How long after getting nexplanon removed can i get pregnant

If you have been on the implant for a while, you may wonder, “When Can I Take a Pregnancy Test After the Implant is Removed” and receive a positive result? Perhaps you haven’t been using the implant, but you would like to find out a little more before you do.

This article includes:

• What is the Contraceptive Implant?
• How does the Contraceptive Implant Work?
• How is the Contraceptive Implant Fitted?
• When Am I Protected From Pregnancy After the Contraceptive Implant is Fitted?
• Who Can Have the Implant Fitted?
• How is the Contraceptive Implant Removed?
• When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test After Contraceptive Implant Removal?
• What are the Side Effects of the Implant?
• When Should I Contact My Doctor About the Implant?

What is the Contraceptive Implant?

The contraceptive implant (or Nexplanon) is a long-term form of contraception. The contraceptive implant is a tiny, thin and soft piece of plastic which is inserted under the skin in the upper arm, by a doctor or nurse.

How does the Contraceptive Implant Work?

The contraceptive implant releases progestational hormones into your body- that thickens your cervical mucus, which creates a toxic environment for sperm (sperm prefer mucus that is thin and stretchy) and prevents them from swimming to your egg, which, in turn, prevents fertilisation and pregnancy.

The progestational hormone also prevents ovulation from occuring, meaning that no egg leaves your ovaries or waits in the fallopian tubes for fertilsation each month, preventing pregnancy.

The progestational hormone released by the implant also thins the lining of the uterus, meaning that, although unlikely, if an egg were to become fertilised, it would not be able to implant itself into the uterine lining.

How is the Contraceptive Implant Fitted?

The contraceptive implant can be fitted at any point of your menstrual cycle, given that you are not pregnant. It is recommended that you do not have unprotected sex for 3 weeks before you are due to have your implant fitted, to avoid falling pregnant.

The fitting process of the contraceptive implant takes just a few minutes. Upon entering the clinician’s office, they will ask you a few questions about your medical history, and offer a pregnancy test and an STI test if required.

Once the questions have been asked, the clinician will inject your upper arm with a small dose of local anaesthetic. Once numbed, the clinician will slide the implant under the skin- at which point, you may feel a little bit of strange pressure (but no pain!).

After the small flexible plastic rod (implant) has been inserted, the clinician will add a dressing to protect the area, and some clinicians also add a pressure bandage to minmise the bruising.

When Am I Protected From Pregnancy After the Implant is Fitted?

If the implant is fitted in first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you are immediately protected from pregnancy straight away. If it is fitted at any other point of your menstrual cycle, you should take additional contraception for 7 days (for example condoms).

If you have recently given birth, if the implant is fitted before the 21st day after giving birth, you will be immediately protected against pregnancy. If you have the implant fitted after day 21 after giving birth, you will need to use additional contraception for 7 days.

It is important to note that the implant does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so the use of condoms may still be required.

Who Can Have the Implant Fitted?

Most women are able to have the implant fitted, however, it may not be suitable for you if:

• You might be pregnant.
• You have unexplained bleeding after sexual intercourse or in between periods
• You take medication that may interfere with the implant (for example medicines for HIV, tubercuolosis or epilepsy).
• You have liver disease
• You have breast cancer, or have had breast cancer
• Your have arterial disease, a history of heart disease, or have had a stroke 

How is the Contraceptive Implant Removed?

If, for any reason, you would like the implant removed at any point, the process is quick and easy.

The specially trained doctor or nurse numbs the area with a local anaesthetic, and makes a small cut in your arm. It is through this small incision, that the doctor or nurse gently pulls the implant out.

If you do not want to fall pregnant after the contraceptive implant is removed, you should use another form of birth control.

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test After Contraceptive Implant Removal?

How quickly you can become pregnant after the removal of the implant can vary, depending on the situation.

If the contraceptive implant is removed correctly, you can fall pregnant as early as just 7 – 14 days after the removal of the implant.

However, if a mistake is made during the implant removal process, it can take up to several months before your fertile function is recovered.

If you would like to prevent pregnancy after the implant is removed, you should start to use a different form of contraception straight after the implant is removed, as you can become pregnant in the first few days after the implant is removed.

If you are trying to conceive, if you have unprotected sex shortly after the doctors remove the implant, you should take a pregnancy test between 7 and 14 days after the removal, if your menstrual period is late. A missed period after the removal of the implant can, fingers crossed, mean that you are pregnant.

If it is too early to take a pregnancy test, you can read our articles implantation symptoms you NEED to know and What are the Signs of Successful Implantation? to find out if the symptoms you are experiencing, could be pregnancy symptoms.

Can You Get Pregnant with the Contraceptive Implant Fitted?

The contraceptive implant is more than 99% effective, and lasts for up to 3 years, however, this does not mean that it is not still possible to fall pregnant on the implant. In fact, around 1 in 100 couples experience accidental pregnancy whilst using the implant.

What are the Side Effects of the Implant?

The implant comes with a few different side effects, these include:

• Breast tenderness
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Acne
• Depressed mood
• Back pain
• Pain
• Stomach pain
• Viral infections, such as sore throats
• Nausea
• Pain at the site of insertion
• Vaginitis (or inflammation of the vagina)
• Headache
• In extreme cases, there have been reports of finding the implant inside a blood vessel, including within a blood vessel in the lung.

When Should I Contact My Doctor About the Implant?

You should contact your health care provider if:

• The implant feels as though it has changed shape
• You cannot feel the implant
• You feel any pain, or notice any changes in your skin, at the site of insertion of the implant
• You become pregnant

Hi, I’m Louise- mum of one to a little boy called Mason.

I am the Digital Marketing and Admin Assistant for MyBump2Baby.

I enjoy working to provide excellent service to MyBump2Baby’s growing families.

Nice to meet you!

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