What is an Implanon/contraceptive rod?
Implanon NXT is a birth control rod that is placed in your arm and protects you from pregnancy for 3 years. A small plastic rod about 3 centimeters long contains the hormone progesterone. For 3 years, the rod releases the hormone into your bloodstream. The rod is invisible in your upper arm, but you can feel it with your fingers. The advantage of the implanon is that you don’t have to think about it for 3 years, however, your period may change a bit or stay away during that time.
The hormone rod may be a good choice for you if you:
- Breastfeeding and desire additional, reliable contraception.
- Want or can think about contraception once every three years.
- Not annoyed that the rod leaves a 4 mm scar after removal.
- Don’t mind unpredictable bleeding that reduces or even stops your periods.
Placing an implanon
The hormone rod is the size of a match. A midwife or family doctor inserts the rod into the inside of your upper arm. It can stay there for three years. The rod releases a progestogen hormone into your body daily. This method is more than 99% reliable. The Implanon is inserted into your upper arm by one of our midwives at the contraception consultation. After local anesthesia, the hormone rod is inserted under the skin with a needle. We use anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything from this. The placement takes 3-5 minutes. You will receive a bandage after the insertion.
Implanon removal
After 3 years, or if you want it earlier because of a desire to have children or for some other reason, we remove the rod again at the practice. After removal, your fertility returns after a few months.
The cost of an Implanon is approximately €130.00. The cost of the procedure of placing an Implanon is added to this. This placement fee is usually reimbursed by your health insurance company. Ask your insurance company about the exact reimbursement. You can find more information about the costs of contraception on our rates page.