Birth Control Implants

Your doctor may recommend birth control implants to prevent pregnancy. Birth control implants are typically more than 99% effective. This means fewer than one in 100 women become pregnant when using the birth control implant. It can remain in place and prevent pregnancy for up to three years. However, birth control implants do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Practice safe sex to protect yourself from STDs.

A birth control implant may start working immediately or within a week. It depends on the specific point of your menstrual cycle when it is inserted. After three years (or as soon as you’re ready), your doctor removes the implant. After the implant is removed, it may take 2 to 3 weeks before you ovulate or can become pregnant.

Typically, obstetrician-gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) insert and remove birth control implants. Ob/Gyns are doctors who specialize in women’s reproductive health. However, nurse-midwives may also perform birth control implant procedures. Nurse-midwives have advanced training in delivering babies and ensuring women’s reproductive health.

Your healthcare provider will insert the implant in her office. The procedure takes only a few minutes. She will give you an injection to numb an area on your upper arm. Using a special inserter, your provider injects the small plastic rod into your upper arm.

Your comfort and relaxation is very important to both you and your provider. You may feel a brief pinch when she numbs your arm. You should not feel pain during the actual insertion. Take a few long, deep breaths to help yourself relax. Tell your doctor or nurse if any discomfort does not pass quickly.

Complications after your doctor inserts the implant are not common, but any medical procedure involves risk and potential complications. Risks and potential complications include pain and infection when the implant is inserted. If you become pregnant with a birth control implant, you are at higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. This is when an egg becomes fertilized outside the uterus. Although it rarely happens, ectopic pregnancy can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

As with all types of birth control, contraceptive implants have potential side effects, including:

• Acne

• Irregular periods

• Headaches

• Menstrual spotting

• Mood swings

• Weight gain

You can reduce birth control implant risks and side effects by:

• Following activity and lifestyle restrictions and recommendations

• Following instructions after the procedure exactly

• Informing your doctor if you are nursing or if there is any possibility you may be pregnant

• Keeping all scheduled appointments

• Notifying your doctor immediately of any concerns, such as bleeding, fever, or increase in pain

• Telling all members of your care team if you have any allergies

The steps you take before your birth control implant can improve your comfort and outcome. You can prepare yourself by:

• Answering all questions about your medical history and medications. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, herbal treatments, and vitamins. It is a good idea to carry a current list of your medical conditions, medications, and allergies at all times.

• Taking or stopping medications exactly as directed

Preparing for a birth control implant can be stressful. Also, some people dread the thought of having an injection. It is common for patients to forget some of their questions during a doctor’s office visit. You may also think of other questions after your appointment. Contact your doctor with concerns and questions before your procedure and between appointments.

It is also a good idea to bring a list of questions to your initial or consult appointment for the implant, as well as the day of the procedure itself. Questions can include:

• Are there other options for preventing pregnancy that would be a better choice for me?

• How many birth control implants have you inserted?

• How frequently do you encounter complications from birth control implants?

• How long will the procedure take? When can I go home?

• What restrictions will I have after the procedure?

• When can I return to work and other activities?

• How should I take my regular medications?

• When should I follow up with you?

• How should I contact you? Ask for numbers to call during and after regular hours.
  

Knowing what to expect can help make your birth control implant procedure go as smooth as possible.

You will likely feel fine after the birth control implant procedure. You may have some soreness and will need to avoid lifting heavy objects for a few days after your doctor inserts the medicine.

After your arm heals, you typically can’t see the birth control implant in your arm, but you may be able to feel the rod—about the length of matchstick—with your fingers by pressing on your arm.

You may go home or back to work right after the appointment.

It’s important to keep your follow-up appointments after the procedure. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns between appointments. Call your doctor right away or seek immediate medical care if you have pain, redness or swelling at the site of the implant. It could be a sign of a complication.

Your healthcare provider needs to remove the implant when you’re ready, or at most, three years after you had it inserted. If left in longer than three years, the implant may cause irregular periods.

To remove the implant, your provider will give you an injection to numb your arm. She will make a small cut in your arm and use an instrument to remove the implant. Your provider can insert a new implant during the same procedure if you want to continue with the implant birth control.