Long-acting reversible contraceptives - Implant vs. Intrauterine Device; Why go for either?

Objective: To compare the clinical performance and side effects of Implant (jadelle) and intrauterine contraceptive device (Cu-T). Study Design: Prospective Analytic study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, PNS Shifa Hospital, Bahria University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Period: 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Material & Methods: A total of 162 married females of childbearing age participated in our study, n=81 in each group. Group A consisted of those females who had subdermal implant jadelle inserted and Group B included those ladies who were using intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception. Patient with pre-existing medical disrorders and those using levonorgestrel Intrauterine system (Mirena) were excluded. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire at 6-months post insertion. The outcome were success/ failure rate and side effects. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: A total of 162 women were part of this study. Most, 30(37.03%) were between 26-30 years in age in Group A (Implant) vs. 36 (44.4%) in Group B Intrauterine devices. 56 (61.7%) in Group A vs. 68 (83.9%) in Group B had regular menstruation prior to use of LARC; p-value 0.05 which is statistically significant. 45 (55.5%) in Group A vs. 33 (40.7%) in Group B had at least secondary level of education. Among the two study groups, 12(14.8) of Group A vs. 24 (29.6%) of Group B reported mild increase in menstrual bleeding, p-value 0. 000. Other side effects noticed were headache, nausea, and weight gain. Conclusion: Progesterone only subdermal implant showed same efficacy as Copper T IUD (intrauterine devices) with significantly fewer side effects.