One-year experience with subdermal contraceptive implants in the United States

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 48; no. 3; p. 229
• Main Authors: Frank, M L, Poindexter, 3rd, A N, Cornin, L M, Cox, C A, Bateman, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-1993
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Consumer Behavior; Drug Implants; Female; Headache - chemically induced; Humans; Levonorgestrel - adverse effects; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; United States; Uterine Hemorrhage - chemically induced; Weight Gain; United States; Family Planning Programs; Americas; Contraceptive Agents; United States; Contraceptive Agents, Progestin; Contraceptive Usage; Levonorgestrel; Satisfaction; Research Methodology; Clinical Trials; North America; Clinical Research; Behavior; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Method Acceptability; Contraceptive Implants > side effects; Psychological Factors; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods > side effects; Family Planning; Studies; Northern America; Developed Countries; Follow-up Studies; Texas; Acceptor Characteristics; Contraception Termination > indications; Acceptors
• ISSN: 0010-7824
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(93)90142-T

Women who received Norplant contraceptive implants from any of fifteen clinical settings in southeast Texas, U.S.A., were followed for one year to determine their reactions to the method. Of 1,385 who enrolled to receive Norplant implants, 1,253 had implants inserted. Side effects were reported by 78% of those receiving implants and 70% described changes in bleeding patterns. Spotting or irregular bleeding, weight gain and headaches were the conditions reported most frequently. Nine pregnancies were reported during the study period. Six of these, however, existed before the implants were inserted. At the one year anniversary, 143 of women receiving implants had had them removed. Those who discontinued method use were less satisfied, reported more side effects and were more likely to have planned to have another child, thus using the method for spacing, or to have had a change in their marital status while they were using the contraceptive. Providers should counsel patients to focus attention on plans for the future in selecting their contraceptive method. In addition, we recommend, as does the product's distributor, that providers confirm that patients are not pregnant prior to inserting implants.