New Birth Control Implant Approved by the FDA

by Heather McLaughlin

Birth Control implants are making a comeback in America. These were pulled off of the market back in the year 2000. The manufacturer, Wyeth discontinued Norplant after facing a number of lawsuits from women that suffered side effects from using the product.

Monday the Food and Drug Administration approved Implanon, a 1.5 inch rod that is implanted just under the skin of a woman’s arm and can provide protect against pregnancy for up to three years.

This procedure must be done by a trained doctor and requires a local anesthesia. The rod is inserted in the upper arm and slowly releases doses of progestin, a synthetic hormone that is much like progesterone, a hormone produced in the ovaries. It must be removed after 3 years, but can be removed at any time before if a patient chooses to.

Implanon has been used in over 30 countries since 1998 and 2.5 million women have used it, according to it’s manufacturer Organon USA Inc.

This drug might not work the same with all women. It can be less effective for women that are 30% heavier than their ideal weight, and could cause side effects such as blood clots, missed periods, or stroke.

There was no information on an exact price for this birth control method or a date when it would be available in the United States. I’ll update with any further details about this as they become available.