What are the side effects of having an expired Implanon still in your arm?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
What are the side effects of having an expired Implanon still in your arm?
The side effects of having an expired Implanon still in your arm include:
- Decreased effectiveness: An expired Implanon may not provide the same level of contraception as when it was within its active period. This increases the risk of unintended pregnancy.
- Irregular menstrual bleeding: Some individuals may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, including irregular or unpredictable bleeding patterns.
- Hormonal imbalances: Expired Implanon may lead to hormonal imbalances. This can cause symptoms such as mood swings, changes in libido, or acne. These changes can also contribute to menstrual irregularities.
- Increased risk of complications: There is a potential risk of infection or other complications when a foreign object remains in the body past its expiration date.
The most common thing to happen if you leave an expired Implanon in your arm is an unplanned pregnancy, as the expired Implanon will no longer work as an effective contraceptive and the chances of getting pregnant will significantly increase.
However, such pregnancy cases on expired Implanon are not frequently reported. Although this contraceptive comes with an expiry date after 2-3 years of implantation, studies have suggested that it can remain intact for another 2 years, making it a total of 5 years of successful contraception.
However, leaving it in your arm for longer than 5 years can also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy because of the possible hormonal disturbance (1). This is why it’s best to get Implanon removed from your arm once it expires.
Leaving it longer can also increase the risk of bacterial infection. Such bacterial infections can spread quite quickly and can give rise to a number of health risks.
How to ensure the safe and effective use of Implanon?
Here are some important points for the safe and effective use of Implanon: (2,3)
- Implanon should only be inserted and removed by a trained healthcare professional to ensure correct placement and minimize any potential complications.
- Properly attend follow-up visits as recommended by your healthcare provider. These visits help monitor the placement of Implanon, assess its effectiveness, and address any concerns or questions you may have.
- Familiarize yourself with the possible side effects of Implanon, such as changes in menstrual bleeding patterns or other hormonal effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects, consult your healthcare provider.
- Maintain open communication with your healthcare provider regarding your experiences with Implanon. Share any concerns, changes in health, or medications you may be taking, as they can impact the effectiveness and safety of the implant.
Alternative contraceptive methods to Implanon
If you are considering alternative contraceptive methods to implants like Implanon, there are several options available (4,5). One common option is the birth control pill, which is taken orally every day to prevent pregnancy.
Another option is the contraceptive patch, which is applied to the skin and releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. The contraceptive ring is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina and left in place for three weeks at a time.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are also popular, with both hormonal and non-hormonal options available. Additionally, barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps provide a physical barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
Each of these methods has its own benefits and considerations, so it’s important to discuss with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable alternative for you based on your lifestyle, health, and personal preferences.
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References
1.-
Mummert T, Gnugnoli DM. Ectopic Pregnancy. 2022 Aug 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30969682. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539860
2.-
Fischer MA. Implanon: a new contraceptive implant. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2008 May-Jun;37(3):361-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2008.00247.x. PMID: 18507609. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18507609/
3.-
Gezginc K, Balci O, Karatayli R, Colakoglu MC. Contraceptive efficacy and side effects of Implanon. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2007 Dec;12(4):362-5. doi: 10.1080/13625180701548040. PMID: 17853166. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17853166/
4.-
Bansode OM, Sarao MS, Cooper DB. Contraception. 2022 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30725634. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536949
5.-
Teal S, Edelman A. Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review. JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2507-2518. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21392. PMID: 34962522. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34962522/
