Effect of NORPLANT®contraceptive use on hemoglobin, packed cell volume and menstrual bleeding patterns

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of NORPLANT® use on hemoglobin levels (HB), packed cell volume (PCV) and menstrual bleeding patterns. NORPLANT®insertions were performed on 50 healthy volunteers in Ilorin, Nigeria, between January-March 1986. Whole blood samples were collected at admission, 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits, and each acceptor was asked to keep a daily bleeding calendar. Mean age of the acceptors was 32.8 years with a mean parity of 5.3 live births. Almost 50% of the acceptors indicated that they did not want any more children. After 12 month's follow-up, there were a total of three discontinuations, two for excessive menstrual bleeding and one due to husband's objection. Mean HB and PCV values remained relatively unchanged from admission to 12 months. Nearly 50% of the women experienced at least one episode of 8 or more days of continuous bleeding during the first six months of use, and about 20% reported amenorrhea of 90 or more days. Despite the incidence of menstrual bleeding irregularities, acceptability of the NORPLANT®method was high as indicated by a 1-year continuation rate of 93.7 per 100 users. Clinically more important was the finding that despite a high proportion of women reporting menstrual pattern changes, HB and PCV levels remained unchanged.