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

Most common
Headache/migraine (6.7%)
Menstrual irregularities (4.7%)
Nausea/vomiting (4.2%)
Breast pain/tenderness (4.0%)

Nexplanon

Most common
Change in menstrual bleeding pattern (11.1%)
Headache (10%)
Vaginitis (10%)
Weight increase (10%)

Yaz vs. Nexplanon Dosage

Yaz

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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