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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Pregnancy Possible While On An Expired Birth Control Implant?

Hello. My implant birth control expired on 5/11. I had unprotected sex yesterday (6/13), and I am scheduled for my removal and new implant in 2 weeks (earliest they could get me in). I have had regular periods the entire 3 years (I was on depo for 10 yrs prior with no periods). I am overweight (200lbs, 5 7 ). I do get whitish discharge and increased sex drive like ovulation half way between periods, and I have since I switched from depo to the implant. This ovulation happened last week and the increase discharged ended 3-4 days prior to unprotected sex. Should I take emergency contraception? Will it work even though I ve already ovulated? Does it have increase side effects with already having an implant? Also, I cannot take estrogen, only progestin, as there is a history of the pill related stroke in my family. Help!
Wed, 29 Jan 2020
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Yes, pregnancy can occur while on an expired birth control implant. Birth control implant is more than 99% effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy for 3 years. Since pregnancy can occur as early as 7 to 14 days after the expiry of birth control implant and the fact that you seem to have "ovulated" based on the whitish discharge so you need to take I pill.

I pill which contains Levonorgestrel (a synthetic progesterone) can be taken as single dose immediately but within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Since it also contains progesterone so there is an increased risk of side effects following the use of I pill. Remember the birth control implant must be removed by the end of the third year and may be replaced by a new implant at the time of removal, if continued contraceptive protection is desired.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
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Is Pregnancy Possible While On An Expired Birth Control Implant?

Hi, Yes, pregnancy can occur while on an expired birth control implant. Birth control implant is more than 99% effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy for 3 years. Since pregnancy can occur as early as 7 to 14 days after the expiry of birth control implant and the fact that you seem to have ovulated based on the whitish discharge so you need to take I pill. I pill which contains Levonorgestrel (a synthetic progesterone) can be taken as single dose immediately but within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Since it also contains progesterone so there is an increased risk of side effects following the use of I pill. Remember the birth control implant must be removed by the end of the third year and may be replaced by a new implant at the time of removal, if continued contraceptive protection is desired. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician