ACCEPTABILITY OF LONG-TERM CONTRACEPTIVE STEROID ADMINISTRATION IN HUMANS BY SUBCUTANEOUS SILASTIC CAPSULES

Capsules of silicone rubber each containing approximately 18 mg. of megestrol acetate (MA) were implanted subcutaneously in 24 women. During the first portion of this study the patients were wearing IUCD's. Four different dosage groups were studied. Pregnancies occurred in patients who received one or two implants but not in those bearing either four or six capsules. Clinical, histologic, and cytologic data suggested that ovulation was not suppressed by four or fewer implants. The data suggested that there was frequent inhibition of ovulation in the patients bearing six implants. The patients' subjective reaction to this new technique was favorable. There were no local or systemic complications attributable to the implants. It is suggested that fewer than six implants of this size may provide acceptable long-term contraception without the inhibition of ovulation. © 1969.