Norplant

Norplant is a birth control method in which your doctor puts six small capsules under the skin of your upper arm. The capsules continually release tiny amounts of a hormone that prevents the release of eggs and thickens the cervical mucus to block sperm from penetrating the egg. The capsules can be in your skin for up to five years without replacement. Your doctor should be the one inserting or removing the capsules.

How effective is it?

Norplant is 99.95% effective for preventing pregnancy but it is NOT effective against sexually transmitted diseases.

What are the Pros and Cons?

PROS:

• Protects against pregnancy for five years

• No daily pill

• Nothing to put in place before intercourse

• Can be used by some women who can't take the Pill

• Can be used by breast feeding women, after six weeks of giving birth.

CONS:

• Side effects include irregular bleeding and other discomforts, including: headaches, nausea, depression, nervousness, dizziness, and weight gain (or loss)

• Possible scarring and/or discoloration of the skin at insertion site

• Rarely, infection at insertion site

• Pregnancies, which rarely occur, are more likely to be ectopic (in the fallopian tubes)

Adapted from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/contrachoices.htm