Yaz vs. Nexplanon
See how Yaz and Nexplanon compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Yaz is a daily pill that also treats PMDD and moderate acne, while Nexplanon is a 3-year implant approved only for pregnancy prevention.
Nexplanon does not depend on daily adherence, so it tends to be more effective than a pill like Yaz in real-world use.
Yaz costs far less per month out of pocket than Nexplanon, but Nexplanon avoids daily dosing for its entire 3-year lifespan.
Yaz vs. Nexplanon Drug Summary
Yaz
Yaz is a combination oral contraceptive with drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily. It is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy, treat PMDD, and treat moderate acne in women who also want birth control.
Nexplanon
Nexplanon is a progestin-only contraceptive implant containing etonogestrel. A clinician places a single rod under the skin of the upper arm, and it prevents pregnancy continuously for up to 3 years.
Yaz vs. Nexplanon Side Effects
Yaz
Nexplanon
Yaz vs. Nexplanon Dosage
Yaz
Nexplanon
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 3 mg/0.02 mg once daily | Days 1-24 |
| Maximum dose | inert tablet once daily | Days 25-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 24 days |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 implant, 68 mg subdermal | Day 1 |
| Maximum dose | 1 implant, 68 mg subdermal | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Yaz
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 3 mg/0.02 mg once daily | Days 1-24 |
| Maximum dose | inert tablet once daily | Days 25-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 24 days |
Nexplanon
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 implant, 68 mg subdermal | Day 1 |
| Maximum dose | 1 implant, 68 mg subdermal | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Yaz vs. Nexplanon Indications
Yaz
Yaz is approved to prevent pregnancy, and it is also one of the few oral contraceptives approved to treat PMDD and moderate acne. It works by combining an estrogen and a progestin to suppress ovulation.
Prevent pregnancy
Treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Treat moderate acne in women 14 and older who want birth control
Nexplanon
Nexplanon is approved only to prevent pregnancy as a long-acting reversible contraceptive. It releases a steady low dose of progestin from the implant to suppress ovulation for up to 3 years.
Prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
No daily action required once placed
Yaz vs. Nexplanon Pros and Cons
Yaz
Yaz is a daily pill with FDA approval for two additional uses beyond birth control, PMDD and acne, which some patients value. Its cost and coverage are generally more predictable than an implant, but its effectiveness depends on consistent daily use.
Pros
FDA-approved to also treat PMDD and moderate acne
No procedure or insertion required
Can be stopped immediately without a clinician visit
Cons
Must be taken at the same time every day to work well
Not recommended for smokers over 35 due to cardiovascular risk
Contraindicated in renal, hepatic, or adrenal disease
Real-world effectiveness is lower than implant methods due to user error
Nexplanon
Nexplanon removes the daily adherence problem since it works continuously for up to 3 years after a brief in-office insertion. It only has FDA approval for pregnancy prevention, and the device carries a much higher upfront cost than a monthly pill.
Pros
Prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years with no daily action
Effectiveness does not depend on remembering a daily pill
Contains no estrogen, an option for those who cannot take estrogen
Cons
Requires a minor in-office procedure for insertion and removal
Irregular bleeding is the top reason patients discontinue it
Roughly $1,030 to $1,275 per month equivalent, before insurance
Not approved to treat PMDD or acne
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