Pregnancy worries
Can I get pregnant 2 days after implant?
Quick answer
It depends on when the implant went in. WHO says that if it was inserted within 7 days of your period starting, you need no backup. If it went in at any other time, use condoms or avoid sex for the first 7 days, so sex 2 days after insertion carries some risk.[src] If that happened, talk to a doctor today.
The 7-day rule
The implant releases a progestin that stops ovulation and thickens cervical mucus.[src] Once it is working, it is the most effective reversible method: about 0.1 pregnancies per 100 women in the first year.[src] The catch is the start. The hormone needs a few days to reach a level that reliably stops ovulation, so the WHO handbook sets two cases:[src]
| When the implant went in | Backup needed? |
|---|---|
| Within 7 days of the start of your period | No. Protected from insertion. |
| Any other day of your cycle | Yes. Condoms or no sex for 7 days. |
| Switching straight from pills or an on-time injection | Often no; ask the provider which rule they used |
Your provider may follow the product label instead, so the rule they gave you on the day is the one to go by. The When am I protected? tool explains the general rules, and the implant date tracker keeps your insertion and removal dates.
Work out which group you are in
- Find the first day of your last real period (bleeding, not spotting). Count it as day 1.
- If insertion was on day 1 to day 7, you are in the first group.
- If insertion was on day 8 or later, or you were not sure when your last period was, you are in the second group.
- If you were already using another method correctly right up to the day of insertion, tell the provider; that often changes the answer.[src]
Many people get the implant on a weekday that suits the clinic, not their cycle, especially at a free health center or Likhaan. That is fine. It just means the first week needs condoms.
If you had sex in the first 7 days without a condom
The risk is real but it is not certain. It depends on whether ovulation was close. Two things are worth doing now:
- Talk to a doctor today if the sex was within the last 5 days. They can look at your dates and tell you whether any emergency option makes sense. Read emergency contraception in the Philippines.[src]
- Keep the implant in. You do not need to remove it. Your protection continues to build.
The implant does not harm a pregnancy that has already started, but it should be removed if you are pregnant and want to continue the pregnancy. A provider will advise you. [src]
When a pregnancy test helps
A test the day after sex shows nothing useful. The NHS says home tests work from the first day of a missed period, or at least 21 days after unprotected sex.[src] On the implant your bleeding may change, so the 21-day mark is often the more practical date. A test costs ₱64.75 at Watsons.
Bleeding or spotting soon after insertion?
Irregular bleeding is the most common effect of the implant and is not a sign of pregnancy or a problem.[src] See what happens to your period.
Three legal routes
Talk to a provider
Implants are inserted by a trained doctor, nurse or midwife. Pick the route that suits you. For adults 18 and over.
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan. Subject to supply.
See an OB-GYN in person
Clinic visit, prescription in hand. Bring it to any licensed pharmacy.
Online consult
A licensed doctor by video or chat. From ₱700 on some platforms.
Online consult options
For adults 18 and over. Fees are set by each provider and can change.
Frequently asked questions
How long until the implant works?
If it was inserted within 7 days of your period starting, WHO says right away. Otherwise use condoms or avoid sex for 7 days. Your provider may follow the product label, so check what they told you.
Pwede na bang mag-sex 2 araw pagkatapos magpa-implant?
Kung nailagay ito sa loob ng 7 araw mula sa simula ng mens, protektado ka na ayon sa WHO. Kung hindi, condom muna sa unang 7 araw.
Do I need emergency contraception after sex in the first week?
If you had sex without a condom in the first 7 days and the implant went in outside the first 7 days of your period, talk to a doctor today. They can look at your dates and advise you.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- Emergency contraception (fact sheet), World Health Organization
- Doing a pregnancy test, NHS