Sexual safety - Female Long Acting Contraception
Implant
The implant is a relatively new contraceptive option for New Zealand women. It is particularly suitable for women who want long-term contraception and who don’t want to take contraception daily.
What is it?
Contraceptive implants are small rods about the size of a matchstick which are put under the skin in the inside of your upper arm. They are used to prevent pregnancy. Implants last between 3 and 5 years.
How does an implant work?
Implants can stop the body from releasing an egg each month. They also thicken the mucus in the cervix so that sperm cannot travel up to meet an egg.
How effective is it?
Implants are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy (this means that only a few women out of a thousand will get pregnant each year).
How is it put in and taken out?
You need to see someone who is trained to insert and remove implants. A local injection is used to numb the area. The rods are placed under the skin and steristrips are used to hold the skin together until the skin heals. It is removed in the same way. You will have a small scar from each procedure.
Who can use it?
Almost every woman can use it whatever her age. It is suitable for women who may forget pills, injection appointments or who may have a medical reason that stops them using the combined pill.
Who should not use it?
It should not be used after a woman has breast cancer or if she is taking some medicines – check with your doctor if you take regular medicine.
What are the advantages?
- Long acting – once inserted it will be effective for several years
- Easy to use – there is nothing to do or remember once it has been inserted
- Effective – it is extremely effective as a contraceptive
- Return to fertility – rapid return once it is removed
- Hormonal side effects – these are uncommon
- Serious side effects – no increased risk of any serious side effect
What are the disadvantages?
- Irregular bleeding, or periods that last longer. This is quite common especially in the first 6 months. While it can be annoying, it is not harmful. There are treatments to control irregular bleeding so ask your doctor about it if this is a problem for you. Studies show that about 1 out of 7 women have their implant removed because of irregular bleeding.
- No bleeding – periods stop for some women but that is not harmful.
- Hormonal side effects – these are uncommon but can include headache, weight gain, breast tenderness, acne, moodiness, depression and hair loss.
- Wound problem – occasionally there can be soreness or infection.
- Insertion and removal – needs to be done by a trained health practitioner.
- Difficulty in removing implant – occasionally the doctor may not be able to feel an implant under the skin and you may need to be referred to someone else to remove it.
Does it protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs)?
No, you need to use condoms as well for protection from STIs.
Where do you get implants from? How much does an implant cost?
The implant is inserted by a doctor so you will need to go to a Family Planning clinic, doctor or hospital clinic.
If you are under 22 years, there is no cost for your visit to a Family Planning clinic. The cost of having the implant is currently $305.00. From 1st August 2010, the cost of the implant will be free.
Intra Uterine Methods.
There are two types of Intra Uterine contraceptive methods. Both are long lasting and mean a woman does not need to worry about contraception for five years or more.
An Intra Uterine System or IUS is a similar device by it contains the hormone progestogen instead of the copper wire.
How do intra uterine methods work?
The IUD works by preventing fertilisation of the egg. The copper on the IUD stops the sperm moving through the uterus towards the egg. Occasionally an egg is fertilised. The IUD then stops the egg implanting into the uterus. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
The IUS works because it contains a small reservoir of the hormone progestogen. A tiny dose of this hormone is slowly released from the system and prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus at the entrance of the womb making it difficult for sperm to get through. It also thins the lining of the womb which makes it difficult for an egg to be implanted. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
How do you use an intra uterine method?
Both the IUD and the IUS must be inserted by a doctor or nurse. Once they are in place the woman should return for a check up about six weeks later. After that, the woman does not need to do anything unless she decides that she wants to have the device removed. Then she will need to see the doctor or nurse again.
Where do you get intra uterine methods from? How much does an intra uterine method cost?
You can get an IUD or IUS from your Family Planning clinic, a doctor or a hospital clinic. If you are under 22, there is no cost for your visit to the Family Planning clinic. There is a cost to have the device fitted – clinic staff will be able to help you with this information.
