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Abstract
Silastic implants containing the progestin, levonorgestrel, were tested as long-term
contraceptives in 101 women. After three full years of exposure and 2,998 woman-months
of use, no pregnancies had occurred. The continuation rates were 87% at 12 months,
79% at 24 months and 66% at 36 months. The most important side effect was excessive
or irregular bleeding during the first year. No treatment was offered for this side
effect other than vitamins and iron or change of method, with the exception of 3 cases
where ethinyl estradiol was used one time for 2 weeks each. Bleeding disturbances
led 8 patients to ask for removal of implants. Other side effects were headache, acne
and lower abdominal pain. Blood and urine analysis tested 17 different parameters
and all but plasma cortisol remained within normal limits throughout the study. A
general tendency toward lowered Cortisol values was observed and two subjects had
more than one value below the normal limit for the population during the study. Glucose
tolerance tests during the second year were abnormal in two women with familial diabetes
but they returned to normal values spontaneously at the next test.
It is concluded that levonorgestrel implants offer effective protection against pregnancy
during the first three years of continuous use. Their acceptability and few side effects
justify larger trials, especially if treatment of bleeding irregularities is introduced.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 20,
1979
Identification
Copyright
© 1979 Published by Elsevier Inc.
