Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

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!
posted on Fri, 17 Jun 2016
Twitter Fri, 24 Jan 2020 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 29 Jan 2020 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
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
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
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