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Original poster

The implant.

24 replies

cjt110 · 14/11/2018 20:21

The one that goes in your arm. What's it like? I'm on the depo and don't bleed or have any side effects.

Wondered about potentially looking at another contraceptive method.

I'm a bit squeamish so also, can you feel it... like really feel it?

OP posts:
IceRebel · 14/11/2018 20:30

Not had any experiences myself but friends have suffered quite extreme mood swings and bleeding. Also it seems difficult to have it removed if you aren't getting on with it.

Sliceofrice · 14/11/2018 20:35

I loved it.
No periods, easy to get taken out when I needed it out, no mood swings. It's a littke uncomfortable the first week after it goes in as it feels like it's poking the skin. However, once it has settled it was perfect for me. No worrying, no remembering. I will have it again in the future.

Whatififall · 14/11/2018 20:36

I’ve never had any problems with mine. I’m on my 3rd one now. Slight achy pains after removal / insertion but nothing too bad. I have no periods. I know it’s there but I don’t feel it or see it really.
However, I know friends who have struggled with it. 1 friend bled constantly for months and the GP wouldn’t take it out until it had been in at least 12 months. She had to take a daily tablet to stop the bleeding.

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ClickyJoints · 14/11/2018 20:44

The implant is evil. It made me put on loads of weight, killed my libido and it took me over a year to get a gp willing to remove it... I thought I was fine when on it but the day after it came out I realised how I'd been in a grey fog mentally - honestly it is scary how different I felt.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 14/11/2018 20:48

I was on the depo with no periods. Went onto implant. First year periods every month, pmt big time. Second year bleeding half of every month, put on two stone, pmt from hell. Paid to have it removed after 18 days constant bleeding. Now back on depo. Lost a stone, no bleeding and back to as normal as I get!

Original poster
cjt110 · 14/11/2018 20:49

Ok... maybe stay with what I'm on then... I get away with pretty much no symptoms or bleeding so perhaps not for me...!!

OP posts:
dontpointatme · 14/11/2018 20:50

I've found it pretty perfect... no periods, no weight gain, nothing. Just great. However you have no way of telling how it will affect you, everyone is different.

Original poster
cjt110 · 14/11/2018 20:50

In all honesty, I'd whip all of these innards out given half a chance. It's a PITA having contraception when I know I won't ever have another child

OP posts:
PivotPivotPIVOTTT · 14/11/2018 20:52

I'm on my second one. First time I could feel it under my skin and it made me feel sickEnvy if I leaned on it I would get a shooting pain down my arm. They've now changed the insertion area and its harder to find if you feel for it in my opinion.

I've put weight on but can not be sure if this is down to the implant. I get irregular periods and they are more painful however I didn't get any period pain beforehand and I think the pains I get now are probably very very mild compared to what the average person has (from what I've read online and heard from others describing their pains).

I am happy with it and will continue to use it for as long as I am using contraception. I love the fact it lasts 3 years so don't have to worry about it running out for a while although I'm a Para Pete and often do a test just to be sure I'm not pregnant

Santaclarita · 14/11/2018 20:56

I don't like it anymore and getting it removed soon. It's made me depressed. It does stop my period pain though and makes it lighter so I'm dreading that, but pain once a month is better than feeling depressed.

Original poster
cjt110 · 14/11/2018 20:56

I had my depo recently and the nurse had pushed it back to 13 weeks. I've had period type pains and it's horrid. Chances are out of 10 they would be a 3 or 4 but because I don't bleed I hated it. I felt awful... like someone scraping my insides out with a fork...

OP posts:
Girlsnightin · 14/11/2018 21:58

My first was great, my second one gave me periods every fortnight. Got it removed after 3 years, not sure why I wanted so long. It took 3 attempts to remove.

Stephisaur · 14/11/2018 22:14

I could only feel it if I felt for it (if that makes sense!)

Absolutely hated it though. 6 week periods with about 10 days respite in between. DH was concerned that anyone could actually lose that much blood safely!

Had it out after 9 months and went onto cerazette. Periods were still a little wonky, but a lot more manageable.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it :)

cricketmum84 · 14/11/2018 22:33

I was up and down on it to be honest.
First year - periods all over the place and crazy mood swings
Second year - no periods and calm and settled
Third year - heavy horror movie style periods and crazy mood swings!

I'm on mini pill now and a lot more settled as long as I remember to take it lol!

kittenfun · 15/11/2018 00:04

I had the implant ages ago hated it had to have it taken out
I was bleeding constantly
Really moody
Gained weight

BumDisease · 15/11/2018 01:53

On my third consecutive implant and never had a moment's bother.

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/11/2018 06:44

My gp said it’s worth trying and if it didn’t suit me she’d take it out. It didn’t suit me and she took it out.

Original poster
cjt110 · 15/11/2018 07:49

Thanks all. I think perhaps staying on the depo is best for me in view of the experiences below..

If it ain't broke, don't fix it Now my thinking...!

OP posts:
OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 15/11/2018 08:27

i've currently got my fifth one in. Never had any problems with weight gain or mood swings on it. The only issue ive had is that my very first one had been inserted just a touch wonky and it rubbed its way out of my skin and got infected. Cleared up with antibitoics, was removed and a new one put in and no problems at all since then with any that i've had since. I know that sounds like a bit of a nightmare story but apparently it's rare and i was just unlucky that time

TheRenegadeMaster · 15/11/2018 08:31

I had it, and I have mixed views on my experience.

My first implant went great! No periods for a year and a half, could feel it if I touched it but didn't creep me out too much. I then 'stupidly' decided to get it out after multiple people scared me into thinking it would affect my fertility.

I then got a new one put in after realising how much periods suck lol, and it must have been a different brand because I was then having long, painful periods every 2 weeks Sad (naturally I have very light, short, pain free periods so it wasn't nice at all) I then got this one taken out and went on the pill as I couldn't put up with it anymore.

So I guess if you are curious, its worth trying ! Thy can take it out if it doesn't work for you

icebearforpresident · 15/11/2018 10:14

I’m in my third (with a ten year break between the last one and this one) and never had any problems. This one is even better than the last 2 and with them I was having a regular period, though much lighter and shorter, and with this one i’ve had a couple of days spotting since February. No weight gain, no mood swings, no side effects at all.
But again, if you are happy on depo why switch?

Monday55 · 15/11/2018 10:35

I would say the depo is worse than the arm implant if you're planning to have kids in the future. only a few who stop the depo get pregnant immediately otherwise you could be one of the many who wait over a year for their body to get rid of the depo hormones.

I was on the arm implant for the whole 3 years and it was really good. I only had a period once every few months and then during the last year before expiration I had periods once a month as normal before I got it removed.

I gained weight on the arm implant and I also gained weight when I did the daily pill contraception. It wasnt extreme weight gain as I remained a dress size 8. I have lost half a stone since I had it removed around March 2018.

Coldshoulders · 15/11/2018 10:35

I have had the implant twice once when I was 16 for my first contraception and again After I had my son. I have tried the pill and the depo also. From personal experience I wouldn't ever get the implant again. When I first got it at 16 I had continuous bleeding, mood swings. Took me over a year to get it removed because the doctors seem quick enough to put it in but don't like to remove them. I then went on the depo which was the best thing I ever tried no periods no messing around etc. Moved area n changed doctors went in for my depo n they had convinced me to try the implant again and told me now I'm older my hormones are more settled and i should be fine. Worse mistake ever! Can't even believe they blagged me to get it again tbh. Continuous bleeding, horrendous mood swings, I would even say it affected my mental health and changed my personality tbh. Once again took months to get removed n I had to go to a diff place to get it removed as my doctor wasn't willing to remove it even tho it was my body n my choice, I ended up stuck with this horrible thing in my arm for months. Got to a point I even stupidly tried to remove it myself (which I do not reccomend) and eventually found a clinic near my area that would remove it. Took months for me to get back to my usual self, including the bleeding which was horrendous. It really wasn't something I should of done again or I would do again. Most people I know have had problems with the implant there's not many people I know of who it worked out well For, but if it does then it's your choice. The coil was another thing suggested to me but after my experience i would rather have the pill or depo. Just make sure if they do implants they also remove them. Also my sister who has medical conditions had the implant and it gave her cluster migraines continuously. She had to get hers removed at hospital in the end so just be careful do ur research n wish u all the best whatever u decide to do. Xx

andyouloveme · 15/11/2018 10:37

I gained 5 stone , I wouldn’t have it again . Have two scars as well , one from insertion and one from removal - doctor told me chances are they’re permanent , one’s a keloid scar unfortunately .

No benefit in terms of periods either .

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