Norplant

Norplant is a type of birth control implant that is surgically embedded within a woman’s body. It provides the same hormonal benefits of pregnancy prevention as with the Pill and the Patch. Norplant is composed of six tiny silicone rods that contain progestin. Once implanted usually under the skin of females’ upper arms, they can be left embedded at a maximum of five years. It often necessitates a doctor’s assistance to do the implant surgery. However, it usually takes about ten minutes to have it done.

Norplant

Upon implantation, Norplant can be effective within 24 hours. This type of contraceptive provides slow release of the progestin hormone within the body of the female. Like the Patch and the Pill, progestin prevents the ovulation of the ovum and it also thickens the cervical mucus lining the walls of the woman’s reproductive canal. In this way, the male sperm will have a hard time traveling up the cervix and womb area, thereby, decreasing the chances of fertility.

Even if it does prevent pregnancy effectively, the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases is still highly possible. Other forms of contraception must be used in conjunction with Norplant to address this issue.

Implanting would seem a quick procedure, but actual experiences have shown that women spend more on the removal of these contraceptive implants and result to skin scarring in the process. Some women would be turned off by these hassles brought by Norplant.

Additionally, hormonal side effects, such as menstrual irregularities, headaches, acne-prone skin, nausea, mood changes and ovarian cysts, are often observed in various instances even perhaps more noticeably severe than those women who are taking other forms of hormonal contraception. In this effect, some countries including the United States do not market Norplant because of the many complaints of its side effects.

Norplant is not for every woman. In fact, a doctor’s prescription is needed before you can proceed with the implant surgery. Your health must be checked first especially if you think you are pregnant or if you have medical problems like hypertension and blood clot diseases. On a different note, Norplant can be used among breastfeeding or lactating women.

Advantages

* Effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies
* May decrease chances of cervical and ovarian cancers
* May decrease menstruation-related problems such as cramps and pains
* Does need daily or weekly maintenance when surgically implanted
* Can be taken among breastfeeding or lactating mothers
* Implantation surgery can be done in ten minutes

Disadvantages

* Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases
* Removal of implants require a visit to the clinic
* Removal can cause scarring on the skin
* Has been known to give more severe hormonal side effects over other hormonal contraceptives
* May increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies

Related Links

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norplant

Web MD

http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-norplant

Pregnancy

http://www.pregnancy.org/article.php?sid=1250

Contracept

http://www.contracept.org/norplant.php

Pregnancy and Baby

http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Birth-control–Hormone-based-contraception-2589.htm

Personal MD