CONTRACEPTIVE

IMPLANT

PROS

Easy to use

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Don’t need to remember to take/use it every day or every time you have sex.

Not user dependent

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Can’t forget to take it or use it in the wrong way. It is also not affected by vomiting or diarrhoea like some methods of contraception.

Highly effective

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Is >99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Periods

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Can stop periods in some women.

Reversible

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Upon discontinuation of use, fertility should return to normal.

Long lasting

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Prevents pregnancy for up to 5 years.

Oestrogen free

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Does not contain oestrogen but does contain progesterone.

Doesn’t interrupt sex

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With the implant in place you don't need to worry about contraception in the moment.

Breastfeeding

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Can be used while breastfeeding four weeks after childbirth.

CONS

Periods

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Your periods may become irregular, lighter, heavier or longer.

Contains hormone

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Some women prefer hormone free options.

STIs

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Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Weight gain

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It may cause weight gain.

Breast tenderness

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It may cause breast tenderness.

Skin/acne

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Can cause or worsen acne in some women.

Mood

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Some women experience mood changes, including mood swings, depression, or depressed mood.

Administration

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It requires a trained healthcare provider to fit and remove the implant.

WILL THE IMPLANT AFFECT MY PERIODS?

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Some women may experience lighter, less frequent periods while others may experience heavier and more irregular bleeding. Some women stop having periods altogether. The bleeding pattern experienced during the first three months is likely to continue.

CAN THE IMPLANT CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?

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Some women may experience weight gain and others weight loss whilst using the contraceptive implant.

CAN THE IMPLANT CAUSE MOOD SWINGS?

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You may experience mood changes whilst using the contraceptive implant.

OTHER COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
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• Vaginal infection
• Headache
• Breast tenderness/Breast pain
• Increased appetite
• Libido decreased
• Dizziness
• Hot flush
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Flatulence
• Alopecia
• Dysmenorrhoea (period pain)
• Weight decreased
RISKS
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• Scarring
  - There may be a very small scar where the implant is inserted and removed.
• Infection
  - There is a very small risk of infection where the implant has been fitted.
• Misplacement
  - Very rarely an implant can be inserted too deeply, which could cause damage to blood vessels or nerves.
• Migration
  - It’s very rare, but in some cases the implant may move. You should check your implant regularly. If you cannot feel it seek medical advice.
• Ovarian cysts
  - Ovarian cysts can occur but these don’t usually cause any symptoms and tend to go away on their own.