One year study of Implanon on the adverse events and discontinuation

To determine adverse events and discontinuation of Implanon in healthy Thai women between 16 and 45 years of age.

Prospective descriptive study.

Family Planning Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.

Ninety-two female volunteers with eligible criteria, no contraindication for hormonal contraceptive and wished to have long-term contraception were recruited.

Determination of adverse events was done three months after Implanon insertion. Discontinuation of Implanon use was reviewed during the study period of one year

Amenorrhea (40.2%) and infrequent bleeding (39.1%) were the most menstrual adverse events. While most non-menstrual adverse events were headache/dizziness (27.2%) and lower abdominal pain (23.9%). Severe non-menstrual side effect was rare (1-2%). Seven subjects (7.6%) discontinued using Implanon during the one year period of study.

Implanon demonstrated a high continue rate at the first year of insertion. It produced similar adverse events like other progestin-only contraceptives. Counseling before insertion is important for increased client satisfaction and a higher continuation rate.