Is the contraceptive implant safe?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

In the past few years, traditional methods of contraception are no longer attractive to women. Many people look to new methods of contraception such as injections and implants. But like any method, they have certain pros and cons.

The implant is one of the widely used methods of contraception because of its convenience, safety, and savings. The implant is as small as a matchstick, containing the hormone progesterone, which is implanted under the arm to help. sisters "safe" from 3-5 years. During this time the implant will release the hormone progestin into the body to help prevent pregnancy for a certain period of time, depending on the type. If you want to restore fertility, you just need to go to the hospital to perform the procedure to remove the implant.

The implant contains progestin hormone, when inserted into the body, has the following effects:
Inhibiting the growth of follicles Thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Thinning of the endometrium makes it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant.

The contraceptive implant procedure usually takes place in only 2-3 minutes, is very quick, painless and leaves no scars.
Currently, on the market, there are 2 types of commonly used contraceptive implants such as:
1 capsule (Implanon): Effective in preventing pregnancy for 3 years. 2-capsule contraceptive stick (Femplant/Jadelle): Effective contraception for 4 years. Because the 1-capsule contraceptive stick (Implanon) is easy to use, simple implantation should be chosen by many women. The contraceptive implant has a good contraceptive effect, there have been no cases of pregnancy during the implantation and is especially safe for women who are breastfeeding.
When performing the contraceptive implant procedure, the doctor will numb the inside of the arm (usually the left hand), then use a special instrument to insert the implant placed under the skin. The process is quite gentle and quick. You will feel the implant like a small toothpick under the skin. The hormone progestin in the implant is released into the body to thicken the cervical mucus and prevent ovulation. When the implant stops working or you want to get pregnant again, the doctor will also numb the area and gently remove it with a tool.

The contraceptive implant has many outstanding advantages such as:
High contraceptive effect: The contraceptive implant is considered to be the "top" effective method of contraception with an effect of up to 99%, for a period of 3-5 years. Discreet implantation position: The contraceptive stick is as small as a toothpick implanted under a woman's arm, quite gently and discreetly, difficult for outsiders to notice. Very suitable for women who often forget to take their daily birth control pills or do not want to prevent pregnancy with a condom. The level of safety is quite high: The contraceptive implant is also suitable for women who cannot use estrogen-containing birth control pills, safe for both lactating women, people with high blood pressure, smokers, and people with high blood pressure. diabetes, age 40 and older. In addition, the implant is also superior to the method of placing an IUD in the uterus: reducing complications such as genital infections, slipping off the ring causing unwanted pregnancy, not affecting the relationship between husband and wife. reduce menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea. Fast recovery of fertility: When you want to have a baby again, you just need to remove the implant and you can immediately return to normal pregnancy. 90% of women will continue to ovulate about 3-4 weeks after removing the rod. A study in China showed that, 15,943 people using a contraceptive implant, the probability of pregnancy in the first year is 0.0 - 0.1%, the cumulative probability in the next 4 years is about 0.9. - 1.06%. Corresponding to 100 people, less than 1 person has failed in this method.

However, like all other methods of contraception, the insertion of the IUD does not avoid some disadvantages:
Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases: Although the implant is highly effective at preventing pregnancy (99). ,95%) is similar to sterilization, but it does not prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. High cost: Compared with other methods (eg: IUD, daily pill, condom...) the implant has a much higher cost. Complications are not excluded: Although very rare, in some cases (0.2-1%), implantation of the contraceptive implant can cause hematoma, allergies, infection at the implant site, and implantation of the implant. transfer. Women should notify the doctor soon if the implant is not palpable or the implant is bent, the implant site is swollen or anything strange.

Contraindications: Because the implant has a certain hormone progestin content, women who are suffering from diseases related to endocrine, cardiovascular, high blood pressure should not use. In addition, women who are pregnant or suspect that they are pregnant should perform a thorough test before implantation, to avoid implantation of the contraceptive while pregnant. You are taking certain medications that can reduce the effectiveness of birth control, such as drugs for tuberculosis, HIV, epilepsy, some antibiotics such as Rifabutin or Rifampicin. Unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex. Patients with a history of breast cancer, blood clots, liver disease, or stroke should also not use this form of birth control. Master. Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen is highly trained in obstetric ultrasound, laparoscopic surgery and hysteroscopy at the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has more than 13 years of experience working at Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
Currently the doctor is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System on nationwide, or register online HERE

MORE
Contraceptive patch: What you need to know Contraception with pills, patches and rings Hormonal methods of contraception: Patch, vaginal ring, injection, implant