Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > Contraception/Birth Control > Hormonal Implants Hormonal Implants
Female hormonal methods are very effective at preventing pregnancy.
| Out of 100 Women Using this Method | |
| Typical Use: Less than 1 Woman Becomes Pregnant |  |
| Perfect Use: Less than 1 Woman Becomes Pregnant | |
What are hormonal implants?
Hormonal implants are tiny rods the size of a matchstick and contain hormones that are inserted under the skin. Hormonal implants include Norplant which has 6 small rods, Norplant II which has 2 small rods, and Implanon which has one small rod. Hormonal implants are a type of contraception that lasts for 3 to 5 years, depending on the type.
What is the surgery like?
The
hormonal implants are inserted under your skin on the inside of
your upper arm. The minor procedure is done in your health care
provider's office that lasts about 5 minutes. The surgery is done
with local anesthesia just around the area of your upper arm, where
the implants will be inserted. The implants should be inserted within
the first seven days of your menstrual cycle or while you are taking
oral contraceptives or on Depo-Provera®.
How do hormonal implants prevent pregnancy?
The tubes slowly release small amounts of levonorgestrel or etonogestrel. This suppresses your pituitary gland which stops your ovaries from releasing eggs. Without these eggs, pregnancy can't happen. The hormones also change the lining of your uterus and the mucus in your cervix. By changing your cervical mucus, the hormones make it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
When do the hormonal implants start to work and how long do they work for?
If the hormonal implants are inserted within the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle, they start protecting against pregnancy 24 hours after they are inserted. They give protection 3 to 5 years or until they are removed.
How effective are hormonal implants?
Hormonal implants are more than 99% effective. This means that if 100 women use hormonal implants, less than 1 woman will become pregnant in a year. A new implant can be inserted when the old one is taken out. Hormonal implants do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. So you need to use a condom to protect against STDs.
Do hormonal implants have any other benefits besides protecting against pregnancy?
Yes. Hormonal implants can cause very light, or no, menstrual periods, less anemia (low number of red blood cells), and less menstrual cramps and pain.
Where can I get hormonal implants?
A physician must insert the hormonal implants. They cost about $450-$900 for 5 years. (This may seem like a lot of money, but remember that it pays for 5 years of contraception.) Some insurance companies may cover part or all of the costs.
Can you see or feel hormonal implants?
Usually, you can't see implant under your skin. However, in thin women, the outline of the implant may be visible. It may be possible to feel the hormonal implant in your arm.
Can any woman get hormonal implants?
No. Hormonal implants cannot be used by women who:
Some medications may lower the effectiveness of the implants. If you are taking medications that lower effectiveness (such as anti-seizure medications), implants may not be right for you. Check with your health care provider to find out if hormonal implants are an option for you.
Are there any side effects of hormonal implants?
There are some possible side effects of hormonal implants. They are different for every woman. One side effect is irregular menstrual bleeding, which is most likely to occur in the first year. If you have irregular menstrual bleeding and it is really annoying, ask your health care provider about treatments to control it.
Other possible side effects:
Some clinicians try to figure out if you might be likely to have possible side effects of hormonal implants before they are inserted. This can be done by taking Progestin-only birth control pills for several months, but it doesn't always predict correctly for the individual.
Should I be worried if I stop getting my menstrual period?
No. Some women stop having their menstrual periods after getting hormonal implants. This is no reason to worry. It's not a medical problem. It just means that your ovaries are resting and not releasing an egg each month. When your ovaries don't release an egg, the lining in your uterus does not grow. So there is no menstrual bleeding. Your menstrual cycles will return to the way they were after the implants are removed. Talk to your health care provider if you have more questions.
What if I have problems with hormonal implants?
If you have any problems, you can always call your health care provider. But if you have any of the following while using the implants, you definitely should get in touch with your health care provider:
What about removal of the hormonal implants?
Hormonal implants can be removed whenever you want. They last 3 to 5 years, depending on the type. It takes about 10-30 minutes to remove the implants. It costs about $100-$300 to remove the hormonal implants. Some insurance companies may cover part or all of this cost. As soon as the implants are removed, you can become pregnant again.
Updated 5/12/2005
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