Implant Insertion

A contraceptive implant consists of a small and flexible tube of about 40 mm long. This tube is inserted beneath your skin in your upper arm. Your trained IPSA Medical physician inserts your implant and its effects last for three years.

Your implant stops any eggs from being released from your ovaries and it works by slowly releasing a hormone (progestogen) into your body.

Your IPSA Medical contraceptive implant consultation

At your IPSA Medical clinic, your female IPSA Medical doctor works holistically, involving you during each stage of your implant consultation. She will ensure that the conducive atmosphere in our confidential IPSA Medical clinic means that you have all the time and space you need to pose any questions or concerns regarding your contraceptive implant during your full-length implant consultation and/or to discuss the other possible methods of contraception. You will be given a pregnancy test; this is to rule out this contraindication for the implant. Your IPSA Medical clinician will listen to you and reach her decision on the best contraception for your needs. Your IPSA Medical clinician will also have a family planning specialism. IPSA Medical appointments are available every day of the week, including weekends.

If you do already have a contraceptive implant and it needs taken out, then your IPSA Medical clinician can remove it during your implant consultation.

Hormone implant insertion at your IPSA Medical clinic

The contraceptive implant, when correctly inserted, is over 99% effective. Less than 1 in 1000 women fall pregnant each year if they use the contraceptive implant as their contraception.

This type of implant is useful if:

Your implant can be taken out at any point if you do experience unwanted side effects. You very quickly return to your natural level of fertility.

Are there any side effects from contraceptive implants?

You might notice some bruising, swelling or tenderness around the area of your implant following insertion.

Your periods might become irregular, heavier/lighter or longer in the first year after your implant has been fitted; this often settles down after the first year.

Amenorrhoea (which is when menstruation stops) is a fairly common side effect of implants, and although this isn’t harmful, you might want to consider this aspect prior to having a contraceptive implant.

Taking some forms of medication might mean that your implant will provide a lower rate of protection against pregnancy, so additional contraception might have to be used when you are using those medications.

There is no protection with the contraceptive implant from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You will still need to use condoms as STI protection.

What contraceptive implants are inserted at my IPSA Medical clinic?

As long as you are not pregnant, your contraceptive implant can be put in at any time during your menstrual cycle.

In the United Kingdom, Nexplanon is the contraceptive implant that is most used and Implanon is another type of implant that is also used.

Nexplanon is a 4-cm long, small and thin flexible tube. It is implanted by your IPSA Medical clinician into your upper arm under your skin. The area is first numbed with local anaesthetic and then the small wound that results from the procedure is simply closed with a dressing, as it does not need stitches. Your Nexplanon implant will then need to be replaced after the 3-year period. It is safe to have this form of contraception if you are currently breastfeeding.

Your hormone implants can also be removed by your IPSA Medical physician.

If you are considering using this type of contraceptive implant, then book your same-day IPSA Medical contraceptive implant consultation.