Side effects and acceptability of Implanon: a pilot study conducted in eastern Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess side effects during the first 6 months of use of Implanon.


METHODS
The study was conducted in eastern Turkey between June 2004 and May 2005. Forty-one healthy women, aged 18-40 years who chose to use Implanon participated in the study. The implant was inserted between days 1 and 5 of the menstrual cycle. Findings were recorded before and during 6 months following insertion. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS package programme including paired samples t-test.


RESULTS
No pregnancy occurred during the study. Ninety days after initiation of therapy, three of the 41 patients (7.3%) had regular periods, 14 (34.1%) were amenorrhoeic and the remaining 24 (58.5%) had some type of abnormal bleeding. Dysmenorrhoea affected significantly less women (1/41, i.e. 2.4%) than before treatment (17/41, i.e. 41.5%), but mastalgia increased significantly as it was reported by five previously unaffected participants (12.2%). Mood changes appeared in seven patients (17.1%) and acne in 11 of them (26.8%). The circulating levels of protein C, total cholesterol and oestradiol dropped significantly. Endometrial thickness decreased significantly. At completion of the study period, removal of the implant was requested by eight of the 41 patients (19.5%) because of irregular bleeding (six women), depressive symptoms requiring treatment (one woman) or weight gain (one woman).


CONCLUSIONS
Mainly because of irregular bleeding, the discontinuation rate of Implanon at 6 months among the women in this region is high (19.5%).
Yildizbas
Beyhan
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.
Sahin
H Guler
HG
Kolusari
Ali
A
Zeteroglu
Sahin
S
Kamaci
Mansur
M
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000139:chemically induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020878:Device Removal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004343:Drug Implants; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014421:Turkey; D014944:World Health Organization
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; C044815:etonogestrel; D017135:Desogestrel