Nexplanon is a contraceptive implant that is in the form of a rod, containing progestin (hormone) etonogestrel. It should be placed under the skin at the inner side of your non-dominant upper arm. This means that if you are a right-handed person, the doctor will place it on your left upper arm, and if you are left-handed, it will be implanted on your right upper arm.
What are the advantages of Nexplanon?
Currently, Nexplanon is the most effective form of birth control among all the available options. It has become a popular option among women due to its following advantages:
- It provides effective long-term contraception.
- It does not depend on your daily compliance (because it does not require any daily, weekly, or monthly dosing—that happens with oral pills).
- Its insertion takes less than a minute at the hands of trained doctors.
- It has very low chances of pregnancy—1 out of 100 women will get pregnant if Nexplanon is implanted in their body.
- It can be placed immediately after the delivery (it may be inserted as soon as 10 minutes after placental delivery).
How does Nexplanon work?
The contraceptive implant Nexplanon works by
- Inhibiting ovulation.
- Thinning the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
- Thickening cervical mucus (thick cervical mucus helps to keep the sperm from moving toward the uterus).
What makes you unfit for Nexplanon?
Nexplanon is not for every woman. Your doctor will not implant Nexplanon if you are
- Pregnant.
- Suffering from liver disease (including severe liver damage or liver tumors).
- Having a history of breast cancer.
- Having undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- Allergic to Nexplanon.
The contraceptive implant is generally safe, but the following conditions can make it unsafe for you:
- Cigarette smoking
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Obesity
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperlipidemia (high lipid or cholesterol levels)
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the deep veins of your legs)
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the big vein supplying blood to the lungs)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Anemia
- Epilepsy
- Thyroid disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- History of bariatric surgery
- Abortion in the first or second trimester
QUESTION
Which of the following are methods for contraception? See AnswerWhen can you get Nexplanon inserted?
After confirming that you are not pregnant, the doctor can place Nexplanon at optimal timings, some of which include:
- Between days 1 and 5 of the menstrual cycle
- During the hormone-free week if using oral contraceptive pills
- Within five days after a first- or second-trimester abortion
- At any time after childbirth in a breastfeeding mother (either within 24-48 hours or at the 6th week of delivery)
How many times can you get Nexplanon?
With Nexplanon, you can expect to have three years of pregnancy prevention. It needs to be removed after three years. If you wish to continue contraception, it should be replaced by a new Nexplanon implant at the end of three years.
What are the possible complications of Nexplanon?
The most common complication is pain at the insertion site, which occurs in less than 3 out of 100 women with the implant, as per one study. Pain is usually mild and resolves with time. Over-the-counter painkillers usually help in relieving the pain.
Other uncommon complications at the insertion site are
- Redness (due to bleeding).
- Hematoma (pooling of blood) at the insertion site.
- Bruising (should resolve within a few days).
An analysis of 11 major international clinical trials that included 942 subjects found that some women experienced the following side effects:
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Breast pain
- Abdominal pain
- Irregular periods
- Amenorrhea (no periods for a few to several months)
- Prolonged periods
Please contact your doctor if you experience any of the above complaints.
Top Where Should Nexplanon Be Placed? Related Articles
Birth Control Options
Birth control is available in a variety of methods and types. The method of birth control varies from person to person, and their preferences to either become pregnant or not. Examples of barrier methods include barrier methods (sponge, spermicides, condoms), hormonal methods (pill, patch), surgical sterilization (tubal ligation, vasectomy), natural methods, and the morning-after pill. Side effects and risks of each birth control option should be reviewed before using any birth control method.
Choosing Your Birth Control Method
Which birth control option is right for you? Discover birth control methods such as birth control pills, birth control shot, implant, patch and more. Learn about birth control side effects and effectiveness.
Birth Control Pill vs. Depo-Provera Shot
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and the Depo-Provera shot are two hormonal methods of birth control. Both methods work by changing the hormone levels in your body, which prevents pregnancy, or conception. Differences between "the pill" and "the shot." Birth control pills are available as combination pills, which contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, or mini-pills that only contain progestin. In comparison to the Depo-Provera injection, which prevents pregnancy for three consecutive months. Both methods of birth control are very effective in preventing pregnancy. Both the combination pill (if you take them as directed) and shot are up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. While the mini-pill is only about 95% effective in preventing pregnancy. Both methods cause weight gain, and have other similar side effects like breast pain, soreness or tenderness, headaches, and mood changes. They may lead to decreased interest in sex in some women. There are differences between the other side effects of these methods (depending upon the method) that include breakthrough bleeding or spotting, acne, depression, fatigue, and weakness. Both oral contraceptives and the Depo-Provera shot have health risks associated with them, such as, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and cervical cancer. Birth control pills appear to increase the risk of cervical cancer. Talk with your OB/GYN or other doctor or health care professional about which birth control method is right for you.
Birth Control Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
What is the best form of birth control? Take this quiz to find out about hormonal, surgical, barrier, and natural methods!
DVT and Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that has traveled deep into the veins of the arm, pelvis, or lower extremities. Oral contraceptives or birth control pills can slightly increase a woman's risk for developing blood clots, including DVT. DVT symptoms and signs in the leg include leg or calf pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or leg cramps, and skin discoloration. If a blood clot in the leg is not treated, it can travel to the lungs, which can cause a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) or post-thrombotic syndrome, both of which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Increased risk factors for DVT and birth control pills include over 40 years of age, family history, smoking, and obesity. Other medical problems that increase the risks of blood clots, for example, lung or heart disease, or inflammatory bowel disease or IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Other options for preventing pregnancy include IUDs, birth control shots, condoms, diaphragms, and progestin-only oral contraceptives.
What Does Birth Control Do to Your Body?
Different birth control methods work in different manners. No birth control method is perfect and every procedure or method has a side effect.
What Is the Best Form of Birth Control?
What's "best" among birth control methods differs from person to person. What's right for one person may not be right for others. And a person’s needs may also change over time.Which Birth Control Has Least Side Effects?
No form of birth control is free of side effects, but there are some that have the least noticeable ones.