Contraceptive implants and injections - Advantages of contraceptive implants and injections

The main advantage of contraceptive implants and injections is that they provide protection against pregnancy soon after the implant is put in or the first injection is given. Their effects are long lasting and your fertility returns to normal after you stop using them.

Contraceptive implant

The advantages of contraceptive implants are:

• The implant works for about three years (it usually needs replacing every three years).
• The implant does not interrupt sex.
• The implant is an option if you cannot use oestrogen-based contraception, such as the combined contraceptive pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring.
• You do not have to remember to take a pill every day.
• The implant is safe to use while you are breastfeeding.
• Your fertility should return to normal as soon as the implant is removed.
• Implants offer some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (the mucus from the cervix may stop bacteria entering the womb) and may also give some protection against cancer of the womb.
• The implant may reduce heavy periods or painful periods after the first year of use.

After the contraceptive implant has been inserted, you should be able to carry out normal activities, and the implant will not break or move about.

Contraceptive injections

The advantages of contraceptive injections are:

• Each injection lasts for either 8 or 12 weeks.
• The injections do not interrupt sex.
• Injections are an option if you cannot use oestrogen-based contraception, such as the combined contraceptive pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring.
• You do not have to remember to take a pill every day.
• Injections are safe to use while you are breastfeeding.
• Injections are not affected by other medicines.
• Injections may reduce heavy, painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms for some women.
• Injections offer some protection from pelvic inflammatory disease (the mucus from the cervix may stop bacteria entering the womb) and they may also give some protection against cancer of the womb.