Why is my implanon implant itchy

This year-old woman presented about two months after having a Nexplanon implant in her left upper arm. The surgical puncture site and the entire length of the implant site were acutely inflamed, with redness, swelling and beefy-red induration. She had previously seen the GP who inserted the implant and had received a course of antibiotics, without much benefit.

On careful inspection, the insertion site was scaly and crusty, with no pus discharge figure 1. The patient had extensive psoriasis figure 2. Her medication history showed she was on long-term, weekly doses of methotrexate for her psoriasis. Subdermal progestogen implants offer a long-term, reversible method of female contraception. Complications at the insertion site are rare and are generally of a minor nature, such as bruising or local haematoma. This case was unusual, occurring after the apparently uneventful insertion of a single etonogestrel implant.

The discovery of the biocompatibility of silicone led to the development of hollow silicone tube implants as a system for the slow, continuous release of medication. The initial contraceptive implant marketed in the US was Norplant , which consisted of six rods. This was followed by Norplant-2, which consisted of two rods, then Implanon , a single rod.

Figure 2: The patient was being treated for extensive psoriasis. Implanon was superseded by Nexplanon , a single 4cm x 2mm rod containing etonogestrel 68mg, enclosed in a biopermeable membrane of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer EVA.

Nexplanon is also impregnated with 15mg of barium sulphate, to make it radio-opaque EVA and barium sulphate are known to be inert materials. The contraceptive effect lasts three years. The usual contraindications include pregnancy, undiagnosed uterine bleeding, liver disease with abnormal LFTs , active thromboembolic disease, sex hormone sensitive cancers and hypersensitivity to the components of the implant.

It only takes a few minutes to remove, and a local anaesthetic will be used. The doctor or nurse will make a tiny cut in your skin to gently pull the implant out. If you're taking any of these medicines, you'll need additional contraception such as condoms , or you may wish to use a different method of contraception that isn't affected by your medicine.

Always tell your doctor that you're using an implant if you're prescribed any medicine. You can also ask them whether the medicine you're taking will affect the implant. In rare cases, the area of skin where the implant has been fitted can become infected. If this happens, you may need antibiotics. Some but not all GPs or practice nurses are able to fit and remove implants, so you'll need to check at your GP surgery. Find a sexual health clinic.

If you need contraception, call your GP surgery or a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Only go in person if asked to. You normally have a contraceptive implant for 3 years, but it can be left in and will continue to work for up to 4 years. The risk of getting pregnant during the 4th year is very low. If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell your parents or carer as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given, and your decisions.

Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they won't make you. The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse.

The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first. Page last reviewed: 9 March Next review due: 9 March Contraceptive implant - Your contraception guide Secondary navigation Getting started How does the female condom work?

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