Bleeding complaints during the first year of norplant implants use and their impact on removal rate

The frequency of bleeding complaints during the first year of use and their influence on removal rate were analyzed in a retrospective cohort study of 491 Norplant implants acceptors. Removal rates were significantly higher in women having menstrual complaints (1.98% and 29.23% in the first and fourth trimester) than in those who did not mention them (0.79 and 5.07% in the same periods). In all periods of observation, most women who mentioned menstrual problems decided to continue using the method. Two possible explanations for this are that 1) the complaints did not persist for very long, and 2) the most frequent complaint mentioned was bleeding irregularity, which was not as strongly associated with removals as increased or decreased bleeding. The authors conclude that bleeding problems are the most important factor limiting the acceptability of Norplant implants, either being the main reason for removal (3.9 per 100 women) or influencing the rate of removal for other reasons. Adequate counseling appears to be critical for reducing the impact of bleeding problems on removal rates, and thereby increasing the acceptability of the method. The importance of research aimed at preventing or treating menstrual problems to improve the acceptability of the method is emphasized.