Implan perancang (the contraceptive implant, often called by the brand name Implanon) is a small plastic rod about 4 cm long that a doctor or nurse puts under the skin of your upper arm. It releases a progestogen hormone that prevents pregnancy, and it is over 99% effective. It lasts for years, depending on the guidance your clinic follows, and can be taken out at any time, after which your fertility returns straight away. The most common side effect is a change in your periods. It is safe while breastfeeding, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. This guide explains how it is put in, the side effects, who can use it, and where to get it in Malaysia.
Apa itu implan perancang (Implanon)?
The contraceptive implant is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC): once it is in, you do not need to remember anything. The NHS and healthdirect, the Australian government health service, describe it as:
- a small, flexible plastic rod about 4 cm long, about the size of a matchstick, placed under the skin of the inner upper arm;
- something you can feel under the skin but usually cannot see;
- releasing a progestogen hormone (etonogestrel) that stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month and thickens the mucus at the entrance to the womb so sperm cannot get through;
- over 99% effective: fewer than 1 in 100 women who use it for a year get pregnant.
Implanon NXT is the brand most readers search for, and it is the only implant brand available in Australia (healthdirect). Drann does not recommend any brand of contraception; your doctor will advise which product is available to you. The implant does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so use a condom if you are at risk; see our guide to sifilis.
Many Malaysian couples still do not use modern contraception. In September 2026, the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) reported that only 34% of married couples use modern contraceptives, and that misconceptions make some couples reluctant to use them.
Berapa lama implanon tahan: 3 atau 5 tahun?
This is a common question, and the answer depends on which guidance your clinic follows:
| Source | How long the implant lasts |
|---|---|
| healthdirect (Australia) | Implanon NXT lasts for 3 years; the hormone is slowly released over 3 years |
| NHS (United Kingdom) | The implant works for 5 years before it needs to be replaced, and becomes less effective after that |
Ask your doctor or clinic which replacement date applies to you, write it down, and book your replacement in time. If the implant is not replaced when it should be, you could get pregnant (NHS). A new implant can be put in at the same appointment as the old one is taken out.
Cara pasang implanon dan selepas pasang
"Implanon insertion" is one of the most searched phrases. The NHS says fitting takes a few minutes. The doctor or nurse will:
- ask you to do a pregnancy test first if there is a chance you could be pregnant;
- numb the skin of your upper arm with a local anaesthetic injection or spray, so you do not feel pain;
- make a small cut and put the implant under the skin;
- seal the cut with a dressing, which you can remove once the cut has healed.
When it starts working (NHS): if it is fitted in the first 5 days of your period (day 1 is the first day of your period), you are protected straight away. If it is fitted after day 5, use another method such as condoms for the next 7 days.
After insertion ("pantang larang selepas pasang implanon"): healthdirect says your arm may be bruised or sore, and a little itchy for a few days; try not to scratch or rub the skin. You may have a small scar. Keep the dressing on until the cut has healed (NHS). In a Malaysian trial at 4 LPPKN clinics, 129 women recorded their pain for a week after insertion, and all the oral painkillers tested (paracetamol, mefenamic acid and diclofenac) reduced pain scores. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which painkiller suits you, especially if you are breastfeeding.
The cost differs between LPPKN, government and private clinics, so ask the clinic before your appointment.
Kesan sampingan implanon
The NHS says the implant is very safe and serious side effects and complications are rare.
| Type | What may happen | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Period changes (very common) | Lighter, irregular with spotting, heavier or more painful, longer, or periods stopping completely | NHS |
| Other reported effects | Headache, sore breasts, weight gain, acne, thrush or bacterial vaginosis; there is not enough evidence to say whether the implant causes these | NHS |
| Mood changes and lower interest in sex are also listed as possible side effects | healthdirect | |
| At the arm | Bruising, soreness, itching for a few days, a small scar | healthdirect |
| Risks | Infection where the implant was put in (swelling and pain), or the implant moving a few centimetres | NHS |
| Rare, serious risks | A blood clot, or an ectopic pregnancy in the rare case that the implant fails | NHS |
Some women find acne improves and periods become lighter or less painful (healthdirect), while others find acne gets worse; see our guide to jerawat. A 2025 review led by LPPKN researchers looked at 5 studies with 619 women in Muslim-majority Asian countries and found that the implant had low discontinuation rates and high satisfaction, with menstrual irregularity and weight gain among the side effects reported.
Perubahan haid dan pendarahan
The NHS says it is very common for your periods to change after an implant is fitted. They may become lighter, irregular with spotting between periods, heavier, longer, unpredictable, or stop completely. According to healthdirect, most women have lighter periods, changes may settle after a few months, and bleeding changes are especially likely in the first 3 months.
These changes are not usually anything to worry about, but if bleeding is a problem, see a doctor. In a randomised trial at UKM Medical Centre and Shah Alam Hospital, 84 implant users with prolonged or frequent bleeding were treated with either a combined pill or mefenamic acid. Bleeding stopped within 7 days in 76.2% of women on the combined pill compared with 35.7% on mefenamic acid. Your doctor will check whether a treatment like this is suitable for you.
Periods may stop completely on the implant (NHS). If you think you might be pregnant, do a pregnancy test; see our guides to period lambat and tanda mengandung. See a doctor about heavy or long-lasting bleeding (healthdirect).
Siapa sesuai dan tidak sesuai
The implant is not suitable for everyone. The NHS says it may not be suitable if you have ever had:
- a condition affecting your heart or blood vessels, such as a stroke;
- a liver condition, such as cirrhosis;
- breast cancer (see our guide to kanser payudara);
- unexplained vaginal bleeding.
It should also not be used if you are pregnant or think you might be (healthdirect). If any of these apply to you, talk to a doctor about other methods.
Selepas bersalin, menyusu dan keguguran
The NHS says:
- you can have it fitted any time after giving birth; if it is fitted before day 21 after the birth, you are protected straight away, but from day 21 onwards you need condoms for the next 7 days;
- it is safe while breastfeeding and will not affect your baby or your milk supply;
- after a miscarriage or abortion, it can be fitted as soon as you want; within 5 days you are protected straight away, and after that use condoms until it has been in for 7 days.
See also our guides to berpantang and keguguran.
Ubat yang boleh menjejaskan implan
Some medicines and herbal remedies can stop the implant working properly (NHS). Ask a doctor or pharmacist before having an implant if you take medicine for:
- tuberculosis (TB); see our guide to tibi;
- epilepsy; see our guide to sawan;
- HIV;
- also griseofulvin (an antifungal medicine) or St John's wort (a herbal remedy).
Always tell any doctor who prescribes you medicine that you have an implant.
Membuang implan dan peluang hamil
You can ask for the implant to be removed at any time, and you do not need to go back to the same clinic (NHS). Removal is similar to fitting: a local anaesthetic, a small cut, and a dressing.
- Your chance of getting pregnant returns to what it was before straight away (NHS), and periods usually return within 1 month (healthdirect).
- If you do not want to get pregnant, start another method such as condoms as soon as the implant is out (NHS).
- If you are planning a baby, see our guide to ovulasi and masa subur.
If you need emergency contraception, talk to a pharmacist or doctor, because the implant can affect how some emergency contraception works (NHS); see our guide to pil perancang kecemasan.
Implan, IUD atau pil?
All long-acting methods work without you needing to remember anything. A quick comparison:
| Method | Where it goes | How long it lasts | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implant | Under the skin of the upper arm | 3 or 5 years, depending on guidance (see above) | This page |
| IUD and IUS (coil) | Inside the womb | Several years, depending on the type | IUD |
| Pill | Taken by mouth | Must be taken every day | pil perancang |
Di mana boleh pasang di Malaysia
LPPKN (the National Population and Family Development Board) lists the implant among the contraceptive methods it offers, together with pills, injections and the IUD (Malaysian government portal). You can also ask at a klinik kesihatan, your GP or an obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) clinic. Removal and replacement must be done by a doctor or nurse trained in implants (healthdirect).
Bila perlu jumpa doktor
See a doctor or the clinic if:
- you cannot feel your implant; use another method such as condoms until it has been checked (healthdirect);
- the area becomes swollen, painful or red, which could be an infection, or you think the implant has moved (NHS);
- you have heavy or long-lasting bleeding (healthdirect), or side effects that bother you;
- you think you might be pregnant;
- your implant is due to be replaced.
Get urgent medical help if you have symptoms of a blood clot, such as pain and swelling in 1 leg, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain; see our guide to sesak nafas. If you get pregnant with an implant, see a doctor quickly because of the rare risk of an ectopic pregnancy; see mengandung luar rahim.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu implanon (what is a contraceptive implant)?
A contraceptive implant is a small, flexible plastic rod about 4 cm long that a trained doctor or nurse puts under the skin of your upper arm (NHS). It slowly releases a progestogen hormone that stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month and thickens the mucus at the entrance to the womb. Implanon NXT is the brand name most people search for. The implant is over 99% effective and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Implanon tahan berapa lama (how long does the implant last)?
Healthdirect, the Australian government health service, says Implanon NXT lasts for 3 years. The NHS in the UK now says the implant works for 5 years before it needs to be replaced. Ask your doctor or clinic which replacement date applies to you, and keep a note of it. A doctor or nurse can take the implant out at any time if you want to stop using it.
Sakit tak pasang implanon (does putting in the implant hurt)?
A local anaesthetic injection or spray numbs the skin, so you should not feel pain while the implant is put in, and it only takes a few minutes (NHS). Your arm may be bruised, sore or a little itchy for a few days afterwards (healthdirect). In a Malaysian trial at LPPKN clinics, 129 women rated their pain after insertion, and all the oral painkillers tested reduced the pain score.
Apa kesan sampingan implanon (what are the side effects)?
The most common change is to your periods: they may become lighter, irregular, heavier, longer, or stop completely (NHS). Other reported side effects include headaches, sore breasts, weight gain and acne, although the NHS says there is not enough evidence to say whether the implant causes these. The Australian health service healthdirect also lists mood changes and lower interest in sex. Rare risks include infection where it was put in, the implant moving, and a blood clot.
Implanon buat gemuk (does the implant cause weight gain)?
Weight gain is listed as a possible side effect (healthdirect), but the NHS says there is not enough evidence to say whether the implant causes it. If you are worried about your weight or any other change, talk to your doctor. You can have the implant removed at any time.
Boleh pasang implanon selepas bersalin atau semasa menyusu (after birth and breastfeeding)?
Yes. The NHS says you can have the implant fitted any time after giving birth, and it is safe while breastfeeding and will not affect your baby or your milk supply. If it is fitted before day 21 after the birth, you are protected straight away. If it is fitted on or after day 21, use condoms for the next 7 days.
Lepas buang implanon cepat hamil ke (can I get pregnant after removal)?
Yes. The NHS says your chance of getting pregnant returns to what it was before straight away once the implant is removed. If you do not want to get pregnant, start another method, such as condoms, as soon as it is taken out. According to healthdirect, periods usually return within 1 month of removal.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Drann does not recommend any brand of contraception.
References
- What is the contraceptive implant? — NHS
- Who can use the contraceptive implant — NHS
- How the contraceptive implant is fitted or removed — NHS
- Side effects and risks of the contraceptive implant — NHS
- Contraceptive implant — healthdirect (Australian government)
- Mendapatkan perkhidmatan perancang keluarga di LPPKN — Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Malaysia
- Family planning knowledge in the country remains low — LPPKN — Bernama (24 September 2026)
- DVT (deep vein thrombosis) — NHS
- Nik Azis NA, Zulfarina MS, Ibrahim N, et al. How painful is Implanon NXT insertion? A multicenter randomized trial on the use of acetaminophen, mefenamic acid and diclofenac sodium for pain management post Implanon NXT insertion. BMC Womens Health. 2026;26(1):507
- Upawi SN, Ahmad MF, Abu MA, Ahmad S. Management of bleeding irregularities among etonogestrel implant users: Is combined oral contraceptives pills or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs the better option? J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2020;46(3):479-484
- Nik Azis NA, Zulfarina MS, Ibrahim N, et al. The acceptability of Implanon in Muslim-majority Asian countries: a systematic review. Iran J Public Health. 2025;54(10):2101-2113
