Contraceptive Implants represent a truly long term solution to birth control for women. The implant is essentially a small device which is placed under the skin. The only current type of implant available is the Implanon a 4cm by 2mm device which closely resembles a match stick. \u00a0The implant releases a specific type of the progestogen hormone molecule called etonogestrel into the bloodstream. The hormone reaches the ovaries and prevents the release of eggs, while also causing changes to the cervix and lining of the womb which further hinders any potential for pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The implantation of the device requires a minor operation using local anaesthetic. It is important to ensure that the doctor performing the operation is fully trained in inserting the implant, as an incorrectly implanted device can lead to infection. Local anaesthetic is applied to the arm before the match like implanon device is injected using a special needle to the area roughly eight to ten centimetres above the elbow of your left or right arm depending on preference. The procedure is relatively pain free and should only take around three minutes to perform. In a minority of instances some swelling or soreness can be experienced around the region of insertion. The device is traditionally implanted within the first five days of a woman\u2019s period to primarily ensure they are not already pregnant. New mothers can also have the device installed, three to four weeks after giving birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with contraceptive injections, a number of very specific conditions may lead your doctor to advise against this type of birth control. As with the contraceptive injection women suffering from undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, thrombosis, liver disease will be advised against the implant. \u00a0Furthermore, women with a history of ovarian cysts are advised against using Implanon due to an inherent link between the use of the implant and the disorder. Additionally, conditions like jaundice and the intense itching pregnancy disorder cholestatic pruritus may cause your doctor to reassess the patient\u2019s choice of birth control. Larger women may also be advised to seek other methods simply because the implant may be unable to produce enough of the hormone that prevents pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The implant offers an extremely high level of effectiveness\u00a0 \u00a0– well over 99%. \u00a0It also provides a long term solution to birth control and the end of any commitment to a program of pills. As with other birth control methods, periods can become lighter and sometimes even stop. While, like most birth control methods side effects exist, the implant can be removed with an immediate end to any problems which may have been experienced by the user. Fertility also returns immediately upon removal of the implant. Unlike the patch, evidence of its use is minimal with only a tiny scar left on the arm. For new mothers, it is important to also understand that the implant does not interfere with breast feeding in the same way that using the pill did previously, though small traces of the hormone can be found in milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contraceptive implants while efficient and a long term solution also carry a risk of various side effects.\u00a0 Weight gain, acne and breast tenderness have been recorded as side effects, while worse still some women report headaches and dizziness. On a psychological level, use of the implant has been linked to depression and with it a loss of sexual drive.\u00a0 Around 20% of all users report irregular vaginal bleeding which can often be prolonged and what\u2019s more increasingly frequent. Medication for diseases like tuberculosis and epilepsy can also hinder the implants level of effectiveness. As with all hormone based birth control, there is an increased risk of breast cancer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Contraceptive Implants represent a truly long term solution to birth control for women. The implant is essentially a small device which is placed under the skin. The only current type of implant available is the Implanon a 4cm by 2mm device which closely resembles a match stick. \u00a0The implant releases a specific type of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22\/revisions\/23"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.caughtout.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}