WASHINGTON – According to Kfdm.com, Nexoplanon, a birth control implant device, has the potential of migrating in a person’s body. An investigation carried out by Circa discovered the disturbing potential complication. Nexoplanon is a tiny implant the size of a matchstick that is implanted and that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. The product can migrate […]
WASHINGTON – According to Kfdm.com, Nexoplanon, a birth control implant device, has the potential of migrating in a person’s body. An investigation carried out by Circa discovered the disturbing potential complication.
Nexoplanon is a tiny implant the size of a matchstick that is implanted and that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. The product can migrate in a person’s body and in some reported instances, it has been found in a patient’s chests, lungs, or in their arteries.
Tenaya Dawson had Nexplanon implanted in her arm following the birth of her third child. After about two months, Dawson could no longer feel the device in her arm. After her physician was unable to locate the device, she was sent to have an MRI. It took about 90 minutes for the device to be located and removed. Dawson described the removal as “digging” around to locate the device.
Nexplanon is meant to remain in a woman’s arm for three years. According to Dr. Jennifer Lesko from the George Washington University Hospital, the device is considered reliable and safe as a form of birth control, and she implants about three women a week with the device.
The investigation found that the device had around 400 migration reports, about 100 of which were serious complications. There were a few instances of migration that caused life-threatening issues. Since reporting complications to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is optional, it is likely that there are more instances of complications but that not all of them have been reported.
While some physicians argue that these complications are rare, the women who have suffered from migration issues state that they were not warned of the potential risks associated with the device.
