Contraceptive implants: A review and current perspective in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Contraceptive implants are highly cost‑effective forms of long‑acting reversible contraception. They are the most effective reversible contraceptives and are more effective than sterilization. Pregnancies are rare in women using this method of contraception, and those that do occur must be fully investigated. There are very few contraindications to use of implants, and they have an excellent safety profile with very high acceptability and continuation rate. Other benefits include noninterference with intercourse, immediate onset of action, and return to fertility after removal, improvements in dysmenorrhea, ovulatory pain, and endometriosis. Despite the numerous advantages, the uptake of contraceptive implants is still very low in the southwestern part of Nigeria. This may be due to lack of public awareness about their numerous benefits. Efforts should be made to increase awareness via campaigns and health education. Also, there should be easy accessibility to the contraceptive implants and continuous training of family planning providers on the insertion and removal techniques.

Keywords: Contraceptive; etonogestrel; levonorgestrel; long‑acting reversible contraception; progestin‑only; subdermal implant