With the advancement of medicine and technology, there are multiple new methods of contraception. The new contraceptive method is Subdermal Contraceptive Implant or Etonogestrel birth control implant.

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What are Subdermal Contraceptive Implants?
A subdermal implant is basically a hormonal implant, which provides a long-term contraception. It comes in the shape of a toothpick and can be easily inserted into the skin of the arm. The effect of this contraceptive varies as it is linked to the woman’s body weight and contains progestin.   This thin rod-like implant is placed under the skin of the arm and it slowly releases a hormone that hampers the normal functioning of the ovaries which then produces cervical mucus that helps in preventing the sperm from fertilizing the egg.  Although it is considered to be 99% effective as a contraceptive method, you must keep knowing that it does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Cost of subdermal implant
A contraceptive implant cost usually ranges around $800, while its removal costs around $300.

How are subdermal implants inserted?
This method is quite fast, as these contraceptive rods are inserted under local anesthesia during the first few days of the menstrual cycle. You should ensure that you are in the safe hands of a specialist during this procedure. Thereafter, go for scheduled routine evaluations to check on how well your body is adjusting to the contraceptive implant. This implant has a life cycle of three years after which it loses its potency and needs to be replaced.

Is the subdermal implant effective in preventing pregnancy?
According to statistics, the results are very encouraging. However, as mentioned before, you must understand that it does not help in preventing STDs.

Who are suitable to use the subdermal implant ?
The subdermal implant for birth control can be used by women of any age and it does not interfere with breastfeeding.  

Pros of using this contraceptive method
There has been a gradual increase in the number of women embracing subdermal implants as they have become safer, more effective, and have a lot of advantages as well.  

• The implants are 99% safe, are simple to use, very convenient and hassle-free.
• The woman can hardly notice that she is carrying a contraceptive under her skin, which makes her carefree.
• A woman can immediately regain her ability to become pregnant after discontinuing the use of this contraceptive implant.
• It does not hamper breastfeeding.
• It is a reliable and a Long-lasting method.

Cons of using this contraceptive method

• It can cause menstrual cramps.
• A lot of women complain of side effects, as it can take some time for the body to get adjusted to the implant. However, these symptoms gradually fade away with time and do not pose any health danger.
• There can be cases where women have birth control implant side effects on the extreme side, which indicates that your body is rejecting the implant such as irregular bleeding or long/heavy menstrual cycles, extreme fatigue and nausea, headaches, scarring and pain at the insertion site, reduction in libido or tenderness in breasts.  

When should the subdermal implants be removed?
The implants should be removed after three years, or anytime you so desire with the help of your specialist. A tiny incision will be made with local anesthesia in order to remove the rod. The procedure takes a few minutes to complete. However, if you want to use the same contraception, then you can get another rod inserted at the time of removal.

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