Fertility control in women with a progestogen released in microquantities from subcutaneous capsules

Silastic capsules containing megestrol acetate (MA) were implanted subcutaneously in 97 women. Two dosages were studied. There were 160 woman-months of experience for the first group, which had 3 capsules and 595 for the second group, having 4 capsules. There were 5 pregnancies in the first and 4 in the second group. According to indirect signs, approximately 90 per cent of the cycles studied were ovulatory. It appears that the site(s) of action is peripheral to the ovary. Although abnormal bleeding did occur in approximately 30 per cent of the cycles, there were no serious complications associated with the method. The contraceptive effect of a silastic implant containing MA has been demonstrated for the first time in humans.