Birth control implant (Nexplanon): What happens after removal and side effects

Keep in mind that your experience may vary depending on where you live and the type of implant you’re using. It’s always helpful to talk to your doctor directly if you have specific questions about your birth control method. 

When to get the implant removed

The Nexplanon implant will protect against pregnancy for three years and must be removed by the end of the third year [1]. If you wish, you can get it removed earlier than that, if you’re planning a pregnancy, want to try another form of birth control, or simply want to stop using the implant.

If you still want to use birth control after getting the implant removed, you’ll either have to get another implant inserted or switch to another method of birth control. If the implant worked for you and you’d like to keep using it, you can choose to get a new one inserted at the same time as getting the old one removed.

Where to get the implant removed

You should always get your implant removed by a trained healthcare professional – never try to remove it by yourself at home. Where you get it removed will depend on where you live, but you may have it taken out at your OB-GYN’s office, local Planned Parenthood health center, GP surgery, or local sexual health clinic.

What does birth control implant removal feel like?

As with implant insertion, it should only take a few minutes to remove it – but it might take slightly longer than having it inserted.

The process will go something like this:

• As with insertion, you’ll be asked to lie on your back with your arm either out to the side or bent at the elbow, giving your healthcare provider easy access to the implant area
• They will feel your arm to locate the implant
• You’ll be given a shot or spray of anesthetic to numb the area
• Then, the practitioner will make a tiny cut so they can remove the implant. They’ll push the implant towards the incision, before grabbing it with a small pair of forceps and pulling it out [2,3].

Depending on whether you get the anesthesia in the form of a spray or an injection you might feel a cool or a stinging sensation. , However, it shouldn’t hurt when the incision is made or when the implant is removed. You may, however, feel some pressure when the implant is being removed [4]. 

Very rarely, in around 9 in 1000 cases, the implant may be inserted deeper than intended or move its position which can make it more difficult to remove. In those cases, the implant might have to be removed by a healthcare provider specialized in more complicated implant removals[5]. 

If you want another implant to be inserted, your healthcare practitioner can do it once the old Nexplanon or Implanon has been removed. They’ll put the new implant in the same place as the old one.

Whether you’re having another implant inserted or not, a gauze pad will be placed on top of the incision, and a pressure bandage will be applied which helps to minimize bruising. 

What are the side effects of implant removal?

There aren’t many Nexplanon removal side effects and in general, you should feel fine. You may feel a little tenderness after having the implant removed. It is advised that you keep the bandage on for a couple of days to help reduce the amount of bruising. You should also keep the area dry and clean for around five days. If there is bruising, it should go away after around a week or two, and you shouldn’t feel any pain in the area [6].

There are usually no major side effects from the implant removal procedure itself and in fact, any side effects that you might have had while you had the implant will eventually go away after it’s been removed. 

The most common side effect of the contraceptive is changes to your menstrual bleeding. If you’re having another implant inserted, then your bleeding pattern may continue to be disrupted. However, if you’re not getting another implant (and aren’t starting another hormonal method of birth control), then your period should eventually return to how it was before you got Nexplanon or Implanon [7].

When can you get pregnant after getting the implant removed?

Your fertility may return to normal quickly after getting the implant removed – which means that you could potentially get pregnant very soon after the implant has been removed [7]. If you don’t want to get pregnant, you should use another form of birth control – whether it’s the implant or another method. 

After removing the implant, it may also take some time for your periods to return to a normal pattern. For some people, menstruation may resume within a few weeks, and for most, it will return within three months.[7]. During this time, it can be a good idea to keep track of your cycle and symptoms to determine your fertile days. If you want to prevent pregnancy, an app like Natural Cycles can also help you get to know your body and cycle better, meaning you’ll have all the knowledge you need to help you prevent pregnancy, naturally. 

The same science works to plan pregnancy too! Instead of avoiding sex on fertile days, you’ll have the knowledge of when in your cycle you’re most likely to conceive.

Get to know your body better with Natural Cycles

Whether you want to switch to a hormone-free method of birth control, or are thinking about getting pregnant (either now or in the near future), Natural Cycles can help you on your fertility journey – both as FDA Cleared birth control and as a pregnancy planning app. Sign up today, or learn more about NC° Plan Pregnancy.