Anyone have info on the Norplant?

I had it over 20+ years ago. The first few years it was awesome. Then I started bleeding, heavily and often. Docs tried a bunch of things to get it to stop but it wouldn't. I had them take it out. Unfortunately it wasn't inserted properly and they had to literally dig around in my arm for it so I have a beautiful scar on my arm now. Another friend of mine had her cancer linked to the norplant. I don't know if things have changed in the 20 years since I and it but I wouldn't recommend it after my experience.

As a physician, I learned about Norplant during my training. One of the hospitals where I trained was one of the original test sites. So, when the product was actually released on the general market, we had patients who were already on their second Norplant. I truly felt as if the study patients (who got it for free) were more accepting of side effects and overall happier with the medication than those who got it later on. From those who got it once it was released to the market, it was a love/hate thing. Women either loved it or hated it.

My daughter had Norplant 21 years ago. And had the same problem when having it removed. I couldn't believe how much trouble the dortor had when removing it.

I also had Norplant when I was around 18 or 19, so I guess around 1992/1993. I had a horrible experience with it. Horrible, heavy periods that were happening way to often, I was anemic, I had almost constant PMS and weight loss. I would be pretty happy with the weight loss now, but at the time, I didn't need to lose weight. I was so miserable, after almost a year that I told the doctor to take it out or I would dig it out myself.

All that being said, I think it was off the market for quite a while, so I'm sure there have been a lot of changes. I would make sure she asks a lot of questions before she decides on it. Is your daughter not interested in an IUD or a Depo shot maybe?

I had Norplant over 20 years ago. I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy. It was an awful experience made worse by a doctor who refused to take it out when I requested that it be removed. I honestly thought it was taken off the market, as well it should be.

A couple more thoughts on Nexplanon (Norplant was taken off the market in 2002 in the US, by the way). It is only one rod, vs thr multiple rods of Norplant and they have a super foolproof insertion tool. If she gets it, they will put steri strips on the insertion site and then a pressure bandage that should stay on for 24 hours. I recommend putting an Ace Bandage around her upper arm. Not super tight, but it provides some support and protection, and for me cut down on bruising. It can leave a spectacular bruise after insertion (very normal). It doesn't really hurt much though, for me the steri strips tugging on my skin was the most painful part.

I got mine done at Planned Parenthood the second time because my doctor wasn't super familiar with it. While the insertion tool has been made almost fool proof, in the earlier days there were a few reported problems with it being inserted too deep (almost impossible now). I felt more comfortable with someone who had put in hundreds and hundreds.

I had to pay our of pocket for mine (grandfathered insurance plan, ughhhh), abut $800 this most recent time. I paid $400 the first time. Worth every single penny, and cheaper than 3 years of pills for me. Hopefully hers will be covered.

I honestly don't really understand why someone would get a hormonal IUD with the implant available, although to be fair, I can see if they were concerned about the irregular bleeding. IUD stats are better on that. While IUDs are extremely safe and effective, when shit goes wrong... it is in a place in your body where it can really do some damage. I guess my view is colored because I have had 2 friends with Mirena where they had tubal pregnancies, and one where it got embedded in the uterus and took 2 surgeries (pretty involved) to have it removed. I know statistically that is unlikely, but to me if you want kids in the future, the implant carries less risks. Fertility returns immediately after removal, my vast majority of women get their period back within 6 weeks from what I read (as opposed to Depo which can take awhile).

Honestly, these stories about Norplant are like asking "Did anyone have a Ford Taurus in 1990? Tell me about the 2015 Ford Focus!" Haha

My daughter had it and is in the hate side of it. She had non stop break throughout bleeding for the entire year she tried it. Weight gain, extreme mood swings, etc. She switched to a non-hormonal iud and has had no issues at all.

Like anything else, I think it varies from case to case. The new implants are far different from those of years past. My older stepdaughter had the norplant and what a mess that was. My daughter didn't do well with it but compared to the stepsister, it was a walk in the park.  Great thing that there are so many choices out there. I know there are many who do love the implants and I am glad it works for you

I will add that if someone tries the Nexplanon, they need to be prepared to give it a year before most doctors will consider removing it.

My DD has the new implant and she is pretty pleased with it. Our insurance covered it entirely, not even a copay, and the insertion was textbook. She has a history of frequent, long periods when not on bc and break thru bleeding when on bc, so we had some concerns going in. At first she did have a period every 3 weeks, but they were shorter than a normal period. At the 6 month mark, her periods were reduced to a bit of break thru type bleeding one day a month, which she says she can definitely live with.

For DD, the only downside has been that the dose of hormones is so low, she is having her first real experience with acne. LOL She has been on one form of bc or another since she was 12, and all of them had enough hormones that she never had any teenage acne. Now she is almost 21 and is having breakouts. Nothing horrific, just a few zits around the time of the break thru bleeding.

Marcy