Continuity of Implanon usage after three years of use
K Ertopcu,
MM Inal, N Kokturk, I Ozelmas, S Tinar
Aegean Obst&Gyn Teaching and Research
Hospital Family Planning Department, Izmir, Turkey
Objective Evaluation of
contentment from and continuity of the subdermal contraceptive implant (Implanon)
after 3 years of usage
Methods Implanon applied cases who had admitted to our
Family Planning Department for contraception throughout 2002 were enrolled into
the study. Age, educational status, pregnancy and children number, contraceptive
methods used before Implanon and reproductive targets of all cases were
evaluated. Cases who discontinue the method, causes of discontinuation, time of
discontinuation and new chosen methods were recorded. Demographic
characteristics of all cases from each group was compared.
Results Implanon
applied 68 cases were enrolled into the study. Thirtyseven of the cases (54.4%)
used Implanon for 3 years (until the end of expiry date). Thirtyone of the cases
discontinued the method (45.6%). Discontinuation time periods were as follows;
6.5% of the cases in the first 6 months, 13% of the cases in between 6-12 months,
48% of the cases in between 13-24 months, and 32% of the cases in between 25-36
months. Causes of the method discontinuation were menometrorhagia with a rate of
42% and amennorhea with a rate of 13%.
Most frequently chosen method after
discontinuation of Implanon was oral contraceptives with a rate of 35.5%.
Percentage of the cases who had completed the 3 years with Implanon reported
their contentment was 86.5%. But 37.5% of this group declared that they couldnot
continue the method because of financial problems. 25% of the cases discontinued
the method because of baby desire. 18.75% of the cases were undecided for the
continuation the method. And Implanon was again applied to the rest 18.75% of
the cases.
Sixty-eight percent of the cases who discontinued the method was in between
20-30 years of age group, whereas 65% of this age group used Implanon for
contraception for three years. Method discontinuation rate over 41 years of age
group was 3.2%, and rate of cases who completed the three years period from this
age group was 13.5%. Rate of university graduated cases was 5.8% in discontinued
group, whereas 2.9% in completed group. 42% of the cases who discontinued the
method were using coitus interruptus as a contraceptive method before Implanon
experience, but this rate was 19% of the cases who completed the three years
with the method. 48% of the cases who discontinued the method had 1 child, but
35% of the cases who completed the three years with the method had one child.
Conclusion Demographic characteristics are not the primary factor affecting the
discontinuation rate of the subdermal contraceptive implant (Implanon). Besides
detailed and descriptive counselority given before the method application will
affect the continuity of the method positively.