Short-term and long-term effects of Norplant-2 on plasma lipoproteins and glucose tolerance.

Twenty-five women using the levonorgestrel-containing contraceptive implant, Norplant-2, were studied longitudinally, to see the effects on lipid profile, glucose tolerance and hepatic transaminases with short-term (12 weeks) and long-term (18 to 24 months) use of Norplant-2 [corrected]. Total lipids, cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and their subfractions were evaluated. There was a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol after 12 weeks of use (p less than 0.05), which did not persist at 18-24 months follow-up. The HDL-cholesterol, HDL/LDL-cholesterol ratio, phospholipids, other lipid fractions, hepatic transaminases and glucose tolerance did not alter significantly following short-term or long-term use of Norplant-2.