IRREGULAR BLEEDING, BODY-MASS INDEX AND COITAL FREQUENCY IN NORPLANT(R) CONTRACEPTIVE USERS

Seventy-five women with a mean age of 27.5 years who requested Norplan t(R) implants for contraception were studied over a five-year period. The patients kept daily diaries of their vaginal bleeding and coital f requency, and were seen at least every six months at which time their weight was measured. This study examines the impact of Norplant implan ts use on menstrual regularity, body mass index and coital frequency. Irregular bleeding was most prevalent during the first two years of No rplant implants use and accounted for the primary reason for discontin uation of this method. No increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) was noted in Norplant implants users over the five-year study period. Women with irregular bleeding did not have a higher or lower BMI compared to wom en with regular bleeding and irregular bleeding patterns did not impac t on coital frequency. Over five years, four pregnancies occurred duri ng Norplant implant use. Norplant implants are a highly effective cont raceptive method and women using this method should not expect an incr ease in body weight. Irregular bleeding is most frequent during the fi rst two years of use and menstrual cyclicity resumes in the majority o f women by the third year of use and continues to the fifth year of us e.