Contraceptive implant removal

You may wish to have your implant removed for the following reasons:

  • You want to become pregnant
  • Your current device has expired and you want to have another fitted
  • You are having problems with the device and wish to change to another method

Will my implant be difficult to remove?

Will my implant be difficult to remove?

  • It usually only takes a few minutes to remove an implant. If the implant has been put in correctly, it should not be difficult to remove
  • Occasionally an implant is difficult to feel under the skin and it may not be so easy to remove.  If this happens, you may be referred to a specialist centre to have it removed with the help of an ultrasound scan.
  • If you want to carry on using an implant, the Doctor or Nurse can put a new one in at the same time as removing your old one. You will continue to be protected against pregnancy if your previous device has not expired. If your previous device has expired you will need to use additional precautions for seven days after your implant is fitted.

After implant removal

  • You may experience a little discomfort once the local anaesthetic wears off.  Please take pain relief e,g, Paracetamol as required. Most bruising should settle within 10 days of removal. You can carry out all normal activities.
  • If you find pus or bleeding or have intense pain at the site of the cut, you could have a skin infection and may need antibiotics. This is very rare. Please contact the clinic [020 3255 0084] if you are worried.

Your appointment

We will send a text reminder about your appointment asking you to confirm your attendance. We will follow this with other attempts to reach you (call, text, email), but if you have not confirmed your attendance or re-arranged your time 24 hours prior to the clinic we will give your appointment to another woman.

Your consent

Before the procedure starts, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form.

Only sign the consent form when you’ve spoken to your clinician and you’re happy to proceed.

Your clinician will also sign the same consent form to say they’ve explained the following to you:

  • the intended benefits
  • serious or frequently occurring risks

Your clinician will talk to you about what the procedure involves and they will direct you to information about the procedure.

They will discuss the benefits and risks of appropriate alternative methods of contraception.

Finally, your clinician will answer any questions you have.