Private contraceptive implant in London, fitted by an FSRH-accredited specialist.
Nexplanon fitting and - importantly - removal by an accredited specialist. Difficult and non-palpable removals handled with ultrasound guidance, not multiple attempts.
Indicative pricing
What a private contraceptive implant costs in London.
Indicative ranges across UK private providers.
In short
£250–£500, with three years of contraceptive cover.
| Service | Indicative range | Typical duration | Results / cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implant fitting (Nexplanon) | £250–£500 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Implant removal | £200–£400 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Fit + removal same visit | £400–£800 | 30–40 min | Same visit |
| Deep or difficult removal | £500–£1,200 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Ultrasound-guided implant removal | £600–£1,400 | 45–60 min | 2–3 days |
| Implant check + threads (US) | £180–£350 | 20 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by whether ultrasound is needed, and by whether the removal is straightforward or deep.
The problem
Fitting is easy. It’s the removal that goes wrong.
Most implant fittings are straightforward. The problems appear years later, at removal - a deep or migrated implant searched for blindly by someone not accredited to find it. Look for clinicians who do both parts properly.
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Anxious about the fitting?
The arm is numbed first. Most people find the actual procedure far easier and quicker than they expected.
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Can’t feel your implant?
Do not ignore it. An ultrasound check locates it precisely - no blind cuts, no repeated attempts.
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Bleeding you cannot live with?
Irregular bleeding in the first 3–6 months is common. A specialist review offers options rather than removal by default.
When it fits
When the contraceptive implant is the right choice.
The most common situations - from a first fitting through to a difficult removal that needs proper hands.
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Long-acting reversible contraception
Three years of cover from a single fitting, and immediately reversible when removed.
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For those who forget daily pills
A once-every-three-years option removes the daily-dose burden entirely.
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Alternative to painful IUD fittings
For anyone who found a coil fitting difficult, the implant is a gentler alternative with equivalent efficacy.
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Alongside HRT (specialist advice)
The implant can be used as the progestogen component alongside oestrogen HRT, with specialist guidance.
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Planned removal
Three years is up, or you are trying to conceive - a straightforward removal by the right hands.
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Deep or non-palpable removal
An implant that has migrated or was placed too deep needs an accredited specialist, not repeated attempts.
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Lost / non-palpable implant · US-guided
If the implant cannot be felt, ultrasound locates it precisely before any incision is made.
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Red flag: signs of infection at site
Spreading redness, pus, worsening pain or fever after fitting - this is a same-day GP job, not a private route.
Service types
Not every implant visit is the same.
What each option means, so you can book the right appointment.
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Implant fitting
Nexplanon inserted under the skin of the upper arm using local anaesthetic. Effective within 7 days, or immediately if fitted days 1–5 of your period.
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Implant removal
A small incision, the implant lifted out under local anaesthetic. Straightforward when the implant is palpable.
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Fit + removal
Old implant out and a new one placed through the same site, in the same visit.
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Deep removal
For implants that were placed too deep or have moved - done by an accredited specialist, not attempted repeatedly.
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Ultrasound-guided removal
A high-frequency ultrasound locates the implant precisely before removal, essential when it cannot be felt.
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Post-fit review
A 3-month check to discuss bleeding patterns, confirm the implant is well-sited, and answer questions.
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Lost-implant work-up
Ultrasound and, if needed, imaging of the arm and chest to locate a non-palpable or migrated implant.
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Contraceptive review consultation
A conversation about whether the implant is the right method for you, before you commit.
Safety and eligibility
What to know before you book.
The implant is safe and effective - but a few things are worth planning, particularly around the first 3–6 months and around removal.
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Local anaesthetic used at fitting
The arm is numbed before anything else. You feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure itself.
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Bruising and tenderness
A bruise and some tenderness for a few days is normal. Arnica and paracetamol help.
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Always feel the implant
You should be able to feel the implant in your arm afterwards.
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Irregular bleeding is common
Unpredictable bleeding for the first 3–6 months is the most common reason people ask for removal. It usually settles.
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No protection against STIs
The implant is contraception only. Barrier protection is still needed to reduce sexually transmitted infection risk.
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Removal ease depends on fitting
A well-placed implant comes out easily. A poorly-placed one is harder to remove - this is why the fitter matters.
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Deep removals need a specialist
A non-palpable or deep implant should never be searched for blindly. It is an accredited-specialist job, with ultrasound.
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Pregnancy cover window
Fitted outside days 1–5 of your period, pregnancy is possible for the first 7 days. Use additional protection that week.
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Never let a non-accredited practitioner attempt a difficult removal
Repeated attempts damage tissue and can push the implant deeper. If it isn’t straightforward, stop and refer.
Reading your report
A clinic letter can look formal. It isn’t complicated.
Whether it is a fitting, a removal or both, the letter keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The Nexplanon batch number matters - keep the letter.
It is what you will show any future clinician who needs to check or remove the implant. If yours has been lost, ask the clinic that fitted it for a copy of the record.
- 01 Header
Your details and the indication
Your details, the reason for the appointment - fitting, removal, or both - and any relevant history.
- 02 Technique
How the implant was fitted or removed
The arm used, the Nexplanon batch number, palpation confirmed after fitting, and the technique used for any removal.
- 03 Findings
Any difficulty encountered
Whether the implant was palpable, whether ultrasound was needed, and any complication managed at the time.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Fitted or removed successfully, the window of contraceptive cover, and when to attend the 3-month review.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Contraception is typically self-pay; some corporate and premium policies contribute.
Frequently asked
Common questions about the implant.
Pain, cost, referrals, bleeding, and what to do if you cannot feel the implant.
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What is the contraceptive implant?
Nexplanon is a small, flexible rod about 4 cm long that sits under the skin of the upper arm and releases a low, steady dose of the progestogen etonogestrel. It provides contraception for up to three years and is more than 99% effective.
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Does the fitting hurt?
The arm is numbed with local anaesthetic first. The anaesthetic injection stings briefly; after that you feel pressure rather than pain. Most people find it much easier than they expected.
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How long does the implant last?
Up to three years. It can be removed sooner at any time, and fertility returns almost immediately after removal.
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How much does the contraceptive implant cost privately in London?
A fitting is typically £250–£500, a straightforward removal £200–£400, and a fit-plus-removal in the same visit £400–£800. Deep or ultrasound-guided removals cost more because they need an accredited specialist and imaging.
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Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book a private fitting or removal directly. If you have a GP letter or a specific concern (a lost implant, for example) it is helpful to share it, but it is not required.
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Why am I getting irregular bleeding?
Unpredictable bleeding for the first 3–6 months is the most common side effect of the implant. It usually settles. If it is heavy, persistent, or affecting you significantly, a specialist review can offer options.
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Why do some implant removals go wrong?
Almost always because the implant was placed too deep or has moved, and a non-accredited practitioner tries to find it blindly. Repeated attempts damage tissue. An FSRH-accredited specialist with ultrasound removes it safely in one visit.
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What happens if I cannot feel my implant?
Do not ignore it. Book an ultrasound-guided check - the implant is located precisely, and then removed or left in place with confidence. Never let a practitioner cut without knowing where the implant is.
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Can I get pregnant with the implant in?
The implant is more than 99% effective. Pregnancy is possible for the first 7 days after fitting if it was placed outside days 1–5 of your period - use additional protection in that first week.
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When should I see a GP urgently?
Spreading redness, pus, worsening pain or fever at the fitting site, or heavy bleeding that will not stop - these are same-day GP or A&E signs, not a private-clinic route.