Family planning programs around the world are introducing the new one- or two-rod implant systems Implanon®, Jadelle®, and in some countries Sino-Implant (II)®. By 2008 Norplant®, the six-capsule implant system, first introduced in mid-1980s, will no longer be available. Like Norplant, the new implants are highly effective, and like Norplant, they alter bleeding patterns. Their most important improvement over Norplant is easier and quicker insertion and removal. Sino-Implant (II) may also cost much less than other implants.

 More and more women are using injectable contraceptives today, and very likely even more will use this method in the future as it becomes increasingly available. Women choose injectables because they are effective, long-lasting, and private. For family planning programs, meeting increasing demand while maintaining good quality will be the key to success with injectables. Between 1995 and 2005 the number of women worldwide using injectable contraceptives more than doubled. About 12 million married women used injectables in 1995. In 2005 over 32 million were using injectables.

Maximizing access and quality of services for injectable contraceptives requires well-planned introduction of the method, through training, balanced and extensive communication with the public, application of scientific medical guidelines for provision and use, and informative and sensitive counseling. For policy-makers: if not already done, register injectable contraceptives; ensure that injectables are offered in family planning programs; and avoid restrictions based on age and parity.

 There are approximately 12 million current users of injectable contraceptives worldwide.  Progestin-only injectables are the most widely used.  The first injectables were developed soon after oral contraceptives, but limited availability constrained their use in all but a few countries, such as Indonesia and Thailand.  Over the next few years, however, millions of couples throughout the world will be offered a choice of injectable contraceptives.  Reassuring World Health Organization (WHO) research findings, the U

 Injectable contraceptives are convenient, private, and very effective. This guide will help you, the family planning provider, tell your clients about the 3-month injectable called Depo-Provera (DMPA) or the 2-month injectable called Noristerat (NET EN). Counseling is a step-by- step discussion between you and the client. Counseling helps each client choose and use the family planning method that best suits that person’s needs.

 Injectable contraceptives are convenient, private, and very effective. This guide will help you, the family planning provider, tell your clients about the 3-month injectable called Depo-Provera (DMPA) or the 2-month injectable called Noristerat (NET EN). Counseling is a step by step discussion between you and the client. Counseling helps each client choose and use the family planning method that best suits that person's needs. Good counseling involves friendly, open talk with the client to find out politely what she wants and what concerns her.

This issue of Population Reports is dedicated to Norplant, a new contraceptive.  Norplant is either widely available or its use is quickly increasing in 14 countries, especially Indonesia, Thailand, and the US.  Almost 1.8 million women use Norplant.  23 countries have approved its use.

 Norplant is a set of contraceptive implants-six capsules filled with levonorgestrel, one of the hormones most widely used in birth control pills. The capsules do not contain estrogen. A specially trained health care provider places the capsules just under the skin in a woman's upper arm and later also removes them. Insertion and removal are minor surgical procedures done under local anesthetic. No stitches are needed.

 Before the year 2000 women around the world may have up to 5 new family planning methods to choose from.  All will be very effective, convenient to use, and long-acting -- from 1 month to 5 years.  All use a progestin, a type of female hormone that is also used in birth control pills.  Norplant implants which have already been approved in 7 countries, are placed just under the skin on the inside of a woman's arm. 

 This article reviews the development, characteristics, and use of various types of long-acting progestins, examining their effectiveness, side effects, effects on reproduction, carcinogenicity, continuation, and acceptability.  Progestins, synthetic hormones that act like the natural female hormone progesterone, can be administered in at least 5 different ways to provide pregnancy protection over extended periods:  injectable contraceptives, hormone-releasing IUDs, subdermal implants, vaginal rings

 A report on the status of the injectable contraceptive agents, Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) and Norigest is presented.  Depo-Provera is distributed in 64 countries, though it is not available in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Japan.  The drug is usually administered in single 150 mg injections every 3 months, and doses of 300-400 mg every 6 months have been studied.  The contraceptive effect of Depo-Provera is primarily through its