Contraceptive Implant

Sexual and Reproductive Health

What is the contraceptive implant?
The contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod that is placed under the skin in your upper arm by a medical practitioner.

How does the contraceptive implant work?
It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream and works for 3 years. The implant prevents pregnancy by:

  • Thickening the cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for sperm to move through the cervix and reach the egg.
  • Making the lining of your uterus thinner so it is less likely for a fertilised egg to implant itself.
  • Inhibiting ovulation.


How effective is the contraceptive implant?
The implant is over 99% effective. That means fewer than 1 out of 100 implant users will get pregnant each year.

Where can I get an implant?
Only a medical practitioner trained to fit the implant can do it.

Can anyone use the implant?
Most women can have an implant fitted. However, the implant may not be right for you if you:

  • Think you are already pregnant.
  • Do not want your period to change.
  • If you take certain treatment.
  • Have a history of stroke, heart disease or arterial disease.
  • Have or had liver disease.
  • Have or had breast cancer.
  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding (such as between periods or after sex).


When does it start to work?
If you are not pregnant, you can have the implant inserted at any time during your menstrual cycle. If the implant is fitted during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you will be protected against pregnancy. If it is fitted on any other day of your menstrual cycle, you will need additional protection, such as condoms, for 7 days.

How is a contraceptive implant inserted or removed?
Insertion

  • Local anaesthetic (to numb the area) on the inside of your upper arm.
  • The implant is fitted under your skin.
  • There will be no stitches after your implant has been fitted.

Removal

  • The implant can be removed at any time by a trained medical practitioner.
  • Local anaesthetic (to numb the area) on the inside of your upper arm.
  • A tiny cut in your skin to gently pull the implant out.


What are the advantages of the contraceptive implant?

  • You do not have to think about it everyday, even if you have been vomiting or have diahorrea.
  • Works for 3 years.
  • Does not interrupt sex.
  • You can breastfeed.
  • Fertility comes back to normal as soon as the implant is taken out.
  • Reduces heavy and painful menstrual period.


What are the disadvantages of the contraceptive implant?

  • Irregular periods or may stop.
  • May start having acne or increase acne.
  • Temporary side-effects - headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings.
  • It requires a procedure to be inserted and removed.
  • It does not protect against STIs.


What are the risks of the contraceptive implant?
Local area of skin infection – where the implant is fitted.

You should speak to your medical practitioner immediately if:

  • You are pregnant.
  • You can’t feel the implant.
  • The implant changes shape.
  • You see or feel changes to the skin or feel pain at the site of the implant.


If I take other medicines will they affect my implant?
Antibiotics
Commonly used antibiotics do not affect the contraceptive implant. The antibiotics rifampicin and rifabutin (medicines that treat tuberculosis and meningitis) can reduce the effectiveness of the combined pill. You may need additional contraception such as condoms while taking the antibiotic or sometime after. Other antibiotics should not have an effect.

Epilepsy and HIV medicine, and St John’s wort treatment
These types of drugs are called enzyme-inducers (speed up the breakdown of hormones by your liver) and may make the pill less effective.

Can I bleed when I start the implant?
Yes, bleeding (spotting) is very common at first. If you are bleeding more than normal or it is something you are not comfortable with it, speak to your medical practitioner.

Can I switch to another method of contraception?
Yes, you can change the contraceptive implant to another contraceptive. Speak to your medical practitioner for advice and guidance accordingly.

Can I get pregnant when I remove the contraceptive implant?
When you stop using the contraceptive implant, your fertility comes back to what is normal for you. You may not have periods immediately, but they should return in a few months.

Can I have an implant inserted after a miscarriage?
You can have an implant fitted immediately after a miscarriage.

I have just had a baby. When can I start the implant?
You can have the implant fitted any time after you have given birth. If you started after 21 days, you need additional contraception such as condoms to protect you from pregnancy, or avoid sex completely for the next 7 days.

How often should I go for a check-up?
Your medical practitioner will tell you when your next appointment is.

However, do not wait for the next appointment if:

  • You think you may be pregnant.
  • Could have an STI or HIV/AIDS.
  • Experience severe pain in lower abdomen.
  • Experience bleeding or another symptom mentioned in risks of the contraceptive implant.


If I have the contraceptive implant, am I protected from Sexually Transmitted Infections?
No, only male and female condoms (when used correctly and consistently) protect you from STIs.