Disclaimer: All views and opinions are strictly based on my personal experience and are in no way representative of all women with Nexplanon. Consult with your doctor to know if Nexplanon is a good choice for you.
   With all the birth control options available these days, it can feel overwhelming trying to choose a method that works best for you. Birth control now can range from oral contraceptive pills to different types of semi-permanent implants, all while providing differing sets of pros and cons to each choice. I recently decided to explore options for myself and ended up choosing a birth control implant called Nexplanon. According to Nexplanon’s official website, “Nexplanon is the small, thin and flexible arm implant that provides up to 3 years of continuous birth control.” The implant is usually compared to about the size of a match stick and is placed by your doctor under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. I had my Nexplanon implant inserted about a month ago, so this week I wanted to share my experience from the very beginning to my thoughts one month later.
Making the Choice
   I have had bad experiences in the past with other forms of birth control, so deciding the best method for myself this time around was quite daunting. In high school I tried two different brands of oral contraceptives which reacted very badly with me. As someone who already suffers from anxiety and depression, these were both made much worse by adding in even more hormones to my body. This was my biggest fear when deciding to try birth control again, so mental health side effects were the number one factor that I researched when looking at my options. I found research about the difference between contraception that contains both estrogen and progestin versus progestin only forms of birth control. Some studies have shown that progestin only birth control has a lower risk of causing depression in women than mixed hormone contraception, though this has not yet been fully proven. Because of this research and my desire to have long lasting and low maintenance birth control, I decided that Nexplanon was a good choice for me.
The Insertion
   My experience at the doctor to get my Nexplanon implant was very positive. I went to the Kent Planned Parenthood to receive mine and was extremely pleased with my care. My insurance covered the entire cost of my implant and the entire doctors visit was pretty quick and easy. I was first given a pregnancy test and talked to my doctor about any questions or concerns that I still had. The staff at Planned Parenthood were all very nice and helpful, making me feel that they genuinely cared about my health and happiness. As far as the actual implant insertion, it was very quick and painless. I was first given a shot in my arm to numb the area, which was the only painful part of the process. After my arm was numbed, my doctor cleaned the area thoroughly, took the small applicator that contains Nexplanon and inserted it painlessly under the skin of my upper arm. Before bandaging up my arm, my doctor made sure to show me how to feel for the implant to check that it is in place and made sure it was inserted correctly. After a few bandaids and a compression wrap, I was sent on my way!
Aftercare
   I was given aftercare instructions from Planned Parenthood that I followed for the next 3 days. It is important to note that you are not supposed to get your compression bandage and the insertion site wet for at least 24 hours, so make sure to shower before your appointment! The next day I was able to remove the compression bandage and shower as normal. My doctor placed small steri strips over the insertion site and covered it with a bandaid, which I was able to change the next day as well. Care instructions direct that you leave these steri-strips on until they come off themselves after a few days through your normal showering. My arm was quite bruised and tender for about a week after my insertion, but was easily treated with Ibuprofen and overall healed very quickly. After a couple weeks my arm looked completely back to normal with no bruising, redness or swelling anymore. Another important note about Nexplanon is that if you get it inserted while on your period, you are protected immediately from pregnancy. However, if you get it inserted at any other time during your cycle, another form of contraception is needed for at least 7 days after insertion to protect you from pregnancy.
Final Thoughts- One month later
   One month after getting my implant, I am happy with my choice so far! There have been a couple inconvenient side effects but I have not experienced anything that I am concerned about. The first couple days I noticed I seemed a little moodier than usual as my body adjusted to the abrupt increase in hormones, as well as a couple bursts of sugar cravings similar to some women on or before their period. I got my period a little earlier than usual this month and I did notice that it lasted much longer than usual. My only complaint with Nexplanon has been pretty continuous spotting for about a week after my actual period ended, but I am hopeful that things will adjust within a couple more months. Many women experience a change in their periods after getting Nexplanon, and many stop getting their period all together after having it for a couple months. My biggest advice to anyone considering getting Nexplanon is to carefully consider what you know about your body and pay close attention to any side effects if you decide to get the implant. I was very aware of how I was feeling after getting my implant and noted any changes in my app I use to track my period. Just remember to do extensive research before putting anything into your body and listen to what it likes and doesn’t like! Different forms of birth control react differently with everyone and it may take a couple tries to find an option that is right for you. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find your right fit on your first try with birth control, and as always make sure to consult with your doctor before making any decisions about contraception!