IUD & NEXPLANON

Before your appointment, your doctor may recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. During the procedure, you’ll lie on the exam table as you would for a pelvic exam. Your doctor will gently insert a speculum, cleanse the cervix, measure the uterus with a thin instrument, and then place the IUD through the cervical opening into the uterus. The entire process typically takes less than 5 minutes. Most women feel mild to moderate cramping during and briefly after placement. You can drive yourself home, and normal activities can usually resume the same day or the next.

IUD removal is typically quicker and less uncomfortable than insertion. Your doctor will locate the IUD strings during a pelvic exam and gently pull to remove the device. Most women feel a brief cramp. You can have a new IUD placed at the same appointment, or your natural fertility will return within a short time if you’re not replacing it.

Your doctor will numb a small area on the inside of your upper arm with a local anesthetic. Using a specialized applicator, the matchstick-sized rod is then inserted just beneath the skin—the process takes about a minute. You’ll receive a small bandage and may have minor bruising or tenderness for a few days. NEXPLANON becomes effective within 24 hours if placed during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle; otherwise, backup contraception is recommended for 7 days.

When you’re ready to remove NEXPLANON, your doctor will numb the skin over the implant site, make a tiny incision, and gently pull the rod out. The procedure takes just a few minutes. A new NEXPLANON can be placed at the same visit if desired.

Discomfort varies by person. IUD insertion is often described as strong menstrual cramping that lasts a few minutes; taking ibuprofen beforehand can help. NEXPLANON insertion involves a numbing injection in the arm, so the placement itself is usually painless. Most patients tolerate both procedures well in an office setting.

A hormonal IUD or NEXPLANON placed during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle is effective immediately. A copper IUD (Paragard) is effective immediately and can also be used as emergency contraception. If placed at other points in your cycle, backup contraception is typically recommended for 7 days.

Yes. Both IUDs and NEXPLANON are safe and effective options for women who have not been pregnant. Your doctor will review your individual health history to help you determine which method is best for you.

It depends on the type. Hormonal IUDs often lead to lighter periods or none at all after a few months. The copper IUD may initially cause heavier or more crampy periods. NEXPLANON can make periods irregular, lighter, or less frequent—for some women, they stop altogether. These changes are common and expected.

Both methods are fully reversible. Your doctor can remove the device whenever you’re ready to conceive, and fertility typically returns quickly—often within the first menstrual cycle after removal.

NEXPLANON can be felt beneath the skin but is not visible to others. The implant site may leave a small scar after healing, but the rod itself is not visible on the outside.

Your doctor will advise you on the effective lifespan of the device you choose. We’ll note your insertion date and can send reminders as you approach the replacement window. If you have concerns before then—such as changes in symptoms or difficulty locating IUD strings—contact us, and we’ll schedule a check.