During some of these migraines, the left side of my face and left arm would go numb. When I told my doctor, he said I needed to get off the pill immediately because I could have a stroke. He recommended Norplant, and I have had an implant for a little over two years now. I was under the impression that the danger from the pill was caused by the estrogen, and I was wondering if it would be safe for me to take a progestin-only pill. The Norplant implants are inserted into the woman's arm, and one implant gives up to five years contraceptive protection.
Norplant implants provide few side effects or complications.
The advantages and lack of side effects that you have with the Norplant implants would be similar for any other type of progestin only contraceptive. Also, Norplant and Depo-provera eliminate the difficulty of having to remember to take a pill every day at the same time. In addition, for Norplant, both insertion and removal require a minor surgical procedure. Associated with this procedure is higher initial costs. Although over five years the costs associated with Norplant equal that of other contraceptive methods, the initial cost of Norplant can be prohibitive.