Let’s talk about the Implant
An implant is a rod, the size of a matchstick, containing a hormone, which is put just under the skin on your arm.
An implant is a birth control method with a very low failure rate when correctly inserted by a professional health care provider.
It can stay in place for three to five years. The implant gives off a steady supply of the hormone progestin, which prevents you from getting pregnant by thickening the cervical mucus and inhibiting ovulation.
What are the pros of Implant?
- Highly effective when inserted correctly
- No need to worry about birth control for three to five years
- Fertility returns as soon as the implant is removed
- Appropriate for women who can’t use birth control that contains estrogen
- It may reduce heavy and painful periods
- May provide protection from ectopic pregnancy, iron-deficiency anemia, and symptomatic pelvic infection
What are the cons of Implant?
The side effects include:
- Spotting – quite common
- Headaches
- Breast pain
- Acne
- Ovarian cysts
- The period may become irregular, lighter, heavier, or longer, or may stop
- Nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and mood changes
- In rare cases, the implant can move, or a provider may insert it too deep, making it more difficult to remove
An implant doesn’t protect against STDs.
Implants are great for women after giving birth, smokers over the ages of 35, and women with high blood pressure.
Implants are also suitable for women of any age, including young women (with or without children, married or unmarried).
They contain no estrogen thus they can be used by women who cannot use estrogen (e.g. immediately after birth, breastfeeding women, smokers older than 35, women with high blood pressure, etc.).
Do I need to visit a doctor?
Yes, you do.
You must see your doctor or healthcare provider get an implant since it requires a minor surgical procedure. They will ask you some questions and do a history screening before inserting the implant under the skin of your upper arm. It can stay in place for up to three years.
Inserting an Implant takes just a few minutes. It is painless since the procedure is done with local anesthesia.
A healthcare provider will take your implant out of your arm whenever you want to stop using it. He/she will tell you how to wash and take care of your skin for a couple of days after insertion and removal
In case you can’t feel the implant, the implant feels like it’s changed shape, notice any changes to the skin or feel any pain at the site of the implant, visit your doctor for further analysis.
For your birth control services, visit your nearest Marie Stopes Clinic or call them toll-free at 0800720005.
Or, click here to find a clinic near you.
You can also visit a government hospital near you.
Tell us what you think
Recent Comments (40)
CanI get Pregnant?I just…
CanI get Pregnant?I just removed after one year and half ,the implant was suppose to stay in three years
Yes Rozii you can get…
Yes Rozii you can get pregnant, now that you have had the implant removed there is nothing that’s preventing you from getting pregnant if you do have sex around your ovulation period.
What are side effects
What are side effects
Hi Frank, Some of the side…
Hi Frank, Some of the side effects include the following nausea, stomach cramping/bloating/pain, dizziness, headache, mood changes, breast tenderness or pain, weight gain, back pain, menstrual cramps, changes in menstrual periods, vaginal itching, and vaginal irritation or discharge. No all the side effects will occur at the same time. Talk to your health provider about other serious side effects that may require medical attention.
What period of time will I…
What period of time will I carry to be pregnant after removing it?
Hi Faith, since everyone is…
Hi Faith, since everyone is different, some people get pregnant almost immediately while for others it may take alittle longer. I suggest you speak to your health provider for further advice. We wish you well.
have bn with iud for 12yrs…
have bn with iud for 12yrs nw ,when is the appropriate time to remove it
Hey Vicky, usually the IUD…
Hey Vicky, usually the IUD is removed when it reaches its expiration date. This is between 3 and 10 years and upto 12 years for Copper IUDs. Did your doctor tell you when the IUD will expire? It maybe important for you to visit a medical centre for advice from a health worker and the removal. Check out the following article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/birth-control/types-of-birth-control/iud
Since I had an implant…
Since I had an implant inserted, I haven’t had menstrual flows. Is this normal?
Hi Ivy, the most common side…
Hi Ivy, the most common side effect of the Implant is irregular bleeding (or spotting), especially in the first 6-12 months. Sometimes the implant causes long-term spotting, or periods get longer and heavier. But for most people, the implant makes their periods way lighter. Most people with the implant stop getting their periods at all after a year. It’s also totally safe to not get a period.
I just removed my implant…
I just removed my implant after five years. Are there some side effects it can cause to my next pregnancy?
Hello Mary, the implant will…
Hello Mary, the implant will not have an effect on your next pregnancy. We wish you all the best.
Is the procedure painful?…
Is the procedure painful? Sounds like it really is?
Hey Jane, you have the…
Hey Jane, you have the option of having it done under local anaesthetia and it only takes the time required for an injection. Discuss your options with your health care provider. https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/choosing-the-right-birth-control/how-to-choose
Does this method come wit…
Does this method come wit any medical risks?
Hi Joy, this method will…
Hi Joy, this method will cause some side effects including irregular periods, mood changes, weight gain, abdominal pain, nausea, back pain, headaches, dizziness among others. Also, there are women who shouldn’t use implants including, sensitivity to any part of the implant, unexplained vaginal bleeding among other issues. It is important to discuss to discuss this with your medical provider before the implant is inserted.
Is it safe for a woman has…
Is it safe for a woman has never had a child before?
Hey Ammy, ys the method is…
Hey Ammy, ys the method is safe for women who have never had children. As soon as one is ready to have a child, they will stop using the birth control method or have the implant removed for them to get pregnant.
what are the side effect for…
what are the side effect for woman that did not see her menstruation again
Hi Sewwy, there are a number…
Hi Sewwy, there are a number of reasons that can cause one to not see their period including, pregnancy, breastfeeding, use of some birth control methods, menopause among others. It is important to determine what could be have caused this to be able to find a solution. Talk to you health provider for further advice especially if this has happened for several months. Check out the following article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/menstruation
Can you get the implant…
Can you get the implant inserted before three months are over after getting the depo injection?
Hi Jaquelinsince both…
Hi Jaquelinsince both methods are hormonal methods, you should only start the new method (Implant) after the time for the injection has elapsed. I suggest you further discuss the change in method you wish to make.
I have used this method for…
I have used this method for about 2 years after my first child. I removed it and got pregnant of my second child.
Can I get another implant?
Yes you can Justinah. Do…
Yes you can Justinah. Do talk to your Doctor or healthcare provider who further advice.
What complication from this…
What complication from this method?
Hi there, as described above…
Hi there, as described above, implant can make your periods more irregular. It may also cause side-effects that include headaches, acne, and ovarian cysts. Spotting is quite common as well. In rare cases, the implant can also grow into the muscle or move, making it more difficult to remove it. Do discuss with your midwife or doctor for additional information.
How long should I wait after…
How long should I wait after removing an implant before trying to have a baby?
Hello Jean, you can get…
Hello Jean, you can get pregnant as soon as an implant has been removed. It will not have an effect on your pregnancy.
my wife had the arm implant…
my wife had the arm implant removed april 2019. we have been trying to get a baby all in vein. what might be wrong
Hello Reley, thank you for…
Hello Reley, thank you for reaching out to us. We are so sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. The arm inplant has hormones that are slowly released over time to prevent pregnancy. Even after the implant is removed, it takes the body between three months and a year to clear the hormones out of her system. It would be best to keep trying. Also getting pregnant may be straight forward but it may take several tries to get a positive. Best thing to do is keep trying. This article has some great pointers on how best to procede.
https://lovemattersafrica.com/pregnancy/before-pregnancy/getting-pregnant-dos-and-donts
Is it effective immediately…
Is it effective immediately after insertion?
Hi Angella,
It’s…
Hi Angella,
It’s immediately effective if inserted during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, which starts with the first day of bleeding. The implant is effective after 7 days if it is inserted at any other time in the menstrual cycle.
my inplant is expiring on 20…
my inplant is expiring on 20/7/20210 but ever since i put it i av never got my periods,so will i have 2 wait 2 see my periods before inserting another one?
Hi Cathy,
Some women stop…
Hi Cathy,
Some women stop having their periods after getting a hormonal implant. This is not a reason to worry. It just means that your ovaries are resting and not releasing an egg each month. In terms of getting a new implant, you can get another one after expiry or earlier if it is no longer needed. Talk to your doctor about your concerns before getting the implant inserted.
Can a 13 years old girl…
Can a 13 years old girl inplant?
Hi Masontaga,
Medically…
Hi Masontaga,
Medically she can. Legally in Kenya, she can with the consent of the parent or guardian.
Does the implant get lost in…
Does the implant get lost in the body
Hi Hadija,
No, the implant…
Hi Hadija,
No, the implant cannot get lost in the body since it cannot get absorbed. When an implant has been inserted properly, it should be easily felt in the arm. In some cases, it can move a short distance from where it was initially inserted. In some cases, it can enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs. A migrated implant causes pain so this rarely goes unnoticed. When it cannot be located it is important to visit the doctor.
To avoid these problems, providers should check on the status of an implant each time you visit the hospital.
Hi….I would like to know…
Hi….I would like to know is it possible/risky to go for inplnt after one month of leaving pills taking?
Hi Grace,
It is totally…
Hi Grace,
It is totally fine to switch to an implant after one month of stopping taking pills. In fact, you can insert IUD up to 5 days after stopping pill. Talk to your doctor about this to ensure that the implant is inserted the right way.