the egg from the ovary. It also thickens the cervical mucus which forms a plug in the neck of the womb . This stops sperm getting through to the womb to fertilise an egg.
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How Long Does It Last
Nexplanon is effective for up to 3 years of use. You should have your Nexplanon implant replaced at least once every 3 years.
When you get your Nexplanon implant, your doctor will give you a user card. This card will have the date you received your implant. Itll also include the date it should be removed.
If youd like to have Nexplanon removed sooner than 3 years, talk with your doctor. For more information, see When to have Nexplanon inserted and removed in the Nexplanon insertion and removal section above.
Below is information on Nexplanon dosage. Nexplanon only comes in one strength. So, everyone whos prescribed the drug will receive the same dosage.
Will The Contraceptive Implant Make Me Gain Weight
There is no strong evidence that the contraceptive implant makes women put on weight. Progesterone can do this, but more so when taken in higher doses than you receive from the contraceptive implant. It can also cause fluid retention initially – which will make your weight go up – but this is usually due to fluid rather than fat.
However, many women do feel that the contraceptive implant has made them gain weight. If this happens to you then this weight gain is likely to reverse when you stop using the implant.
The early side-effects of the contraceptive implant are rather like the early symptoms of pregnancy. This is not surprising, since the early symptoms of pregnancy are caused by progesterone. It is not unusual for women to feel they may be pregnant when they first have the implant. A pregnancy test will give you an accurate answer.
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What Type Of Birth Control Option Is Nexplanon
A Nexplanon implant is a flexible plastic rod about 1.5 inches long. It resembles a matchstick in overall size.
Nexplanon has to be implanted by a trained doctor or nurse. Your doctor will use a disposable sterile inserter to implant the device under the skin of your non-dominant upper arm. The implant works by releasing a progestin hormone called etonogestrel into your body over a 3-year period. Etonogestrel is a hormone that is similar to a natural hormone made in your body. It is used in other hormonal birth control devices such as vaginal rings and hormonal IUDs.
Nexplanon Is A Little Matchstick
Commonly called the implant, Nexplanon is small yet mighty. All its baby-fighting power comes in the form of a flexible plastic stick that is around an inch and a half long, board-certified ob/gyn Antonio Pizarro, M.D., tells SELF. It prevents pregnancy for up to three years by steadily releasing the hormone etonogestrel.
A synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, etonogestrel prevents ovulation by basically tricking your body into constantly thinking it’s already released an egg, Jamil Abdur-Rahman, M.D., board-certified ob/gyn and chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, Illinois, tells SELF. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm move around.
You may hear people call Nexplanon by the name Implanon, but there’s only one contraceptive implant currently on the market. Implanon is Nexplanon’s predecessor. Nexplanon is the new and improved form, revamped so it’s easier to insert, Pizarro explains.
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Will I Have Bruising Or Itchiness When Nexplanon Is Inserted Or Removed
Its possible that you may experience bruising or itching when your Nexplanon implant is inserted or removed. Although they werent common, these side effects were reported in people who had Nexplanon inserted or removed in studies.
Bruising or itchiness can occur because Nexplanon is inserted under your skin.
For more information about side effects you could have when Nexplanon is inserted or removed, see the Side effects of Nexplanon insertion and removal section above.
How Long Does Nexplanon Last
Nexplanon lasts for 3 years and at the end of the 3 years your implant must be removed. If you still require contraception a new implant may be inserted at the time of removal. You can have Nexplanon removed at any time and you will return to your normal fertility.
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Where To Get More Information And Support
If you are using the internet for information, only use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones provided above.
Disclaimer
This website and any related materials are for general information purposes only and should not be relied on as medical or other professional advice. You should seek specific medical or professional advice for your individual circumstances.
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28 May 2021
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Advantage Of Using Nexplanon
Nexplanon is convenient and effective as it is a one-time use method that needs to be replaced in 3-5 years.
- It is 99% effective and long-term protection against pregnancy. It works as well as IUDs and sterilization. There can be no errors in the use, and there are no repercussions like the pill if you forget to take it.
- The implant is private and convenient. Once its inside, you dont have to think about it and it will work until expiration or removal. This also means that there is no pill to take daily or a ring to put, no trips to the pharmacy for contraception, and you can have sex any time you want. The implant is not visible against the skin, so no one needs to know you are on it, keeping your privacy intact.
- Nexplanon has only one hormone in it, whereas many hormonal birth control devices and methods use two hormones estrogen and progestin. Some women with health issues cannot use estrogen. So, they can freely use Nexplanon as it is estrogen-free.
- These implants can make the menstrual cycle better for women. Nexplanon helps in reducing period cramps and pain. The periods one does get is also quite light, and one-third of the users stop getting the period after one year.
- Fertility is not affected if you remove this implant. Women can get pregnant again after removing the implant. It is a reversible birth control method. It is very much possible that the woman gets pregnant as soon as the implant is out.
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If You Just Cant With Your Period Anymore Talk To Your Doctor About The Options At Your Disposal
Dont wait until youre looking to stop your period for a specific window of time, like for a wedding or vacation. Try to give yourself some lead timeif you can give yourself three months, thats better than the month before, Dr. Shirazian says. The longer youre trying methods to stop your period, the more likely they are to give you no bleeding.
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Who Might Choose To Use The Contraceptive Implant
A woman who:
- wants effective, long lasting and reversible contraception
- is willing to accept changes to her menstrual cycle.
The implant may be especially suitable if you:
- have difficulty remembering to take birth control pills
- don’t like other contraceptive methods or find them unreliable
- can’t take the hormone oestrogen.
The implant is one of many different contraceptives. Talk to your health practitioner about the choices available and the one that suits you best.
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How Is The Nexplanon Arm Implant Inserted
Insertion is performed right in our office in just a few minutes. First, the skin on the upper arm is cleansed and numbed. Then a very small nick is made in the skin to enable the implant to be carefully inserted. Once in place, the insert will be invisible but wills till be able to be felt by gently pressing the surrounding skin. A pressure bandage will be placed over the insertion site to protect it while it heals.
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How Do I Get An Implant
For a few women, the medications they’re taking mean the implant may not be right for them.
Watch our video to see if the implant is right for you.
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What Should I Do If I Get Frequent Or Heavy Bleeding
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. You dont have to wait until 3 months to do this.
Where Is The Nexplanon Birth Control Implant Located
Yes, NEXPLANON is a small, thin, and flexible birth control implant that provides 3 years of continuous pregnancy prevention. Its placed discreetly just under the skin on the inner side of your non-dominant upper arm by your healthcare provider.
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, the Nexplanon implant should be removed if you plan to continue the pregnancy. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before receiving the implant. You should not use hormonal birth control if you have:
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How Soon Do You Ovulate After Nexplanon Removal
Typically, Nexplanon suppresses ovulation and is implanted for 3 years. But you can remove it anytime when you are planning to get pregnant. Fertility and ovulation normally resume normal as soon as they are removed, that is, within a month. Most women have normal reproductive and menstrual cycles 3 months after Nexplanon removal.
Insertion And Removal May Sound Scary But They’re Actually Very Simple Procedures
Yes, if you want the implant, it has to get inserted under the skin of your arm. “It doesn’t require a large incisionit’s a very small cut, almost more of a puncture,” says Pizarro. Your doctor will numb the area first, so besides the anesthesia injection, you shouldn’t feel much of anything. It definitely shouldn’t be as uncomfortable as IUD insertion is often reported to be. “The implant is a little bit of a nuisance, but not a big deal,” Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School, tells SELF. “Numbing the cervix is a little bit trickier!”
If you get the insertion during your period, Nexplanon starts working immediately. If not, you’ll need backup contraception for seven days, says Pizarro. And no matter what, your doctor will probably have you wear pressure bandages for a few days, says Nexplanon’s site, but after that you’re golden.
Removal should also be pretty straightforward. “It simply requires another incision, then the implant is pulled out with special instrument,” says Pizarro. In rare cases, Nexplanon can get stuck or the doctor may have a hard time locating it, in which cause removal may require surgery. But that’s so rare Pizarro’s never heard of anyone actually having to get it done. “The skin is an interesting organthe connective tissue has an integrity that keeps things from moving around,” he explains.
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How Do They Remove Nexplanon
To remove the device, your health care provider will inject a local anesthetic in your arm beneath the implant. They will make a small incision in your skin and will push the implant toward the incision until the tip is visible and can be grasped with forceps.
Your health care provider will then pull out the implant, close the incision and apply a pressure bandage. Contraceptive implant removal typically takes less than five minutes.
If you choose, a new device can be implanted as soon as the original device is removed. Be prepared to use another type of contraception right away if you don’t have a new device inserted.
For information on Problems with Insertion and Removal see the section below called What are the possible risks of using Nexplanon?
How Long Will It Take To Get Pregnant
Most hormonal birth control methods stop you from ovulating, or releasing an egg. If you do not release an egg, there is nothing for sperm to fertilize. This is why you do not get pregnant.
When you stop using hormonal birth control, you will start ovulating again. When you are ovulating, you are fertile. But a return of fertility does not automatically mean you will get pregnant.
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How Nexplanon Works
Nexplanon is a brand-name prescription birth control device. Its approved to help prevent pregnancy in females* who can become pregnant. Nexplanon comes as a thin plastic device that your doctor will implant into your arm.
For pregnancy to occur, a sperm cell must fertilize an egg thats been released from the ovary. The conditions in your cervix and uterus need to be ideal for the sperm to properly move through and reach the egg.
To help prevent pregnancy, Nexplanon works by:
- helping prevent ovulation
- increasing the thickness of cervical mucus, which makes it hard for sperm to reach the egg
- causing changes in your uterine lining that will make it harder for pregnancy to occur
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.