Preparation Before Taking Implanon
A few steps to be followed before placing Implanon include:
- Abstain yourself from having any unprotected sex for at least 2 weeks before the placement of Implanon. Remember, testing negative for pregnancy is mandatory to get the Implanon placed.
- Women who are already using some other contraceptives eg: Oral Contraceptive Pill, are advised to consult with their doctor.
- Take the pregnancy test before the procedure.
Women eligible for taking Implanon are:
- Women having regular periods
- Consent of both husband and wife
- Having at least 2 living children.
- Has the necessary education to check up on the tail of the implant on a regular basis
- Has access to a hospital nearby
- No pelvic inflammatory diseases.
Preparation For Your Nexplanon Placement Appointment
Carefully review the information below so that your Nexplanon placement appointment is correctly scheduled, and so that Arbor ObGyn will not cancel your procedure when you arrive.
Pregnancy Precaution
Placement of Nexplanon at the time of an unknown early pregnancy could cause miscarriage or complications with the pregnancy. It is important that you take precautions to ensure that you are NOT pregnant at the time of your appointment. Please make sure that you use effective contraception with any sexual activity for the two weeks prior to your Nexplanon placement. Your Nexplanon will not be placed if you have sex without contraception within two weeks. Breastfeeding, withdrawal, and natural family planning for example are NOT considered contraceptive methods in preparation for Nexplanon placement because of the high unintended pregnancy rates. If you are not using contraception then simply do not have sex for two weeks before your appointment.
Timing of Insertion
The timing of Neplanon insertion depends on your current contraceptive method. Use the table below to determine the optimal timing of placement for you.
Does Nexplanon Make Your Discharge Smell
Indeed, Nexplanon can cause vaginal discharge. It does occur as your body is adjusting to the chemicals released by the implanted device. Therefore, it takes weeks or months to stop.
No doubt, light bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge after using Nexplanon is a common side effect. Women have different vaginal odors, so the vaginal discharge smell will also be different for every woman.
Also, you may have a strong foul odor during menstruation. But if you have different unusual vaginal discharge and odor, you probably have sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, always use condoms or other protections to avoid infectious diseases.
If you are worried or stressed about your health, you should always speak with your healthcare provider.
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Why Does It Take That Long To Become Effective After Nexplanon
Nexplanon is considered a reversible and highly used measure for birth control. It can provide you protection for several years. Before inserting Nexplanon, you have to undergo a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. Only after the confirmation, you can proceed with further procedures. After the test, you can implant it at any time of your menstrual cycle.
Health care professionals will clean your arm with some type of solution and you will be given an injection to avoid pain during implantation. It is considered a non-dangerous one and as years pass by, the hormone level starts to drop which tends to become less effective. Once, effectiveness is completed, it can still release the hormone, but those will not serve any purpose.
People who use Nexplanon do not suffer from any side effects for the long term. Most of the minor effects go within three to four months once your body starts to adapt to the hormones. You will be monitored very accurately before discharging to home. The implanted site will contain a pressure bandage for at least a day and a regular bandage for 2 or 3 days. You are restricted to do strenuous activities during these days as it may take a long to recover.
I Did Not Connect The Depression With The Device Until I Had The Implant Removed
I got an Implanon four years ago, and had it removed a year ago. The reason I got one is because I was anemic and my doctor recommended it to reduce heavy periods. Insertion was easy. At first it made my periods impossible to track, then it settled down. My periods became lighter but this might also be because of my age I put on quite a bit of weight and experienced depression which struck especially just after my period, and went away as soon as I had the device removed. I did not connect the depression with the device until I had the implant removed and experienced a dramatic change in my moods.
I had my implant removed because they wear out after 3 years. I have not replaced it with a different kind. My advice would be: Track your moods carefully. Keep a mood diary. If you notice you are getting depressed and anxious, find a doctor who will listen to you and believe you. My implant definitely made me depressed in a way I had not experienced before.
Implanon is easy to put in, and difficult and painful to take out. The doctor had to dig in my arm for ages. Doctors also didnât want to believe me when I told them my hormonal contraceptive was affecting my mental health.âMasha, female, 46, Cape Town, South Africa
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Why Does It Take This Long After Nexplanon Removal To Get Pregnant
This is a birth control implant that only contains progestin. Nexplanon is a three-year progestin delivery system. This birth control implant can be removed at any point during the three years. After getting Nexplanon removed, you can expect a rapid return to your fertility. Usually within one month. Furthermore, the length of time you used Nexplanon has no bearing on how easily your fertility returns. This is why it takes a long to get pregnant after the removal of Nexplanon.
The Nexplanon implant removal technique necessitates caution and attention. The post-removal treatment is also crucial. Once the implant has been removed, regardless of how, it is critical to pay attention to the incision area and read any indications that the body can offer following the operation.
There is no longer any defense against pregnancy once the implant has been removed. If a woman does not wish to become pregnant, she is encouraged to use other birth control measures such as contraceptive pills or condoms. For the first seven days after removal, you can use a backup form. Its radiopaque, which means it can be seen on X-rays, making it easier to find the implant. This X-ray capability is allowed by the presence of barium sulfate in a small amount in the implant.
Will Other Medicines Affect The Implant
Some medicines can make the implant less effective, such as:
- medicines for HIV, epilepsy and tuberculosis
- complementary remedies, such as St John’s Wort
- some antibiotics, such as rifabutin or rifampicin
If you’re taking any of these medicines, you’ll need additional contraception , or you may wish to use a different method of contraception that isn’t affected by your medicine.
Always tell your doctor that you’re using an implant if you’re prescribed any medicine. You can also ask them whether the medicine you’re taking will affect the implant.
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Nexplanon For Preventing Pregnancy
The Food and Drug Administration approves prescription drugs, such as Nexplanon, for certain uses.
Nexplanon is a birth control device. Its FDA-approved to help prevent pregnancy in females* who can become pregnant.
To learn more about sexual health or other birth control options, see Medical News Todayssexual health hub.
Cost Of Nexplanon Insertion Procedure At Various Clinics
The insertion of Nexplanon is a minor surgical procedure. Your doctor will insert the device into your non-dominant upper arm. You should be able to feel the rod under your skin after the procedure. It is typically inserted during the first five days of your period and begins working almost immediately. Your doctor will advise you to wear a bandage for about three to five days after the procedure.
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Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Implant
Advantages:
- it may reduce heavy periods or period pain
Disadvantages:
- you may experience temporary side effects during the first few months, like headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings
- your periods may be irregular or stop altogether
- you may get acne or your acne might get worse
- youll need a small procedure to have it fitted and removed
- it doesnt protect you against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use additional contraception as well
I Like Having The Extra Backup On The Contraceptive Side Of Things
I got a Nexplanon implant two years ago, mainly to stop having periods but I also moved in with my partner full time, so I decided to get some method of round-the-clock contraceptive too.
My experience has been fine. Insertion was very quick. The doctor talked me through what was happening. I had a small dose of localised anesthetic before hand, then she used what looked like a piercing gun to insert the implant and I didnât feel any pain. I kept it bandaged for a day or two afterwards. Now I have a small scar on the point of insertion, but I do scar easily. I had some light bleeding but no pain like I used to . After the insertion I didnât have a period for about 8 months, then I bled lightly for about 3 days, then it stopped again for another 8 months.
I plan on sticking with the implant. For me, it has been useful in stopping periods, and I like having the extra backup on the contraceptive side of things.âAnonymous, female, 20, Sheffield, UK
We at Clue recommend that you see a healthcare provider to discuss which birth control is best for you, and let them know if you are experiencing any negative side effects.
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Review Your Insurance Benefits
Once your Arbor ObGyn provider requests it, your insurance carrier is contacted to obtain benefits for the Nexplanon device requested and its insertion and/or replacement. Arbor purchases the Nexplanon and your insurance reimburses us at a contracted rate. The Nexplanon cost and the actual insertion/removal procedure are separate charges. Once obtained, your Nexplanon benefits are sent to you via a separate message located in your Patient Portal. Please log in to the Patient Portal to review.
There is usually no separate office visit charge in addition to the charge for the Nexplanon placement. Your 4-8 week follow-up visit is considered an office visit however, and will require your standard co-pay as determined by your insurance carrier.
Insurance pre-authorization is not required, but we do contact and carefully review insurance benefits as a courtesy to you. On rare occasions an Insurance Carrier may not pay as quoted. Therefore, you may consider contacting your Insurance Carrier directly to confirm the information we have been given, and that it will be valid on the date of the Nexplanon procedure. If your insurance claim is denied for any reason after the device is placed you will still be responsible for fees which will exceed $1,000. The billing codes are: Nexplanon Device , Insertion Procedure , Removal/Reinsertion Procedure
What Are The Chances Of Pregnancy After Implant Removal
Like the combined pill and other contraceptive methods, the implant has no impact on your fertility. Once the contraceptive implant is removed, your normal level of fertility will return and you will be at risk of pregnancy. The only contraceptive that shows a link with a delayed return to fertility after use is the injection but dont worry, its only short-term. After 2 years there is no significant difference in pregnancy rates when compared with users of non-hormonal contraception. Check our our blog on contraception and the return of fertility after stopping.
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How Effective Is Nexplanon
Nexplanon is 99.9% effective when inserted correctly. With typical use, 1 of every 100 women who use Nexplanon for a year will become pregnant.
Nexplanon may be less effective if you are overweight. This is because the amount of hormone actively circulating in the blood will be lower in women with a high body mass index compared to those with a normal BMI.
To this end, some healthcare providers will recommend replacement between the second and third years in women with a higher body weight, rather than waiting until the end of the third year.
There are many lifestyle and health benefits to consider when deciding to use Nexplanon. These include:
- Discreet and private
- Does not require maintenance or the need for daily dosing
- Safe for those who cant use estrogen-based contraception
- Effective immediately if inserted between the first and fifth day of your period
- Safe for breastfeeding moms four weeks after implantation
- Comes with fewer hormonal ups and downs than other hormonal birth control due to its steady hormone delivery
In addition, Nexplanon may be a good option for you if you dont want to get pregnant now, but want flexibility with family planning after ending birth control use.
Unlike some forms of hormonal contraception, fertility returns quickly once you stop using Nexplanon, often within 14 days. By comparison, it may take up to a year for fertility to return after stopping Depo-Provera, another long-term contraceptive method.
Who Can Get An Implant
Almost anyone, at any age, can have an implant.
It is good if you forget pills, appointments for injections, or if you have a medical reason that stops you using the combined pill.
If you have had breast cancer or you are taking some medications, you should not get the contraceptive implant. Tell the nurse or doctor if you are taking regular medication.
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Are Cramps A Side Effect Of Nexplanon
Yes, Nexplanon can cause cramps or belly pain. In studies, belly pain was one of the most common side effects that people with Nexplanon reported.
If you experience mild cramps or belly pain while you have Nexplanon, talk with your doctor. They can determine what may be causing your cramps. In some cases, they may recommend using a medication such as acetaminophen/caffeine/pyrilamine to treat your cramps.
If you experience belly pain or cramping thats severe, tell your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital. In some cases, serious belly pain or cramping can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
If not treated, ectopic pregnancies can cause serious complications or could even be fatal. If you think you may be pregnant while you have a Nexplanon implant, talk with your doctor right away.
Learn more about some of the side effects Nexplanon may cause.
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.
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How Long Does The Implant Last And Can You Get Pregnant On An Expired Nexplanon / Implanon
Nexplanon can be used for three years, at which point it should be replaced to maintain its effectiveness. We recommend contacting your GP or sexual health clinic to discuss the replacement of your contraceptive implant prior to the date it is due to be replaced .
The implant definitely wont stop working early and there isnt anything that makes Nexplanon less effective. There is even some evidence to say the implant remains effective up until four years, but a discussion with your doctor or nurse will help you work out what is best for you. There are no symptoms of it running out any longer and the implant is simply out of date and will no longer protect you from unwanted pregnancy.
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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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Combination Birth Control Methods
Combination birth control methods include combination birth control pills, NuvaRing, and the patch. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there about these methods.
You may have heard it takes at least three months for ovulation to start up again after you stop the pill. This is not usually true. For most people, ovulation will start within weeks. For some, though, it can take one to three months.
Think about it like this: The pill works because it stops ovulation. If you miss a couple of pills, you might ovulate and you might get pregnant. Some healthcare providers even say you are most fertile just after you stop taking the pill.
So where does the three-month myth come from? Your healthcare provider may tell you to use a condom until you have had three periods. This is just because waiting will help you keep track of your cycle. That way, if you get pregnant, it will be easier to guess when the pregnancy happened.
There is no medical reason to wait after you stop birth control before trying to become pregnant. Just be prepared that your fertility may return within the first month.
NuvaRing and the Patch work the same way as the pill, so the same goes for these methods. Fertility should return quickly. Most research shows that 80% of people who stop using these methods and want to get pregnant will get pregnant within the first year. This number is the same as that of the general population.