Implanon
IMPLANON™ is a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive that is effective for up to three years. It has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Currently IMPLANON™ is only available at our Tampa and Lakeland health centers. Implanon is a thin, match-stick size rod, called an implant. It is made of a soft plastic-like material and contains a progestin similar to the hormone progesterone that is produced by a woman's body. It is inserted beneath the skin of the arm, and a very small amount of the hormone goes into your bloodstream all the time.
How it works
Implanon works in two ways. It keeps eggs from being released from the ovaries. It also thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. For every 100 women who use Implanon, fewer than one will become pregnant per year. When Implanon is taken out, you will no longer be protected from pregnancy, and you should be able to get pregnant as quickly as you would have before using Implanon. Although it is possible that with time Implanon may be somewhat less effective in heavier or obese women, it may still be a good option for them. It may also be less effective if it is taken with certain drugs, especially anti-tuberculosis (TB), some that are used to control seizures or treat certain mental illnesses and HIV/AIDS. Be sure to talk with your clinician if you take any other medicine — including herbs like St. Johns Wart and other over-the-counter medicine. Tell other clinicians you see that you are using Implanon. Implanon offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the best way for sexually active people to reduce the risk of STIs. Always use a condom if you or your partner have other sex partners. Insertion
The best time to have Implanon inserted is when you are sure you are not pregnant: within five days after the start of your period, before you discontinue the birth control pill, patch, ring, or IUD, before your next DMPA shot is due, right after an abortion, after you have a baby.
Depending on when Implanon is inserted, you may be advised to use a backup method of birth control for seven days. Before placing the Implanon rod, the skin of your upper arm is made numb with a shot of a small amount of numbing medicine. Then the rod is placed just under the skin through a needle. This area might be sore for a day or two. It is common to have bruising and/or some swelling for a few days. You may get a scar. Rarely, a woman may have arm pain that continues after that. Rarely, you may need medicine for pain or infection. You should follow the instructions you have been given about how to take care of the area where your Implanon was placed. Removal
Implanon can be taken out any time you want. It must be removed by a health care provider. Removal takes longer than insertion. Although there are usually no problems or complications, removal may be harder than insertion. You may get a scar. Implanon must be taken out at the end of three years because it will not keep you from getting pregnant after that time. Advantages of Implanon
It prevents pregnancy well; it lasts for three years; there is no medicine to take every day; there is nothing to do right before sex to make it work. Possible Disadvantages of Implanon
Some women may have the following problems related to the use of Implanon: acne, weight gain, pain at insertion site, cysts of the ovaries, mood changes, nervousness, depression, hair loss, headache, nausea (upset stomach), dizziness, decreased sexual interest and sore breasts. Most women will have changes in their menstrual periods. These changes may not improve with time. Your periods may not come on a regular schedule. You may not be able to predict when your bleeding will happen. You may have bleeding or spotting between periods. You may stop having a period. Your periods may be longer or shorter, heavier or lighter than you’re used to. It is likely that your bleeding patterns will change from time to time. If bleeding would affect your sexual relations then Implanon may not be a good choice for you. You should not use Implanon if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant; do not want your menstrual cycles to be changed in any way; know or think you might have cancer of the breast; have abnormal bleeding from your vagina that has not been evaluated by a clinician; have a serious blood clot of the legs or lungs that is not being treated. Getting pregnant while using Implanon is rare. Contact a health care provider immediately if you think you might be pregnant. If you become pregnant while using Implanon, it is more likely that the pregnancy will be outside your uterus (womb). This is called an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening. Warning Signs
Call the health center right away if you have unusually heavy bleeding; have a missed period after having regular periods on Implanon; an unusual period could be a sign of pregnancy -- feel that you might be pregnant; have been diagnosed with angina, heart attack or stroke; develop severe headache or a migraine headache; have severe pain in the stomach or abdomen; develop a new lump in your breast; have unusual swelling or pain in the legs or arms; have pus, bleeding, increased redness, or pain where Implanon was inserted; observe the implant come out or if you can no longer feel it.
If you develop sharp or crushing chest pain or coughing blood, sudden partial or complete loss of vision, or other severe symptoms call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You should tell any health provider you see that you are using Implanon.
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