A Discussion On The Contraceptive Pill And Progestogen Implant

Hormonal contraception has played a vital and effective role in preventing unexpected pregnancy. It has offered women the liberty to decide when they want to conceive. Until recently, condoms have always been the first choice of men to prevent conception. However, contraceptive accidents such as condom slips and tears increased the likelihood of unplanned pregnancy occurring. This is the reason women nowadays find hormonal contraception more reliable and effective.

Nexplanon is an implant which is composed of an artificial version of a progestogen known as etonogestrel. The Nexplanon progestogen implant is inserted under skin of the upper arm and lasts for three years. You should remember the following steps before inserting the implant:

• It is normally inserted between the first and fifth day of your period, which ensures that you are not pregnant. It is more effective if it is inserted on the first day of your menstrual bleed.


• It is inserted in the inner side of the upper arm.


• You are given a local anaesthetic injection in order to numb the skin. A small incision is made and the implant is placed under the skin.


• After the implantation, the wound is dressed and is expected to heal very quickly.

What are the advantages of using the progestogen implant?

• You do not have to remember to take a contraceptive pill daily.


• It is not affected by antibiotics or sickness.


• This form of contraceptive remains effective for three years.


• Once you remove it, fertility is restored.


• It does not interfere with your sexual life.


• You can also use it when breast-feeding.


• It helps in minimising the pain of periods.


• It can be used by some women who do not find oestrogen suitable.


• In some cases, it can also prevent pelvic infection as the mucus plug in the cervix can prevent bacteria from reaching uterus.

Explaining the working of contraceptive pills

Hormonal contraceptive pills prevent conception in three different ways. The combined contraceptive pills contain the synthetic forms of artificial hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. Both the hormones prevent you from conceiving in the following ways:

• The oestrogen in the pill makes the body think that ovulation has already happened. This further prevents the release of egg from the ovaries so that fertilisation does not occur.


• The progestogen thickens the cervical mucus which makes it impossible for sperm to enter the womb.


• The hormones also cause the womb lining to become thinner so that an egg, if fertilised, is unable to attach itself to the womb lining and grow.

Birth control pills pill should be taken for 21 days in a row, with a break of seven days. During the break of seven days, you will still be protected from pregnancy if you take the pills as prescribed by the doctor.  The contraceptive pill can cause some common side effects which are temporary and pass away as soon as your body gets used to the pill. The side effects can be breast tenderness, mood changes, low libido, fluid retention, high blood pressure, nausea and headaches. 
Although both the contraceptive methods progestogen implant and contraceptive pills are highly effective, you need to consult a doctor to know the most suitable option for you.