What should you know about an expired contraceptive implant?

The implant releases hormone from a small rod under the skin. Its labelled replacement date is the point at which you should not assume ongoing contraceptive protection without a clinician's assessment. A late replacement does not mean pregnancy has occurred, but unprotected sex after the due date can create a pregnancy possibility.

Bleeding changes may happen with or without an expired implant, so bleeding alone cannot confirm whether contraception is working. Medicines and health conditions can also affect contraceptive choices. The rod should be removed or replaced by a trained clinician rather than left to be handled at home.

Check the date recorded for insertion or replacement and book an appointment as soon as possible. Until a clinician confirms protection, use condoms or avoid penis-in-vagina sex. Tell the clinician about any unprotected sex, your last menstrual bleeding, medicines, and whether you want replacement, removal, or another option such as a Hormonal Coil.

If unprotected sex happened recently, ask promptly whether emergency contraception is appropriate. Take a pregnancy test if advised, especially if bleeding is late or pregnancy symptoms appear.

Contact a clinician urgently if pregnancy is possible and you develop one-sided lower-abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, fainting, or unusual bleeding. Seek care for redness, swelling, discharge, fever, severe pain, or a changed shape at the implant site. These symptoms need assessment rather than waiting for a routine replacement visit.

Ask whether the rod should be removed or replaced, when the new method becomes effective, whether emergency contraception or a pregnancy test is needed, and how the Etonogestrel Implant Rod should be checked or documented.