Contraception – Implants in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hormonal contraception is available in several forms, and one of the most effective long‑acting options is the contraceptive implant. In Grand Rapids, MI, many patients choose the implant as a low‑maintenance birth control method that fits busy lifestyles and changing Michigan seasons.

The contraceptive implant (such as Nexplanon® / Implanon NXT®) is a soft plastic rod about 4 cm long. It is placed just under the skin of your inner upper arm and slowly releases a hormone called progestogen into your body over time.

Progestogen is similar to the hormone naturally produced by your ovaries.

Other types of hormonal contraception include:

  • Oral contraceptive pills (combined pill and progestogen‑only pill)
  • Hormonal IUD
  • Contraceptive injection
  • Vaginal ring

In Grand Rapids, these methods are available through local providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and local community clinics.

How Effective Is the Contraceptive Implant?

The contraceptive implant is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly, making it one of the most reliable birth control options available.

  • It can last for up to 3 years
  • You do not need to remember a daily pill
  • It is considered a form of long‑acting reversible contraception (LARC)

When choosing the method of contraception that best suits you, it is important to talk with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife. In Grand Rapids, you can discuss implant options with:

  • Your primary care provider or OB/GYN
  • Campus health services (for college students)
  • Planned Parenthood and local family planning clinics
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health clinics

How the Contraceptive Implant Is Inserted

The implant is inserted under the skin of your inner upper arm by a trained healthcare professional.

What to expect:

  1. Your arm is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic, so you should not feel pain, though you may feel some pressure or mild discomfort.
  2. A small applicator is used to insert the implant just under the skin.
  3. A bandage is placed over the area. You may have some bruising or tenderness for a few days.

In Grand Rapids, insertion can be done in:

  • OB/GYN clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health
  • Community health centers and family planning clinics
  • Some urgent care or women’s health clinics

Your provider will write a prescription for the implant, which you can fill at a local pharmacy (Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, or hospital‑based pharmacies), then return to the clinic for insertion if the clinic does not stock it on site.

How the Contraceptive Implant Works

The implant releases a steady, low dose of progestogen into your bloodstream. It helps prevent pregnancy in two main ways:

  1. Prevents ovulation
    It stops your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

  2. Thickens cervical mucus
    It thickens the fluid around the cervix (the opening to the uterus), which:

    • Makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg
    • Helps prevent fertilization

When Does the Implant Start Working?

  • If inserted during the first 5 days of your period, it usually starts working immediately.
  • If inserted at any other time in your cycle, it can take up to 7 days to become fully effective.
    Your provider may recommend using condoms or another backup method for the first week.

Cost and Insurance in Grand Rapids

The cost of a contraceptive implant in Grand Rapids can vary depending on:

  • Your health insurance plan
  • Whether you are covered under Medicaid or the Healthy Michigan Plan
  • Whether you are seen at a hospital clinic, private practice, or community health center

For many people with insurance, the implant is covered fully or at low cost under preventive care benefits. For those without insurance, local resources may help reduce the cost:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Grand Rapids
  • Community clinics and Planned Parenthood locations in West Michigan

Ask your clinic about sliding‑scale fees or financial assistance programs.

Benefits of the Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant offers several advantages, especially for people in Grand Rapids looking for reliable, low‑maintenance contraception:

Highly Effective and Long‑Lasting

  • More than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Lasts for up to 3 years
  • Once inserted, you can “set it and forget it” until it’s time to replace it

Changes in Periods

Many users experience changes in their bleeding pattern:

  • Lighter periods or no bleeding at all (around 20% of users)
  • Periods may become less painful
  • Some people have irregular or spotting bleeding, which may improve over time

Having no period while using the implant is not harmful to your body.

No Estrogen

The implant contains progestogen only, which can be helpful if you:

  • Cannot take estrogen for medical reasons (e.g., history of blood clots, migraines with aura, certain health risks)
  • Have side effects with combined hormonal methods like the pill or the vaginal ring

Easy to Remove and Reversible

  • The implant is easy to remove by a trained provider using local anesthetic.
  • Fertility returns quickly once the implant is removed.
  • If you decide you want to become pregnant, you can try to conceive as soon as it is taken out.

Other Benefits

  • Can be used while breastfeeding
  • Discreet – not usually visible, just a small bump under the skin
  • No daily, weekly, or monthly routine

Possible Side Effects of the Contraceptive Implant

Most people tolerate the implant well, but some may experience side effects, especially in the first few months. These can include:

  • Changes to your vaginal bleeding pattern (periods):
    • Irregular bleeding
    • More frequent or prolonged spotting
    • Sometimes no bleeding at all
  • Headaches
  • Bloating
  • Changes to your skin, including acne (may improve or worsen)
  • Sore or tender breasts
  • Mood changes

These side effects often settle with time. If bleeding is frequent or prolonged, some medications can help manage it—talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife.

Weight Gain

The contraceptive implant has not been shown to cause weight gain in studies. However, lifestyle factors—such as reduced activity during long Michigan winters—can affect weight. Your provider can help you sort out what might be contributing to any changes.

Serious Risks and When the Implant May Not Be Suitable

Serious problems with the implant are rare, but it may not be the best option if you:

  • Have been treated for breast cancer
  • Have severe liver disease
  • Are taking certain medications or herbal remedies that can make the implant less effective (for example, some seizure medications, certain HIV medicines, or St. John’s wort)

Very rarely, the implant can be inserted too deeply, making it harder to feel or remove. In this case, you may need minor surgery or imaging (such as ultrasound) to locate and remove it. This is usually done in a hospital or specialist clinic (for example, at Corewell Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids).

Always tell your provider about:

  • All prescription medicines
  • Over‑the‑counter drugs
  • Vitamins and herbal supplements

What Can Make the Contraceptive Implant Less Effective?

The implant may not work properly if:

  • It is left in longer than 3 years
  • You are taking medications that interfere with its effectiveness (check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist)

To avoid reduced effectiveness:

  • Write down the date your implant was inserted
  • Set a reminder in your phone for when it needs to be replaced (before the 3‑year mark)
  • Ask your provider to note the replacement date in your medical record and patient portal (e.g., MyChart)

If your implant has been in for more than 3 years, use condoms or another backup method until you can have it replaced.

Using the Contraceptive Implant After Pregnancy

The implant can be inserted:

  • Right after you give birth, including in the hospital
  • Whether you are breastfeeding or formula feeding

This can be especially convenient in Grand Rapids, where winter weather and busy family schedules can make frequent clinic visits challenging. Talk to your OB/GYN or midwife at:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

If you are using a contraceptive implant and decide you want to become pregnant, the implant must be removed by a trained healthcare provider. Your fertility usually returns quickly, often within days to weeks.

Contraceptive Implant and Pregnancy

If you become pregnant while using the implant (which is rare):

  • The implant is not known to harm a pregnancy.
  • It is generally recommended to remove the implant once pregnancy is confirmed.
  • You can choose to continue the pregnancy or discuss abortion options with your provider.

Your doctor or nurse in Grand Rapids can refer you to appropriate services for pregnancy care, prenatal care, or pregnancy options counseling.

Protection Against STIs

The contraceptive implant does not protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

To reduce your risk of STIs, use condoms every time you have sex, especially with new or multiple partners. Condoms provide the best available protection against STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.

In Grand Rapids, you can get STI testing and condoms from:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health clinics
  • Hospital‑based clinics (Corewell, Trinity, Metro Health)
  • Campus health centers and community health centers

Many of these services are youth‑friendly and confidential.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are considering a contraceptive implant or want to talk about birth control options, you can contact:

  • Your GP or OB/GYN in Grand Rapids
  • Pharmacies (for information and prescriptions as directed by your provider)
  • Kent County Health Department – family planning and sexual health services
  • Community and women’s health clinics in the Grand Rapids metro area
  • Planned Parenthood and other family planning organizations serving West Michigan

These services can help with:

  • Contraception counseling
  • Pregnancy options and support
  • STI testing and treatment
  • Youth and young adult sexual health education

Key Points About the Contraceptive Implant

  • The contraceptive implant is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and can last for up to 3 years.
  • It works by preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus, which helps stop sperm from reaching an egg.
  • When first inserted, it can take up to 7 days to start working, depending on where you are in your cycle—use backup contraception during this time if advised.
  • The implant has not been shown to cause weight gain.
  • It is reversible—once removed, fertility returns quickly.
  • The implant does not protect against STIs; condoms are still important for STI prevention.

If you live in Grand Rapids, MI and want personalized advice about whether the contraceptive implant is right for you, schedule an appointment with a local healthcare provider or visit a family planning or public health clinic to discuss your options.