Patient Resource Center
New at South Hills OBGYN: Implanon Inserts
Are you considering long-term birth control? If so, Implanon is an exciting contraceptive device that Our doctors are now inserting for interested patients. Implanon is a small, thin rod that you can have implanted just below the skin of your upper arm. It is effective for up to three years, and is great for busy women who don’t want to worry about taking birth control pills every day.
Implanon contains a hormone called etonogestrel as opposed to estrogen, so it is safe and often recommended to use even for women who cannot use estrogen. In addition, an Implanon rod does not contain any latex or silicone, and it does not dissolve. It is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancies; it does so by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg, changing the mucus in your cervix, which prevents sperm from reaching an egg, and changing the lining in your uterus.
Implanon is inserted by a minor surgical procedure that can be done right here at South Hills OBGYN. Our doctors will insert the rod into your arm, and after it is inserted, Implanon usually cannot be seen. However, you should be able to feel Implanon by pressing your fingertips over the skin in your arm where the device was placed. Implanon works for up to three years, at which time it must be removed, again, with a minor surgical procedure that can be done in our office. If you wish to continue using Implanon, Our doctors can insert a new Implanon in the same place or in your other arm, depending on your preference.
Besides being effective and discreet, Implanon has a number of other benefits. First of all, once Implanon is inserted, it will work without you having to do any additional tasks, so you don’t need to worry about taking pills each morning or scheduling shots every few months. Furthermore, Implanon is easily reversible. If, at any time during the three years after Implanon is inserted, you decide that you would like to have children, Our doctors can remove the device, and your ability to conceive should return very quickly.
Be sure to talk to Dr. Rankin before deciding whether or not Implanon is right for you. For example, you should not use this birth control if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or have serious blood clots, unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, breast cancer, or allergies to anything in Implanon. Side effects of Implanon are generally mild and include irregular periods, headache, vaginitis, weight gain, acne, pain, mood swings, and flu-like symptoms.
Implanon is an effective, convenient contraceptive device; still, make sure you are aware of some important safety information. Like other birth control insertions, injections, and pills, Implanon does not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, so be sure that you and your partner both get tested and take measures to prevent the transmission of STDs. Also, it is very important that you have Implanon removed after three years; failure to do so could result in ectopic pregnancy, infertility, or other serious complications.
That being said, Implanon is an easy, safe way to maintain your birth control effectively for three years. It is dependable, discreet, and easily reversible. If you are considering birth control and are interested in learning more about Implanon, talk to Dr. Rankin to see if Implanon is right for you. You can also read more about Implanon on its website at www.implanon-usa.com.