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.

CONCLUSION

The levonorgestrel two-rod implant system is an effective, convenient, long-acting, and well-tolerated method of contraception.