The levonorgestrel two-rod implant for long-acting contraception: 10 years of clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the effectiveness, side effects, and retention rate of the levonorgestrel two-rod implant used as a long-acting contraceptive.


METHODS
Voluntary participants, ages 18-40 years and desiring long-acting contraception, were enrolled in the study. The original design was to observe the participants for 5 years. Later, the follow-up period was extended to 6 years.


RESULTS
A total of 249 women underwent two-rod implant insertion and were observed for a total of 823 woman-years. There were two pregnancies observed during the study, yielding a pregnancy rate of 0.24 per 100 woman-years. One pregnancy occurred in the first month, and the other occurred after 6 years of use. The major side effect was menstrual irregularity. No serious side effects were observed during the study. Insertion of the device was easy and took less than 2 minutes; removal time averaged 4.5 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
The levonorgestrel two-rod implant system is an effective, convenient, long-acting, and well-tolerated method of contraception.
Wan
Livia S
LS
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA. livia.wan@med.nyu.edu
Stiber
Andrew
A
Lam
Lai-yet
LY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel