New methods of birth control seem to appear almost daily. For a while, they look promising, and then we hear all the old warnings again - like blood clots. A variety of pills are available as well as injections and patches. None have proven safe for a woman to use.

Now a new one has come on the scene. Will this be the one women have been waiting for? It's called Implanon. The Implanon web site describes it this way:

IMPLANON™ is a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive that is effective for up to three years.

According to a report on WSYR.com:

Dr. Shane Sopp, gynecologist-Female Urologist, Community General Hospital: "It works for three years. It's a type of birth control that a woman does not have to think about. She doesn't have to worry about if she's a smoker because there's no estrogen in it. There's not the worry of blood clots, thromboembolism."

Implanon has been in use in other countries since 1998, but has just received FDA approval in the US. The Mayo Cliniic tells us:

Implanon - an implantable contraceptive that's been sold in other countries since 1998 - was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale in the United States. The matchstick-sized device is implanted by specially trained doctors under the skin of the inner side of the upper arm. It releases a low, steady dose of progestin to prevent pregnancy.

The manufacturer says Implanon is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when implanted properly. The implant can be left in place for up to three years and removed at any time.

Implanon is not without side effects however. Net Doctor in the UK where Implanon has been in use for several years warns:

There are quite a few, the main one being frequent or prolonged vaginal bleeding - which may affect a fifth of all users. But some women get no periods - and are very pleased about that!

Other possible side-effects include:

• headache
  


• spots (acne)
  


• weight gain
  


• breast tenderness
  


• dizziness
  


• depression
  


• changes in level of sexual desire.

Implanon hasn't been in use long enough for any long term problems to surface.

(Photo from Implanon)