“I regret the first time I had sex. I was very young, naive and irresponsible. I was under the impression that all of my friends were having sex, which I now know was not true.”
—Lee, 17, Oregon
What is Implanon? Does it really last three years?
IMPLANON™ is a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive that is effective for up to three years. It was approved in July, 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A trained health care professional inserts the small rod into a woman’s upper arm. The rod can be removed by a health care professional whenever a woman is ready to become pregnant or when she wants to change her birth control method.
If a woman wants Implanon, she can find a trained heath care professional who knows how to insert it through the Implanon Web site or by calling Planned Parenthood for a reference in her area at 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).
How does it work?
A trained health care professional numbs a woman’s upper arm with a local anesthesia and then inserts the rod. The procedure takes about five minutes. The small rod releases a hormone called Progestin, a hormone commonly found in birth control pills. This hormone keeps the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). It also thickens the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from joining with an egg.
Usually, you can't see the implant under your skin. However, in thin women, the outline of the implant may be visible. It may be possible to feel the hormonal implant in your arm.
How well does it work?
Really well! Implanon is highly effective, both in “perfect use” and “typical use.” Since women don’t have to remember to take a Pill at the same time everyday, there is very little room for error. In fact, Implanon is considered one of the most effective forms of birth control available to women. It has more than a 99-percent effectiveness rate, meaning that if 100 women used Implanon for one year, less than one would get pregnant.
Like other hormonal birth control methods, Implanon does not protect women or their partners from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Partners need to use condoms and get tested regularly to protect themselves from most STDs. You can learn more here.
Are there side effects?
Side effects are rare, but do exist. They include:
· irregular bleeding or spotting
· light or no periods
· acne
· change in appetite
· change in sex drive
· cysts on the ovaries
· depression
· discoloring or scarring of the skin over the implant
· dizziness
· hair loss
· headache
· nausea
· nervousness
· pain at the insertion site
· sore breasts
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your health care provider so that she or he can help minimize the side effects or take out Implanon, if it isn’t right for you.
How much does it cost?
Implanon could potentially cost up to $300 to insert and another $100 to remove. Keep in mind that it is effective up to three years, so this could be cheaper than other forms of birth control in the long run. The costs vary greatly by clinic. Some health insurance plans cover Implanon. Women need to ask their health care professionals and their insurance companies about price when they are considering this new birth control method.
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Implanon rod |
How does it work?
A trained health care professional numbs a woman’s upper arm with a local anesthesia and then inserts the rod. The procedure takes about five minutes. The small rod releases a hormone called Progestin, a hormone commonly found in birth control pills. This hormone keeps the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). It also thickens the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from joining with an egg.
Usually, you can't see the implant under your skin. However, in thin women, the outline of the implant may be visible. It may be possible to feel the hormonal implant in your arm.
How well does it work?
Really well! Implanon is highly effective, both in “perfect use” and “typical use.” Since women don’t have to remember to take a Pill at the same time everyday, there is very little room for error. In fact, Implanon is considered one of the most effective forms of birth control available to women. It has more than a 99-percent effectiveness rate, meaning that if 100 women used Implanon for one year, less than one would get pregnant.
Like other hormonal birth control methods, Implanon does not protect women or their partners from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Partners need to use condoms and get tested regularly to protect themselves from most STDs. You can learn more here.
Are there side effects?
Side effects are rare, but do exist. They include:
· irregular bleeding or spotting
· light or no periods
· acne
· change in appetite
· change in sex drive
· cysts on the ovaries
· depression
· discoloring or scarring of the skin over the implant
· dizziness
· hair loss
· headache
· nausea
· nervousness
· pain at the insertion site
· sore breasts
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your health care provider so that she or he can help minimize the side effects or take out Implanon, if it isn’t right for you.
How much does it cost?
Implanon could potentially cost up to $300 to insert and another $100 to remove. Keep in mind that it is effective up to three years, so this could be cheaper than other forms of birth control in the long run. The costs vary greatly by clinic. Some health insurance plans cover Implanon. Women need to ask their health care professionals and their insurance companies about price when they are considering this new birth control method.
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