What is the contraceptive implant?
The contraceptive implant (also known as "Nexplanon") is a small, thin stick about the size of a match. The implant releases hormones in the body that prevent pregnancy. A nurse or doctor places the implant in your arm, and that's it: you have protection against pregnancy for a period of up to 5 years. It is the contraceptive method to "put on and forget".
How does the implant work?
The contraceptive implant is a small, thin rod about the size of a match. It is also known as Nexplanon, and there is a slightly older version called Implanon. A doctor places the implant under the skin of the arm and this releases the hormone progestin to prevent you from getting pregnant.
Implant hormones prevent pregnancy in two ways:
Progestin thickens the mucus on the cervix, which prevents the sperm from swimming to your egg. If the sperm does not meet the egg, pregnancy does not occur.
In addition, the progestin can prevent the ovules from leaving the ovaries (what is known as ovulation); therefore, there are no eggs to fertilize. When no eggs are released, you can not get pregnant.
One of the great things about the implant is that it lasts a long time - up to 5 years -; however, it is not permanent. If you decide that you want to get pregnant or just do not want to have the implant anymore, the doctor can remove it. You can get pregnant quickly after the implant is removed.
Does the implant protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
No. Nexplanon does not protect against STDs. Luckily, using a condom or female condom every time you have sex reduces the chances of getting or spreading STDs. Therefore, the use of condoms together with the implant is the best way to avoid infections.
