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Contraceptive Technology Update – August 1, 2013

August 1, 2013

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  • Ovarian cancer — What can be done to prevent spread of the disease?

    Women with breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutations are at risk for breast and ovarian cancers. Ovarian cancer often escapes early detection because laboratory and imaging screening tools are less effective than those developed for breast cancer. Ovarian cancer is marked with a less-robust five-year survival rate (44%), compared with nearly 90% for breast cancer.
  • U.S. drops age limits for Plan B One-Step

    The United States is dropping its appeal against a court order to lift age restrictions on emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) so the best-known ECP, Plan B One-Step, may be sold over the counter to women of all ages.
  • Effectiveness of training for implants confirmed

    Effectiveness of training for implants confirmed

    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    An analysis of a clinical training program instituted at the 2006 introduction of the single-rod etonogestrel contraceptive implant Implanon shows that complications in the first five years have been low.

    Problems related to device insertion and removal led to the market withdrawal of Norplant, the first generation six-rod contraceptive implant system. With Implanon, the manufacturer instituted a unique mandatory clinical training program to ensure that only trained clinicians had access to the implant. A related active monitoring program was instituted to assess insertion, localization, and removal-related events.

    In received reports reflecting more than 25,000 single-rod implant insertions and removals, the overall complication rate for the implant was very low, and no complications resulted in hospitalization.

    Data gathered from a clinical training program instituted at the 2006 introduction of the single-rod etonogestrel contraceptive implant Implanon (Merck & Co., Whitehouse Station, NJ) show that complications in the first five years of device use have been low, indicating the success of the program.1

    Problems related to insertion and particularly removal led to Wyeth (now Pfizer) removing Norplant, the first generation six-rod contraceptive implant system, from the market, recalls Andrew Kaunitz, MD, professor and associate chair in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville. When Implanon was introduced, Merck instituted a unique mandatory clinical training program to ensure that only trained clinicians had access to the implant. A related active monitoring program was instituted as part of the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) postapproval commitment to monitor the programs effectiveness through tracking insertion, localization, and removal-related events.

    Of 42,238 clinicians who completed the training from July 2006 to October 2011, 4,294 (10.2%) enrolled in the monitoring program. A total of 25,629 forms (20,466 insertions, 5,163 removals) were collected and subsequently submitted to the FDA. A total of 1,227 insertion, localization, and removal-related events were reported from 538 women.

    Among insertion-related events, difficult insertion was the most common (80%, 156/195). Difficult removal was the most common removal-related event that was reported, and it represented 95% (316/334) of events in this category. Most of the difficult removals related to the need for incision enlargement, difficulty dissecting fibrous tissue surrounding the implant, or difficulty grasping the implant. The remaining 698 reports were categorized as localization-related or other.1

    Clinically important events included noninsertion (n = 4, two pregnancies), serum ENG positive, but rod not found (n = 1), and possible associated nerve (n = 5) or vascular (n = 4) injury. No event-associated hospitalizations were reported. Seven (0.6%) reports described possible referral for surgical implant removal.1

    In reports received reflecting over 25,000 single-rod implant insertions and removals, the overall complication rate was very low, and no complications resulted in hospitalization, says Kaunitz, who presented findings along with colleagues at the recent annual clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These observations indicate that the mandatory clinical training necessary for clinicians to access the single rod contraceptive implant has been successful.

    Check implant as option

    The clinical training program has helped Implanon and its successor, Nexplanon, gain solid footing among providers. When Norplant entered the United States market in 1993, it enjoyed brisk initial sales; however, difficulties surrounding its insertion and removal eventually led to its withdrawal from the market.

    Nexplanon, introduced in late 2011, is similar to the Implanon device; however, it features an easier-to-use inserter. Also, the implant is radiopaque, which allows it to be located by two-dimensional X-ray, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound scanning, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Nexplanon implant is approved by the FDA for up to three years of contraceptive use.

    It is extremely effective: to date, no pregnancies have been observed in prospective or retrospective cohort studies of the contraceptive implant, which included more than 4,500 women and more than 7,000 women-years of exposure.2 (To read more about Nexplanons debut, see the Contraceptive Technology Update article, New year, new implant: Time to add Nexplanon to contraceptive options, January 2012, p. 1.)

    Due to its top-tier effectiveness, set it and forget it ease of use, and reversible nature, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a committee opinion advocating the use of the contraceptive implant and intra

  • What avenues will raise LARC method awareness?

    Findings from a new community-based research study indicate using social networks and peer education might be a way to increase acceptance of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among low-income women.
  • What’s your approach to PID treatment in teens?

    According to a new survey of clinicians who treat teen girls with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), national guidance designed to inform decisions about hospitalization versus outpatient care has lead to provider uncertainty in choosing the most effective treatment approach.
  • Contraception safety message is not received

    A new survey of women presenting for pregnancy counseling at a university family planning clinic showed about half of pregnant women incorrectly believe that hormonal contraception is more dangerous than pregnancy.