Texas Tech

For most women, the best birth control is the kind that you can forget about for a long period of time. Implanon fits that description.

  "Implanon is a small, insertable elastic rod that releases hormones over a period of three years," says Dr. Chris Maguire, assistant professor and residency program director at Texas Tech Physicians of the Permian Basin. "It's an ideal solution for women who want the convenience of a long-term use contraceptive."

  The Implanon rod is about the diameter of the end of a large paper clip and 4 cm (1 and 1/2 in.) long. It is inserted into the inner surface of a woman's non-dominant arm.

  The time-released hormone becomes effective rapidly.

  "If the rod is implanted while the women is menstruating, the rod is effective immediately," Dr. Maguire says. "If the rod is inserted at any other time, we recommend seven days of backup contraception."

  If a woman decides she wants to become pregnant before the end of three years, her return to fertility is similarly rapid.

"Depending on a woman's natural fertility, she can become pregnant very rapidly, within two or three months."

  The Implanon rod is similar to the old Norplant contraception method, but smaller and easier to insert and remove. Norplant required six rods, compared to one for Implanon. A single needle is used to insert the Implanon rod.

  "The most pain a woman will feel during the insertion is probably the sting of the local anesthetic, which lasts about seven seconds," Dr. Maguire says. "She will feel some pushing and pulling on her arm as the rod is inserted, but no pain."

  At three years of effectiveness, Implanon lasts longer than other hormone-based methods of birth control. It compares to oral contraceptives, which must be taken daily; contraceptive patches, which must be changed weekly, and the vaginal ring, which must be changed monthly.

  "Implanon is better for adolescent users because it requires less compliance," he says. "Of course, no contraceptive, not even a condom, protects completely against sexually transmitted diseases."

  Side effects from the Implanon rod are similar to those using other methods of hormone contraception. Some tenderness and swelling may occur at the insertion site. Reports of menstrual irregularity and headaches occur, but, in most cases, the side effects are not severe enough for the woman to stop using the rod.

  In the case of one side effect, the Implanon rod compares favorably to oral contraceptives.

  "Weight gain is amazingly small," Dr. Maguire says. "It's only up to three pounds, compared to five to 10 pounds for oral contraceptives. Some women don't report any weight gain."

  Implanon has been available in the Permian Basin for almost two years. Implanon can only be inserted by a healthcare provider who has completed the FDA-specified training course. Health care providers who wish to offer Implanon to their patients should get in touch with their Implanon representative, Dr. Maguire says.

  The Implanon device is available at the Texas Tech Health Center, 701 W. 5th St., and at Texas Tech at Tanglewood, 4241 Tanglewood Lane. For information or to schedule an appointment, call (432) 335-5233.