Implanon™

What is Implanon?

Implanon is about the size of a matchstick, is made of soft plastic, and is inserted just beneath the skin on the inner side of the upper arm by a healthcare provider during an in-office procedure. Implanon continually releases a low, steady dose of progestin (etonogestrel) to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years.

Benefits and Effectiveness

• Implanon can be used for 3 years, it does not require daily, weekly, or monthly dosing. It is inserted at the doctor's office in just a few minutes!
• Implanon should only be inserted by a trained healthcare provider. When Implanon is inserted properly, the chance of getting pregnant is less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women.
• Implanon is a great option for women not ready for sterilization.
• Implanon is a discreet method of birth control.

Common Side Effects/Risks

• Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect. Some women have more bleeding, less bleeding, or no bleeding. The time between periods may also vary, and in between periods, you may have spotting.
• As with many progestin-only birth control methods, mood swings, weight gain, headache, acne and depression may occur.

Do I need a back-up birth control method?

When inserted properly, back-up contraception is not necessary to prevent pregnancy. However, a back-up method should be used to prevent risk of STD's or HIV. It is important to notify your clinician if you are on any additional medications (including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medication) as there may be interactions that could decrease the effectiveness of Implanon.

What if I want to get Implanon removed?

• Implanon can be removed by a trained healthcare provider at any time with a minor surgical procedure in the office. A small incision will be made to remove the rod from the patient's arm. A local anesthetic is used for the procedure. Some minor bruising, redness, swelling and/or pain may occur at the site.
• Removals of inserted implants can cause scarring, and sometimes deep insertions may cause nerve damage or other complications.
• Rarely, removal of Implanon is difficult or impossible because it is not where it should be. Deep insertions may be needed in order to properly and safely remove the rod.
• After 3 years, Implanon should be removed. If continued birth control is desired, a new rod can be implanted at this time.

How does Implanon work?

• Implanon prevents pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg from your ovary.
• Implanon changes the mucus in the cervix which helps keep sperm from reaching the egg.
• Implanon makes the lining of the uterus thin so that it does not allow a pregnancy to grow.

Implanon should not be used if:

• You are pregnant
• Have a history of blood clots, pulmonary embolism, rentinal thrombosis, heart attack, or stroke
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have liver disease
• Currently have or have a history of breast cancer
• Are allergic to any of the components used in Implanon

Is this Norplant?

Implanon is the only implantable contraceptive device currently available in the United States. U.S. distribution of Norplant, another implantable contraceptive, was stopped in 2000 after questions surfaced about the strength of certain lots of the drug. Two years later, the company decided not to reintroduce Norplant to the U.S. market.

Source: http://www.implanon.com and Implanon/Organon USA Inc., December 2006