Insertion and 3-year follow-up experience of 372 etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implants by family physicians in Granada, Spain

BackgroundUser profile, continuation rate, reasons for discontinuation, problems during insertion and removal, and effectiveness of an etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant (ESCI) were assessed.Study DesignA follow-up of 372 women 3 years after insertion of an ESCI performed by family physicians in Granada, Spain, by means of consultations, examination of medical records and telephone interviews.ResultsData were available for 356 (95.7%) women. The average age was 27.2 years, and 159 (42.7%) were nulliparous. Continuation rates were 91.0% at 1 year, 74.7% at 2 years and 65.1% at 2 years and 9 months. The main reasons for discontinuation were excessive bleeding (44, 12.4%), wish to become pregnant (44, 12.4%) and side effects not related to menstruation (21, 5.9%). However, 141 (39.6%) received a second implant when the first one expired. No pregnancy occurred in 893.4 women-years.ConclusionsFamily physicians can achieve excellent results with the ESCI. It should be included in the range of contraceptives offered by primary care physicians.