Nexplanon implant: Benefits, risks, and how to get it Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Nexplanon birth control implant What to knowMedically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — By Jenna Fletcher and Suzy Davenport — Updated on April 17, 2022We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Nexplanon is a reversible and highly effective form of birth control. It provides several years’ worth of protection against unintended pregnancy. Share on PinterestPeople sometimes refer to it as the implant because it is a small plastic tube that a doctor inserts into the upper arm. Learn more about birth control implants. This article covers everything a person needs to know about Nexplanon, including how it works, its benefits, and some potential risks. This article talks about perfect and typical use of birth control. Perfect use describes how effective a form of birth control is if everyone uses it exactly as instructed every time they have sex. Typical use describes how effective a form of birth control is if a person sometimes uses it as instructed but may also use it irregularly or imperfectly. Even with perfect use, contraception is not 100% effective. People should discuss birth control options with a healthcare professional to find the right option for them. What is Nexplanon Nexplanon is a type of reversible hormonal birth control. It is a 1.5-inch-long soft plastic tube that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. As with an intrauterine device (IUD), a doctor needs to insert the contraceptive implant. Following insertion, the person will have protection against pregnancy for up to 5 years. Nexplanon does not help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, a person should take additional steps to help prevent infection, such as using barrier methods of protection. How does it work The Nexplanon implant releases progestin into the bloodstream. Progestin is an artificial hormone similar to progesterone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, progestin works in three ways to prevent pregnancy:It thickens the mucus around the cervix, which prevents the sperm from reaching the egg.It prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg.It thins the uterine lining. How effective is it The Nexplanon implant is one of the most effective forms of birth control. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), fewer than 1 out of 100 people become pregnant while using it. In other words, the implant is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Potential benefits Unlike other forms of hormonal birth control, a person does not need to use Nexplanon daily, weekly, or monthly. Instead, they will need to visit a doctor every 3 years or as the doctor directs. This option might be less stressful for people who find it hard to take other forms of birth control regularly. The Nexplanon implant is very effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. After a week following insertion, it is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, a person will need to use additional birth control methods or avoid sexual intercourse for the first 7 days following insertion. During this time, a person can still become pregnant. Side effects and risks Nexplanon has several potential side effects, which means that this birth control implant may not be suitable for everyone. According to the FDA, more than 10% of people who use Nexplanon may experience one or more of the following common side effects:headacheschanges in menstrual bleedingweight gainvaginitispharyngitisacnebreast painabdominal pain The National Institutes of Health (NIH) add that other potential risks include:blood clotsliver diseaseectopic pregnancypain at the insertion sitenauseanervousness depressionflu-like symptoms back painincreased blood pressure Certain people should not use Nexplanon. The FDA states that this birth control method is unsuitable for those who:have had serious blood clotsmay be pregnant have or have had breast cancerhave allergies to anything in the productare living with liver tumors or diseaseexperience unusual vaginal bleeding A person will also need to take additional steps to prevent STIs. These may include using condoms or avoiding sexual contact with a partner experiencing symptoms. Implant insertion appointment What to expect A person needs to visit a doctor’s office, where the doctor will insert the flexible tube into their upper arm. People interested in having a Nexplanon implant should make sure that the doctor has experience in performing the procedure. During the procedure, the doctor will make a small incision with a tool designed to insert Nexplanon. The procedure only takes a few minutes and does not require any downtime. The doctor can insert the device at the same time as they remove an old one. To remove the device, they will administer a local anesthetic to the area, make a small incision underneath the implant, and grip the device with forceps to pull it out gently. A range of healthcare professionals and birth control services offer Nexplanon and other birth control options online. Preparing for the appointment Before the appointment, a person should eat and drink as normal. They can also continue taking their usual medications and using any regular birth control methods. However, a person should avoid having sex without a method of birth control for 2 weeks prior to the appointment. Aftercare After the procedure, a person will have bandage strips on the area, as well as a gauze dressing, which they should keep on for 24 hours. They should allow the bandage strips to fall off by themselves. A person should also avoid touching or bumping the area. People are free to return to their usual activities immediately after the insertion of the Nexplanon implant. What to expect after Nexplanon removal Nexplanon removal should take only a few minutes. After the removal of the device, a person may become pregnant straight away if they have sex without using a barrier method of protection. The removal site may feel swollen, tender, and bruised for a few days or weeks. Any side effects that a person previously experienced with Nexplanon should disappear quickly. The healthcare professional who removes the device will provide advice on how to wash and take care of the skin. Alternatives A person can choose from several birth control options. The table below compares the Nexplanon implant with external condoms, IUDs, and the Depo-Provera shot:NexplanonExternal condomIUDDepo-ProveraLife spanlasts up to 5 yearsone-time use onlylasts up to 12 yearslasts up to 15 weeksUsedoctor inserts it into the armgoes over the penis before sexdoctor inserts it into the uterusdoctor injects it into the armSTI protectionnoyesnonoAverage costup to $1,300about $12 for a pack of 12up to $1,300up to $150Side effectsmenstrual changesheadachesbreast tendernessnauseaweight gainacneallergic reaction to latex or polyurethanebreast tendernessnauseaacnemood changespelvic painirregular bleedingheadachessore breastsnauseaweight gaindepressionEfficacymore than 99% effective98% effective with perfect usemore than 99% effectivemore than 99% with perfect use Learn more about the different forms of birth control. All types of birth control have some associated risks. Any form of hormonal birth control will have similar side effects and risk factors. However, when a person uses them correctly, most forms of birth control are highly effective. People with other prescriptions for birth control can look into services such as:Nurx: This company offers delivery of prescription birth control products, such as the pill, patch, ring, or shot. Learn more about Nurx.Favor (previously Pill Club): This company offers delivery of prescription birth control pills and rings. Learn more about Favor.Hers: This company delivers prescription birth control pills. Learn more about Hers. Frequently asked questions Below, we answer some of the most common questions about the Nexplanon contraceptive implant. What are the most common side effects of Nexplanon Common side effects include:headachesmenstrual bleeding changesweight gainvaginitispharyngitisacnebreast painabdominal pain There are also less common and rare side effects. A person should speak with a doctor if they are experiencing any unexpected or severe side effects. What are the pros and cons of Nexplanon Advantages of Nexplanon include:It is effective for up to 5 years.A doctor can remove it at any time should the person wish.It is more than 99% effective. Disadvantages include:Side effects are common.A healthcare professional must insert and remove the device.It does not protect against STIs. Does Nexplanon really cause weight gain According to Planned Parenthood, although Nexplanon can sometimes cause weight gain, many people use it without experiencing this side effect. Summary Nexplanon is a type of hormonal birth control. A doctor will insert the small plastic tube into a person’s upper arm. The contraceptive implant provides nearly 100% protection for up to 3 years at a time. Once this time is up, the doctor can remove the tube and insert a new one. It is worth noting that Nexplanon is not a good solution for everyone. Anyone with a history of breast cancer, liver disease, or another health condition should talk with a doctor before getting the implant. Last medically reviewed on April 17, 2022Uncategorized 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Birth control implant. (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-implant-nexplanonHow effective are condoms? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom/how-effective-are-condomsHow effective are IUDs? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/iud/how-effective-are-iudsHow effective is the birth control shot? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-shot/how-effective-is-the-birth-control-shotImplant insertion instruction sheet. (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/2114/3759/7319/Implant_insertion_instruction_sheet.pdfLong-acting reversible contraception (LARC): Intrauterine device (IUD) and implant. (2021).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/long-acting-reversible-contraception-iud-and-implantNexplanon (etonogestrel implant). (2021).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b03a3917-9a65-45c2-bbbb-871da858ef34Nexplanon (etonogestrel implant) label. (2015).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/021529s011lbl.pdfNexplanon (etonogestrel) label.https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/021529s018lbl.pdfPreparing for your appointment. (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/65/3b/653bed29-5090-41dc-8539-704065ba3530/prep_nexp.pdfWhat are the benefits of IUDs? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/iud/what-are-the-benefits-of-iudsWhat are the side effects of the birth control implant? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-implant-nexplanon/nexplanon-side-effectsWhat happens when the birth control implant is removed? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-implant-nexplanon/what-happens-when-the-birth-control-implant-is-removedFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — By Jenna Fletcher and Suzy Davenport — Updated on April 17, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat types of birth control are there?Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP Birth control is used to prevent pregnancy. Find out about the different means available, how they work, and how effective they are.READ MOREWhat to know about the birth control implantMedically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH The birth control implant is a form of contraception. Here, learn more about how it works, the insertion procedure, and its effectiveness and side…READ MOREWhich is the best IUD for me?Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH The best IUD for each person depends on many factors. People can choose between hormonal IUDs, which include Mirena and Kyleena, and nonhormonal IUDs…READ MOREWhat are the long-term side effects of birth control?Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, P.A. People often stay on hormonal birth control for much of their adult lives, either for contraception or to manage long-term medical conditions. Many…READ MORESwitching birth control methods: How to do it safelyMedically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH People may switch birth control options to find an easier or more effective option, or to reduce side effects. Learn more about switching here.READ MORE