Improperly implanted contraceptives result in potential teen pregnancies

By Staff Writer

In an effort to prevent pregnancy, many woman choose slow-release contraceptives that are implanted for as many as three years. However, according to the Guardian, more than 500 women in the UK became pregnant as a result of a faulty contraceptive implant known as Implanon.

One of the greatest issues with this failure is the number of teen pregnancies that may have resulted. The news source reports that two years ago, the government suggested that sexually active teen girls should choose the implant, as it does not require taking a pill every day like other forms of birth control.

"It is vital that work continues to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate and prevent young people becoming pregnant earlier than they would choose to," Gillian Merron, public health minister, told the Daily Telegraph in 2009. "That is why the government has already invested £20.5m ($32 million) to improve access to long-acting reversible methods such as the implant and injection - which are very effective and easy to use."

According to the media outlet, the pregnancies are not necessarily a result of faulty contraceptives, but improperly implanted devices. As a result, the company released Nexplanon, which features an easier applicator.

The Guttmacher Institute reports that the U.S. has the highest levels of teen pregnancy among developed nations.