Contraception

Advice when using the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon) during the ‘lockdown’

If you currently have the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon) and it is due to be changed (it is 3 years since it was inserted), you may be concerned about not being able to get it changed during the ‘lockdown’. With the current situation, these sort of services are often reduced to make way for more urgent provision.

What should you do????

ANSWER – DO NOT WORRY!!

There is no danger in keeping the implant for longer than the licensed 3 years, and the FSRH (Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health) have now issued guidance that there is good evidence that the implant will remain effective for 4 years. Therefore, no immediate action is needed.

However, this advice is given outside of the licence for the implant. If you are particularly concerned about any potential risk of pregnancy, you can always use condoms as well, or could also be given the progestogen-only pill (POP, mini-pill) to use until you can have the implant changed (the hormones used in the POP and implants are very similar). This can be issued to you via a telephone consultation with your GP/nurse.

There is no problem if the implant remains in your arm longer than it is licensed for – it can still be easily removed once the pandemic is over!

PLEASE NOTE: ADVICE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. INDIVIDUALS SHOULD SEEK PERSONALISED ADVICE FROM THEIR OWN GP/NURSE BEFORE MAKING CHANGES TO THEIR CONTRACEPTION

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