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Matlock OB/GYN Offers New Three-Year Birth Control Implant

Posted on: Thursday, 9 November 2006, 09:00 CST

The physicians at Matlock OB/GYN, with offices in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas, are now offering Implanon, a new matchstick-size implantable contraceptive that is effective for up to three years. A small plastic rod is inserted under the skin on the inner side of a woman's arm, and the simple procedure is done in the Matlock OB/GYN offices.

The FDA approved Implanon in July 2006, and Matlock OB/GYN's Dr. Kimberly Lefholz is one of the first physicians in the area to be certified by the manufacturer to perform the implant procedure. Only healthcare providers trained through programs sponsored by the manufacturer, Organon USA, will be able to offer Implanon.

Implanon is made of a soft medical polymer and the implant continually releases a low, steady dose of progestin (etonogestrel) for a period of up to three years. After insertion, the small implant is generally not visible, making it a discreet method of birth control. It is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when implanted properly.

"Implanon is ideal for women who don't want to think about birth control every day, week or month. Its effectiveness does not depend on patient self-administration," said Dr. Lefholz. "It's also a good option for women who can't use contraceptives containing estrogen." Dr. Lefholz can remove the implant at any time at the request of the user, after which the woman's fertility returns to her pre-existing fertility level.

Implanon has been offered in other countries since 1998: approximately 2.5 million women in more than 30 countries have used the contraception. Implanon is the only implantable contraceptive device currently available in the United States.

Dr. Kimberly Lefholz has been associated with Matlock OB/GYN since 1996 and has been in private practice for the past fifteen years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Missouri, and completed her Medical School training at the University of Health Sciences Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed her Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1989 at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Implanon is a trademark of Organon USA -- Inc.

About Matlock OB/GYN

Matlock OB/GYN is a group practice of eight progressive, experienced physicians dedicated to bringing North Texas women the latest in smart, caring and professional women's healthcare. Together with a skilled team of nurses and office staff, Matlock OB/GYN offers complete gynecological and obstetrical care for females from their early teen years through menopause and beyond. Matlock OB/GYN has a 20-year legacy of serving North Texas women -- now from two locations in South Arlington and Mansfield. The hallmarks of the practice are holding the highest clinical standards, offering an atmosphere of open communication and sensitivity, and providing education that allows the patient to fully participate in every aspect of her healthcare. In addition to traditional obstetrical and gynecological services, the practice specializes in solving women's common issues with the most advanced, minimally-invasive surgical techniques.

Source: Business Wire

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