Contraceptive implant

What is it? It's a small stick containing the hormone progestogen which is inserted under the skin in the arm. The hormone is slowly released into the body, preventing eggs from being released from the ovaries, sperm from reaching an egg or an egg settling in the womb.

Advantages: implants are a good method for women who want a long-term contraceptive, as each implant lasts for three years.

Considerations: periods can become irregular or stop altogether. Implants do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections or HIV/AIDS.

Available from? GP, family planning clinics, Marie Stopes International centres.

How effective? 99%.