Who can use the implant?

Most women can be fitted with the contraceptive implant. It may not be suitable if you:

• think you might be pregnant 
• want to keep having regular periods  
• have bleeding in between periods or after sex 
• have arterial disease or a history of heart disease or stroke 
• have a blood clot in a blood vessel (thrombosis) 
• have liver disease  
• have migraines 
• have breast cancer or have had it in the past 
• have diabetes with complications 
• have cirrhosis or liver tumours 
• are at risk of osteoporosis   

After having a baby

You can have the contraceptive implant fitted immediately after you have given birth. It is also safe to use the implant while you are breastfeeding.

After a miscarriage or abortion

The implant can be fitted immediately after a miscarriage or an abortion, and you will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• it doesn’t interrupt sex
• it works for up to three years
• Your fertility returns to normal as soon as its removed
• There is no evidence it causes additional weight gain

Disadvantages

• Some medicines reduce the implants effectiveness
• It may disrupt your bleeding patterns making them irregular or stop altogether
• It’s common to experience temporary side effects during the first few months, such as headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings