NORPLANT

1
NORPLANT

• Will J. Jessica M.
• Dana R. Brenda K.

2
Overview

• 1st approved in Finland 1983
• FDA approved in 1990, ended 2002
• Set of 6 small silicone capsules with 36mg
  levonorgestrel
• Norplant II developed and approved 1996
• 2 small silicone rods 75mg each
• No longer marketed in the U.S.

3
Hormone Used

• Levonorgestrel (or l-norgestrel or D-norgestrel)
  is a synthetic progestogen, producing similar
  effects to progesterone, the only natural
  progestogen. Contains no estrogen.
• Agonist to progesterone

4
Mechanisms

• At least two mechanisms are active in preventing
  pregnancy
• 1.) ovulation inhibition
• 2.) thickening of the cervical mucus.

5
Molecular Action

• At the cellular level, progestins diffuse freely
  into target cells and bind to the progesterone
  receptor
• the female reproductive tract, the mammary gland,
  the hypothalamus, and the pituitary
• Once bound to the receptor, progestins slow the
  frequency of release of GnRH from the
  hypothalamus and reduce the pre-ovulatory LH
  surge
• Prevents follicular maturation and ovulation

6

• Also changes the endometrium, causing a
  thickening of the cervical mucus which inhibits
  sperm into the uterus
• Decreases natural progesterone production during
  the luteal phase of ovulation

7
Side Effects of Norplant

• Irregular and excessive bleeding
• Infection at the insertion site
• Capsule expulsion
• Migraines
• Breast abnormalities

8
References

• http//www.rockford.uic.edu/jc/levonorgestrel.htm