Average Failure Rate: 2.3%
Norplant is a progestin contraceptive implant, consisting of six small plastic rods. These are surgically placed under the skin of the upper arm for up to five years, during which time the rods slowly release progestin into the body.
Effectiveness varies due to numerous factors; teens, heavier women, those who have had the implant for several years, and women using hard capsules as opposed to soft ones will experience more failures than typically expected.
The mechanism for action is the same as that of other hormonal methods. Norplant may stop the release of an egg from the ovaries so that it cannot be fertilized, thus preventing pregnancy. Roughly half of all women taking Norplant continue to ovulate, making fertilization more likely than with combined OCs. If conception does occur, changes in the uterus will cause the expulsion of the embryo. More about how this works...
Common side effects include menstrual disturbances, headaches, acne, weight gain, nausea, anxiety, hair loss, and ovarian cysts. Because of these problems, half of all Norplant users have the implants surgically removed before the third year, despite the fact that Norplant is intended as a five-year contraceptive. insurance companies, which paid for insertion, do not always pay for removal. Removal takes more time, costs more, and can cause severe scarring.
Due to many unwanted side-effects — that were not properly disclosed to the public in advance — Norplant is no longer available in the United States. However, some women still have Norplant in their arms and will need to have it removed. The manufacturers have no plans to reintroduce the implant into the US, but a similar product called Implanon is available in the US and Europe.
Documented Side Effects of Norplant | |
| Side Effect | Approximate Users Affected |
|---|---|
| Menstrual Cycle Disturbances | 4 in 5 |
| Headaches | 1 in 6 |
| Ovarian Enlargement | 1 in 12 |
| Dizziness | 1 in 14 |
| Breast Tenderness | 1 in 15 |
| Nervousness | 1 in 15 |
| Nausea | 1 in 15 |
| Acne | 1 in 17 |
| Dermatitis/Skin Inflammation | 1 in 17 |
| Breast Discharge | 1 in 24 |
| Weight Gain | 1 in 18 |
| Unwanted Hair Growth or Loss | 1 in 50 |
Information listed includes only those symptoms reported by users. Actual numbers may be higher. Source: R. Hatcher et al., "Contraceptive Technology," 17th ed., 1998, Table 20-6.
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