More than a thousand complaints about Implanon have been received by the medicines watchdog at a time when the device is being hailed as the future of family planning.
Figures obtained by Channel 4 News reveal that 584 women who had the hormone-filled tube inserted into their arms have reported unwanted pregnancies to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
There have been a total of 1607 complaints to the MHRA about scarring and other problems associated with the device. In the most serious cases, NHS Trusts have been forced to offer settlements to seven women totalling nearly £200,000.
Some women who took Implanon after deciding they did not want more children have had to terminated pregnancies and suffered the breakdown of their relationships.
