Are you finding yourself in the midst of a puzzling array of symptoms, all pointing towards pregnancy? As your body goes through various stages, you may find it challenging to determine the causes behind these changes.
If you have an expired implanon contraceptive implant, then your mind may naturally wonder about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy.
In this blog post, we will delve into the signs and symptoms that could potentially indicate pregnancy, even with an expired Implanon.
What is an implanon and how long does it usually take to expire?
An implanon is basically a type of contraceptive that is usually inserted in women’s upper arm simply to prevent pregnancy.
It works by releasing some hormones in the female body that is targeted to block conception or pregnancy.
Implanons are long term birth controls which are reversible. That’s why it’s also known as LARC – Long-acting Reversible Contraception.
The implant is a plastic rod, a matchstick-sized that is placed under your upper arm skin by a specialist and they are mostly effective for a maximum of three years, after which they expire and literally ineffective.
Can you fall pregnant with an expired implanon?
Yes, you can easily get pregnant with an expired implanon. When this implant gets to the end of its lifespan, which is usually three years, it won’t be effective anymore.
Although, there isn’t any guarantee that indicates that you’ll get pregnant immediately after your implanon has expired, it is very possible because it no longer provides the reliable shield against pregnancy that it used to.
Therefore, it is important to remove expired implanon and switch to a new birth control method immediately.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy with an expired implanon?
So while you can possibly get pregnant keeping this lapsed implant embedded in your arm, you may be looking out for some possible signs that may come with pregnancy.
Some early pregnancy symptoms that may happen include;
Missed or delayed menstrual period
When the implanon gets expired, it can no longer prevent pregnancy. As such, risk of getting pregnant increases.
Even if you did not have menstrual period all along the duration of your implant use, your menstrual cycle will restart once the implant is expired.
So if after implanon expiration, and you do not have your period, then it may be an alarm for pregnancy.
This isn’t always the case anyway because missed period could result from other factors like weight changes, stress or hormonal imbalances.
Nausea and vomiting
Persistent nausea and vomiting are also possible symptoms of pregnancy, and you may experience them if you have an expired implanon implanted in your arm, which is basically ineffectual.
Breast tenderness or swelling
Chances of being pregnant are higher if you specifically notice signs of breast tenderness or swelling while still wearing an elapsed implant. As such you should consult your doctor.
Fatigue
Do mere walks and stand-ups easily tire you? If yes, then you may be pregnant. Get a pregnancy test to confirm it.
Frequent urination
When you are passing frequent urines, it is also a plain sign of pregnancy even when you have an expired implanon.
Headaches
In as much as headaches are associated with several other diseases, if you already suspect a pregnancy and notice regular headaches, then its also possible you have are pregnant.
Get a pregnancy test, either blood test or the urine test to confirm it.
Back pain
Regular back pain are undoubtedly another symptom of pregnancy you should take note. Probably you’ve had this bacpains for almost a week now and you may wonder what is actually causing it.
Get a test now to confirm if you’re indeed pregnant or not.
Mood changes
Mood swings and changes may not necessarily be a pregnancy symptom, but maybe you’ve been moody consistently for a while coupled with one or two symptoms from this list. If that’s the case then you should get a test.
Dizziness or fainting
You may also feel dizzy regularly if you’re pregnant. This is due to the increase of pregnancy hormones (hCG) in your blood.
So if it has been consistent for a while now, then you may be pregnant. Get tested!
If you are experiencing more than three of these symptoms simultaneously, then chances are you’re pregnant.
You should get a pregnancy strip from a nearby pharmacy and run a test to know confirm it.
What happens if you leave implanon in too long?
It is not advisable to leave expired implanon on. If you leave it in for too long after its expiration date, you may battle some side effects like:
- Irregular bleeding: Prolonged or irregular bleeding, including spotting, is a common side effect of the Implanon implant, especially in the first 6-12 months.
- Headaches: Some individuals may experience headaches as a side effect of the implant
- Breast pain: Breast pain or tenderness is another potential side effect, although it is not as common
- Nausea: Nausea can be a rare downside of keeping an expired implanon implant, but it is still possible, especially when your implants start embedding into your nerves and tissues.
- Mood changes: Some people may experience mood changes, including mood swings or depressive symptoms.
- Migration or embedding: If you have an implant remain in your body for long after expiring, it is going to be very difficult to remove at the time you would want it off. The devise may migrate or embed into surrounding tissues.
- Amenorrhea (cases where your menstrual periods go off, not menopause).
These side effects may vary for all women, and some women may not even experience them. If you are considering the use of Implanon or have concerns about leaving it in for too long, it’s best to discuss options with your doctor.
Also Read: Pros and Cons Of Tanning In Pregnancy
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is necessary to get acquainted with these pregnancy symptoms, especially when you decide to continue using an expired implanon as contraception.
Keeping a phased out implant in your body is powerless – there is no way it can prevent you from getting pregnant.
It is important to know that while keeping such in your body, it may lead to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, backpain, dizziness, breast tenderness, fatigue, etc. even when you’re not pregnant.
Be sure to talk to a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
References:
Better HealthVICGOVAU (Symptoms of pregnancy), Sexual Health Victoria (Contraceptive Implant | Implanon insertion & side effects), Family Planning Plus (Questions and Answers About Implants)
