We talked to one of Canada’s leading contraception experts about Nexplanon and what this means for Canadian birth control options
People around the world have been raving about their birth control implants for years—and by this fall Canadians no longer need to miss out. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecolgosists of Canada tells FLARE that the popular contraceptive Nexplanon has finally officially been approved by Health Canada.
“[Nexplanon] is available in more than 100 countries worldwide and has been for many years,” says Dr. Amanda Black, the chair of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s contraceptive awareness program. “It’s exciting that we will finally have this available to [people] in Canada. The more options you have, the more likely you are to find a method of contraception that works for you.”
Nexplanon is a three-year contraceptive implant that is inserted into the upper arm via a small puncture, which can be done in your doctor’s office—and (typically) can be removed just as easily. The flexible plastic rod—about the size of a matchstick—releases a low dose of hormones into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.
Here’s what else you need to know about this new-to-Canada birth control.
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Why wasn’t Nexplanon approved in Canada until now?
In the past, Merck—the drug company that produces Nexplanon—did not have recent enough clinical trial research to satisfy Health Canada’s requirements, but mounting public pressure for the implant, and persistence from the drug company, played a part in reversing that decision. “At the end of the day, it’s been well studied in other countries, certainly post-approval,” says Black. “And [people] in Canada should have access to similar contraceptive methods that are available in other countries.”
When will Nexlpanon be available in Canada?
Even though it’s received the green light by Health Canada, the birth control implant likely won’t be readily available to Canadians until the fall of 2020. “Health care providers need to be trained on insertion and removal,” explains Black. It’s also unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect supply.
How much will Nexplanon cost?
The cost of Nexplanon in Canada hasn’t yet been released. And drug prices in Canada can vary greatly compared with other countries, so there’s no point in searching how much it costs in the U.S., TBH. (For example, a hormonal IUD costs between $395 to $500 in Canada, while in the U.S. getting one can cost anywhere between $0 to $1,300.)
Is Nexplanon safe?
Implants are safer for people who can’t otherwise take estrogen for a number of health reasons, including being at higher risk of stroke and blood clots. “One of the nice things about it is that we have not just the clinical trials data but we have real-world data at this point, so we can say it appears to be a safe and effective method of contraception,” Dr. Black says.
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How effective is Nexplanon?
The implant is more than 99% effective. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs and implants are up to 20 times more effective at preventing pregnancy than birth control pills, the patch or the vaginal ring because you don’t have the daily, weekly or monthly hassle of remembering to do something. “It’s a ‘forgettable’ type of contraceptive,” Dr. Black says.
How long does it take for Nexplanon to start working?
If it’s inserted within the first five days of your period, it’s effective immediately, explains Dr. Black. “If it’s inserted at another time, you just have to make sure that you’re using a backup method of contraception for a week afterwards.”
What are the potential side effects associated with Nexplanon?
The side effects of Nexplanon are similar to what you would see with other hormonal contraceptives, says Dr. Black. The top reasons why some people may avoid or discontinue the implant are irregular periods, mood changes, headaches and acne. Depression and weight gain have also been reported but those numbers are low.