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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be thinking about getting implant removed.

32 replies

littleme2016 · 02/01/2017 20:23

Just that really as the title says.

Have had implant in for five years and was on the pill for few years before that.

Was mainly on it cos (now ex) boyfriend was paranoid I would get pregnant if we just used condoms and his.mum would kill him.

After a messy breakup, I'm off men for a bit and don't intend on getting involved in anything for a while.

I still get a bleed on the implant but annoyingly it comes and goes as it pleases. I had nothing for a few months and now I've had a bleed on and off from xmas day....I never have any clue where I am in my cycle and I'd just like to get back to normality I think.

I got it inserted at the FPA so its likely that's where I'll get it removed.

Be interested to hear any opinions and also know if I'm likely to be asked any questions by nurse/doctor about why I want it out or if they are likely to talk me into keeping it...

OP posts:
ninnypoo · 02/01/2017 20:29

I'm getting mine out tomorrow. It expired in December and as I'm now in a LDR figured I'd take a hormonal break and switch to condoms for a bit. When I rang up I said just that, I had to do a phone consultation about if I was fit and healthy, had I had any major side effects and did I want it replacing, was very straightforward. Will update after the actual removal (the thought alone is making me woozy so I'm a bit nervous!)

DigestiveMuncher · 02/01/2017 20:30

Have you had the implant in for the full 3 years?

Original poster
littleme2016 · 02/01/2017 20:34

Digestive Muncher - I had my first one in three years, then got it replaced and am now on the second year of my second implant if that makes sense.

OP posts:
OnTheUp13 · 02/01/2017 20:42

I've been off chemical contraception for 10 years and I really feel I am better for it. I've used condoms the whole time and have only ever fallen pregnant when I wanted to. I now have a super regular cycle and my periods aren't as painful or heavy.

lionsleepstonight · 02/01/2017 21:05

Just had my second one removed. I was getting two bleeds a month and said to docs I was unhappy with that. They have then tried to push another contraceptive but I just want a break from the hormones for a while.

DigestiveMuncher · 02/01/2017 21:25

Yes I know what you mean, just be warned they can be really funny with you when you go to get it taken out before your 3 years are up. They go on at you about "how much it costs" and that "you've now wasted 1000s of pounds" 😑 they did it with me with my last one even though I was in excruciating pain with periods etc! Bitch she was.

Leaspr · 02/01/2017 21:30

Getting rid of mine was the best choice I've ever made! I was a nightmare! I went through a break up too and decided that I no longer needed it and I don't like to put any medication etc in to my body unless absolutely necessary. I just told them that I had become single with no plans to sleep with anyone and that if the time come when I did want to sleep with anyone regularly, I'd come back to discuss other options. I was just truthful. The doctor seemed to have many women over time that were desperate to get rid of it!

4men1lady · 02/01/2017 21:31

I've had mine in for nearly 3 months now and have set a reminder to ring the clinic tomorrow to have it removed.

It has been the worst 3 months since having it. Mood swings are terrible, feeling so down and exhausted that I barely want to leave the house which isn't possible when you have small children.

I am petrifed of asking for it to be removed after such a short time but I can't go on like this much longer.

Yanbu to have it removed and take my advice, don't let them make you feel bad. I'll try and take heed of my own advice.

DigestiveMuncher · 02/01/2017 21:41

4men1lady, I feel the exact same way with mine. Mine is due to come out at the end of this year but I'll be going for mine removed pretty soon, I have had enough!
I have 3 periods in 1 month ever month & each and every one of them are heavy! I thought at one point that it hadn't worked and I'd had a miscarriage because the clots and the blood were too much but when I went to get checked out they said it was just a heavy flow period & that they would "ease off" Hmm

I personally think the implant is a load of crap!! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone anymore.

Footinmouthasusual · 02/01/2017 21:50

Hi yes my poor dd bled for 4 months solid and I went with her to get it taken out. The clinic were absolutiy supportive and removed it immediately.

Ignore any crap about cost they have to follow patients wishes.

Footinmouthasusual · 02/01/2017 21:52

digestive you should make a formal complaint.

Helloitsme87 · 02/01/2017 21:54

I refuse to have any artificial hormones in my body. It totally messes with my physical and mental health. Condoms do me just fine (and the fact that I have two children works as a contraceptive in itself!)

acquiescence · 02/01/2017 21:55

I haven't been on any hormonal contraceptives for around 10 years now and I look back and see that I endured unecessary weight gain, low mood and skin outbreaks. Artificial hormones can be nasty things and you can take control of your fertility without needing to resort to them. Ultimately it is your choice.

MrsFinkelstein · 02/01/2017 21:56

OP I would have no issues removing your implant under those circumstances. It's only when it's been in for under a year that we're reluctant to remove it.

Tumtitum · 02/01/2017 22:02

I had mine removed after just a few months because of awful mood swings. They took mine out no problems, although I was a crying mess in the family planning clinic so that probably put them off giving me a hard time!! It was slightly more uncomfortable coming out than going in but not painful

Lovelongweekends · 02/01/2017 22:02

My GP was very open with me when I got my implant last month that 1 in 5 women find it intolerable with random heavy bleeding. She said if I was one of the 1 in 5 she'll happily remove it. Have had some spotting but nothing else so far alttI am still bf-ing.

4men1lady · 02/01/2017 22:24

I've been fortunate in the sense that I haven't had a period/bleed since having it inserted. But my children and dh are starting to suffer from my moods/depression. I know I didn't feel like this before having it put in.

I really hope they remove it without any problems.

Footinmouthasusual · 02/01/2017 22:27

MrsFink have you bled heavily for a year?

Dd bled for 4 months continuously and I had my mirena coil out after 6 months continuous bleeding.

A year I would have been even more anaemic and possibly suecidal.

SusanneLinder · 02/01/2017 22:32

YANBU. My DD has depression and implant made it worse. She got Mirena put in and has had no issues since. She was just asked why she wanted it removed but there was no pressure to keep it at all.

Birdlet · 02/01/2017 22:34

Having mine removed was the best thing I ever did - my mood swings were horrific and I also struggles with heavy prolonged bleeding. GP's response to the 5 week period I had was to put me on the contraceptive pill at the same time Hmm

Digestive I'd definitely make a complaint! Just googled the cost of the implant as I was shocked at the cost you'd been told... it's less than £90 according to this NHS website Confused

Original poster
littleme2016 · 02/01/2017 22:34

Thanks for all the responses so far. You have all confirmed what I was thinking. I think I'll try ring them tomorrow

OP posts:
MrsFinkelstein · 02/01/2017 22:58

Foot - yes I bled almost every day for about 9 months when my Mirena was put in, I persevered because I knew statistically it was likely to stop, and while annoying, it wasn't going to harm me.

Birdlet - you also have to factor in the cost of the clinic appt, staff costs and costs of the equipment required to insert/remove it. Average cost of an NHS clinic appt is £160, this isn't including any medications, equipment used.

Before I put an implant in I always fully counsel about all the possible, common side effects and how long they may last for, and that we are reluctant to remove it within the 1st year for these. If they understand and are willing to try it as a long term method, then I'll insert it.

Our pharmacy budget is already very tight, we have had to fight hard to be allowed to supply the range of methods we do (the trust would prefer we limit the variety available). That's not helpful to women to limit their choice and we want to continue to provide as much choice as possible. If the Implant is used for at least 12 months it's deemed cost-effective, if it's no longer seen to be cost-effective the trust may no longer allow it to be part of our formulary to be supplied. I don't want women's choice to be limited. That's why I make sure before I fit it the patient is fully counselled and willing to accept the method, and all its possible initial side effects, if they think they couldn't tolerate it, then we look at other available options that may suit them better.

MrsFinkelstein · 02/01/2017 23:00

And the most effective way to try to regulate irregular bleeding with the Implant is to try the combined pill (if suitable to use), it's low dose, safe to use and very very effective.

Birdlet · 02/01/2017 23:09

MrsFinkelstein my brain's clearly not working properly, whoops Confused

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