title: Experience with side effects and health risks associated with Norplant implant use in adolescents.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Biro
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kollar
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hillard
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rauh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D012731:Sex Counseling; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel