Contraceptive Implantin Central London

Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant is a popular contraception choice for many women, largely due to the fact that they are long-acting and reversible. This means that women can simply have the implant fitted, and once it’s in, you don’t have to think about it, and you can have it removed at any point. This is a particularly good option for women who know that they are unlikely to remember to take the pill every day and for those who suffer with side effects of other contraceptive methods.

The contraceptive implant in the UK provides long acting contraception for up to 3 years. It is more than 99% effective and is one of the most effective methods of contraception available. The implant is a small (4cm), flexible, plastic rod which sits just under the skin on the inside of the arm.

How does the contraceptive implant work?

It works by releasing a slow and steady dose of the hormone progesterone into the bloodstream which prevents pregnancy in several ways:

  • Suppressing ovulation – preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries each month
  • Thickening cervical mucus – making it difficult for the sperm to move through the cervix
  • Thinning the lining of the uterus – making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant itself

What are the advantages of the Implant?

The contraceptive implant is highly effective (99%) and can safely remain in place for up to 3 years.

Some people are unable to use contraception containing oestrogen and so the implant is a good alternative contraception as it is progesterone only.

A major advantage is that it is reversible and those wanting to start a family can try as soon as the implant is removed. It is also safe to reinsert another implant as soon as the baby is born, even if breastfeeding.

It may also reduce heavy and painful periods, as well as not interfering with sex.

What are the disadvantages of the Implant?

The implant is not for everyone and some people experience side effects including:

  • Headaches, nausea, mood swings and breast tenderness
  • Periods may become irregular or stop completely
  • Can cause spotting between periods
  • Can cause acne
  • Possible infection where the implant has been fitted

If these symptoms start to disrupt your daily life, it may be worth considering removal.

How is the implant fitted?

You will need to attend the clinic for an appointment with our specialist nurse to discuss if the implant is the right contraception for you.

Fitting the implant is a minor procedure done using local anaesthetic, and can be done during your consultation, if appropriate. You can book your appointment online or over the phone.

How is the implant removed/ replaced?

The implant is classed as a long-acting reversible contraception and can be removed at any time you wish.

You will need to attend the clinic for an appointment with our specialist nurse to remove the implant. It is a minor procedure and local anaesthetic is used.

The progestin-only implant releases hormones that prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. If you wish to continue with the implant after that time as your method of contraception, it will need to be replaced. This involves removing the existing implant and re-inserting a new one.

How long does it take to fit an implant?

To have an implant fitted, the appointment usually lasts around 45 minutes.

During this time, your nurse will provide you with information about the contraceptive implant, talk you through the procedure, and answer any questions you may have before fitting the implant.

Local anaesthetic will then be administered and given adequate time to become effective, before a small incision is made in your arm and the implant is fitted. The nurse will then cover the area in a dressing to keep it protected for the first 24-48 hours.

The whole procedure usually takes around 30 minutes.

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Paul Vella

Excellent service, had a private Covid and Flu vaccination here arrived early and was called in by the nurse almost immediately, very pleasant surroundings and lovely stuff would use again worth £125 to get protected as not eligible for free vaccinations.

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Georgina Hogwood

Friendly, prompt, professional service. My options were explained really well and all my questions were answered by experienced professionals. Very satisfied.

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Tara Goulet

The entire staff at Fleet Street were incredibly kind, empathic, and knowledgeable. I appreciated the professionalism and bedside manner, and highly recommend this clinic if you need fast, efficient service, are traveling, and don't have insurance.

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M P

We were grateful for the helpful advice they gave us and the chance to speak to a nurse before we booked our appointment. The nurse we saw was very informative, efficient and kind and the reception staff were friendly and professional.

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Emily Lavis

Brilliant clinic, would 100% recommend. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the nurse's care couldn't have been better. They managed to fit me in for a same-day appointment and provide me with helpful advice for follow up. Thank you :)

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Wiktoria Wiatrowska

The stitches were removed very quickly and professionally. The nurse was very calm and approachable and made the whole experience really pleasant. It was also my first time having this type of procedure in the UK, so I was a little apprehensive, but there was no need to be!

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Nay Chadbourne

Have had all my work travel vaccines at FSC and they have always been exemplary. Easy to book appointments, pleasant reception staff (both over email and phone) and appointment times to suit me. Never been kept waiting past my time and quick/easy vaccines done. Highly recommend.

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Hannah

I went to Fleet Street Clinic to get the rabies vaccine and it was a great service! The jabs were the cheapest I could find around London but the clinic was really clean and professional. Would recommend to come here for travel vaccines!

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Cian Haynes

I highly recommend Fleet Street Clinic for travel vaccines. The experience was smooth and professional. Chiara was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and reassuring. She thoroughly explained each vaccine and made me feel at ease. The vaccinations were quick and relatively painless, with excellent aftercare advice. I feel well-protected for my travels thanks to Chiara and the team!

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Jenny Gibson

We booked, we arrived and we had our vaccines. Everything as expected. What really stood out was the level of medical advice from the nurse giving us our injections. It was explained very clearly to us to the level of protection our vaccine would give. As this was a new vaccine the results of medical trials were also highlighted. There was no push to sell more products, just clear advice on what to avoid and what to do to prepare for our trip to the Far East.

FAQs

Most people can have the contraceptive implant, however, you should not have the implant if you:

  • Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
  • Have liver disease or a liver tumour
  • Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Have breast cancer or any other cancer that is sensitive to progesterone, now or in the past
  • Are allergic to anything in the implant

The implant is perfectly safe to use.

However, like with many contraception/medication, it does come with some risks, these include:

  • Ectopic pregnancy – there is a slightly higher chance of an ectopic pregnancy occurring if you become pregnant whilst on the implant.
  • Ovarian cysts can develop on the ovaries. They normally go away on their own but sometimes treatment of even surgery is required to remove them.
  • Breast cancer – while it is currently not known whether the implant increases a women’s risk of breast cancer, those who have or have had breast cancer should not use it as some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones.
  • Blood clots – the implant may increase your chance of developing a blood clot, particularly if you have other risk factors such as smoking.

To have an implant fitted, the appointment usually lasts around 45 minutes. During this time, your nurse will discuss with you information about the implant, talk you through the procedure, and answer any questions you may have before fitting the implant. Local anaesthetic will then be administered and given adequate time to become effective, before a small incision is made in your arm and the implant is fitted. The nurse will then cover the area in a dressing to keep it protected for the first 24-48 hours.

The whole procedure usually lasts around 30 minutes.

Local anesthetic is used for both implant insertion and removal. You may feel a small pinch while the local anesthetic is being injected, but the actual insertion should be relatively painless. Once the anesthetic wears off, your arm may feel a little sore afterwards and there may be some bruising in the few days following.

Contraceptive implants last for three years, after which time you can either have it replaced or removed.

No, you can have the implant inserted at any time during your menstrual cycle, providing you aren’t pregnant. However, if you get your implant fitted during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you’ll be immediately protected from pregnancy.

A very small (few mm) scar might be left after you have the implant, however, this is hardly noticeable and on an area of your arm which is not very visible. Our expert nurses will take great care to ensure that any scarring is as minimal as possible.

Some women have reported that hormonal contraceptives such as the implant and the contraceptive pill cause weight gain. However, there is no definitive evidence to suggest this. If you think that the implant has caused you to gain weight, contact your GP to discuss your concerns.

After your implant is fitted, the nurse will show you how to check that it is in the correct position by feeling for it. You should be able to feel the implant simply by touching the area of your arm where it has been fitted.

No, the implant is a progestin-only implant and does not contain oestrogen. So, if you can’t take oestrogen due to certain health conditions, then it can be a good option.

The insertion site might feel uncomfortable for a few days after insertion, but you can expect to carry out normal activities such as driving. You should however avoid swimming or sports where your arm could be grabbed or knocked for a few days.

If you have the implant fitted during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle (day 1 being the first day of your period) then you’ll be protected immediately. If you have the implant fitted at any other point of your menstrual cycle, you will be protected after 7 days. During those 7 days, additional contraception such as condoms are necessary.

Every woman’s body can respond slightly differently and it can be difficult to predict. The implant can improve periods for many women, making them shorter, lighter and less painful. A third of women will stop getting their period after a year. However, for some women it can cause irregular bleeding and spotting between periods.

It can take between 3-6 months after insertion for bleeding to settle. If this persists much longer than that, contact Fleet Street Clinic and we will advise you.