- Implantable contraceptives are a temporary method of birth control. The drug is a progestogen hormone, similar to injectable contraceptives. The mechanism of contraception is to make the mucus at the cervix thick and sticky, making it difficult for sperm to pass into the uterine cavity, and to inhibit ovulation.
2. Can provide contraception for 3 years and 5 years, depending on the type of drug, with an effectiveness of up to 99 percent.
3. The implantable contraceptive is implanted in the inner upper arm, midway between the armpit and the elbow, under the skin. The wound will be very small, no stitches are needed, just cover with a small plaster. The wound will heal normally within 3-5 days. After the procedure, do not let it get wet for 7 days. After 7 days, a follow-up appointment will be made to check the wound again.
4. The implantable contraceptive should be implanted within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle, or within 1 week after a miscarriage, or within 4-6 weeks after childbirth.
5. **After termination of pregnancy, fertility will return to normal in a short time, with ovulation possibly occurring within only 2-3 weeks.**
6. Advantages of implantable contraceptives include:
1. High effectiveness in preventing pregnancy
2. Convenient as there is no need to worry about forgetting, unlike oral contraceptives or injections
3. Few side effects
4. No effect on milk secretion, can be used in breastfeeding women
5. Does not alter liver function
6. Long-lasting, providing contraception for 3-5 years
7. Additional benefits from the effects of progestogen hormones, such as preventing ectopic pregnancy, possibly preventing endometrial cancer, and reducing menstrual pain
8. Fertility returns to normal quickly after stopping the use of implantable contraceptives, as the hormone is released in small amounts and does not accumulate in the body, allowing for normal conception after stopping the drug.
7. After the implant, side effects may occur, such as spotting, which may stop soon or there may be no menstruation. Some cases may require oral contraceptive pills containing 0.05 mg of estrogen, one tablet per day for about 7-10 days, to reduce spotting. Rare side effects include weight gain, acne, headache, and some may experience irritation, pain, or slight redness at the implant site, but these are usually temporary.
8. Implantable contraceptives do not cause weight gain or loss, nor do they cause melasma or darkening of the face. Dizziness that occurs may not be related to the implantable contraceptive, but the exact cause should be determined first.
9. Services can be accessed at healthcare facilities that offer such services. Adolescents under 20 years old and all ages after pregnancy termination receive free services. You can check for safe health service facilities on the RSA volunteer network website: https://rsathai.org/healthservice