Case report Implanon and pregnancy
I. Gönenç, E.Z. Tuzcular
Vural, N. Karagüzel, G. Köse, N. Aka
Haydarpaca Numune Education and Research
Hospital, Family Planning Unit, Istanbul, Turkey
Background A 33 year old woman,
OD, G4P2Y2C2, using an Implanon implant since 11.03.2003 reported with a
complaint of nausea. She had been amenorrheic since the implant had been
inserted. She did not have any worries about not having her periods then on
because she was told that this method is safe, highly effective and may cause
amenorrhoea. Her physical and gynecological examination revealed only a bigger
than normal size uterus, with the size of an approximately seven week pregnancy.
Her pregnancy test was positive. The ultrasound scan showed an intrauterine
pregnancy of 6 weeks and 1 day. The examination of the implant showed that it
was properly inserted and was still in situ. When we deepened her medical history,
she had a history of depression and was currently using venlafaxin 75 mg PO
daily as antidepressant therapy. Her pregnancy was terminated on her request and
an IUD was fitted after the procedure.
Conclusion Although the pregnancy rates
are very low for implantable contraception, the users should be informed of the
fact that pregnancies are possible. Doctors and providers of family planning
services should perform a pregnancy test in any doubt, in all reproductive age
women regardless of the contraceptive method used.