CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTIONS &
IMPLANTS (LONG ACTING)
The injectable hormone preparation has been in use for
over 30 years. It is given as a deep intra muscular injection every 3 months and is almost
99.7% effective.
Common side effects are irregular bleeding, weight
gain and headache. After the last injection, ovulation
may take a long time to re-establish.
Another available long acting Progestin is
Norplant™ (you must have read about the controversy in Indian newspapers). It
consists of 6 small silastic capsules which are implanted under the skin. The insertion
(and the removal as well) requires a minor surgical procedure under local anesthesia.
Norplant is effective for five (5) years with first year being almost 99.8% effective.
Even though the effectiveness drops after in succeeding years, even the last year is
better than the combination OC pill.
Common side effects include weight gain, acne, headache and most
importantly irregular bleeding and spotting, the last being main cause of early removal.
The use of Norplant in India is marred with
controversies with NGOs waging a ongoing battle. Your doctor knows BEST!
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