CONTRACEPTIVE
IMPLANT
Other names: contraceptive implant
WHAT IS THE IMPLANT?
The contraceptive implant is a small, flexible, plastic rod placed under the skin of the upper arm which releases a small amount of hormone to prevent pregnancy.
It is one of the most effective forms of contraception and can be used for up to 3 years.
OVERVIEW
EFFICACY
99+%
FREQUENCY
EVERY 3 YEARS
EFFECT ON FERTILITY
UPON DISCONTINUATION OF USE, FERTILITY SHOULD RETURN TO NORMAL
BLOOD CLOT RISK
NOT KNOWN TO INCREASE RISK
THE CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT IS A TYPE OF LONG-ACTING CONTRACEPTION
The implant is a method of long-acting reversible contraception (or LARC). It is long acting because it can provide contraception for a long period of time - up to 3 years. It is reversible because you can have your implant removed at any point if your plans change and you will return to your normal level of fertility once it is removed.
HOW DOES THE IMPLANT WORK?
The implant is placed just below the skin of your upper arm where it constantly releases a progestogen hormone called etonogestrel in small doses into your blood stream.
The hormone prevents pregnancy by:
Stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation).
Thickening the mucus of your cervix making it hard for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize an egg.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE IMPLANT?
The implant is more than 99% effective with both typical and perfect use. Fewer than 1 in 100 people using the implant will get pregnant in a year.
PERFECT USE*
99%+
Effective
Approximately 1 out of every 100 women in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.
* Perfect use of a contraceptive method is when it is used correctly all the time.
TYPICAL USE*
99%+
Effective
Approximately 1 out of every 100 women in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.
* Typical use is what generally happens in real life. It takes into account human error e.g. forgetting to take your pill. For the implant, typical use is the same as perfect use.
Without contraception 85 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year.
WHY IS IT SO EFFECTIVE?
The implant is very effective because once it's in your arm, you can't forget to take it, or use it incorrectly.
WHAT IS THE IMPLANT MADE OF?
The contraceptive implant is a flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick. It measures 4cm in length by 2mm in diameter. It contains etonogestrel, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone.
PREPARING FOR YOUR GP APPOINTMENT
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
Get the information you need for an informed discussion with your doctor.
PP-UN-WHC-GB-0293 July 2025