Implanon® or the implant is a thin plastic rod that is placed under the skin, usually the inside of the upper arm, by a physician or nurse practitioner. It contains a progestin that is slowly released into the blood stream. A single implant lasts for 3 years.

How Does It Work?
Implanon® works similar to the DepoProvera® shot by preventing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucous.

Effectiveness
Implanon® is one of the most effective forms of birth control. Fewer than 1 in 100 women using Implanon® will become pregnant each year. Obesity and certain medications can reduce the effectiveness of Implanon®. The drugs that can reduce its effectiveness are:

• Rifampin
• St John’s wort
• Oral anti-fungal drugs
• Some drugs for mental illness
• Some drugs for seizures
• Some drugs for HIV

Advantages
The main advantage of Implanon® is that it is a long acting birth control (3 years). Consequently, a woman does not have to remember to take something everyday. Also, it is not permanent so fertility returns shortly after the implant is removed. It can be used in women who cannot take estrogen or who are breast feeding.

Disadvantages
Implanon® has a higher up front cost than most reversible birth control. There is also a cost to remove the Implanon®.

Side Effects
Side effects with Implanon® are similar to the DepoProvera® shot as they are both long acting progestin only contraceptives. The most common side effect is irregular bleeding. Usually periods will stop altogether after a year. Other common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Sore breasts

Women may also experience the following side effects with Implanon®:

• Acne
• Hair loss
• Change of appetite with weight gain
• Change is sex drive
• Depression
• Cysts on the ovaries

Women with the following conditions should not use Implanon®

• May be pregnant
• Has or had breast cancer
• Sensitive to any of the substances in the implant

For Further Information
Visit the Implanon® web site: http://www.implanon-usa.com