Implant (Nexplanon)

The implant has one type of hormone in it: progestin. Because hormones can affect the growth of breast cancer cells, we generally recommend against using the implant and other hormonal birth control after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Unfortunately, there is limited high-quality research on the safety of hormones after breast cancer. Because of this uncertainty (and because hormone exposure may increase the risk of breast cancer coming back), we and most medical experts recommend avoiding birth control with hormones after breast cancer - especially for those with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer.

For those who are within 5 years of a breast cancer diagnosis, hormonal birth control, including the implant, should not be used. During this time, the risk of breast cancer coming back is higher, and being exposed to hormones can increase that risk.

For those who are more than 5 years out from diagnosis and in remission, hormonal birth control is still generally discouraged. While the risk of breast cancer coming back decreases over time, it does not go away completely. There is also not enough evidence to confirm that hormonal birth control is safe – even for people whose cancer was not hormone-sensitive.

In some situations, birth control that contains hormones, including the implant, may be considered to treat severe bleeding or pain when options without hormones have not worked. In these cases, decisions should be made carefully and in collaboration with your oncology and primary care teams. These decisions should also be revisited over time as your health and priorities change.

The implant (Nexplanon) is more than 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 out of 100 implant users will get pregnant in a year.

The implant works for up to 5 years. After taking the implant out, you can put in a new implant right away if you want.

You really don't need to use another birth control method because the implant works so well to prevent pregnancy. But if you want that extra protection, you can use any other method you want with the implant.

Condoms are a great choice if you also want protection from HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The implant makes the mucus of the cervix (the opening of the uterus) thick. This mucus "plug" blocks sperm from getting into the uterus. It can also stop an egg from being released (ovulation). The implant does not remove a pregnancy after it has nested into the uterus wall.

The implant is easy to take care of. Once the implant is placed, it works on its own.

A trained health care provider inserts the implant in the clinic. This is a minor procedure done when you are awake. Numbing medicine will be injected in your skin in the upper arm. The provider then slides the implant in.

The implant is not easy to see by others. However, you should be able to feel the implant by gently pushing on your skin.

To take the implant out, your health care provider will inject numbing medicine in the skin. The implant will then be pulled out through a very small cut. No stitches are needed.

Bleeding may be irregular or spotty, especially the first 6-12 months. The bleeding tends to get lighter.

For some, the bleeding may stop completely. This is safe and can improve conditions that get worse with periods like migraines, anemia, or mood problems.

The implant is hassle free birth control. You can "set it and forget it" for up to 5 years. The implant is private because it cannot be seen by most people.

After the implant is taken out, your fertility (natural ability to get pregnant) quickly returns to normal for you.

The implant has no estrogen. It is safe for people who cannot use estrogen. The implant can make periods lighter.

For the first few months, the implant may cause headaches, breast pain, or nausea. Irregular bleeding may not get better over time.

After taking the implant out, your skin may form a scar.

Beyond the breast cancer concerns discussed in the section "Special considerations for breast cancer survivors and thrivers," the implant is very safe.

Rarely, the implant can move from the arm skin area to another place in the body. Surgery may be needed to get the implant out.

No. However, correct use of condoms can prevent HIV and STIs.

If you have health insurance, including Medicaid, the implant and procedure may be covered at low cost to you. If you pay out of pocket, the cost can be quite high (up to $1,000 or so).

If you need help finding a clinic that provides the implant, click here: Bedsider: Find Birth Control

For more info about the implant, click here: Planned Parenthood: Nexplanon