Contraceptive implant - meaning and definition
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Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
The contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod placed under the skin of the upper arm that releases a progestogen and prevents pregnancy for about three years.
At a glance
- The implant is a small flexible rod placed under the skin of the upper arm.
- It releases a progestogen and prevents pregnancy for about three years.
- It is more than 99% effective, one of the most effective reversible methods.
- It can be removed at any time, and fertility returns quickly afterwards.
- The most common side effect is a change in bleeding patterns.
In detail
A trained clinician inserts it after numbing the skin, and it can be removed at any time, after which fertility returns quickly. It is more than 99% effective, one of the most effective reversible methods available, because there is nothing to remember day to day.
The most common side effect is a change in bleeding: periods may stop, become lighter, or become irregular or longer. Some people find this settles, while others choose to have the implant removed.
In a sentence
- I got the contraceptive implant so I wouldn't have to remember a pill every day.
- The nurse numbed my arm before inserting the implant, and it was over quickly.
Not to be confused with
- Hormonal IUD
A hormonal IUD also releases a progestogen but sits inside the uterus.
Common questions
Does getting the implant hurt?
A trained clinician numbs the skin first, so most people feel only brief discomfort. Some bruising or soreness around the arm for a few days is common.
What happens to periods with the implant?
Bleeding often changes: periods may stop, become lighter, or become irregular or longer. Some people find this settles, while others choose to have the implant removed. A clinician can talk through options if bleeding is bothersome.