HowUKnow - Contraceptive Implant

REGIMEN

Every 3-5 years

EFFICACY TYPICAL USE

Highly effective and relatively hidden, the small, matchstick-sized implant is placed just below the skin of your upper arm where it continuously releases the hormone progestin in small doses from a reservoir into your blood stream. The hormone keeps your ovaries from releasing eggs but also thickens your cervical mucus making it hard for sperm to move around in the womb and fertilize an egg.

How To

After administering local anesthesia, a well-trained healthcare provider will numb a small area of your inner upper arm and insert the implant just underneath the surface with a special needle. The implant releases small amounts of hormones into your blood over the course of up to 3 or 5 years, depending on the type. It is suitable for women who want highly effective and long-acting but reversible contraception and wish to avoid a daily, weekly or monthly regimen. It can be removed at any time with minor surgery by a well-trained healthcare provider. Once the implant is removed, the contraceptive effect wears off quickly and you can become pregnant as rapidly as women who have used no contraceptive at all.

Reference: http://www.fpa.org.uk/contraception-help/your-guide-contraception
Accessed on September 6, 2016

PROS

At 99.95%, it’s the most effective contraceptive method available
Suitable for women who want long-acting reversible contraception for up to 3 or 5 years and wish to avoid daily, weekly or monthly regimen
Does not interrupt sex
An alternative to those affected by the hormone estrogen
Can be used when breastfeeding six weeks after childbirth
May reduce heavy and painful periods

CONS

Requires a trained healthcare provider for insertion and removal
May initially cause a change in bleeding patterns
May cause weight gain, breast and abdominal pain
Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)