Women have many important decisions to make and at the top of that list is choosing the right birth control method that is safe. There are a multitude of options that may be considered, including the popular choice of the oral contraception, commonly known as the “pill.” Women often fear the possible long term ramifications of birth control for obvious reasons.
Thanks to Merck & Co., there is a new, continuous, reversible birth control option. Nexplanon is a subdermal etonogestrel contraceptive implant that is inserted just under the skin of a woman’s arm. It provides 3 years of protection and may be removed at anytime.
This type of birth control is available only by prescription since it must be implanted by a medical professional to ensure proper placement and effectiveness.
Effectiveness Of Nexplanon
Long-acting reversible contraceptives, like Nexplanon, have been shown to be the most effective form of contraception available. When comparisons were studied between tubal ligation and these implants, the results showed that contraceptive implants were almost 10 times more effective at preventing pregnancy.
When the implant did fail, it was attributed to either improper placement of the product or because of antibiotics and other medications which interfered with the implant.
The makers of Nexplanon state that the implant is 99% effective, which is similar to birth control pills. They point out that with the pill, it’s easy to forget to take one every day. With the Nexplanon implant, there’s nothing to do or remember.
Is Nexplanon The Right Choice For Everyone?
According to the company’s website, there are certain people who SHOULD NOT use Nexplanon:
- Those with high blood pressure
- Have a history of depression or mood swings
- Diabetics
- Those with liver, gallbladder or kidney disease
- Those with high cholesterol and triglycerides
- Have had breast cancer (or any other cancer sensitive to progestin)
- Those who have had blood clots, heart attacks or strokes
- Should not be used if pregnant or possibly pregnant
- Experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Those with a history of headaches
The maker’s of Nexplanon suggest that women who fall into any of the categories listed, find an alternate method of birth control.
Possible Side Effects With Nexplanon
As with any prescription medication, there are side effects to research and consider before choosing to use Nexplanon. Users of the implant report the following as the most common side effects:
Change In Menstrual Bleeding Patterns – Users may experience longer or shorter bleeding during their cycles and may stop bleeding entirely. 1 out of 10 women have the implant removed because of adverse bleeding patterns.
Possible Weight Gain – Women may experience weight gain when using the implant.
Insertion Complications – While this is generally a very safe procedure, there are rare cases of expulsion of the implant and there is a slight risk of infection. Common complaints were bruising, tenderness and redness around the injection site.
Migration Of The Implant – While extremely rare, there are reported cases of the implant actually traveling outside of the intended area resulting in a serious complication and the need to immediately locate and remove the device. With Nexplanon, x-rays will be utilized since each implant has barium sulphate added to the core to make finding the implant through such a procedure possible.
Mood Swings And Mild Depression – While taking any medication that contains hormones, users may experience erratic mood swings and some mild depression. If depression worsens, it is recommended to consult with a physician.
Ectopic Pregnancy – In the event that a pregnancy occurs while using the Nexplanon implant, there is a slightly increased chance that an ectopic pregnancy (meaning outside the womb) may result.
Ovarian Cysts – Women taking hormones are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cysts.
Serious Blood Clots – Any product that contains hormones increases the chances of developing life threatening blood clots. It is even possible to die from a serious blood clot, including heart attack and stroke. Women who smoke are at a higher risk for serious blood clots and should not use this product.
How Long Has Nexplanon Been Available?
The Nexplanon implant was first approved for use in Indonesia in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2006 that the device was approved for use in the U.S.
The company’s website states that more than 11 million women have used the Nexplanon implant in more than 60 countries around the world.
What hormones Are In The Nexplanon Birth Control Implant?
The actual implant is about the size of a matchstick and contains 68 mg of etonogestrel, a type of progestin and is the only hormone found in Nexplanon. This hormone works by suppressing ovulation, so preventing pregnancy.
The implant is also called a rod and is made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, which is a medically approved silicone material. This rod is loaded into a disposable needed and injected at the inner arm of the non-dominant upper arm.
Is Nexplanon The New Choice In Contraception?
There are certainly many more choices in the 21st century, when it comes to a woman’s right to choose a safe, effective birth control, than there was just a few decades ago. Many times, it’s really a couple that is choosing the birth control, and not considered just the woman’s responsibility anymore.
Those that are looking for a birth control that is easy, convenient and can’t be forgotten, may want to consider the Nexplanon contraceptive implant. Statistics show that there is no other birth control product more effective than a continuous, reversible method like Nexplanon.
Mixed Reviews For Nexplanon
The reviews for this product were a little hard to discern since every single user reported that the Nexplanon birth control implant worked as intended to prevent pregnancy. But, even though it did what it was supposed to do, there were many users that reported numerous side effects and stated that they would not choose the implant again for their method of contraception.
The majority of the complaints from users of Nexplanon was heavier than normal bleeding, continuous spotting and cramping. Another common complaint was mood swings and depression even after the implant was removed.
Women have many important decisions to make and at the top of that list is choosing the right birth control method that is safe. There are a multitude of options that may be considered, including the popular choice of the oral contraception, commonly known as the “pill.” Women often fear the possible long term ramifications of birth control for obvious reasons.
Thanks to Merck & Co., there is a new, continuous, reversible birth control option. Nexplanon is a subdermal etonogestrel contraceptive implant that is inserted just under the skin of a woman’s arm. It provides 3 years of protection and may be removed at anytime.
This type of birth control is available only by prescription since it must be implanted by a medical professional to ensure proper placement and effectiveness.
Effectiveness Of Nexplanon
Long-acting reversible contraceptives, like Nexplanon, have been shown to be the most effective form of contraception available. When comparisons were studied between tubal ligation and these implants, the results showed that contraceptive implants were almost 10 times more effective at preventing pregnancy.
When the implant did fail, it was attributed to either improper placement of the product or because of antibiotics and other medications which interfered with the implant.
The makers of Nexplanon state that the implant is 99% effective, which is similar to birth control pills. They point out that with the pill, it’s easy to forget to take one every day. With the Nexplanon implant, there’s nothing to do or remember.
Is Nexplanon The Right Choice For Everyone?
According to the company’s website, there are certain people who SHOULD NOT use Nexplanon:
- Those with high blood pressure
- Have a history of depression or mood swings
- Diabetics
- Those with liver, gallbladder or kidney disease
- Those with high cholesterol and triglycerides
- Have had breast cancer (or any other cancer sensitive to progestin)
- Those who have had blood clots, heart attacks or strokes
- Should not be used if pregnant or possibly pregnant
- Experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Those with a history of headaches
The maker’s of Nexplanon suggest that women who fall into any of the categories listed, find an alternate method of birth control.
Possible Side Effects With Nexplanon
As with any prescription medication, there are side effects to research and consider before choosing to use Nexplanon. Users of the implant report the following as the most common side effects:
Change In Menstrual Bleeding Patterns – Users may experience longer or shorter bleeding during their cycles and may stop bleeding entirely. 1 out of 10 women have the implant removed because of adverse bleeding patterns.
Possible Weight Gain – Women may experience weight gain when using the implant.
Insertion Complications – While this is generally a very safe procedure, there are rare cases of expulsion of the implant and there is a slight risk of infection. Common complaints were bruising, tenderness and redness around the injection site.
Migration Of The Implant – While extremely rare, there are reported cases of the implant actually traveling outside of the intended area resulting in a serious complication and the need to immediately locate and remove the device. With Nexplanon, x-rays will be utilized since each implant has barium sulphate added to the core to make finding the implant through such a procedure possible.
Mood Swings And Mild Depression – While taking any medication that contains hormones, users may experience erratic mood swings and some mild depression. If depression worsens, it is recommended to consult with a physician.
Ectopic Pregnancy – In the event that a pregnancy occurs while using the Nexplanon implant, there is a slightly increased chance that an ectopic pregnancy (meaning outside the womb) may result.
Ovarian Cysts – Women taking hormones are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cysts.
Serious Blood Clots – Any product that contains hormones increases the chances of developing life threatening blood clots. It is even possible to die from a serious blood clot, including heart attack and stroke. Women who smoke are at a higher risk for serious blood clots and should not use this product.
How Long Has Nexplanon Been Available?
The Nexplanon implant was first approved for use in Indonesia in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2006 that the device was approved for use in the U.S.
The company’s website states that more than 11 million women have used the Nexplanon implant in more than 60 countries around the world.
What hormones Are In The Nexplanon Birth Control Implant?
The actual implant is about the size of a matchstick and contains 68 mg of etonogestrel, a type of progestin and is the only hormone found in Nexplanon. This hormone works by suppressing ovulation, so preventing pregnancy.
The implant is also called a rod and is made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, which is a medically approved silicone material. This rod is loaded into a disposable needed and injected at the inner arm of the non-dominant upper arm.
Is Nexplanon The New Choice In Contraception?
There are certainly many more choices in the 21st century, when it comes to a woman’s right to choose a safe, effective birth control, than there was just a few decades ago. Many times, it’s really a couple that is choosing the birth control, and not considered just the woman’s responsibility anymore.
Those that are looking for a birth control that is easy, convenient and can’t be forgotten, may want to consider the Nexplanon contraceptive implant. Statistics show that there is no other birth control product more effective than a continuous, reversible method like Nexplanon.
Mixed Reviews For Nexplanon
The reviews for this product were a little hard to discern since every single user reported that the Nexplanon birth control implant worked as intended to prevent pregnancy. But, even though it did what it was supposed to do, there were many users that reported numerous side effects and stated that they would not choose the implant again for their method of contraception.
The majority of the complaints from users of Nexplanon was heavier than normal bleeding, continuous spotting and cramping. Another common complaint was mood swings and depression even after the implant was removed.
