Implications of not having contraceptive implant removed after 3 years (aside from contraception)

[lazarusb]

My daughter had the implant 3 years ago in May. It is due to be removed in May but she is away from her registered surgery (University) because she is at home with us on lock down. The contraceptive issue is mute because she isn't seeing anyone but I wondered if leaving the implant in until the Covid 19 crisis is over would have any adverse impact?

I'm in the same boat and I'm leaving it. It won't be removed for the moment as there's no way any surgeries will take it out as they're too busy and it's not urgent so won't see face to face. I can't give medical advice online though, it's inappropriate and Im not a contraceptive specialist. Speak to your nurse or GP for advice.

A quick Google suggests leaving it in is not a major concern as she is not relying on for contraception. It may be harder to remove, as it can get surrounded by scar tissue, but that appears to be years over the removal date.

Thank you both. It's difficult to speak to anyone at the moment - we did Google but I wanted to ask MN as normally there's a lot of personal experience and good knowledge on here!

Hopefully it will just a few months delay at most.

I've been told the same as @dragonicicle has said by my GP practice and local one-to-one centre but I was wanting mine removed all together as we are thinking of trying for baby soon! Also worried about it getting fused into my arm as it has been in over 3 years now

Our GP surgery sent a message out about this:

"Due to the current COVID19 pandemic, we are not able to replace any implants until further notice. If your implant is due to expire (3 years after insertion), you can delay a replacement until 4 years as the risk of pregnancy is very low. If you are anxious please use condoms or request the pill."

So I'd assume it's absolutely fine from a health standpoint too otherwise they wouldn't have suggested that you can delay until 4 years.

I’m an ex sexual health nurse. She’ll be fine to keep the Nexplanon in (assuming she has that particular brand in). Studies suggest that these can provide a level of contraceptive cover for up to 5 years in some users, though they are only licensed for 3 years and cannot be relied upon beyond that. She should use other contraceptives until she can have it replaced. The main risk of having it in for longer is a more difficult removal due to encapsulation (tough scar tissue growing around it) or migration (it moving away from its original position to a position that makes a more difficult to remove such as near to a major blood vessel or nerve channel). These issues are standard risks for the implant anyway but increase. Her risk of these are not much higher if she’s only just over the 3yr mark when she has it removed.

I've had 3 implants (1 Implanon and 2 Nexplanon), my second was in for closer to 4 years and it was a bit harder to remove but no adverse health effects.

My current one ran out in March but haven't been able to get to docs for removal, the nurse phoned yesterday to advise that research indicates it lasts closer to 5 years but are advised for 3.

I'm not concerned and will just have it removed whenever this is over.