The contraceptive implant and period underwear: a good combo?

Thinking about getting a contraceptive implant or already have one? Wondering how it affects your period? Not sure which period products are best?

The progestin-only contraceptive implant is an increasingly popular birth control method because it’s simple and highly effective. But with the changes it can cause to your cycle and the choice of period products, it’s completely normal to have questions.

Let’s go over this form of contraception, your period, and the winning combo of contraceptive implant and period underwear for everyday comfort. Spoiler: yes, period underwear is totally compatible with an implant, and here’s why.

The contraceptive implant is a small, flexible rod 4 cm long and 2 mm in diameter, inserted under the skin of the upper arm by a healthcare professional (doctor, midwife or nurse). It continuously releases a low dose of progestin hormone, etonogestrel. It is considered a highly reliable form of contraception, with close to 100% effectiveness.

This small rod containing etonogestrel works mainly in three ways:

• Price, coverage and reimbursement. Free for under-26s and 65% covered for women aged 26 to 40.
  
  
• Insertion and removal. The implant is inserted under local anaesthetic. It’s very quick. It can also be removed at any time.
  
  
• How long it lasts. The implant is effective for 3 years (or 5 years for certain models such as Nexplanon in France).
  
  
• Convenience. Once it’s in place, you don’t have to think about it every day! Just like the IUD, it’s a very popular birth control method for this reason. No risk of forgetting the pill or a condom breaking.

According to the ANSM, the most common side effects of the implant are: nausea, migraines, decreased libido, acne, hair loss, increased body hair, weight gain, mood changes, breast pain, ovarian cysts, inflammation of the vulva and vagina.

The risk of migration into the pulmonary artery, linked to deep or incorrect insertion of Nexplanon, is very rare but should also be known.

Are you looking for alternatives to the implant?

• If you prefer hormonal methods, you can opt for the hormonal IUD, the pill, the patch or the vaginal ring.
• If you don’t want hormones anymore, you can switch to the copper IUD, condoms, a cervical cap or a diaphragm.

In addition to the side effects mentioned above, the hormonal contraceptive implant directly affects the menstrual cycle and your period as soon as it’s inserted.

This is often the big question: how does the contraceptive implant change your period? The answer is simple… but not the same for everyone! It all depends on your body and how it reacts to the progestin hormone.

With an implant, your period may become:

⚠️ Please note: These changes are normal and harmless. They simply reflect your uterus adapting to the new hormone dose. After 6 to 12 months, your cycle usually finds a new balance.

The implant acts directly on the uterine lining. Since there’s no estrogen (unlike the combined pill), bleeding can be less predictable. Don’t worry: that doesn’t mean the contraception is less effective!

💡 Did you know?

80% of implant users are satisfied, despite the changes in their period. The absence of periods (amenorrhea) is even often seen as an advantage.

Now that you know what to expect from your period with a contraceptive implant, let’s talk period products. Are period panties or washable, reusable period underwear suitable? The answer is yes—very much so!