When contraceptive implants and injections are given
Contraceptive implants and injections can be fitted at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you are not pregnant.
Before you decide whether to use contraceptive implants or injections, you may want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type and discuss them with your GP. Read about the:
- advantages of the contraceptive implant and injection
- disadvantages of the contraceptive implant and injection
Contraceptive implant
The contraceptive implant Nexplanon can be fitted at any time during your menstrual cycle:
- If it is fitted during the first five days of your menstrual cycle, you will be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.
- If it is fitted on any other day of your menstrual cycle, you will not be protected against pregnancy for up to seven days. Use condoms or another method of contraception during this time.
After giving birth
You can have the contraceptive implant fitted after you have given birth, usually after three weeks:
- If it is fitted on or before day 21 after the birth, you will be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.
- If it is fitted after day 21, you will need to use additional contraception for the following seven days.
The implant can be fitted immediately after a miscarriage or an abortion, and you will be protected against pregnancy straight away. It is also safe to use an implant while you are breastfeeding.
Contraceptive injection
Contraceptive injections can be given at any time during your menstrual cycle:
- If you have the injection during the first five days of your cycle, you will be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.
- If you have the injection on any other day of your cycle, you will not be protected against pregnancy for up to seven days. Use condoms or another method of contraception during this time.
After giving birth
You can have the contraceptive injection at any time after you have given birth, if you are not breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, the injection will usually be given after six weeks, although it may be given earlier if necessary:
- If you start injections on or before day 21 after giving birth, you will be immediately protected against becoming pregnant.
- If you start injections after day 21, you will need to use additional contraception for the following seven days.
Heavy and irregular bleeding is more likely to occur if you have the contraceptive injection during the first few weeks after giving birth.
It is safe to use contraceptive injections while you are breastfeeding.
