Many women prefer a long lasting, effective form of birth control that doesn’t require taking a pill every day. If that describes you, talk to your doctor about birth control implants.

In the Sutter Health network, highly skilled doctors and nurse practitioners can implant a small rod under your skin. This implant prevents pregnancy by releasing a hormone called progestin, which stops the ovaries from releasing eggs. The implant is very small, about the size of a matchstick. It prevents pregnancy for three years with more than 99 percent effectiveness.

Before inserting the rod, your doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the skin in your upper arm. It takes about one minute to insert the implant and it can stay in place for three years. You can choose to have it removed at any time, and the removal process takes just a few minutes.

However, it’s important to remember that a birth control implant does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. Talk to your doctor about your lifestyle and birth control needs to find the best contraception for you.