USE OF NORPLANT(R) IMPLANTS IN A NEW-YORK-CITY CLINIC POPULATION

Two-hundred-eight women attending family planning clinics in New York City who received the Norplant contraceptive system during the first s ixteen months of Norplant implants insertions were evaluated. Within t his clinic population, Norplant implants were a popular contraceptive choice and were removed from 64 of the 208 recipients. Reasons for rem oval included bleeding, weight gain, and headache, and were consistent with those found in the clinical trials. Prior satisfaction with oral contraceptives did not predict success or failure with Norplant impla nts. The rate of follow-up visits to the family planning clinics was l ow. However, evidence exists that these women did not lose contact wit h the medical center and continued to receive health care,