Implant (Nexplanon)

Yes. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, like naproxen, can decrease menstrual flow and cramping. So if you have heavy or painful periods, your health care provider may recommend taking ibuprofen to help reduce heavy flow and/or cramping. It can also help reduce the irregular bleeding that is sometimes a side effect of progestin-only birth control methods like the shot or the implant.

Easy enough. Make an appointment to get it removed. Once it’s removed, the hormones in your body should go back to normal pretty quickly.

All the birth control devices have been rigorously tested and are FDA-approved for long-term use. And because it’s designed to be there for a long time, you can pretty much just forget about the implant for up to 5 years.

For most people, the risk of blood clots when using the ring, the patch, or the combined birth control pill (which is the most common type of pill) is low. But smoking increases this risk. If you are over 35 and smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day, the combination pill, patch, and ring are not safe options for you. If you’re over 35 and you smoke less than 15 cigarettes a day, talk to your provider about whether these birth control methods are safe options for you. People who smoke can always use the IUD, the implant, the shot, the mini-pill (progestin-only pill), and any method that is hormone free (like condoms, for example).

If you feel like your birth control is changing your behavior, it’s time to talk to your health care provider. Everybody responds to birth control differently, and your provider can help you decide whether it’s time to try something else. It might be a matter of switching hormonal methods or deciding whether to avoid hormonal birth control altogether, or you may choose to wait it out since some negative side effects go away with time. The bottom line: If your current method is making you feel blah, don’t settle. There are a lot of methods to choose from and sometimes it can take a few tries to get it right.

Getting the implant inserted is pretty straightforward. Your health care provider will numb a small area on your upper arm, then use a special tool to insert the implant under your skin. That’s it! Your arm may be sore for a few days afterward, but the insertion itself is quick and easy.

If you’re under the influence of alcohol—or anything else—a birth control method that doesn’t require action right when you’re about to get your freak on may be your safest bet. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. Note: These methods will cover you against pregnancy, but you should pair them with a condom for STI protection.

And speaking of covering all your bases, here are some tips for safer, smarter hookups.

If you are an active-duty member of the U.S. military, here’s some great news: you have access to a wide range of birth control methods covered under your TRICARE plan. The less great news: not all methods are offered at every military treatment facility (MTF), especially during deployment. That’s why even if you’re not sure you’ll need birth control, it’s a good idea to look into your options before you deploy—especially if you’re going overseas. We’ve laid out some tips and questions to think about so you can make an informed decision.

It can be complicated to tell exactly how hormonal birth control affects mood, but you’re the only one who truly knows how you feel. Everyone reacts to birth control differently, so if you feel your birth control might be contributing to depression, talk with your health care provider. Remember, there are a lot of birth control methods out there—you can find the right one for you!

The implant is effective right away if you get it during the first 5 days of your period. Otherwise use a back-up method for the first 7 days after you get it inserted.

This is a side effect that may be hard to fix. If you’ve had the implant for a few months or less, it could go away on its own. A health care provider can also offer some options to help with bleeding if you want to keep using the implant. Check out our Provider Perspective “Side effect spotlight: What’s up with spotting?” for more information. Still not working? You might want to check out methods that let you have a predictable period like the pill, the patch, or the ring.

With the implant, it’s totally normal to stop having your period and many women look at that as a good thing.