How you prepare

Your health care provider will evaluate your overall health before inserting the contraceptive implant. He or she will determine the appropriate timing for the insertion of the implant based on your menstrual cycle and your previous birth control method. You may need to take a pregnancy test and use a nonhormonal backup method of contraception for one week.

A backup method of contraception may not be necessary if you previously:

• Used no contraception and have the contraceptive implant inserted during the first five days of your menstrual cycle, even if you're still bleeding
• Used combination birth control pills, a vaginal ring or a patch for birth control and have the contraceptive implant inserted within seven days of the start of your hormone-free period
• Used the minipill and have the contraceptive implant inserted while taking active pills
• Used a contraceptive injection and have the contraceptive implant inserted the day your next injection is due
• Used another contraceptive implant or an intrauterine device (IUD) and have the etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon) inserted the day your previous device is removed