One Year Study of Implanon on the Adverse Events and Discontinuation
Somsak Chaovisitsaree, MD*, Wirawit Piyamongkol, MD, PhD*, Saipin Pongsatha, MD*, Nuntana Morakote, MPH*, Supranee Noium, BSc*, Nuchanart Soonthornlimsiri, BSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
Objective : To determine adverse events and discontinuation of Implanon in healthy Thai women between 16
and 45 years of age.
Design : Prospective descriptive study.
Setting : Family Planning Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai
University.
Subjects : Ninety-two female volunteers with eligible criteria, no contraindication for hormonal contraceptive
and wished to have long term contraception were recruited.
Main outcome measures: Determination of adverse events was done three months after Implanon insertion.
Discontinuation of Implanon use was reviewed during the study period of one year.
Results : 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.
Conclusion : 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.
Keywords : Implanon, Hormonal contraceptive implant, Adverse event, Discontinuation
