Ten years of experience with Norplant implantation in southern Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated clinical and contraceptive characteristics of a group of southern Thai women who had two consecutive Norplant implantations at Songklanagarind Hospital.


METHODS
Seventy reinsertions were performed from 251 original Norplant implantations during the years 1986-1996. Four women had an exposed capsule within 3 months after reinsertion, and two of them subsequently had to have the capsule removed due to infection.


RESULTS
Following implantation, the recipients had gradually increased body mass index and systolic blood pressure, which returned to baseline 6 months after discontinuance after 10 years of implantation. Long-term continuation rates were 76.7% and 74.0% at the end of the first and second 5-year periods, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The failure rate was 1.8% during the second period compared to 1.1% during the first period.
Family Planning Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. sutham.p@psu.ac.th
Sutham
S
Pinjaroen
Oermporn
O
Krisanapan
Wachiraporn
W
Benjawang
Karanrat
K
Soonthornpun
Alan
A
Geater
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D013785:Thailand
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel