Can a contraceptive implant be inserted while breastfeeding?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is expertly consulted by Master, Doctor Le Nhat Nguyen - Obstetrician-Gynecology Specialist - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital. Doctor has more than 20 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The method of birth control implant is up to 99% effective. Implanting a contraceptive while breastfeeding is a safe measure to help mothers avoid unwanted pregnancy.

1. Implanon contraceptive implant

This little stick-shaped device is about the size of a matchstick. The doctor will insert the contraceptive stick under the skin of the woman's arm. Once in place, the implant can help prevent pregnancy for up to 4 years.
The birth control implant contains the hormone progestin, which helps prevent ovulation. It also helps thicken cervical mucus, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The birth control implant can be inserted soon after giving birth and removed if you want to get pregnant again.
Implant while breastfeeding is also an appropriate option for mothers to avoid pregnancy while breastfeeding because it does not affect breast milk as well as the breastfeeding process. This implant is effective in preventing pregnancy for 3 years. Once the Implanon is inserted, the progestin will be released at regular intervals each day. In Vietnam, contraceptive implanted contraceptive while breastfeeding is still quite new, so those who are surprised when approaching it should note the possibility of bleeding in the first few months of use or infertility. terrible .
Although complications with IUDs while breastfeeding are rare, you should still tell your doctor if you notice unusual signs such as:
Arm pain Signs of infection, such as fever high or cold infection Unusually heavy vaginal bleeding.

2. Implant the contraceptive while breastfeeding

The contraceptive implant is suitable for many groups of people, so it is chosen by many women of reproductive age. The object of using the implant is very wide, including:
Women who are breastfeeding Women over 40 People with uterine fibroids Cases of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure Therefore For mothers who are breastfeeding, the contraceptive implant method is a suitable choice because of its safety and long-term effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. In particular, implantation of a contraceptive while breastfeeding does not affect lactation and quality of breast milk.
But to ensure breast milk supply, mothers should wait about 6 weeks or more after giving birth to start using the contraceptive implant.
Many women are concerned about the contraceptive implant implant can cause hormonal changes in the body such as irregular periods, light periods, menorrhagia, amenorrhea, which usually occurs within the next 6 months. 1 year after the birth control implant. Other less common symptoms such as headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, nausea, menstrual pain, lower back pain, weight gain, pimples, easy stress, decreased libido...

Many women experience amenorrhea during the period of implantation while breastfeeding, this is very normal because the implant affects hormones, preventing ovulation.
As a modern, safe and effective method of contraception, the implant is truly a contraceptive suitable for nursing mothers and women of childbearing age.
Women who are breastfeeding can use the contraceptive implant. The contraceptive implant is implanted during the first 5 days of your period. If your period has not returned after giving birth, you can go to the doctor and when it is determined that you are not pregnant, you will be consulted about implantation and can leave immediately.
In summary, contraception while breastfeeding is necessary, even if the mother is in the period of amenorrhea, the mother can still get pregnant. In principle, mothers who need contraception during lactation should avoid hormonal contraceptives. However, you may choose to have an implant while breastfeeding or a hormonal method of birth control (progestin alone) that does not affect breast milk.
Mothers also need to consider between the need for contraception and the need for complete or incomplete breastfeeding, sooner or later to apply appropriate measures for themselves.
For more information, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec Health system nationwide

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