An Unusual Side Effect of Etonogestrel Implant: Facial Paralysis

Etonogestrel single rod subdermal implant provides an effective contraceptive protection for up to 3 years with no reported pregnancies in clinical trials Unfortunately, similar to other long-term progestinonly contraceptives, Implanon® leads to irregular uterine bleeding in the majority of users. B...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: İkbal Kaygusuz, İlknur İnegöl Gümüş, Alevtina Ersoy, Aydın Kosus, Serap Simavlı, Hasan Kafalı, Nilgün Öztürk Turhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Medical Network 2011-12-01
Series:Gynecology Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://gorm.com.tr/index.php/GORM/article/view/321
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Summary:Etonogestrel single rod subdermal implant provides an effective contraceptive protection for up to 3 years with no reported pregnancies in clinical trials Unfortunately, similar to other long-term progestinonly contraceptives, Implanon® leads to irregular uterine bleeding in the majority of users. Bleeding disturbances are the main reason for discontinuation of therapy. Other reported nonmenstrual adverse effects of Implanon® include headache, acne, weight gain, and mastalgia. In this paper we do report a case of facial paralysis during the use of Implanon®. A 35-year-old woman with an Implanon® contraceptive device in situ presented with amenore. The implant had been inserted 4 years previously which was changed one year before the removal. Because of the patient being amenorrhoeic for one year, the Implanon® was removed in January 2010. A few months later after the removal of the implant she reported an improvement of the facial paralysis that had started 4 months after the second insertion of Implanon®.
ISSN:1300-4751