Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant is a flexible plastic stick, 4 cm long. The implant slowly releases a hormone, progestogen, into your body. Progestogen is similar to the hormone produced by the ovaries.

The implant is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and can last for up to 3 years.

The implant works by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

It also thickens the fluid around the cervix (opening to the uterus/womb). This helps to prevent the sperm from entering.

The implant is inserted (injected) under the skin of your inner upper arm by a trained doctor or nurse. A local anaesthetic is used before the implant is inserted so that you will not feel pain when this is happening. After the implant is inserted, you should be able to feel the implant under the skin.

When the implant is first inserted into the arm, it can take up to 7 days to start working to prevent pregnancy. This depends on the timing of your menstrual cycle and if you are already using contraception. Speak with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for more information.

Your doctor or nurse will provide a script which you can take to the pharmacy, who will sell you the implant. You will need to return to the clinic to have the implant inserted. If you do not have a Medicare card it will be more expensive. It will be cheaper if you have a healthcare card.

The implant may not work if you:

• are taking some medications or natural remedies (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist)
• leave it in more than 3 years.

• It is the most effective method of contraception.
• It can last up to 3 years.
• Once inserted (put in) you can forget about it for 3 years.
• Many users have no vaginal bleeding (period) at all or light bleeding.
• Periods may be less painful.
• Acne can improve.
• You can use it while breast feeding.
• It can be taken out at any time by a trained doctor or nurse.
• Once removed your fertility quickly returns to what is normal for you.
• It is another contraceptive option if you have difficulty taking the hormone oestrogen. The Pill (combined pill or oral contraceptive pill) and vaginal ring (NuvaRing) contain oestrogen and progestogen. The implant only contains progestogen.

When the implant is first inserted and when it is removed, you may have some bruising and tenderness on your arm. This may last for up to a week. Wearing a bandage over your arm for 24 hours helps reduce bruising and tenderness. You may also develop a small scar where the implant was inserted and removed.

Your vaginal bleeding pattern (period) will change. It might be more often and/or irregular (at different times). Around 20% of people using the implant will have no bleeding at all (this is not harmful to the body). Around 20% of people have frequent or prolonged bleeding which may get better with time. Some medications can help with this bleeding, speak to your doctor or nurse for more information.

Other possible side effects for a small number of users can include:

• headaches
• changes to your skin
• sore/ tender breasts
• mood changes.

These side effects often settle with time. The implant has not been shown to cause weight gain.

Rarely the implant is inserted too deep and you may need a surgical procedure to have it removed.

• Have breast cancer or have been treated for breast cancer.
• Severe liver disease.
• Take certain medications which may prevent the contraceptive implant from working (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist).

If you do not want to become pregnant and the implant has been in for more than 3 years, you can abstain from sex or use condoms until you can have it replaced. If you have unprotected sex and your implant has been in for more than 3 years, you might need emergency contraception.

The implant is not known to harm a pregnancy. It is safe to continue the pregnancy (and remove the implant) or to have an abortion.

The implant can be inserted straight after you give birth, even if you are breast feeding.

The implant can be removed by a trained doctor or nurse. Your fertility will quickly return to what is normal for you.

• The implant does not protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
• It is good to record the date or enter a reminder into your phone for when your implant is due to be removed. You will need to have it taken out before it expires (up to 3 years after being inserted). You can have a new implant inserted at the same time the existing one is being removed
• The implant is one of many types of contraception. See other contraceptive options

You might be interested in watching:

• Sexual Health Victoria
• A doctor or nurse
• Your local community health service
• An obstetrician or gynaecologist
• 1800 My Options phone line 1800 696 784 or website
• Better Health Channel
• Equinox – for transgender services
• Jean Hailes
• Marie Stopes Australia
• Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
• The Women’s (The Royal Women’s Hospital)
• List of centres of experience for deep or complex removal of the contraceptive implant

If you are using the internet for information, only use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones provided above.