women s health issues
Hormonal Methods of Contraception
Contraceptive Implants
A contraceptive implant is a single match-sized rod containing a progestin. The implant releases the progestin slowly into the bloodstream. The type of implant available in the United States is effective for 3 and possibly up to 5 years. Other contraceptive implants are available elsewhere in the world. Only a very small percentage (0.05%) of women become pregnant during the first year of use. After numbing the skin with an anesthetic, a doctor uses a needle-like instrument (trocar) to place the implant under the skin of the inner arm above the elbow. No incision or stitches are necessary. Doctors must receive special training before they can do this procedure. If women have not had unprotected sex since their last period, an implant can be inserted at any time during the menstrual cycle. If women have had unprotected sex, they should use another form of contraception until their next menstrual period occurs or until a pregnancy test is done and rules out pregnancy. If women are not pregnant, the implant can be inserted. An implant can also be inserted immediately after a miscarriage, an abortion, or delivery of a baby. If the implant is not inserted within 5 days after a woman's periods starts, she should use a backup contraceptive method for 7 days in addition to the implant. Themost common side effectsare irregular or no menstrual periods and headaches. These side effects prompt some women to have the implant removed. Because the implant does not dissolve in the body, a doctor has to make an incision in the skin to remove it. Removal is more difficult than insertion because tissue under the skin thickens around the implant. As soon as the implant is removed, the ovaries return to their normal functioning, and women become fertile again. 