Implanon: An Easy, Effective and Long-lasting Birth Control Method

If you have ever used the birth control pill, you know how nerve-wracking it can be. While a birth control pill is typically a highly effective method of preventing pregnancy, missing one pill means all bets are off. With some birth control pills, just missing your dose by a few hours can make the rest of your monthly batch ineffective. This is a risk many women cannot afford to take. Thankfully, there is Implanon: an easy, effective and long-lasting birth control method that doesn't require a daily dose.

Implanon is Effective

Implanon is a small, thin hormonal contraceptive that is implanted under your skin. The small rod releases a low, steady dose of progestin, a synthetic hormone similar to the progesterone made in the ovaries. It works by thickening the mucus on the women's cervix, preventing the sperm from fertilizing the egg. (1)

Implanon is effective for 3 years, but can be removed at any time. A progestin-only birth control method, Implanon is suitable for most women, including those who are breast-feeding. Contrary to the pill, Implanon is over 99% effective. Similarly, unlike the pill, Implanon's effectiveness is not affected by forgetfulness.

Implanon is Safe

Implanon was approved in July 2006 by the FDA; however implantable contraceptives have been on the market for almost 2 decades. Some women may remember Norplant, one such implantable contraceptive. Norplant was introduced in 1990 and was considered to be a medical advancement among birth control methods. Not all women enjoyed Norplant, however, citing uncomfortable side effects from the 6 rod implant. It was eventually taken off of the market. Implanon is an improved version of Norplant. With only 1 rod, it has less risk of complications at insertion and removal. Also, unlike Norplant's 7 year effectiveness, Implanon is only effective for 3 years. Like any birth control method, Implanon is not without potential side effects. One of the biggest side effects of Implanon is a change in menstrual cycle, including irregular and unpredictable periods. (2)

Implanon is Easy