We are now pleased to announce that Dr Basha will offer the fitting of contraceptive implants from December 2025.
We will offer the fitting of contraceptive implants. This is a small flexible plastic rod that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and lasts for 3 years. If you would like to learn more or have an existing implant that needs removing or changing, please contact the practice for an appointment with Dr Basha (Female GP).
What are the benefits to the contraceptive implant?
The implant is licensed for use as a contraceptive for up to three years and provides very effective protection during that time. The failure rate is less than 1 in 1000. Although a very effective form of contraception, its effects are quickly reversible after removal, and so it will not impact upon your future fertility.
When should you book an appointment for an implant fit?
The implant can be fitted at any time of the menstrual cycle. The implant is usually fitted when there is no risk of pregnancy. Pregnancy can take up to three weeks from the time of conception to become apparent on a urinary pregnancy test. Therefore, if you are not using a regular form of contraception:
- In the three weeks prior to your appointment, you will need to either abstain from sex or will need to be using another reliable method of contraception, consistently and correctly. Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend such a form of contraception. If you are using a regular form of contraception, different to the implant:
- In the three weeks prior to your appointment, you will need to continue this form of contraception and take consistently and correctly. Should there be any errors – for example, missed pills – in those three weeks, it may not be possible to fit your implant. If you are already using an implant for contraception:
- If you wish to have another implant, both the removal of your current implant, and insertion of a new implant, can take place during the same appointment.