To put it simply, Nexplanon is an arm implant that acts as birth control. This particular contraceptive contains only progestin and generally offers pregnancy protection for about three years. This implant is very discreet as it’s only about 1.6 inches long, but it’s known to be very effective. That said, we’ll delve deeper into what to expect after Nexplanon insertion, including the removal and potential side effects.
How Does Nexplanon Work?
After the Nexplanon insertion, the implant starts working immediately by gradually releasing small doses of the mentioned hormone progestin. This hormone is what prevents pregnancy. Of course, the implant has a set amount of progestin in it, which means that the levels of hormones will also slowly drop as time goes by. On average, most women go through the Nexplanon removal after about three years. In general, Nexplanon can’t stop working early, but its effectiveness can be affected, which we’ll further explain a bit later.
Nexplanon Insertion Process
A trained medical professional performs the procedure by inserting the birth control implant under the skin of the upper arm after previously administering a local anesthetic. A special applicator is used in order to position Nexplanon properly under the skin.
Typically, Nexplanon insertion lasts for only about a couple of minutes. And once the procedure is completed, it’s necessary to wear a pressure bandage for a whole day on the treated area. Three to five days afterward, a smaller bandage would suffice.
The most common Nexplanon side effects include swelling and pain that don’t last for very long. That said, any other more worrying symptoms that could indicate potential infection, such as bleeding, more severe pain, fever, and wound discharge, warrant a visit to your doctor.
What to Expect After Nexplanon Insertion?
For starters, it’s important to mention that Nexplanon is an improved version of its predecessor Implanon. In that sense, the Nexplanon implant is completely visible on X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, etc. What’s more, the applicator used to insert Nexplanon is considerably more efficient to operate as well.
Now, what to expect after Nexplanon insertion in terms of effectiveness? This particular birth control method is known to be 99.9% effective, making it one of the best contraceptives available today.
But can Nexplanon stop working early? While the implant won’t just “break” on its own, it’s important to mention that it may be less effective in women who are overweight. In that respect, it might be necessary to replace the implant sometime after the second year of having it instead of waiting for the full three years to pass. This is because a higher BMI in overweight women lowers the number of active hormones in the blood.
Also, the common antibiotics shouldn’t affect the effectiveness of Nexplanon. However, TB and meningitis antibiotics, as well as some HIV and epilepsy meds could lessen the effectiveness of this birth control. This doesn’t mean that Nexplanon can stop working early, but it’s worth being a bit more careful with pregnancy protection. Also, taking herbal meds containing St John’s Wort could lower the implant’s effectiveness.
Benefits of Using Nexplanon as Birth Control
Many women decide on Nexplanon as a form of birth control since this particular contraceptive also offers several health and lifestyle benefits, such as:
- The implant is rather small and discreet
- There’s no need to take doses orally or do any maintenance
- It’s a safe alternative for women who can’t use estrogen-based birth control
- When inserted between the first and fifth day of the period, Nexplanon starts working immediately
- It’s a safe birth control option for breastfeeding mothers
- Considering its steady delivery of hormones, there are fewer hormonal ups and downs compared to other hormonal contraceptives
- Nexplanon is a good option for women who don’t want kids currently but also want flexibility for future family planning
It’s also important to mention that after Nexplanon removal, women can expect to be fertile again within two weeks. This is considerably faster compared to other hormonal birth control options.
Of course, before you decide on Nexplanon or any other form of birth control for that matter, it’s essential to talk to your doctor about it. Proper gynecological care is crucial for providing you with the best service and contraception for your particular needs and health condition.
Potential Nexplanon Side Effects
When Nexplanon side effects are concerned, the most common one definitely has to do with a woman’s menstrual bleeding. Essentially, the majority of women with this implant will experience some kind of change in their menstrual flow pattern, be that in intensity, frequency, or duration of the bleeding. In general, 1 in 5 women will notice longer or more frequent bleeding, while another 1 in 5 women will completely miss their periods. Pay attention to your menstrual patterns for the first three months after Nexplanon insertion, as this will indicate what to expect in the future as well.
Some other common side effects of having a Nexplanon implant are as follows:
- Breast and/or abdominal pain
- Headache and/or sore throat
- Breast pain
- Vaginitis
- Acne
- Weight gain
There have been reports of other side effects that are less common, such as lower sex drive, higher blood pressure, increased appetite, fatigue, mood swings, nausea, dizziness, hair loss, and hot flashes.
In general, Nexplanon is a good birth control option for many women, but there are some conditions that would warrant the use of some other kind of contraceptive. For instance, Nexplanon is not recommended for pregnant women or those affected by the following conditions:
- Current or previous breast cancer
- Current or previous hematoma
- Progestin-sensitive cancer
- Vaginal bleeding
- Liver disease
- Severe depression
It’s also important to discuss your contraceptive options with your doctor in case you’re dealing with health conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, kidney and gallbladder disease, diabetes, and so on.
Nexplanon Removal Process
Just like it’s rather simple to get Nexplanon inserted under the skin in your upper arm, it’s as simple to remove it. The entire process lasts for a few minutes. Again, the doctor will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area and make a small incision. They will then push the implant towards the incision and grab it with tweezers to remove it.
Once the doctor closes the incision, you will have to wear a pressure bandage again as well. There are usually no complications with the removal process, but you may feel a bit sore or notice some slight swelling on your arm. In some cases, bruises might appear, but all of this shouldn’t last too long. What’s more, any side effects previously associated with Nexplanon, such as headache, mood swings, and acne, should minimize with the implant removal as well.
There are many different kinds of contraceptive options available in the market. Nexplanon is definitely one of the most effective, but you still need to discuss this with your doctor. Based on your wants and needs, as well as your health in general, they’ll be able to recommend the ideal birth control solution for you specifically. That said, you can always count on Dr. Shawn Stephens, an experienced gynecologist in Sarasota, for all gynecological matters and questions you may have.
