DHS offers new contraceptive to be placed under skin
In May, health services introduced a new contraceptive, a subdermal implant, under the Antara Programme, an initiative of the National Health Mission. The contraceptive, once implanted, lasts long-term, providing at least three years of protection and suppression of ovulation compared to other contraceptives.
'Implant offers protection for a longer time. Plus, we also have injectable contraceptives under the Antara Programme, which are administered every three months,' said Dr Uttam Desai, chief medical officer at the State Family Welfare Bureau. They work according to a female individual's fertility cycles. The patient is free to use other complementary methods.
Under the non-interventional method of family planning, stitching or cutting into the skin is not required, say officials.
'There's also no need for a pelvic exam, blood tests, pregnancy tests, or a breast exam. The implant is inserted and is visible under the skin towards the upper arm,' said Desai.
While the data on the implants administered since the introduction in May is unavailable, Desai said around 319 injectables were administered in 2023-24.
'There are doctors in district hospitals in South and North Goa respectively, in Goa Medical College and Hospital, and also in the sub-district hospital in Ponda, who were trained on the insertion in May,' he said.
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On insertion, Desai said, the menstrual cycle may get disrupted for a few days. The patient might experience some bleeding. But if the pain is persistent and the swelling interferes with her daily activities after the insertion, then the patient needs to immediately show it to the doctor, say officials.
'As the name suggests, the implant is reversible. So, when the it is removed, the fertility returns soon,' Desai said. He added that there is no specified date as to when the fertility returns, but it comes back quickly post-removal.
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