SINCE THE ADVENT
Many women find it difficult to remember to take a pill every day, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies. In answer to this problem, methods that are just as effective as the pill but that require less remembering--like the IUD, the patch and the vaginal ring--were created.
Despite all of this innovation, the perfect birth control method for all women has yet to be found, but options continue to evolve.
One of the latest is an implantable progestin-
You might remember that I wrote about this last year, when the FDA first approved it. Now that it's been on the market for a while, I want to provide more information.
Implanon provides up to three years of contraception by way of a rod that is about the size of a matchstick that is inserted into the upper, inner arm.
It can be put in place in the doctor's office. An injection of local anesthetic is given at the site on the arm where the Implanon will be placed, and an instrument is used to insert it just under the skin. Other than the stick and sting of the anesthetic, the insertion is painless.
There may be some soreness and bruising for a few days after the insertion, but this will resolve on its own.
The whole process takes only about 10 to 15 minutes.
Just like any other method of birth control, Implanon has its pluses and its minuses.
Its pluses are that it provides birth control protection for up to three years, making remembering to use your birth control unnecessary.
It has a hormone similar to what's in the three-month birth control shot without many of the negative side effects. In pre-market studies, women were not found to experience weight gain, mood swings or bone loss with Implanon, problems that can occur with the shot.
The main downside is that Implanon will cause irregular bleeding. The birth control shot typically causes breakthrough bleeding for the first three to six months, but then most women stop having periods. Implanon can cause irregular bleeding for the whole three years, but the average number of days each month of bleeding should be no more than a typical period.
The solution to this problem, for women who are interested in this method of birth control, is to make sure to always have a tampon or pad available, just in case.
After three years, the rod is removed in the doctor's office and can be replaced with another at the same time if desired.
Implanon is similar to another form of birth control, Norplant, although Implanon contains only one rod instead of Norplant's six. Norplant was taken off the market several years ago because of problems including difficulty with removal.
Having learned from this, the FDA and Organon (the maker of Implanon) require health care providers to undergo a training course to learn how to insert and remove Implanon, as well as troubleshoot any problems that may arise before being certified to insert it. (I and several other local practitioners just recently underwent the training.)
Anyone who's interested in Implanon can go to the company's Web site (im planon-usa.com), type in their e-mail address, ZIP code and distance they will travel, and a list of providers in your area who have been trained to insert Implanon will be e-mailed to you.
So, for women who have not found the birth control method that's for them, give Implanon a look. It offers one more effective birth control choice, and since we're all different, the more choices the better.
Dr. Arlene Lewis welcomes reader comments and questions. She can be reached by writing to her at Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va., 22401 or by e-mail at| Dr. Arlene Lewis is a gynecologist in private practice at Thrive! Health and Wellness Center for Women in Fredericksburg. |