The contraceptive implant is a highly effective method of birth control, offering long-term protection against pregnancy. Many individuals with an implant may experience a common concern regarding its position. This article will help you understand how to assess your implant’s location and identify potential signs of movement.
How to Locate Your Implant
An implant is inserted just under the skin on the inner side of your upper arm, usually your non-dominant arm. When correctly placed, you should be able to feel the small, flexible rod, which measures approximately 4 centimeters (about 1.6 inches) in length, similar to a matchstick.
To check the implant’s position, gently press your fingertips over the insertion site. You should feel the implant directly beneath the skin; it should feel smooth, firm, and easily palpable along its entire length, almost like a thin, flexible stick.
It should not cause any pain or discomfort when touched. Consistently feeling the implant in this expected location provides reassurance that it remains in its correct position.
Recognizing Signs of Movement
A primary indication of implant movement is the inability to feel it where it was originally placed. If you can no longer palpate the device during a self-check, it may have shifted. The implant might also feel different, perhaps only partially palpable or deeper than before.
Another sign of potential movement is feeling the implant in a different area of your arm than where it was inserted. It might have migrated slightly up or down your arm, or to a different part of the arm. While significant migration beyond the arm is rare, any change in its perceived location warrants attention.
New or unusual pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising at or around the insertion site may suggest movement. If the implant is pressing on nerves or blood vessels due to displacement, these symptoms may arise. Visible changes in the skin over the implant site, such as bulging, redness, or discoloration, also indicate a shift.
Although not a direct sign of movement, unexpected changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, such as heavier or more frequent bleeding, could signal reduced efficacy. While the implant alters bleeding patterns, a sudden and significant deviation from your established pattern might prompt a check of the implant’s position. This symptom alone does not confirm movement.
Next Steps If You Suspect Movement
If you suspect your contraceptive implant has moved, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Do not attempt to manipulate or push the implant yourself, as this could cause further displacement or injury. Your provider will properly assess the situation.
While awaiting your appointment, use a backup method of birth control, such as condoms. This precaution helps ensure continued protection against pregnancy in case the implant’s efficacy has been compromised due to its change in position.
During your visit, a healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination to locate the implant. If it cannot be easily felt, imaging techniques like ultrasound or X-ray may be used to confirm its exact location. These methods can accurately pinpoint the implant, even if it has moved deeper or to an unexpected area.
Why Implants Move
Contraceptive implants are designed to remain in place once inserted, but movement can sometimes occur. One potential reason for displacement is the initial insertion technique. If the implant was placed too shallowly or too deeply under the skin, it may be more prone to shifting over time. Proper insertion ensures it sits securely within the subcutaneous tissue.
Vigorous physical activity or direct trauma to the arm where the implant is located can also contribute to movement. A significant impact or repetitive intense movements could potentially dislodge the implant from its original position. However, implants are designed to withstand normal daily activities.
While rare, natural body movements or subtle changes in the surrounding tissue over time might also play a minor role in slight migration. Significant migration of the implant, such as movement into blood vessels or other distant parts of the body, is uncommon. Most movements are localized within the arm.