Nexplanon is a small, flexible, matchstick-sized birth control implant designed for insertion just under the skin of the upper arm. It works by continuously releasing a hormone to prevent pregnancy. Understanding how a properly placed Nexplanon should feel is important for identifying potential issues and knowing when medical evaluation is necessary.
How an Intact Nexplanon Should Feel
A properly inserted Nexplanon implant is typically located under the skin on the inner side of the non-dominant upper arm. When gently touched, it should feel like a small, smooth, flexible rod just beneath the skin’s surface. It should not feel sharp, cause pain, or be easily movable from its original position.
While it should be felt, it is generally not visibly prominent as a bulge, appearing more as a subtle outline under the skin. This consistent feel provides a baseline for individuals to periodically check their implant and notice any deviations from its normal state.
Identifying Issues with Your Implant
Changes in the way your Nexplanon implant feels or appears can suggest a potential problem with its integrity. One significant indicator is feeling a sharp edge, a distinct bend, or a clear break in the rod. Some individuals describe it feeling like a “rainbow” shape or having a noticeable dip, where the middle feels closer to the skin than the ends. In some reported cases, the implant may feel like two separate, non-connected segments.
Beyond changes in shape, the implant might feel significantly different in texture, such as becoming harder, softer, or more rigid than its usual flexible consistency. Another concern arises if you cannot feel the implant at all where it was originally inserted. This absence could indicate that the implant has migrated from its insertion site, potentially moving deeper within the arm or, in rare instances, to other parts of the body.
Visual signs can also point to an issue. The implant might appear visibly bent, broken, or even protrude from the skin. Additionally, persistent local symptoms at the insertion site, such as ongoing pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, or irritation long after the initial healing period, could signal a problem. Numbness or tingling in the arm near the insertion site has also been reported. These sensations and visual cues indicate a potential problem, warranting professional medical evaluation even if they don’t definitively confirm a broken implant.
What to Do If You Suspect a Problem
If you notice any of the described changes in your Nexplanon implant or at its insertion site, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately. Individuals should refrain from attempting to manipulate, remove, or fix the implant themselves, as this could lead to further complications. If you cannot feel your implant, it is advisable to use a non-hormonal backup birth control method, such as condoms, until a healthcare professional can confirm the implant’s location and integrity.
Your healthcare provider will typically begin with a physical examination to try and locate the implant by palpation. If the implant cannot be felt or if there is suspicion of damage or migration, imaging techniques will likely be used to assess its integrity and exact location. Nexplanon contains barium sulfate, making it radiopaque and visible on X-ray and CT scans. Ultrasound and MRI may also be used to precisely locate the implant.
Why Device Integrity Matters
The physical integrity of your Nexplanon implant is important for two main reasons: maintaining contraceptive effectiveness and ensuring safe removal. A broken or significantly bent implant may not release the hormone etonogestrel as intended, potentially reducing its contraceptive efficacy and increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy. The manufacturer advises contacting a healthcare professional if you suspect an issue.
Beyond contraception, the integrity of the implant influences the ease and safety of its removal. A bent, broken, or migrated implant can be more challenging to remove than an intact one. Such situations may require more complex or invasive procedures, sometimes necessitating hospital-based surgery. In rare instances, implants have been reported to migrate from the arm to other areas, including the pulmonary artery, which can lead to serious complications and require specialized medical intervention for removal.