Implanon Insertion in Point Cook
The contraceptive implant is a small, flexible rod placed under the skin of the inner upper arm. It prevents pregnancy for three years with nothing to remember day to day. Our GPs offer Implanon insertion in Point Cook, as well as removal and replacement, at Juniper Avenue Medical Centre.
How the implant works
Implanon NXT is the only implant brand available in Australia. The 4 cm rod slowly releases a progestogen hormone, and according to healthdirect, fewer than 1 in 100 people using it become pregnant. It does not protect against sexually transmissible infections, so condoms are still needed for that.
If you are still comparing options, our birth control page sets the methods side by side.
Who it suits
Because it contains only a progestogen, the implant can be an option for people who cannot use combined hormonal methods. It also suits anyone who finds a daily pill hard to keep up with, or who wants reliable protection for several years while keeping the choice to stop early.
Who it may not suit
The implant is not used during pregnancy or by people with breast cancer, and it may not be recommended with severe liver disease or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Certain medicines can reduce how well it works, so tell your GP about everything you take.
Implanon insertion in Point Cook: what happens
Bring a list of your medicines and the date your last period started. Your GP will check your health history and confirm you are not pregnant. The skin on the inside of your arm is numbed with local anaesthetic, and the rod is placed just under the surface with a special applicator. You should be able to feel it with your fingers afterwards.
Sexual Health Victoria notes it can take up to seven days to start working, depending on where you are in your cycle and what contraception you were using before. Ask whether you need condoms in the meantime.
After-care and changes to your periods
Bruising and tenderness at the site are common for up to a week. Keeping the pressure bandage on for 24 hours helps reduce them. Avoid scratching the area while it heals.
Bleeding changes are the most common side effect. About one in five people have no bleeding at all, about one in five have frequent or prolonged bleeding, and the rest have an irregular pattern. Headaches, breast tenderness, skin changes and mood changes can also occur.
Removal and replacement
Removal is done through a small cut under local anaesthetic, at the three-year mark or any time you choose. A new implant can be placed in the same visit. Fertility returns quickly once the rod is out, and periods usually come back within a month, so use another method straight away if you do not want to conceive.
Implanon fees
The fees page lists Implanon insertion at $130, removal at $210, and insertion plus removal at $250 (total fee, before any Medicare rebate). A $30 fee applies for late cancellations and missed appointments. You can book online or call reception and mention the procedure when you book.
Common questions
Will the implant make me put on weight?
Sexual Health Victoria notes there is no proven link between the implant and weight gain.
Does Implanon insertion hurt?
Local anaesthetic numbs the skin first, so the insertion itself should not be painful. Some soreness or bruising afterwards is normal.
What if I cannot feel the implant?
See a doctor, and use condoms until it has been checked, as you may not be protected.
My bleeding has not settled. What can I do?
Book a review. Long-lasting or heavy bleeding should be checked, and your GP can talk about options or another method such as an IUD.