User:Mr. Ibrahem/Birth control implant

Birth control implant, also known as contraceptive implant, is a medical device placed under the skin for birth control. Effectiveness begins after a week and lasts for at least 3 to 5 years, depending on the type. Though can be removed sooner if pregnancy is desired. About 1 in 1,000 women become pregnant over a year of use. Other uses may include endometriosis and painful periods.

Side effects are few, with no increased risk of blood clots or alteration in body weight. Bruises or pain at the site may occur in a few percent. Irregular vaginal bleeding may occur and periods may stop after a year in up to 20%. They provide no protection again sexually transmitted infections. Use is not recommended in those who have had breast cancer within the last 5 years. It works by releasing hormones which prevent ovulation and blocks the opening of the cervix.

Many types of healthcare providers are able to place the device. Neither a pelvic exam nor pregnancy testing is required before use. Placement is recommended in the subcutaneous tissue over the triceps muscle. It may also be used in women of all weights (BMIs) and placed immediately following childbirth. A number of medications may decrease effectiveness including carbamazapine and St. John's Wort.

The birth control implant was first approved for medical use in Finland in 1983 and the United States in 1990. They are used by about 25 million women globally as of 2020 and are the most common method of birth control at nearly 50% in Guinea-Bissau and Rwanda. In the United States it may cost up to 1,300 USD as of 2024. They differs from intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are placed in the uterus.