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  • Title: Experience with side effects and health risks associated with Norplant implant use in adolescents.
    Author: Rosenthal SL, Biro FM, Kollar LM, Hillard PJ, Rauh JL.
    Journal: Contraception; 1995 Nov; 52(5):283-5. PubMed ID: 8585884.
    Abstract:
    Levonorgestrel implants (Norplant) have been recommended as a contraceptive method for teenage women. Our experience suggests that the use of Norplant implants in adolescents is associated with bleeding irregularities and modest weight gain. There is no effect on condom use or STD acquisition. Despite the bleeding irregularities, we documented high continuation rates, suggesting that with appropriate pre-insertion counseling, Norplant implants can be a successful contraceptive method for adolescent women. An analysis of the experiences of 72 US adolescents (mean age, 15.5 years) suggests that Norplant implants are an appropriate contraceptive method for this population. All study participants had the implants inserted at a hospital-based adolescent clinic at least 1 year before chart review. The continuation rate was 97% at 12 months and 86% at 24 months. At insertion, 60 adolescents (83%) reported regular menstrual periods. At the various follow-up intervals (e.g., 3, 6, and 12 months), 12-18% had regular periods, 12-16% were amenorrheic, and the remainder had bleeding that was irregular in length and/or interval. Mean weight gains of 3, 4.5, and 5.8 pounds were recorded at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively; however, there was no consistent trend and a substantial number of young women lost weight during the study period. Finally, there was no clear trend of increase or decrease after Norplant insertion in either condom use or rates of infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Pre-insertion counseling for adolescent Norplant acceptors should include preparation for menstrual irregularities and encouragement of condom use to prevent STD acquisition.
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