Implant (Nexplanon©)
NEW: The Implant is now licensed for five years
Your Guide to the Contraceptive Implant
The only implant currently available in Scotland is Nexplanon©. It is a small plastic rod which is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. The implant slowly releases a low dose of a progesterone hormone.
This method is highly reliable. It lasts for five years, but you can have it removed sooner if you decide you want to try for a pregnancy. After five years, you can have the implant removed and a new one inserted at a single appointment at the clinic.
Injectable Contraception
Your Guide to Contraceptive Injections
Often called ‘the jag’, this is very reliable, convenient contraception. The injection is given every 13 weeks. You might find your periods are irregular to start with, but they often disappear altogether when you have been using the injection for a few months. One disadvantage is that the effects of the injection can take many months to completely wear off after you stop using this method. This needs to be considered if you are thinking about getting pregnant in the next year or so.
There are 2 different types of injection:
- Sayana Press ©
This is a new way of giving the jag. It is injected just under the skin of your tummy or thigh.
Sayana can be injected by a doctor or nurse, or the injection technique is easy for you to learn to do yourself. That means you have the option of giving your own injection at home if you want to. You could collect supplies and check in with the clinic once a year instead of 4 times a year like with DepoProvera.
If you want to come in and speak to a nurse or doctor about starting Sayana or learning to inject it yourself, please phone us and mention to the nurse on the appointment line that you’d like to start Sayana.
2. DepoProvera ©
This is the original jag. It’s given into the muscle of your bottom by a doctor or nurse. You have to attend the clinic every 13 weeks.
