Contraceptive Implant
Sex Sense can offer you advice about long term contraception including the implant.
Contraceptive implant – ‘Implanon’
Implanon is a very small, flexible tube, about the size of a hair grip. It is placed just under the skin of your inner upper arm. It steadily releases a progestogen hormone into your bloodstream. It works for three years.
Where can I get implants?
Contraception (Family planning) clinics and some GPs fit Implants. You can go to a Sex sense clinics for advice about this and they will arrange an appointment for you at your nearest fitting clinic.
What are the advantages of an implant?
- You don't have to think about contraception for as long as you have the implant.
- It does not interfere with sex.
- You can breastfeed if you have an implant.
- It is useful if you cannot take oestrogens, like those in the combined pill.
- Your normal level of fertility will return as soon as the implant is taken out.
- It offers some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease.
What are the disadvantages of an implant?
Your periods will probably change. In the first year of using an implant, most women have irregular bleeding. This is usual. Most women have regular periods after the first year, but some women will still have irregular bleeding. Some women have heavy and prolonged bleeding. A few women will not bleed at all. These changes may be a nuisance but they are not harmful.
How effective is it?
It is over 99% effective. This means that less than 1 woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year. If 100 sexually active women don't use any contraception, 80 to 90 will become pregnant in a year.
