What are the advantages and disadvantages of subcutaneous implants as a male contraceptive method?

When it comes to contraception, the first thing that comes to mind is condoms. Because condoms are the simplest and most practical contraceptive method, but why do some people still get pregnant after using condoms? The main reason is that the quality of condoms varies. Condoms from big brands are made of better materials and are not easy to break, while the materials used in low-quality and cheap condoms even break at the slightest touch. How can you avoid pregnancy? So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of subcutaneous implants as a male contraceptive method?

Advantages and Disadvantages

Subdermal implants have the following advantages:

(1) The contraceptive effect is good, with a contraceptive efficiency of over 99%.

(2) The contraceptive effect is long-lasting; one implant can provide contraception for 5 years.

(3) Small drug reaction. This contraceptive contains only progestin and no estrogen, so the side effects are smaller than those of oral contraceptives.

(4) It is reversible. Fertility can be restored quickly after the silicone capsule tube is removed.

Subcutaneous implants also have some disadvantages. About 20% of women experience irregular menstruation, prolonged menstruation, and increased menstrual blood flow in the early stages of use; some women even experience amenorrhea. Most of these symptoms will gradually improve after six months.

side effect

(1) Irregular menstruation and prolonged menstruation, but the amount of bleeding is not heavy and will not cause anemia. This condition may improve with longer retention time.

(2) Headaches, mood changes, acne, etc. may occur, but the incidence is not high and the symptoms are not serious.

Mode Management

From the advantages, disadvantages and side effects of subcutaneous implants, we can find that subcutaneous implants can cause changes in the bleeding pattern of users, such as irregular bleeding, irregular menstruation, prolonged menstruation and increased menstrual blood volume/spotting, etc. Therefore, women of childbearing age who use subcutaneous implants for contraception should be aware of changes in bleeding patterns and manage them.

According to the report "Objective Facts of Changes in Bleeding Patterns Caused by Defensive Penetration", changes in bleeding patterns experienced during the use of subcutaneous implants may help more women discover an option that can provide 3-5 years of continuous contraceptive therapy. In fact, one adverse event that may occur with any hormonal contraceptive method is irregular bleeding. Many women have the traditional concept that using subcutaneous implants for contraception will result in poor bleeding patterns, but studies have shown that there are objective facts that most women experience good bleeding patterns when using Defensive Penetration. Good bleeding patterns are defined as: bleeding/spotting episodes <= 5 times in the 90-day reference period. Good bleeding patterns include amenorrhea, rare bleeding (bleeding/spotting episodes <= 3 times in the 90-day reference period) and normal bleeding (3-5 bleeding/spotting episodes in the 90-day reference period). In the study of the adverse effects of subcutaneous implants, it was found that the median number of days with bleeding/spotting for women using implants was comparable to that of oral contraceptives, and the median number of days with bleeding/spotting was slightly lower than the number of days of bleeding reported in the natural menstrual cycle. The safety data of subcutaneous implants showed that the continuation rate of implants after one year of use was as high as 84%, which is much higher than the continuation rates of contraceptive injections, oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices.