Nexplanon Implant
What is Nexplanon Implant?
Nexplanon Implant Is Globally, birth control implants have been used for about 20 years to protect women from getting pregnant. In 2010, Nexplanon implant replaced the birth control implants. Nexplanon implant is a small flexible rod that is inserted under the skin on your inner upper arm.
It has etonogestrel, which is a form of progesterone hormone given for three years to help prevent women from pregnancy1, 5. Etonogestrel is a hormone that obstructs the release of the egg from the ovary.
How Nexplanon Implant Works?
Nexplanon implant prevents you from pregnancy in the following ways:
- It alters cervical mucus so that it is harder for sperms to swim through and reduces tubal contraction hence preventing fertilization
- It also makes your uterus lining less receptive to implantation
- It can also prevent you from ovulating.
Implant Nexplanon
Can You Get Pregnant on Implant Nexplanon?
Nexplanon implant is one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy. Research shows that out of every 100 women who use Nexplanon implant, only one gets pregnant. This means that Nexplanon implant is 99.9 % effective in protecting you against pregnancy.
However, other circumstances or conditions can render Nexplanon implant ineffective. These circumstances include women who are obese or overweight.
Nexplanon implant is only used for three years, after this period has elapsed, protection decreases and you are more likely to get pregnant. Therefore, you have to visit your health provider to remove Nexplanon implant and a new one inserted when three years come to an end.
In addition, Nexplanon implant does not protect people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What are the Merits Of Nexplanon Implant?
Fewer hormone fluctuations
Nexplanon implant provides steady delivery of etonogestrel, which is a form of progesterone hormone. This significantly lowers the ups and downs of hormones compared to daily birth control methods.
No maintenance is required
With Nexplanon implant, you do not need to worry about maintaining it daily because it is convenient.
Works immediately
Nexplanon implant works within 24 hours of implamantation. You do not need to worry when you had sex within 24 hours.
Continuous protection
Nexplanon implant is used for three years to protect you against pregnancy. It can then be removed safely anytime within three years.
Suitable
Some women who cannot use estrogen contraception should not worry; Nexplanon implant provides an effective alternative to those contraceptives.
Safe and effective
Nexplanon implant is very effective in protecting against pregenancy. Only less than one percent out of 100 women become pregnant.
Side Effects
Irregular and unpredictable bleeding
The most common side effects of Nexplanon implant is that it causes changes in normal menstrual bleeding in women, which occurs during the entire period of the implant.
For some women, they can have no bleeding during their menes. While in other women; they can have shorter or longer bleeding during their periods or experience an increase in spotting. Spotting is a light, brown or pink vaginal bleeding. It is usually a few drops.
Apart from changes in normal menstrual bleeding, other side effects women can experience are such as:
- Fluctuating moods (mood swings)
- Increase in weight
- Breast softness
- Headache
- Acne
- Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
- Sore throats or flu
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Severe periods
- Stomach pain.
Implant Site Complications
Many women experience Nexplanon Implant site problems such as swelling, pain and hematoma during implantation. Removal of the implant can also make you experience difficulty in localization as well as damaged or broken implant.
In addition, you can also have scarring at the site of the implant. Scarring is a mark on your body left by a burn or healed wound.
Medicines that Affect
There are some drugs that can reduce the effectiveness of Nexplanon implant in protecting against pregnancy. This could make you become pregnant. You should therefore inform your doctor all the medicines you are using or have used in the past so that you are advised accordingly. Some of these drugs include:
- Seizure medicines: Seizure medicines are used to treat epilepsy.
- Antiretroviral drugs: Antiretroviral drugs are used for treating HIV/Aids.
- Bosentan: Bosentan drugs are used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary arterial hypertension refers to high pressure in your arteries that transmit blood from the heart to your lungs.
- Topiramate: This drug is used to treat epilepsy and migraines (severe headache).
Is Every Woman Qualified to us?
Nexplanon implant is a secure birth control method for healthy women, but it is better you discuss your full medical history with a health provider before using it. Nexplanon implant cannot be recommended if you have any of the following:
- You are expectant or pregnant
- Have a liver disease
- Have blood clots
- Vaginal bleeding
- Have cancer of the breast
- You’re using drugs such as topiramate, Bosentan, Antiretroviral, etc.
When do you See A Doctor?
After Nexplanon implant, some women can have swelling in the face, allergic reactions or difficulty in breathing. Get emergency medical assistance if you show the above symptoms. Other signs and symptoms that you must call a doctor are as follows:
- When the site of the implant becomes swollen and some discharge emanating from it
- You feel symptoms of depression such as difficulty in sleeping, fluctuating moods, and fatigue
- You feel pain, swelling, and redness in one or both of your leg
- When you have sudden severe headaches
- If your skin and eyes become yellow, a condition called jaundice
- You experience pain or cramping in your pelvic region
- If you feel numbness or weakness on one side of your body
- If you feel pain in your chest
What Should you Avoid When Using?
When you are using Nexplanon implant, avoid smoking. This is because smoking elevates your chances of developing blood clots, serious complications like stroke, and heart attack. These risks increase with age; the older you are, the more risky you are to develop blood clots and stroke or heart attack. Hence, when you are over 35 years of age and smoking, do not use Nexplanon implant.
Nexplanon implant cannot protect you against sexually transmitted infections. Use a condom to protect you against STIs.
Reference List
- Nexplanon implant. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/nexplanon-implant.html
- Nexplanon Implant side effects. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/nexplanon-side-effects.html
- Nexplanon Implant subdermal side effects. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-156597/nexplanon-subdermal/details/list-sideeffects
- Nexplanon Implant. https://www.merckconnect.com/nexplanon/patient-counseling.html
- Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon): Patients’ education series. https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/sites/brown.edu.campus-life.health.services/files/Nexplanon%2015_0.pdf
- Contraceptive Nexplanon Implant(Nexplanon). http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraceptive-implant.aspx
