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Levoplants

Implant

Levoplant

Levoplant is a safe, highly-effective, long-acting, reversible hormonal contraceptive implant that is inserted beneath the skin of a woman’s upper arm. Levoplant is made up of two thin, matchstick-sized, white cylindrical plastic rods each containing 75mg of Levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin similar to the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. Levonorgestrel is slowly and continuously released over three years, preventing pregnancy. After three years, Levoplant must be removed. Women wishing to avoid pregnancy can replace the old Levoplant device with a new one.

Effectiveness

Levoplant is one of the most effective family planning methods available. The annual pregnancy rate of women using Levoplant is below 1% and most cases of failures are due to incorrect insertion or insertion after a woman has already become pregnant. Fertility returns immediately after removal of the implant.

Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS: None

Health Benefits

In addition to  prevention of pregnancy, Levoplant may also help protect against:

  • Iron-deficiency anemia 

Drug Interactions

Some drugs decrease the effectiveness of implants: 

  • Anti-epilepsy drugs
    • Carbamazepine
    • Valproic acid 
    • Barbiturates (phenobarbital) 
    • Phenytoin
  • Antibiotics:
    • Rifampin
  • Griseofulvin

Who Can Use Levoplant

Nearly all women of childbearing age can use Levoplant safely and effectively, including women who

  • Are of any age
  • Married or not married
  • Have or not have children
  • Have just had abortion, miscarriage
  • Breastfeeding (6 weeks or more since childbirth)
  • Women who smoke

Who Can’t Use Levoplant

A woman with any of the conditions listed below should not use implants in general:

  • Breastfeeding and less than 6 weeks since giving birth
  • Current blood clot in deep veins of legs or lungs
  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Breast cancer within past 5 years
  • Severe liver disease, infection, or tumor
  • Taking barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate, or rifampicin

Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Changes in Menstrual bleeding (prolonged, missed , and irregular bleeding)
  • Mood changes
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Acne
  • eight gain or loss
  • Breast tenderness

You are entering a page about contraceptive methods that can only be administered by a trained
health professional. The contents of this page are for information only. The information is not
intended to diagnose and/or treat any medical condition and should not be interpreted as a
substitute for professional medical advice. Please visit a trained professional if you wish to use
any of the contraceptive methods described in this page.