In this Article

• Introduction to birth control
• Hormonal methods of contraception
• Oral hormones: the pill
• Injection: depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)
• Contraceptive patch: Ortho-Evra
• Vaginal ring: NuvaRing
• Contraceptive implants
• Hormonal Methods of Birth Control Index

Contraceptive implants (Implanon)

A contraceptive implant known as Implanon is available in the U.S. Implanon provides contraception by the slow release of the progestin etonogestrel over a period of three years. Implanon is a thin rod that is inserted in the upper arm under local anesthesia. Protection from pregnancy occurs within 24 hours of insertion of the rod. One advantage of the Implanon rod is that fertility rapidly returns after removal of the rod.

Preliminary studies of the product showed that it was generally well tolerated and effective in preventing pregnancy. However, these studies showed that irregular bleeding is a possible side effect of the product.

As with all other hormonal methods of birth control, Implanon will not protect a woman against sexually transmitted infections.

Previous contributing authors: Barbara K. Hecht, PhD and Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, FACP

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• Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives) - Read about the different types of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) such as monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic. Find out which birth control pill may be the best for you.
• Natural Methods of Birth Control - Natural methods of birth control are non-mechanical and non-hormonal. They are also considered fertility awareness methods and there are a variety of choices for natural birth control.
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