What is Implanon and what is it used for?

Implanon is a small flexible plastic rod, 4 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter. It is inserted just under the skin of your upper arm by a health care professional. Implanon is used to prevent pregnancy.

How does Implanon work?

 Implanon protects you against pregnancy for a period of three years, but if you are overweight the doctor may advise you to replace the implant earlier.

Implanon is one of several means of preventing pregnancy. Another frequently used birth control method is the combined pill. In contrast to combined pills, Implanon can be used by women who may not want to use oestrogens. When you use Implanon you do not have to remember to take a pill every day. Therefore, Implanon is very reliable. When Implanon is correctly used, the chance of becoming pregnant is very low (less than 1 %). When you are using Implanon bleeding may change and become absent, irregular, infrequent, frequent, prolonged or rarely heavy. Painful periods may improve. You may stop using Implanon at any time.

                           What do you have to know before Implanon is inserted?

Hormonal contraceptives, and thus Implanon, do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.

When should you contact your doctor?

Regular check-ups

Before Implanon is inserted, your doctor will ask you some questions about your personal health history and that of your close relatives. The doctor will also measure your blood pressure, and depending on your personal situation, may also carry out some other tests. When you are using Implanon, your doctor will tell you to return for a medical check-up three months after insertion of Implanon. The frequency and nature of further check-ups will depend on your personal situation.

How to use Implanon

The doctor, or healthcare professional, will decide in consultation with you the most suitable time for insertion. This depends on your personal situation (for example on the birth control method you are currently using). Unless you are switching from another hormonal contraceptive method, the insertion should be performed on day 1 – 5 of your normal menstrual bleeding to rule out pregnancy.

Before inserting or removing Implanon, your doctor will give you a local anaesthetic. Implanon is inserted directly under the skin, on the inside of your upper arm (the arm that you do not write with).

To help you remember when and where Implanon was inserted, and when Implanon must be removed at the latest, your doctor will give you a USER Card that shows this information. Store the card in a safe place!

At the end of the insertion procedure, we advise you to try and verify the presence of Implanon by feeling it (palpation) yourself.