OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, acceptability and side-effects of the Norplant (Leiras) contraceptive system during adolescence.
METHODS: A total of 13 adolescents were implanted with Norplant immediately after menstruation. Adolescents were advised to present for follow-up visits at 3 days after implantation, at 3, 6 and 12 months and every 1 year thereafter. Blood pressure, menstrual disorders, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, glucose and side-effects were recorded at every visit.
RESULTS: The follow-up period was 24 months with a continuation rate of 100% (13/13) for the first 6 months, 92.5% (12/13) for 12 months and 53.8% (7/13) for the whole period. No pregnancies were observed. No infections at the implant site or expulsions were observed. Menorrhagia was observed in 4/13 (30.76%) adolescents in the third month. Thereafter all adolescents were treated with tenoxicam (prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor), so that by the end of the sixth month of treatment menorrhagia was not present in any of the 13 adolescents. No increase of blood pressure was observed. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.01) of triglycerides at 6 months after implantation was found; however, no difference was observed in the values of serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL.
CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study has shown that Norplant is acceptable as a contraceptive method among adolescents in Greece and can be prescribed safely.