Chancellor of the University of Indonesia, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., confirmed Prof. Dr. dr. Eka Rusdianto Gunardi, SpOG, Subsp.F.E.R, MPH as Professor in the Obstetrics-Gynecology and Reproductive Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine UI in the IMERI Hall, UI Salemba Campus, on Wednesday (24/1). Prof. Eka was inaugurated as a professor after delivering a scientific oration “Contribution of Contraception to the Beloved Country, Birth Control Implants as the Best Choice”.
According to Prof. Eka, Family Planning is an important component of the Safe Motherhood pillar, an initiative by the World Health Organization in 1987. In Indonesia, the Family Planning Program has been implemented since 1957. Family planning prevents unintended pregnancy. Good family planning services can increase the number of family planning acceptors, reduce maternal mortality, and reduce infant mortality to build a superior generation in the future.
She believes that the development of contraceptive methods has moved rapidly. In the past, the first contraceptive method used was Cl coitus interruptus or periodic abstinence. Currently, there are many contraceptive methods, such as pills, condoms, injections, intrauterine devices (IUD), vaginal rings, patches, birth control implants, sterilization, and the most modern is microchip.
“One of the long-term contraceptive methods with high effectiveness is implant. In Indonesia, contraceptive implants are known as ‘Susuk KB‘. The term susuk KB (contraceptive implant) is not new to Indonesian people because it relates to cultural terms in society, such as susuk kecantikan (beauty implant),” said Prof. Eka.
The birth control implant is a hormonal contraceptive and is placed under the skin on the upper arm. This is very popular because it can be installed without having to examine the woman’s intimate organ. It consisted of six capsules containing the hormone levonorgestrel (LNG). Birth control implants now include two LNG sticks, even one etonogestrel (ENG) stick with the same effectiveness, or even better.
The mechanism of birth control implants is to prevent ovulation (egg release), thin the endometrium (menstrual lining), and thicken cervical mucus (mouth of the womb). The main mechanism is to thicken cervical mucus so that birth control acceptors are very likely to experience ovulation and menstruation after one year of using the implant. Furthermore, birth control implants are still effective as a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy for at least three years.
According to research by Prof. Eka, birth control implants are also very effective because they can be installed immediately after giving birth and do not hinder breast milk supply. Birth control implants can also be used to delay pregnancy, space pregnancies apart, or end fertility until menopause approaches. It is said to support the regression of intraepithelial neoplasia in the endometrium. Birth control implants containing ENG have been proven to reduce pain caused by endometriosis.
Before conducting a study on birth control implants, Prof. Eka has done a lot of research. Some of them are Antenatal Contraceptive Counseling and Postpartum IUD Use: Evaluation of Contraceptive Service in Tertiary Hospital in Indonesia (2022); Endometrial Assessment of Young Women Experiencing Abnormal Uterine Bleeding with The Use of a Single Rod-Levonorgestrel Implant (2022); and The Role of Thrombocytosis as a Prognostic Factor for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (2021).
Prof. Dr. dr. Eka Rusdianto Gunardi, SpOG, Subsp.F.E.R, MPH., completed her medical education at UI in 1983; completed the Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Program at UI in 1993; obtained a Doctor of Medicine degree from UI in 2011 and completed the Masters Program in Hospital Management, Faculty of Medicine Gajah Mada University in 2017. In 2003, Prof. Eka was also confirmed as a Reproductive Endocrinology Fertility Consultant by the Indonesian Collegium of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jakarta. Currently, she serves as Head of the Integrated Services Sub-Installation and Center for Reproductive Health Studies at Kintani Hospital.
The inauguration of Prof. Eka was also attended by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia for the 1998-1999 period, Prof. Dr. dr. H. Faried Anfasa Moeloek, Sp.OG(K); Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2014-2019 period, Prof. Dr. dr. Nila Djuwita Faried Anfasa Moeloek, Sp.M(K); Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia for the period 2001 – 2004, Prof. Dr. Ir. Rokhmin Dauri, MS; Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar for the 2018 – 2023 Period, Komjen. Pol. (Ret.) Prof. Dr. H. Iza Fadri, S.IK., S.H., M.H.; Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Andalas University, Prof. Dr. Ir. Kesuma Sayuti, MS; Professor at Padjadjaran University, Prof. Dr. dr. Wiryawan Permadi. Sp. OG, Subsp. FER; Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Krida Wacana Christian University, Prof. Dr. Dr. Tonny Loho, DMM, Sp.PK(K).
