Can't Feel Your Contraceptive Implant?Contact the Clinic
PeriodsArticleAsk for assessment and an explanation of your individual contraceptive plan.
Contact the clinic promptly
If you cannot feel your contraceptive implant at all, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital advises seeing your GP or returning to the sexual health clinic. MHRA advises Nexplanon users with concerns to return promptly to their clinic.12
Tell the clinic that you cannot feel it, rather than waiting for a routine replacement appointment. Ask what assessment and pregnancy-prevention advice apply to you now.12
Does this prove it has migrated?
No. Being unable to feel the implant does not establish its location. MHRA says clinicians should locate a Nexplanon implant that cannot be felt, for example with arm imaging. Have the team explain the investigation and next steps.1
What should I say?
Try: “I cannot feel my implant. Can you assess its location and explain what I should do while that is being checked?” Follow the clinic’s individual instructions.12
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 2020Nexplanon (etonogestrel) contraceptive implants: new insertion site to reduce rare risk of neurovascular injury and implant migration (opens in a new tab)abcd
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation TrustImplant aftercare (opens in a new tab)abc
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