How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

Nexplanon Removal: What to Know

You've had the Nexplanon birth control implant in your arm for a while and you're ready for it to come out. Maybe you want to get pregnant now. Maybe your doctor has recommended that you try something else. Maybe the implant's period of effectiveness is coming to an end. The Nexplanon implant, remember, is good for a maximum of 3 years.

No matter your reason, there's no need to worry. Usually, it's a smooth, relatively painless process. Your doctor can do the whole thing in about 5 minutes.

You should be able to feel the Nexplanon implant on the inside part of your upper arm just under the skin. It's closer to your elbow than your armpit, in between the muscles of your upper and lower arm. You might remember that the implant is a thin, flexible rod that's about the size of a matchstick. Your doctor should be able to find it easily.

To remove it, they'll give you a shot of a local anesthetic (which will numb only that area). You might feel a small pinch or sting.

After that, you'll lie back, with your arm raised near your head, then they'll make a small incision in the skin of your upper arm. From the outside of your arm, the doctor will push the Nexplanon rod toward the incision, where they can grab it with something like a pair of tweezers and gently remove it.

They'll close the incision, you'll get a tight-fitting, pressure bandage to cover the area and minimize bruising, and then you're done.

The entire process can take less than 2 minutes. It typically takes less than 5. Complications are rare and usually not serious.

What's Next?

You might be a little sore once the anesthesia wears off. Your arm may swell a little. There could be some bruising in the area that might last a couple weeks. But generally, you should feel fine after they remove your implant.

Any side effects that you had with Nexplanon -- like weight gain, headache, acne, and mood swings -- might ease once the implant is gone.

It's important to remember that after you get the implant removed, you can get pregnant right away. You'll want to use another source of birth control immediately if you don't want that.

If you're getting the implant removed because it's nearing or at the end of its lifespan, but you want to continue with birth control, you can get another Nexplanon put in when the old one goes out. Then you'll be good for another 3 years.

IMPLANT, WHAT IS IT?

The contraceptive implant is a small flexible plastic rod that's placed under the skin in your upper arm.  It works by releasing a hormone called progestogen into your bloodstream, which protects you against pregnancy. It protects against pregnancy for three years. 

The two most common versions are the single-rod etonogestrel and the two-rod levonorgestrel implant.

Brands include: Norplant, Jadelle (Norplant II), Implanon, Nexplanon, Sino-implant (II), Zarin, Femplant and Trust.

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

The implant is more than 99 effective.  This means there is less than 1 in 100 chance of getting pregnant if you have it.  Once it's in place, you don't have to think about it again for three years.  This can be useful for people who find it difficult to remember to take a pill at the same time every day.  You can have it removed at any time and your normal fertility will return quickly.  If you have heavy, painful periods, you may find that the implant makes these lighter or stops them. 

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?

You may experience temporary side effects after it's fitted, like irregular bleeding, headaches, breast tenderness, and acne. These usually pass after the first few months.  It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections, SDIs, so you may need to use condoms as well. 

HOW IS IT FITTED AND REMOVED?

You can have the implant put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you're not pregnant. If the implant is fitted during the first five days of your menstrual cycle, you'll be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.  If it's fitted on any other day of your menstrual cycle, you'll need to use additional contraception, like condoms for seven days. For the procedure, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area on the inside of your upper arm.  The implant is then inserted under your skin by a specially trained doctor or nurse.  It only takes a few minutes to put in and feels like you're having an injection.  It shouldn't be very painful but you might feel a pulling or tugging sensation. You won't need any stitches after your implant has been fitted. It can be removed at any time by a doctor or nurse.  It only takes a few minutes to remove and a local anesthetic will be used.  The doctor or nurse will make a tiny cut in your skin to gently pull the implant out.  There may be bruising and scarring with the fitting and removal. As soon as it has been removed, you'll no longer be protected against pregnancy. If you don't want to become pregnant seek advice on another form of contraception. 

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

Some medicines can make the implant less effective.  These include

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant
medicines for HIV, epilepsy, and tuberculosis, some herbal medicine, such as St. John's wort.  You can always ask the doctor or nurse you see if any medicine you're taking will affect it.  In rare cases, the area of skin where the implant has been fitted, can become infected.  If this happens, contact your GP, as you may need antibiotics.  You should also visit a GP or sexual health clinic, if:

  • you can't feel it;
  • the implant  feels like it's changed shape
  • you notice any changes to the skin or  feel any pain at the site of it
  • you become pregnant 

WHERE CAN I GET THE CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT FITTED OR REMOVED?

 You can get the contraceptive implant for free, even if you're under 16 at your local sexual health service. Some GPs are able to fit and remove implants.  Contact your GP surgery to ask if this is a service they can offer.  If you have any worries about your implant call your GP or sexual health team who can provide advice.

The question of how quickly you can get pregnant after a contraceptive implant is largely up to you - your health, your hormones, your menstrual cycle, and your attempts to get pregnant. For any brands such as Norplant, Jadelle (Norplant II), Implanon, Nexplanon, Sino-implant (II), Zarin, Femplant and Trust.

Clinical studies show that you can get pregnant as early as 7-14 days after implant removal.

A mistake during the removal of the implant from the skin can also affect the recovery time of fertile function of the woman.

In this case, it may take several months before a woman has a chance to get pregnant.

In light of this information, it is worth paying special attention to the medical center and the personnel who will install and remove the implant from your body.

Also, we strongly recommend you to use contraception after removal of the implant, if you and your partner are not planning to have a baby in the near future.

You must understand that removing it leaves you unprotected from an unwanted pregnancy from the first days.

Since you can become pregnant from the very first days after implant removal, we recommend you to take a test after 7-14 days, or sooner if your menstrual cycle has not started in time.

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

Contraceptive implants have been shown to be highly effective and have few side effects, and the ability to become pregnant as soon as possible after removal has made them especially popular with women, especially in the United States.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to be a substitute for such advice or treatment by a personal physician. All readers of this material are advised to consult their own physicians or qualified health care professionals. UAmedTOURS is not responsible for the possible health consequences to any person or persons reading or following the information contained in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those who take prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before making any changes in their diet, lifestyle, taking pills, or other facts that may affect your physical and psychological health.


Do you find this article helpful?

13 people find it useful


Read more:

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

History of Ukraine Travelers have always been and, understandably, that to last on a horse or in a carriage for a long time, the whole and very prob...

For the first time since 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed and released a new compendium of guidelines on abortion procedures and accessib...

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

Healthy radiant smile is the goal of almost every third inhabitant of the planet. But harmful habits, bad heredity and injuries make their adjustments. And ofte...

Any more questions? Ask them to us!

How long after removing nexplanon can you get pregnant

Vitalina Klitschko

Treatment expert