Contraceptive implants

Written by Dr David Delvin, GP and family planning specialist



For quite a lot of women, the idea of having a contraceptive implanted under the skin of your arm is quite attractive.

Why? Because of the fact, that once it's been implanted, then with luck you can more or less forget about it. You can make love whenever you want to, without worrying about taking Pills or buying condoms!

Implants were first used on a wide scale back in the 1990s. They received rather a bad press, partly because they so often caused menstrual problems, and partly because some of them were put in by doctors who had no real idea what they were doing; as a result, some women developed pain or infection at the insertion site.

Even today, you should make absolutely sure that a doctor who offers to give you a contraceptive implant has been fully trained in the insertion technique. In Britain, only a small minority of medics have this particular skill.

In the early 2000s, there were stories that implants could 'move around' inside your body. These put some women off. We deal with this concern below.

What does an implant actually do?

From its position under your skin, it releases a steady stream of a female-type hormone into your bloodstream. The hormone reaches your ovaries, and prevents them from releasing eggs. It also causes some minor anti-conception changes in your womb lining and in your cervix. Therefore, you don't get pregnant – or at least, the chances of pregnancy are very small indeed.

The implant goes on working for several years (three years in the case of Implanon), after which it runs out of hormone. If, at the end of that time, you want to continue with the method, you would need to have the device replaced.

And if at any time you get fed up with the implant – for instance, because of side-effects (see below) – you can have it removed. However, once again you should make sure that the doctor who does the removal has been properly trained for the job. If you're having trouble finding someone, ring the nearest Family Planning Clinic for advice.

What are the long-term consequences of having hormones released from an implant?

Frankly, we don't know. Implants just haven't been around long enough for anybody to find out. Obviously, it is to be hoped that use of them does not lead to any form of cancer. Certainly, at the time of writing (2005) there has been no indication of this.

However, contraceptive implants do of course have side effects (see below). But one good thing is that if you do encounter problems with unwanted effects, you can just have the device taken out – and the side-effects should stop almost immediately. (This is a big contrast with the contraceptive injection – because once a jab is in, there's nothing anyone can do to get it out.)

What implants are available?

In the UK at the present time, there's only one – and its name is Implanon (introduced 1999). More details about this brand in a moment.

However, there used to be another one, called Norplant, which consisted of six matchstick-like rods - and which lasted for five years. It was withdrawn in 2001, and all Norplant rods should really by now have been removed – because they're rapidly running out of hormone!

If by any chance you still have a Norplant in your arm, then it is very possibly not protecting you against pregnancy any more. You should have it removed when you can.

There is also an implant called Jadelle, which is used in some countries. It may come to the UK eventually.

So what is Implanon?

Implanon is about the size of a thin matchstick. It contains a hormone called etonorgestrel. Most users have it inserted under the skin of their left upper arm, not far above the elbow.

The 'match' can easily be felt, but it's not very visible – except to someone who is looking for it. There will be a tiny scar at the point where the device was inserted, but unless something has gone wrong, this shouldn't be very visible either.

Implanon lasts for three years.

How is it put in?

The specially-trained doctor (or nurse) injects a little local anaesthetic into your skin, and then pushes the tiny rod in, using a special needle.

Because of the local anaesthetic, there should be very little pain.

Generally, the procedure takes no more than two minutes. If you feel OK, you can go home immediately afterwards.

There might be a bit of bruising or soreness afterwards, but this isn't often much of a problem.

How effective is it?

At least 99 per cent - maybe more like 100 per cent. One recent trial gave a failure rate of less than one tenth of one per cent during the first year of use.

Go To Next Page>>



The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved