Abstract
Seventy-five women with a mean age of 27.5 years who requested Norplant® implants for contraception were studied over a five-year period. The patients kept daily diaries of their vaginal bleeding and coital frequency, and were seen at least every six months at which time their weight was measured. This study examines the impact of Norplant implants use on menstrual regularity, body mass index and coital frequency.
Irregular bleeding was most prevalent during the first two years of Norplant implants use and accounted for the primary reason for discontinuation of this method. No increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) was noted in Norplant implants users over the five-year study period. Women with irregular bleeding did not have a higher or lower BMI compared to women with regular bleeding and irregular bleeding patterns did not impact on coital frequency. Over five years, four pregnancies occurred during Norplant implant use. Norplant implants are a highly effective contraceptive method and women using this method should not expect an increase in body weight. Irregular bleeding is most frequent during the first two years of use and menstrual cyclicity resumes in the majority of women by the third year of use and continues to the fifth year of use.