Caption

Contraceptive implants. View of six contraceptive Norplant implants, on the palm of a hand. They are positioned in the fan-pattern in which they are placed under the skin of the arm. These small white tubes filled with female hormone (levon- orgestrel: a type of progesterone), are designed to give a 5-year sustained release of hormone into the blood. Once inserted under the skin, the implants provide a method of long-term birth control for women. Fertility returns soon after the implants are removed. This method may also be suitable for women who are unable to use oral contraceptives. Norplant was discontinued in 2002.