DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND NORPLANT(R) CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANTS

Women enrolled in a multicenter prospective study were evaluated to id entify any possible relationship between depressive symptoms and the u se of contraceptive implants. Women choosing Norplant(R) implants (n = 910) were evaluated before starting this contraceptive and were reint erviewed at 6 months and 2 years. Women who continued the method had l ower depressive symptom scores before initiating Norplant implants tha n did the women who discontinued the method or who were lost to follow up. Among the continuing Norplant implant users, the mean scores were similar before starting Norplant and at 6 months (7.9 vs 7. 7). The s trongest overall predictor of the depressive symptom score was relatio nship satisfaction. At 24 months, the subgroup of continuing users wit h decreased relationship satisfaction had an increase in depressive sy mptom score, but those with stable or improved relationships had stabl e depressive symptom scores. The subjects with the highest (ie, worst) scores at enrollment demonstrated improved scores during follow-up. T hese results are reassuring for women who are concerned that Norplant use may adversely affect their mood. CONTRACEPTION 1998;57:241-245 (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.