THE CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT AND THE INJECTABLE - A COMPARISON OF COSTS

A comparison of the relative costs of the injectable contraceptive (de pot medroxyprogesterone acetate) and the hormonal implant (Norplant(R) ) indicates that the implant is a less costly contraceptive option whe n it is used for its full five-year lifespan. Over a five-year period, the implant costs $107 annually, compared with $140 per year for the injectable. However, if a woman discontinues the implant before she ha s used it for at least four years, the injectable becomes the less cos tly option. Relatively high continuation rates-around 95% annually-are necessary to make the implant the more cost-effective contraceptive m ethod.