Research and Development Why were Norplant implants developed?
The Population Council developed Norplant implants to expand contraceptive options for women, by offering a method that was convenient, long-acting, and reversible. In addition, the implants deliver a very low dose of progestin and contain no estrogen. Why are additional contraceptives needed? There is currently no reversible contraceptive that all women like and are able to use. A woman may try several methods until she finds the one that best suits her. Furthermore, a woman may switch methods several times during her reproductive lifetime because of changes in her age, health, economic security, marital status, lifestyle, and concept of ideal family size. All of these factors can have an impact on her decisions about contraception: when to use or stop using it, what kind to use, and when to switch to another method. Even with Norplant implants as an option, there is a need for new contraceptives for groups of women whose needs are not met by existing methods.
