Norplant consists of injectable levonorgestrel-filled silicone capsules. Organon, the company that produces Norplant, applies for and receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1990 to market the drug in the U.S., with a long-term goal of also using the drug in U.S.-funded family planning programs outside of the country.

Many feminist organizations critique its physical safety, as it is known to cause side effects such as irregular bleeding, headaches, and weight changes. Women who are prescribed the implant are largely not told about these side effects, nor do they recieve barrier methods of birth control for protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV/AIDS. In addition, Norplant cannot be removed without medical assistance.

In a dozen states, women are coerced to use the implant under legislative bills that: "offered financial incentives to women on welfare to induce them to use Norplant... [or] required women receiving public assistance either to use Norplant or lose their benefits. Some bills would have forced women convicted of child abuse or drug use during pregnancy to have Norplant implanted" (ACLU, n.d.).