Raleigh Gynecology

One of the most effective and convenient forms of birth control is the Nexplanon implant. Learn why it has become so popular among women looking for a safe and reliable way to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

The Nexplanon Arm Implant

The Nexplanon implant is a small, flexible plastic rod that measures (about 1.5 inches long). Using a specially designed applicator, your doctor will insert it under the skin in your upper non-dominant arm. The procedure takes less than a minute or two to complete.

The implant contains the progestin hormone called etonogestrel. Etonogestrel is a hormone that is similar to a natural hormone made in your body. The implant releases enough hormone into your body each day to prevent pregnancy.

Before you get Nexplanon implanted, your doctor will perform a pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant.

Average Time For Nexplanon

The Nexplanon implant provides effective contraception for three to four years.

Why Do Women Choose Nexplanon?

There are many reasons why Nexplanon has become a leading choice of women seeking a convenient form of birth control. Chief among them include:

Great Long Term Protection

Depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you get the implant, it provides protection beginning either immediately or within a week of the date of insertion.

Nexplanon remains effective for three to four years. You will want to keep track of the scheduled removal date and make an appointment with your doctor to remove it just before the expiration date. Once it expires, it no longer protects against pregnancy. To continue having effective birth control, you can have a new Nexplanon device implanted or begin using another form of birth control.

More Than 99% Effective

The Nexplanon implant is more than 99% effective, which means that your chances of getting pregnant are less than one in 100.

You Can Never Forget To Use It

Once you have the implant, you will not have to worry about it again. You need do nothing further until it expires. You do not have to remember to take a pill, insert a ring, or worry about an IUD fitting.

Most Women Experience Lighter Periods

The hormone in the Nexplanon implant can cause your periods to be lighter and shorter. In fact, one out of three women stop getting periods at all after being on the implant for one year. The implant also reduces the intensity of your period cramps.

Private And Discreet

No one but you and your doctor will know you have the implant. You may be able to feel the implant faintly under your skin, but your partner will never know it’s there.

You Can Have It Removed At Any Time

If you change your mind and want to become pregnant before the implant expires, you can make an appointment with your doctor to have the implant removed. Depending upon where you are in your menstrual cycle when you have it removed, you can become fertile immediately. The Nexplanon implant will not affect your fertility or make it harder for you to get pregnant in the future.

Nexplanon Is Estrogen-Free

Nexplanon contains only the single hormone etonogestrel, which does not include estrogen. If you are one of many women who cannot use estrogen due to certain health problems, you may be able to use the Nexplanon implant safely.

Safe To Use

Nexplanon is proven safe for many women, even those who are nursing. However, your doctor may recommend a different birth control option if you have a history of blood clots, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or progestin-sensitive breast cancer.

Also, if you are taking any medications or herbal supplements, some may make Nexplanon less effective. Your doctor will want to know about anything you are taking such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal supplements.

How The Nexplanon Implant Prevents Pregnancy

The implant releases a small amount of hormone into your body each day. It prevents pregnancy in three ways: 1) it stops your ovaries from releasing one of your eggs, 2) it thickens the mucus of your cervix to help prevent any sperm from reaching an egg, and 3) it changes the lining of your uterus to prevent attachment by a fertilized egg.

For More Information About The Nexplanon Implant, Contact Our Experienced Team At Raleigh Gynecology And Wellness

If the benefits of using the Nexplanon implant seem appealing and you would like to know if it would work for you, contact the specialists at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness. They are available to answer your questions about the implant and discuss any other birth control options with you. Contact them for more information and to schedule an appointment.

For reliable and convenient birth control, a Nexplanon implant should be an option at the top of your list. It is 99% effective, which means fewer than one out of 100 women who use Nexplanon will get pregnant each year. It is completely reversible, so if you decide you’d like to get pregnant during that time, you can simply have the implant removed.

What Type of Birth Control Option Is Nexplanon?

A Nexplanon implant is a flexible plastic rod about 1.5 inches long. It resembles a matchstick in overall size.

Nexplanon has to be implanted by a trained doctor or nurse. Your doctor will use a disposable sterile inserter to implant the device under the skin of your non-dominant upper arm. The implant works by releasing a progestin hormone called etonogestrel into your body over a 3-year period. Etonogestrel is a hormone that is similar to a natural hormone made in your body. It is used in other hormonal birth control devices such as vaginal rings and hormonal IUDs.

Hormonal Birth Control

Nexplanon is implanted in your arm. The Nexplanon device is impregnated with 68 mg of etonogestrel. The plastic copolymer of Nexplanon allows controlled release of the hormone over the three-year period.

How the Hormones Work in Nexplanon

If you get a Nexplanon implant during the first five days of your period, it is immediately effective at preventing you from becoming pregnant. If you get the implant at any other time in your cycle, you will need to use another form of birth control for the first week. After that, the implant becomes effective at protecting you from pregnancy for up to three years.

After the first year, the etonogestrel levels decrease slightly. The levels continue to decrease through the third year, but it remains above the threshold level necessary to prevent pregnancy.

The hormones in Nexplanon prevent pregnancy in three ways: 1) it stops your ovaries from releasing one of your eggs, 2) it thickens the mucus of your cervix so sperm cannot swim through it and reach an egg, and 3) it changes the lining of your uterus to prevent attachment by a fertilized egg.

If you have the device removed during the three-year period, most women become fertile within one week and resume regular menstrual cycles within six weeks.

Potential Side Effects

The implant may cause side effects for some women. In most cases, the side effects subside after a few months. Some of the most common side effects include:

Spotting

The most common side effect is spotting. You may have light bleeding or brown discharge in the first six to twelve months.

Longer or Shorter Bleeding During Period

Some women have long-term spotting or periods that are longer and heavier. For most women, however, the implant causes them to have lighter than usual periods. They also experience reduced cramping.

No Bleeding at All

In some cases, women stop getting their periods with the Nexplanon implant.

Varied Amount of Time Between Periods

For women who continue to have their periods, some experience irregular periods. The amount of time in between their periods varies.

Health Risks

Nexplanon implants are very safe for most women. Serious problems with Nexplanon are rare. More commonly, you may experience arm pain that lasts for longer than a few days, an infection in the arm resulting from the implant procedure, or a small scar on your arm where the implant was inserted. Occasionally, the implant can break and must be replaced, or slip out of place and require a surgical procedure to have it removed.

Women who are pregnant should not use Nexplanon. Your doctor will likely perform a pregnancy test on you before giving you a Nexplanon implant. However, women who are nursing can use Nexplanon without presenting a health risk to the infant.

Also, women with certain pre-existing medical conditions should have a full consultation with their doctors before getting the Nexplanon implant. For example, women who have had breast cancer, for example, should not use Nexplanon. Additionally, women with heart disease, cancer in the liver or kidneys, and certain other health disorders should discuss the risks associated with using a Nexplanon implant with their doctor. Such women may be better suited using another form of contraceptive.

Work with the Experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness

A Nexplanon implant is effective and convenient; its cost is covered by most health insurance plans, Medicaid, and some government programs. Talk to the professionals at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness about Nexplanon implants and other forms of birth control that may be ideal for you. They are available to answer your questions and schedule an appointment.

A Nexplanon implant is a fantastic option for women seeking a safe, reliable and hassle-free birth control option.

Convenient Form of Birth Control

Nexplanon implants are easily among the most convenient forms of birth control available today. It is a small, flexible plastic rod (about 1.5 inches long) implanted by your doctor under the skin of your inner, non-dominant upper arm. With Nexplanon, you never have to worry about taking a pill or stress over an IUD that has slipped out of position.

Facts about the Nexplanon Implant

You can have Nexplanon implanted by your doctor. It is a minor surgical procedure. Your doctor will likely give you a pregnancy test before implanting the device.

Your doctor will numb the area on your arm where it will be implanted. Using a special applicator, your doctor will slip Nexplanon into place. Your doctor will feel the area to ensure that Nexplanon was inserted correctly and will show you how to check it periodically to ensure it is still in place. Following the implantation, you will wear a pressure bandage for 24 hours and a small bandage for three to five days.

Once implanted in your arm, Nexplanon releases the hormone etonogestrel into your body over three years. Etonogestrel is a hormone that is similar to a natural hormone made in your body. It prevents pregnancy in three ways: 1) it stops your ovaries from releasing one of your eggs, 2) it thickens the mucus of your cervix to help prevent any sperm from reaching an egg, and 3) it changes the lining of your uterus to prevent attachment by a fertilized egg.

Highly Effective Form of Birth Control

Nexplanon is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Long-Lasting Option

Nexplanon remains effective for three years. At the end of the three years, you need to have the implant removed. You should keep track of the removal date and schedule an appointment with your doctor to have it removed or replaced. To continue having effective birth control, you need to have a new device implanted or use another form of birth control.

Small and Discreet

The implant is only about one and a half inches long. It is a flexible plastic rod that you will be able to feel under your skin.

Can Potentially Change Periods

With a Nexplanon implant, your periods may change. They may become longer or shorter, or you may have no bleeding at all. Also, some women notice the time between their periods varies, and some have spotting in between periods.

Nexplanon Can Be Reversed

You can have Nexplanon removed any time during the three years if you decide to become pregnant. Once the implant is removed, be aware that you can become pregnant unless you use another form of birth control. You may become fertile within a week of having Nexplanon removed.

Who Should Get Nexplanon?

Nexplanon is ideal for many women, especially women who want an easy yet highly effective form of birth control. It is also ideal for women who are not planning to have children for a few years.

Women who take certain types of medications or drugs should discuss whether Nexplanon is suitable for them with their doctors. Some medications will impair the hormones in the Nexplanon device, which can result in pregnancy. Examples or medications that can interfere with Nexplanon include griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John’s wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), HIV drugs (such as nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir), and other drugs.

Also, women with existing health conditions should consult with their doctors about whether Nexplanon is safe for them to use. Nexplanon may or may not be suitable for women with a history of any of the following health conditions:

• blood clots or blood clotting disorders
• high blood pressure
• abnormalities in a breast exam
• personal or family history of cancer
• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• depression
• diabetes
• gall bladder problems
• severe headaches/migraine
• heart problems
•  yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• stroke

Speak to the Professionals at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness

A Nexplanon implant is the ideal method of birth control for many women. It may also be the perfect choice for you. Contact the experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Having your IUD removed is usually fast, simple and painless. The removal procedure needs to be performed by your doctor to protect you from infections and serious injury. The procedure is the same for any type of IUD. No drugs or anesthesia are needed. Once it is removed, you can return immediately to your regular activities. Your menstrual cycle will return to normal soon after removal. How soon it returns depends on the type of device you have.

What Should I Expect from IUD Removal?

During the removal procedure, your doctor will use a speculum to hold your vagina open and locate the IUD’s strings. Using forceps, your doctor will grasp the IUD strings and gently pull the IUD through your cervix, into your vagina and out of your body. Some patients experience cramping as it moves through the cervix, but the cramping usually resolves quickly.
The most common side effects of IUD removal include:

Pain and Cramping

The removal process causes some patients minor pain and cramping. It should last for only a day or two and resolve on its own. If you experience pain that does not go away or a fever, you should contact your doctor.

Light Spotting

Many women experience light spotting and even bleeding after removal. This is not a cause for concern and will resolve in a few days. However, if you experience excessive bleeding, contact your doctor.

Irregular Periods

After the removal of a hormonal IUD, your periods may be irregular for a few months. Then, your cycle should return to the way it was before the IUD was inserted. Your periods should return to normal almost immediately after removing a non-hormonal copper IUD.

Timeline of How IUD Removal Affects Your Period

Removing the IUD can affect the timing of when your period returns and how long it takes to return to your own normal menstrual cycle.
Your period occurs when your endometrium sheds away and exits your body through your vagina. With a hormonal IUD, the progestin hormone (levonorgestrel) in the IUD thins your endometrium.

As a result, your body has less endometrial material to shed and your periods are lighter and shorter. IUDs that last the longest contain the highest amounts of hormone. With higher levels of hormone, you are more likely to experience lighter periods or no periods at all.
A copper IUD has a different effect than a hormonal IUD on your menstrual cycle. You may experience heavier bleeding and longer periods with a copper IUD for a few months after receiving the copper IUD.
Many women experience a change in their periods after IUD removal. What you can expect depends on what kind of device you have and how it affected your menstrual cycle over time.

The Average Time After Removal

For some women, it can take three months after the IUD removal for your normal menstrual cycle to return. For most women, it returns almost immediately.

IUD Removal & Pregnancy

Once your IUD is removed, you are no longer protected against pregnancy.
To protect yourself against unwanted pregnancy, you can have your doctor insert another IUD immediately after removing your old device, or you can use another form of contraception altogether. You should discuss the various contraception options available to you with your doctor.

Talk To The Experts At Raleigh Gynecology And Wellness For More Information

Removing your IUD is a medical procedure that needs to be performed by your doctor. All types of IUDs should be removed when their effectiveness expires. Upon removal, you no longer have protection against pregnancy, and your period will return to normal within three months. For more information about IUDs and how they work, talk to the professionals at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness. They can answer your questions about safe and effective forms of contraception and schedule an appointment.

IUDs are one of the most popular forms of birth control in the United States. Their convenience, safety, and reliability are the main reasons why they are so popular. Before having an IUD inserted, however, you should discuss it in detail with your doctor. Your doctor will help you decide which type of device is likely to work best for you, explain the insertion procedure and how to prepare for it.

After the IUD is inserted, you are likely to experience mild side effects as your body becomes accustomed to the device. This is true whether you have an IUD that releases small doses of the progestin hormone into your system for a few years, or whether you have the non-hormonal, copper IUD. No matter which type of IUD you have, make sure you discuss with your doctor what you can expect and what to do if you have questions about anything.

After Your IUD Is Inserted

Immediately after your IUD is inserted, be careful standing up from the examination table. You might feel dizzy or faint if you immediately try to stand up. Your doctor will likely ask you to remain lying down for a couple of minutes and when you feel well enough to stand, to slowly stand up.

You will need to wait up to 7 days before having sex or inserting anything, including a tampon or douche, into your vagina. After that initial time period has passed, you can have sex again.

The copper IUD, also called ParaGard, starts to work immediately, no matter when you get it during your menstrual cycle. However, hormonal IUDs (Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena, Skyla) are not effective for seven days unless you have one inserted during your period. For that reason, you will need to use another form of contraception to prevent pregnancy. If you have a hormonal IUD inserted during your menstrual period, it becomes effective immediately.
Regardless of the type of IUD you have, it will not prevent STDs. To protect yourself against contracting an STD from a sexual partner, you must use a condom even though you have an IUD.

Common Side Effects of an IUD

You should expect certain mild, side effects for a few months after your IUD is inserted. Some of the symptoms to look for include:

Mild Spotting and Cramping for the First Three to Six Months

Many women have some cramping and spotting for three to six months after the IUD is placed. You can relieve your discomfort by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also try placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly.

Heavier Than Usual Periods for a Few Months

After getting an IUD, women often experience heavier than usual periods for the first three months or so. This is especially true for women who have the copper IUD. After that, your periods should return to what is normal for you.

Other Side Effects Commonly Experienced after Getting a Copper IUD

Aside from longer, heavier periods and mild abdominal pain and cramping, other side effects of the copper IUD can include:

• Backache
• Irregular periods
• Spotting between periods

Other Side Effects Common from the Hormonal IUD

With a hormonal IUD, you may experience other side effects. Common menstrual cycle changes include lightening or even stopping of your period. Systemic side effects are rare but can include headaches, bloating, nausea, breast tenderness, moodiness, low libido, and weight gain. Not everyone experiences these side effects, and they may subside after a few months.

When to Call Your Doctor

There are some things you should watch out for. As noted earlier, if you notice that your strings are out of place or your IUD may have moved, your doctor will need to examine you and possibly remove or replace your IUD. Also, if you think you might be pregnant, your IUD must be removed. Other things that require your doctor’s attention include:

• Significantly heavier than normal bleeding from your vagina
• Chills or a fever over 101 degrees, indicating a possible infection
• Dizziness or fainting
• Sharp pain in your belly or pelvis
• Foul-smelling discharge from your vagina
• Severe headaches or migraines
• Pain during sex

Check for the Strings Periodically

During the first 3 months after you get an IUD, you should make sure that you can still feel the string coming out of your cervix. Do this by inserting a finger into your vagina. You will want to make sure the string is hanging 1-2 inches from the cervix. If can’t feel your strings or if you notice the string feels shorter or longer than usual, the IUD may have moved. You need to have your doctor examine it and make sure it is still well-positioned. You should use a condom or other birth control method to prevent pregnancy until you are seen by your doctor.

Consult with the Gynecology Experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness

At Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness, the doctors and professional staff are available to answer all of your questions about IUDs. With their help, you can be confident that you have the best advice available on how to select the right IUD for your health profile. Contact the experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for more information and to schedule an appointment.