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Getting pregnant while using contraception is a nightmare for many women and can lead to broken relationships couples are faced with the decision to keep or abort a unplanned baby.

Now it was learned that hundreds of people have had to make that decision. A total of 584 women have complained to the Government's medicines and Health (MHRA), and she became pregnant after Implanon, a plastic bar full of hormones are not detectable by X-ray, is inserted under the skin of his arm .

They join a growing list of more than 1,500 women who complained they were injured or scarring where the implant that slowly releases a synthetic progesterone prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs, he adjusted.Was replaced by Nexplanon Implanon, which can see through X-rays and comes in a pre-loaded applicator at the end of 2010. But shares of Implanon has not been withdrawn from the market and to date the NHS has already disbursed more than £ 200,000 in compensation.

Jessica, 30, of Kent, thought she had acted responsibly when he joined one in four UK women who opt for long-term contraceptive implants. However, she had to face instead of having to make a devastating life choices.

My whole life has changed as a result of trying to take control of my future. I had an abortion - something that I thought would never happen - and my marriage is broken. And I have Implanon responsible.

My husband, Pete and I were delighted when our two sons who are now eight and five, were born. But after birth the youngest of Grace in 2006 we decided our family was complete.

Pete was working at a department store at the time, I garden center and could not afford more children. Besides he wanted to retrain as a teacher of children, something she had always wanted to do and giving us a much better standard of living.

We had been using condoms, but in July 2006 I decided to go to a family planning clinic to see if there was a more reliable option. That's when I learned of Implanon and decided to go for it. In February 2007 I started feeling really bad - tired and sick. I went to see my doctor and she asked if I could be pregnant. I said I had a contraceptive implant, but felt more secure that a test anyway. When she told me she was gone about three months was like a punch in the face.

I was spinning. I simply say: "How could this happen", but she could offer no explanation. I was distraught. Pete was equally devastated by the news.

All our hopes and dreams seemed to collapse around us. Grace was less than one year and not just feel that I could not physically or financially to cope with another child, everything I hoped for my life in tatters layin. Pete and I talked about itendlessly and reached the difficult decision that must be terminated. My GP who arranged for us.

Never forget that day. I never dreamed I would have an abortion, always being sensitive about security. And no one can prepare you for the emotions you feel after. For months she cried every day.

I was already a mother and knew the joy of pregnancy and childbirth. I could not believe he had to stop living the life of the children they already had.

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Mines and Pete relationship broke under the strain. I did not want to make love because she was afraid of getting pregnant. In 2009 we separated.

A blood test that detects progesterone has shown that the implant is not even on my system.I recycle as planned, but all the joy has gone out of my life.I used to be a happy woman, strong in a relationship, but this has broken me. ● Names have been changed

Is it just the tip of the iceberg?

Before Stephanie, a former nurse and partner Anthony Gold Solicitors in London, Implanon has handled three cases in the past 18 months and recently received another 12 questions that she believes it could be just the beginning.

"God knows where this will end," he says. "How many women out there have become pregnant and have not complained? How many women have accepted the situation and went ahead with a pregnancy they did not want or have suffered the emotional trauma of a miscarriage or termination?"

Before Ms. believes the problem lies not with the Implanon contraceptive drug itself, but is a combination of equipment used to insert and the practitioner performing the procedure.

"There may be some cases where the drug has not worked - nothing is 100% effective - but actually we're finding is that the implant was inserted in the first place, because the housing does not release it under the skin and the doctor or nurse can not verify it's there. In the cases I have dealt with a doctor asked a patient to feel the implant immediately after insertion when the skin is swollen and publish a local anesthetic. Patients do not know what you're feeling for .

"I think a follow-up appointment a few days later is required and a blood test to check hormone levels, particularly as the first model of this contraceptive was invisible to X-rays."

A spokesman for Merck, the manufacturer said: "MSD has confidence in the safety and efficacy of Implanon. Since its initial approval in September 1999, more than 1.3 million units have been prescribed in the UK. Although no contraceptive is 100% effective, Implanon is more than 99 % effective. A review of nine years of data indicated five pregnancies in 10,000 implants sold).

"The basis for the successful use of Implanon is a subdermal correct insertion and the implant done carefully in accordance with product instructions.

"MSD encourages women to talk to their doctors if they have any questions about contraceptive options and to report any adverse reactions associated with any drug MSD.