Effects of A Single Rod Etonogestrel Used in Healthy Thai Women Aged between 17 and 35 Years in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

Abstract

Objective To study the menstrual patterns and side effects of a single rod etonogestrel use in
healthy Thai women aged between 17 and 35 years.
Study design Prospective descriptive study.
Setting Family Planning Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Chulalongkorn
Memorial Hospital.
Methods Prospective descriptive study was conducted at the Family Planning Unit, King
Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital since1January 2002.The study duration was 6 months.The
data was obtained from each patient’s medical record. The descriptive statistics was
percentage,mean, SD and 95% CI. The statistical analyses were performed by using the paired
t test for comparison of means.
Results There were no pregnancies in this study. Women were exposed to a single rod
etonogestrel for 372 women-months. The most common menstrual patterns in 3 and 6-
month follow-up were irregular bleeding and amenorrhea. The common nonmenstrual adverse
effect were acne, alopecia and nausea. No clinically significant changes in body weight, systolic
and diastolic blood pressure were founded.
Discussion The most common menstrual patterns that founded in this study were irregular
bleeding and amenorrhea followed by regular cycle. The common nonmenstrual adverse
effect were acne alopecia and nausea. There were no pregnancies in 6-month follow-up period.
A single rod etonogestrel was an effective implant contraceptive method and acceptable bleeding
pattern. Overall acceptability are good. This should become a one of choice contraception
methods in Thai women.