Implant

If 100 sexually active women don’t use any contraception, 80 to 90 will become pregnant in a year.

The implant is over 99 per cent effective. Less than one woman in every 1,000 will get pregnant over three years.

The progestogen hormone in the implant is called etonogestrel. It is released into the bloodstream at a slow, steady rate. The progestogen works mainly by stopping the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation).

It also thickens the mucus which forms a mucous plug in the neck of the womb (cervix). This makes it difficult for sperm to move through the cervix and reach an egg to fertilise.

It also makes the lining of your uterus (womb) thinner so it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg. This may also alter your periods, because the lining is thinner your bleeds over time will become lighter. Most people with an implant will have irregular periods. This is normal.

• It works for three years
• You can use it if you are breastfeeding.
• Your fertility will return to normal as soon as the implant is taken out.
• It may reduce heavy, painful periods.
• Antibiotics do not stop it working
• You can use it if you smoke or have a high BMI
• You will not gain weight
• It does not cause thinning of the bones

Your periods may change in a way that is not acceptable to you

You may get temporary side effects when you first start using the implant. These should stop within a few months.

• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Acne
• Mood changes

It is not suitable for women using enzyme-inducing drugs (used for epilepsy, meningitis, HIV, TB)

It requires a small procedure to fit and remove it.

An implant does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you may need to use condoms as well.

A trained doctor or nurse will give you a local anaesthetic injection to numb the part of your arm where the implant will go. You will have a small scar where the implant went in your arm and this will fade over time.

To remove an implant a tiny cut in your skin is made and it is gently pulled out.  It usually only takes a few minutes to remove an implant, it should not be difficult to remove. If you want to carry on using an implant, the doctor or nurse can put a new one in at the same time.