Implants

Implants (brand name Norplant^®) are matchstick-size tubes placed in a woman's upper arm just under her skin. Implants are not currently available in the United States. They contain a hormone that prevents pregnancy for up to five years. However, implants can be removed at any time, and you then can become pregnant.

Implants are not intended to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases-called STDs for short-which are diseases, infections, or illnesses that can spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Some examples of STDs are chlamydia, herpes, HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Pros:

• You do not have to do anything right before, during, or after sex.
• Implants can be used for five years before they need to be replaced.
• They help protect women from cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb).

Cons:

• Putting implants in or taking them out requires a small cut in the skin, and scarring may occur.
• If implants fail, there is a greater chance of a pregnancy in your fallopian tubes (where the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus), called a tubal pregnancy.
• Side effects may include acne, headaches, weight gain, and hair loss.

Effectiveness:

This guide gives effectiveness percentages for two categories of contraceptive use: typical use, which includes people who may not always use a method exactly how and when they were supposed to use it, and perfect use, which indicates how effective the method would be if it were always used correctly.

• Perfect use: Out of 100 women using implants, maybe 1 and probably no one in the group might become pregnant in one year.
• Typical use: Out of 100 women using implants, maybe 1 and probably no one in the group might become pregnant in one year.

Couples should learn about Emergency contraception before using any contraceptive method. Sometimes called the "morning after pill," Emergency contraception reduces the chance of getting pregnant after unprotected sexual intercourse.

To learn more about implants, please visit any of these web sites or ask your healthcare provider.

Planned Parenthood 'HORMONAL IMPLANTS'

EngenderHealth 'Norplant Implants' Info