A contraceptive implant is one of the most efficient types of birth control on the market. This long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) provides pregnancy prevention for 3-5 years after insertion into your arm. But you may be wondering – does getting an implant hurt?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the potential pain and discomfort associated with implant insertion and removal.
What is a Contraceptive Implant?
A contraceptive implant is a flexible rod similar in size to a matchstick or toothpick that is inserted under your skin in the top part of your arm. It steadily releases progestin into your blood to stop you from conceiving.
The progestin works by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining. Brand names for the implant include Nexplanon. This type of birth control implant provides 99% effectiveness at preventing pregnancy for 3-5 years after insertion.
Your healthcare provider must insert and remove the implant. You should never attempt to insert or take out an implant yourself. Removal and insertion both involve minor office-based procedures.
Does Insertion of the Implant Hurt?
The good news is that insertion of the contraceptive implant should not be a painful process for most people. Here’s an overview of what’s involved:
Numbing Medication
Before inserting the implant, your provider will clean and numb the area on your inner upper arm where the rod will go. They do this by injecting a local anesthetic medication. You may feel a tiny pinch or a bit of a sting from the numbing shot. But after a few minutes, your arm should become completely numb to any pain.
Making the Incision
Once your arm is fully numbed, your provider will make a small incision in your skin where the implant will be inserted. You should only feel slight pressure at this point, not sharp pain. No stitches are required for this tiny incision.
Inserting the Rod
Your provider will use a special applicator tool to slide the matchstick-sized implant rod into your arm through the incision. You may experience pressure or a pushing sensation during the insertion. With the numbing medication, there should be little to no pain.
Bandage and Recovery
After securely positioning the implant, your provider will place a bandage over the site on your arm. You may have some bruising, swelling, or tenderness over the next few days as your arm recovers. Icing the area can help reduce discomfort. Any form of soreness you feel should disappear within a week.
Overall, most people tolerate the implant insertion procedure quite well and state they experienced little to no pain while it was being done. The numbing medication is very effective at preventing you from feeling the incision and insertion.
Let your provider know if you have any concerns beforehand about pain tolerance so they can take extra care to make you comfortable.
Does Removal Hurt?
Just as with insertion, your provider will numb your arm before removing your implant. So, you shouldn’t feel any pain or, at most, a little discomfort during the removal itself. Here’s what to expect:
- Your arm will be cleaned and injected with local anesthetic, the same as during insertion.
- After your arm is numb, your provider will make a tiny incision over the implant to access it. The local anesthetic prevents you from feeling this.
- They will use forceps to gently pull the implant out through the incision. You may feel some pressure or tugging.
- Your provider may need to massage your arm to loosen scar tissue around the implant. But this should not hurt due to the numbing.
- Once the implant is removed, they will close the incision with medical tape or adhesive glue.
- A bandage will be applied over the cut to keep it clean as it heals over the next week.
Removing your implant is usually quick, taking only 5 minutes or less. While you may have some residual soreness or bruising after it’s out, the removal is not painful with the numbing medication on board.
When to Contact Your Provider About Implant Issues
In most cases, implant insertion and removal are quick, easy procedures that heal rapidly. But it’s important to connect with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Unusual or acute pain at the insertion site that doesn’t go away after two or three days.
- Significant swelling, redness, warmth, or pus at the site, which might mean an infection has set in.
- Bleeding that soaks through your dressing and keeps going.
- Bruising that spreads down your arm.
- A numb or tingling sensation or loss of strength in the arm where the implant was placed.
- The implant seems to be coming out
- You believe the implant may have shifted or broken
- You want to have the implant removed or replaced
- Any concerns about the implant or questions about side effects
Your provider can assess potential complications and treat any issues related to the implant. Most importantly, never try to remove an implant yourself, and avoid bumping or pressing on the site until it’s fully healed.
Consult Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness for Expert Implant Care
The insertion and removal of a contraceptive implant should not be painful procedures thanks to numbing medication. You may feel pressure, pushing, or a mild ache during the implant’s insertion and removal. However, your provider will take steps to minimize any pain.
While everyone will have a different experience, most people tolerate implant insertion and removal well. Some temporary bruising, swelling, or soreness can occur during recovery.
But serious complications are rare with this quick, minimally invasive form of birth control. If you have any concerns about pain or discomfort, discuss them with your provider beforehand so they can make you as comfortable as possible.
The team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness has extensive experience guiding patients through the implant process with minimal discomfort. Contact us today at (919) 636-6670 or schedule a consultation online, and our expert healthcare providers will provide the personalized implant care and support you deserve.