There are several new forms of contraception either about to be released on the market or currently under study.
Progestogen-releasing implants
Norplant, a new hormonal method, has recently been approved for sale in the United States. This means that it has passed the tough safety and efficacy requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Norplant system consists of two or six tiny capsules containing the progestogen levonorgestrel, one of the hormones in many types of the Pill. These capsules are implanted beneath the skin of a woman’s forearm or upper arm, where they release a steady, low level of hormone into the blood. They remain active for up to five years.
The levonorgestrel released by Norplant prevents pregnancy in the same way as do slow-release progestogen injections. It is 99 per cent effective. The capsules are inserted and removed through a tiny cut in the skin (which needs no stitches). These procedures are simple and the recipient needs only a small injection of local anaesthetic. The implant is painless once in place, and can’t be seen (but can be felt through the skin). A woman who wants to become pregnant will return to her original fertility as soon as it is removed.
The advantages of the Norplant are its long action span and the steady hormone levels it provides (which make it more reliable than the mini-Pill). Also, it can be used by women who shouldn’t take or can’t tolerate oestrogens.
No serious side-effects have been reported in studies of users of Norplant. The most frequently reported side-effects have been spotting after or between periods, very light periods and no periods. Irregular bleeding soon after insertion can occur but usually settles down within a month or two. Heavy bleeding has been rare.
You may have heard of Norplant before. It has been studied in women since 1975, and became available in 17 countries during the 1980s. It is not yet available in Australia, but now that it is accepted by the FDA we probably won’t have to wait long. Other contraceptive implants being studied include some that contain different progestogens, and biodegradable implants that don’t have to be removed at the end of their life span.
Implants provide a useful option for women who want long-term contraception.
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