The drug Implanon for contraception – installation, price and reviews

Implanon is a contraceptive implant consisting of a single rod and an applicator with which the drug is injected. Implanon subcutaneously affects the activity of the ovaries, suppresses the occurrence of ovulation, thereby preventing pregnancy at the hormonal level.

The content of the article:

What are the contraceptive properties of Implanon and Implanon NKST based on?

The drug is available under two names. However, there are no differences in the composition. The active substance of Implanon and Implanon NKST is etonogestrel. It is this component that acts as a contraceptive that does not undergo biological decay.

The implant works to suppress ovulation. After administration, etonogestrel is absorbed into the blood, already from 1-13 days, its concentration in plasma reaches its maximum value, and then decreases and by the end of 3 years disappears.

During the first two years, the young woman does not have to worry about additional contraception. The drug works with 99% efficiency. In addition, experts say that it does not affect body weight. Also, with it, bone tissue does not lose mineral density, and thrombosis does not appear.

After removal of the implant, ovarian activity quickly returns to normal and the menstrual cycle is restored.

Implanon NCTS, in contrast to implanon, is more effective. Studies have shown that it affects the patient’s body by 99.9%. This may be due to the convenient applicator, which eliminates the possibility of incorrect or deep insertion.

See also: Intrauterine device – all pros and cons

Indications and contraindications for Implanon

The drug should be used for contraceptive purposes, and not in any other.

Note that only a doctor with good practice should insert the implant. It is desirable that a medical specialist take courses and learn how to administer the drug subcutaneously.

Refuse the introduction of contraceptives containing only progestogen should be in the following diseases:

• If you are planning a pregnancy – or are already pregnant.
• In the presence of arterial or venous diseases. For example, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, heart attack.
• If you are suffering from migraines.
• With breast cancer.
• When antibodies to phospholipids are present in the body.
• If there are malignant tumors dependent on hormonal levels, or benign neoplasms of the liver.
• With liver diseases.
• If there is congenital hyperbilirubinemia.
• Bleeding is present.
• If your age is under 18. Clinical trials have not been conducted on adolescents under this age.
• For allergies and other negative manifestations of the components of the drug.

Special instructions and possible side effects:

• If any of the above disease occurred while using the drug, then its use should be abandoned immediately.
• Patients with diabetes mellitus using Implanon should be monitored by a physician due to a possible increase in blood glucose.
• There have been several cases of ectopic pregnancy occurring after drug administration.
• Possibility of chloasma. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation should be avoided.
• The effect of the drug can pass before 3 years in overweight women, and vice versa – it can act longer than this time if the girl weighs very little.
• Implanon does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
• When applied, the menstrual cycle changes, the cessation of menstruation is possible.
• As with all hormone-containing drugs, the ovaries may respond to the use of Implanon – sometimes follicles are still formed, and often they are enlarged. Enlarged follicles in the ovaries can cause pulling pain in the lower abdomen, and if ruptured, bleeding into the abdominal cavity. In some patients, the enlarged follicles disappear on their own, while others require surgery.

How Implanon is administered

The procedure takes place in three stages:

The first is preparation

You, the patient, lie on your back, turn your left arm outward, and then bend at the elbow, as shown in the figure

The doctor marks the injection site and then wipes it with a disinfectant. A point is indicated approximately 8-10 cm above the inner epicondyle of the humerus.

The second is pain relief

There are two ways to administer anesthesia. Spray or inject 2 ml of lidocaine.

Third – the introduction of the implant

Strictly must be done by a doctor! His actions:

• Leaving the protective cap on the needle, visually examines the implant. By knocking on a hard surface, it hits the tip of the needle and then removes the cap.
• Using the thumb and forefinger, pulls the skin around the marked insertion site.
• The tip of the needle inserts at a 20-30 degree angle.

• Loosens the skin.
• Directs the applicator horizontally in relation to the hand and inserts the needle to its full depth.

• Holds the applicator parallel to the surface, breaks the bridge, and then gently presses down on the slider and pulls out slowly. During the injection, the syringe remains in a fixed position, the plunger pushes the implant into the skin, and then the syringe body is slowly withdrawn.

• Checks for the presence of an implant under the skin by palpation, in no case should you press on the obturator!

• Applies a sterile napkin and a fixing bandage.

Duration of drug administration – when can Implanon be administered?

1. The drug is administered during the period With 1 to 5 days of the menstrual cycle (but no later than the fifth day).
2. After childbirth or termination of pregnancy in the 2nd trimester it can be applied on days 21-28, preferably after the end of the first menstruation. Including – and nursing mothers, because breastfeeding is not a contraindication for Implanon. The drug does not harm the baby, since it contains only an analogue of the female hormone Progesterone.
3. After an abortion or spontaneous abortion in the early stages (in the 1st trimester) Implanon is administered to a woman immediately, on the same day.

Answers to women’s questions about Implanon

• Does it hurt when administered?

Before the procedure, the doctor administers anesthesia. Women who place the implant do not complain of pain during insertion.

• Does the injection site hurt after the procedure? What if it hurts?

After the procedure, some patients had pain at the site of the implant insertion. A scar or bruise may occur. It is worth smearing this place with iodine.

• Does the implant interfere with life – during sports, household chores, etc.

The implant does not interfere with physical exertion, but when exposed to it, it can migrate from the insertion site.

• Is the implant visible externally, and does it spoil the appearance of the hand?

Not visible externally, a small scar may appear.

• What can weaken the effects of Implanon?

No drug can weaken the effect of implanon.

• How to care for the place where the implant is located – can you visit the pool, sauna, play sports?

The implant does not require special care.

You can take water treatments, go to the bath, sauna, as soon as the incision heals.

Sports also do not harm. The obturator can only change the position of the position.

• Complications after implant placement – when to see a doctor?

There were cases that the patients complained of constant weakness after the implanon injection, nausea, vomiting, and headache appeared.

If you do not feel well after the procedure, see your doctor immediately. Perhaps you have an intolerance to the components and the drug does not suit you. We’ll have to remove the implant.

When and how is Implanon replaced or removed?

The implant can be removed at any time only after consulting a doctor. Only a healthcare professional should remove or replace the implanon.

The removal procedure takes place in several stages. The patient is also prepared, the injection site is treated with an antiseptic, and then anesthesia is performed, and lidocaine is injected under the implant.

The removal procedure is carried out as follows:

• The doctor presses on the end of the implant. When a bulge appears on the skin, he makes a 2 mm incision towards the elbow.

• The medic pushes the obturator towards the incision. As soon as its tip appears, the implant is grasped with a clamp and slowly pulled on it.

• If the implant is overgrown with connective tissue, it is cut and the obturator is removed with a clamp.

• If the implant is not visible after the incision, the doctor gently grabs it inside the incision with a surgical clamp, turns it over and takes it in the other hand. With the other hand, separate the obturator from the tissue and remove.

Note that the size of the removed implant should be 4 cm. If a part remains, it is also removed.

• A sterile bandage is applied to the wound. The incision will heal within 3-5 days.

Replacement procedure carried out only after the removal of the drug. A new implant can be placed under the skin at the same location. Before the second procedure, the injection site is anesthetized.