Key takeaways:
The Nexplanon implant is a tiny plastic rod that goes under the skin of your upper arm, releasing the hormone progestin into your body over time.
The Nexplanon implant prevents pregnancy better than male sterilization (vasectomy), which has a 0.15% failure rate and is often irreversible.
If you have health insurance, the cost of the implant and the procedure is likely to be fully covered under the Affordable Care Act.
There are many forms of birth control available. Pills, patches, and vaginal rings are just some of those options. If you’re looking for low-maintenance but highly-effective contraception, the Nexplanon (etonogestrel) implant might be an option.
Requiring only a short visit to your healthcare provider’s office, Nexplanon offers effective birth control for up to 3 years. There are many reasons why people may choose the Nexplanon birth control implant. But everyone’s experience with it is unique.
Here, we’ll provide you with some basic information about how the implant works to prevent pregnancy.
Nexplanon effectiveness
Nexplanon is the one of the most effective forms of birth control and lasts up to three years. It has a 0.1% failure rate, meaning that 1 in 1,000 people using the birth control implant will become pregnant in a year.
The implant prevents pregnancy better than male sterilization (vasectomy), which has a 0.15% failure rate and is often irreversible.
What is the Nexplanon birth control arm implantation procedure like?
Your healthcare provider should discuss the insertion of the birth control implant in your arm with you beforehand. This is your opportunity to let them know if you have any questions or concerns about the implant procedure.
Your healthcare provider will first sterilize and apply a local anesthetic (numbing injection) to the back of your upper arm. After checking that your arm feels numb, they will then use a special device that looks like one side of a stapler to insert the implant into your arm. This is placed right underneath the skin.
The whole process takes less than 30 minutes. Since your arm will be numb, the procedure will only hurt as much as the anesthetic injection. Afterwards, the area of your arm where the implant is will feel tender for a few days and may bruise for up to 2 to 3 weeks.
How is the Nexplanon implant removed?
To remove the implant, your healthcare provider will similarly sterilize and use a local anesthetic before making a small incision on your arm near one end of the implant. They will then take out the device with forceps (medical tweezers). If you’re getting a new implant to replace the old one at the end of its three-year period, the insertion will take place right after removal.
Nexplanon side effects
Side effects vary for everyone and can change over time. But keep in mind that even if side effects change, the Nexplanon birth control implant will continue to effectively prevent pregnancy for 3 years.
The most common side effects of Nexplanon include:
Irregular menstrual bleeding
Headache
Internal and external genital pain
Acne
Breast pain
One important thing to be aware of with Nexplanon is that you should always be able to feel the implant. The implant is placed right underneath your skin and creates a bump. It’s a good habit to regularly feel your arm and make sure the bump is there.
If at any point you can’t feel the implant underneath your skin, contact your healthcare provider right away. In very rare cases, people have reported that their Nexplanon implant has moved to a different part of their body. This can be serious or lead to unintended pregnancies.
While Nexplanon’s failure rate is very low, if you do become pregnant, it can be more dangerous. There is a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy — a pregnancy that happens outside of the uterus. If you become pregnant with Nexplanon in your arm, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
How much does the Nexplanon birth control arm implant cost?
If you have health insurance, the cost of the implant and the procedure is likely to be fully covered under the Affordable Care Act. For uninsured people, the implant may cost about $1,000. Your healthcare provider may also charge additional fees for inserting and removing it. Check with your provider’s office to see how much they charge for the two procedures.
There are other options for helping with the cost of birth control. Try calling your local women’s health clinic or family planning center. They may charge less or offer other resources.
Benefits of the Nexplanon birth control implant
Although the side effects can vary for everyone, there are several benefits to using Nexplanon:
Convenience: With a short visit to your healthcare provider, you’ll have 3 years of consistent birth control. There are no trips to the pharmacy and no worries about running out of refills.
Low maintenance: You won’t have to worry about remembering to take your dose. Nexplanon is always working without you having to do anything.
Effectiveness: As mentioned earlier, Nexplanon is one of the most effective contraceptives available. It’s even more effective than vasectomies. With a failure rate of 0.1%, your risk of pregnancy is very low.
Less invasive than other options: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are also very effective at preventing pregnancy. But some people find the procedure to have them placed a bit invasive. With Nexplanon, you simply need to roll up your shirt sleeve to have the implant inserted. If you wear a short-sleeve shirt, you may not even have to do that.
Safe to nurse: If you’re considering getting Nexplanon after having a baby, you may be pleased to know that it’s safe to nurse with the implant. You can have Nexplanon inserted anytime starting 4 weeks after having a baby.
How is the Nexplanon birth control arm implant different from the IUD?
The Nexplanon birth control arm implant and IUDs have quite a few similarities:
They’re both undetectable. You can’t visibly see if someone has Nexplanon or an IUD. So your reproductive choices remain your business and yours alone.
They’re both low maintenance. You don’t have to remember to take a pill or change a patch. With one office visit, you’re good for years.
They’re both very effective. Both Nexplanon and IUDs are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This is more effective than the pill, patch, or ring.
They both take about the same time to have placed. Insertion and removal visits for both Nexplanon and IUDs take about 30 minutes or less.
Neither protects you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While both are effective for preventing pregnancy, neither protects against STIs, such as HIV. It’s important to use a condom to help protect yourself.
While there are many similarities between the Nexplanon birth control implant and IUD, there are definite differences, too.
The IUD is a T-shaped device that’s placed inside your uterus, through the vagina. This means hormones from an IUD only have to travel a short distance to get to the uterine lining. On the other hand, hormones from the Nexplanon arm implant have to make their way through the body using the bloodstream. This raises the chances for side effects with the implant, such as prolonged irregular bleeding (compared to periods that eventually get lighter or complete stop with hormonal IUDs).
Not all IUDs deliver hormones, though. One of the five current brands of IUDs instead contains copper, which is toxic to sperm. However, copper IUDs may cause menstrual bleeding to become longer and heavier with more spotting for as long as you’re using it. Each IUD brand also has its own failure rate, ranging from 0.1% to 0.8%.
The bottom line
Why trust our experts?
There are a few low-maintenance birth control choices available. The Nexplanon arm implant is one of these options. With a quick visit to your healthcare provider, it can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. And while you may experience irregular menstrual bleeding, it’s 99.9% effective. Be sure to discuss this option with your provider when talking about birth control.
