Subdermal Contraceptive Device: The Implications for Reproductive Health

The need to control population growth rate, meet families and improve health care status were among the reasons for the introduction of contraceptive devices such as subdermal implant. The effectiveness of subdermal devices tends to surpass other forms of contraceptive and family planning methods as it guarantees pregnancy prevention. This paper addresses contraceptive devices such as subdermal implant and the role in reproductive health to promote the use of this device. The advantages of these subdermal implants include the long-term contraceptive action, low dose of highly effective contraception, and quick reversal to fertility after the removal of implants. It explains the mechanism of action of subdermal implant as it can be implanted in the upper arm of a woman to exhibit long-term contraception. Some of the benefits of subdermal implant are that it lasts for 3-5 years, pregnancy can occur after removal, it does not affect breastfeeding and it is inexpensive and highly effective among others. The most common adverse effects of using subdermal implant are irregular vaginal bleeding, amenorrhea, headache while the disadvantages of contraceptive subdermal implant are inability to prevent sexually transmitted infections and contraindication with the use of antibiotics. It was concluded that contraceptive use such as subdermal devices reduces the need for unsafe abortion by preventing unwanted pregnancies, thereby minimizing the cases of unsafe abortion that causes death. With regard to this, it was recommended that health providers and family planning professionals should provide couples with contraceptive information to improve reproductive health. The paper recommended that couples should make joint decisions on the choice of birth control device use such as subdermal implant. In addition, women should go for contraceptive counselling on the suitable type of long-lasting birth control method to reduce the risk of complications and side effects.