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The Handbook of Contraception pp 139–164Cite as

Implantable Contraception

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Abstract

Contraceptive implants are progestin-based, highly effective, and rapidly reversible methods of contraception that require little of the user and have few side effects. Over the past 35 years they have been approved in more than 60 countries and used by millions of women worldwide (Meirik et al., Hum Reprod Update 9(1):49–59, 2003). Their high efficacy along with ease of use makes them a good contraceptive option for women who require progestin-only methods, teens who find adherence to a contraceptive regime difficult, as well as healthy adult women who desire long-term protection. In most countries, two different contraceptive implants are available: the single-rod etonogestrel implant and the two-rod levonorgestrel system. The pharmacological profile and physical effects of all the implantable contraceptives are similar. While the etonogestrel implant is the only form of implantable contraception available in the United States (and the focus of this chapter), clinicians may encounter other systems in use worldwide.

Keywords

  • Progestin-based
  • Contraceptive regime
  • Single-rod etonogestrel implant
  • Two-rod levonorgestrel system

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Ward 6D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA

    Valerie A. French MD, MAS

  2. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 335, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA

    Philip D. Darney MD, MSc

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  1. Valerie A. French MD, MAS
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Correspondence to Valerie A. French MD, MAS .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck Medical School at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Donna Shoupe

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, California, USA

    Daniel R. Mishell, Jr.

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French, V.A., Darney, P.D. (2016). Implantable Contraception. In: Shoupe, D., Mishell, Jr., D. (eds) The Handbook of Contraception. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_9

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