Search
Exit website
Back to Choosing your contraception

Implant

The implant is a small flexible rod (about 40mm long) that’s inserted under the skin of your upper arm. This is a method of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and is progesterone only. It doesn’t rely on you remembering to take anything, but you do need a trained doctor or nurse to administer or fit it for you.

Key facts:

  • The most effective method of contraception available at preventing pregnancy
  • It doesn’t interrupt sex and is not visible
  • Can help reduce heavy periods and period pain, but its effectiveness is reduced by some medicines
  • May cause irregular bleeding
  • Can cause or worsen acne, as per all hormonal methods of contraception
  • Unaffected by diarrhoea and sickness
  • No STI protection
  • Lasts for five years – see new guidance here.

How to use: 

The implant is suitable for most people, but we’ll need to ask you about your own and your family’s medical history to make sure. Only a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional trained to fit implants can insert the implant.

At the appointment

Your appointment will be with one of our doctors or specialist nurses. You will be asked some questions about your medical and family history to make sure the implant is the right choice of contraception for you.  You will be asked about any medicines you take in case they can make the implant less effective.

We will review the fitting procedure and check you are aware of some of the common side effects with implant such as changes in bleeding pattern.  The videos provide more information about the device and the procedure itself.  You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have.

We may be able to fit the implant at your first appointment but sometimes a second appointment is needed.  If this is the case the clinician will explain the reason for this and offer you an alternative method of contraception until we can fit the implant for you.

It is important that you continue to use a reliable method of contraception until your appointment, this includes condoms.

Please do not bring children to your appointment.  Please note that you may need to provide a urine sample at the appointment.  You will also be offered a full sexual health screen.

For further information you may find this web link helpful: Implant | Contraception Choices

Videos:

Find out more about the Implant

Click here
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.