Contraceptive Implant?

[DetentionGrrrl]

Apologies if this topic belongs elsewhere- thought this was the most appropriare area i could see!

Has anyone any experience of the contraceptive implant? The 3 years protection is about right for the gap i want to leave between my son and other younger brother or sister. Any side effects / pros / cons?

[jofeb04]

Hiya,
Ive got the implant, and it works wonders for me, but, I know I don't want any more children.
I have had no side effects, apart from I have not come on with a period since January, which is amazing tbh!
A pro for me is not needing to take the pill, making sure a coil is in the correct place etc, its just there and working. A con is, that if you likve to know for deffinate that your not pregnant, and you do not have a period through the time, it may not be for you.
HTH

BTW, i didn't feel much pain when it went it.

[alicemama]

I've also got the implant, had it since March.
I know it doesn't suit everyone but I love it.
No pills to take, no periods for me either.
And no side-effects for me.

[sunandmoon]

I had the implant since october. No side effects. My period started about 5 months after the implant was put in and are now very regular and no cramps (it use to be a nightmare when i was taking the pill).
I totally recommend it...

[Bozza]

Unfortunately I am the other side of the coin. I had mine input in November and have had heavy, irregular and prolonged bleeding since. The actual insertion was no problem although I did come up in a pretty violent and odd shaped bruise - but then I am prone to bruising - covered in them from the kids. I have been back to the clinic and they have put me on the pill! It is for 3 months to see if it helps to regulate the bleeding. And if not I will have to have the implant removed. However I took the first pack of pills and they finished last Weds. It is now Tuesday and I have not yet had any bleeding. When I was on the pill before it would usually start 3/4 days after last one taken. So am hoping I am making progress.

[GarfieldsGirl]

I had mine put in 3 months ago. I am giving it another month before begging to have the bloody thing out! I was told that if I was still bf & AFs hadn't come back, then chances were they never would, this was my main reason for having it in. However, 2 weeks later, AF returned. It's very, very light, like spotting, buts lasts for over a fortnight. And in between I have killer headaches. I have read that this is the case for many people, then it settles down after 3 months, hence the reason I'm giving it another month. I've never had probs with any contraceptive before so not sure why I am with this.

[Bozza]

I had mirena coil and was suffering similar symptoms until it fell out. Was also bf at point that was put in. Have been very disappointed with contraception post-DD. I have been having heavy bleeding for up 12 days at a time. So I am giving this pill chance to sort it out and if not I will have it removed. Will then end up back on the pill because there is nothing else for me other than condoms. Apparently I have an odd-shaped cervix/uterus, hence coil difficulties and presume mini pill/injection would have similar effect to implant/mirena.

[expatinscotland]

Bozza
Both the Mirena and Implanon are progesten-based contraception.

It doesn't sound like progesten agrees w/you.

It certainly didnt for me. Made me bleed, bleed, bleed, killed my libido entirely, and worsened my PND dangerously.

[expatinscotland]

Mini-pill and Depo injections also progesten-based.

[Bozza]

Hmmm I am rather coming to that conclusion expat. Does seem a bit pointless to have to take the pill for 3 months to sort out the implant IYSWIM. Also since the pill is combined it would seem that I am getting double lots of progesterone just now. Just went along with it to get me past my holiday.

[expatinscotland]

I would love to take the combined pill again, but unfortunately it's not medically advisable for me.