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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To just leave my implant in?

14 replies

Beaubeagle · 04/01/2018 14:57

I had a Nexplanon implant put in around the end of January 2015. It’s never been totally great and I’ve had horrendous issues with bleeding on and off the entire time, but overall I like not having to remember to take the pill and the idea of a coil fills me with dread.

I was given a card when I had the implant put in that says I should have it replaced in January 2018, so after exactly 3 years. Obviously it’s now due but I have a dilemma. I’m an absolutely wimp and the idea of having my arm cut open to have it taken out scares me senseless. Also, my husband and I haven’t ruled out the possibility of having another child but if we do I would want to wait until the summer before trying to conceive due to other commitments. So another implant wouldn’t be the best idea as it could be short term, but I really don’t want to take the pill again.

I have read online recently that Nexplanon can still be effective up to 4 years now so my question is, should I just leave it in for now until we’ve decided once and for all if we are going to try for another baby or should I have it removed and replaced? Not sure if it’s important but I’m 35 btw.

OP posts:

SolemnlySwear2010 · 04/01/2018 15:09

I would get it removed - can you use condoms until you are ready to try for another baby seeing as it is only a few months?

I had my implant taken out a few years ago and it took around 6 months for my body to get back to a 'normal' cycle and a further 3 months to fall pregnant.

I was 23 at the time and fit/healthy.

Actually getting the implant out is a doddle - a quick numbing injection and then just a few minutes of pressure.

Bobbiepin · 04/01/2018 15:12

Definitely get it taken out, it'll be no more painful than getting it put in and no matter what the professionals say it does take time for your cycle to get back to normal so even though it's possible to get pregnant it is actually quite difficult to plot your fertile days so getting pregnant on purpose is difficult. As PP said using condoms is your best bet, going back on the pill will have the same problems with stopping it.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 04/01/2018 15:15

I'd have it whipped out. I've had a few of these. It wasn't a simple numb it and pressure removal though. The doctor was sweating cobs as the implant had embedded in the tissue mesh in my arm. They can go into muscle too. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. They can put more anaesthetic in if you ask. Prepare for a bruise. I have quite a large scar too.

manon123x · 04/01/2018 15:16

100% get it taken out! I had the worst experience with the implant but I think getting it put in was way more painful than taking it out! x

Shoxfordian · 04/01/2018 15:30

Get it removed and see about some other contraception until the summer

LookingForwardToChristmas · 04/01/2018 15:35

Having it removed wasn’t as uncomfortable, either at the time or recovery afterwards, than having it put in. I say that as someone who had a nurse learning on me, so she didn’t put enough local anaesthetic in and the implant had moved a bit so she struggled to cut it out.

pigeondujour · 04/01/2018 15:38

I think those things last an awful lot longer than the recommended time to keep them in. It can take a long time to get back to normal after removal too - I'd get it out now if you want to ttc in summer. Could you consider barrier contraception between now and then?

Kraggle · 04/01/2018 15:38

Just to warn you I got pregnant pretty quickly after I had mine taken out twice. Taken out end of May, found out I was pregnant in July both times, so definitely have a backup plan if you do take it out.

Original poster

Beaubeagle · 04/01/2018 15:50

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I need to have it removed then! I’ll have to bite the bullet and make an appointment. Hopefully someone will come with me for moral support I might just ask for a 3 month supply of the pill and then start taking pregnancy vitamins once they run out and use condoms for 3 months.

OP posts:

SomewhereInbetween1 · 04/01/2018 15:54

I feel like a bit of an idiot for admitting this, but I got my implant when I was 18, so 2010. My periods we're irregular at best when I got it and they didn't really change really once the implant was fitted. Fast forward to today and it's still in there! BUT it hasn't caused any issues and I feel much better without all the hormones in my system. It's only still in there because I keep forgetting that it's still there! (Because I'm bloody lazy)

Original poster

Beaubeagle · 04/01/2018 19:53

Somewhereinbetween1 I would be happy to leave mine tbh so you’re not alone!

OP posts:

Rtmhwales · 04/01/2018 20:02

Just want to chime in and say I am currently ten weeks pregnant, which happened somehow with two months to go before my Nexplanon expired. It doesn’t hurt to get it out, but I wouldn’t plan on it lasting you 4 years if you really don’t want to be starting a family right this second. I was completely baffled when I turned up pregnant because I could still see the thing in my arm and wasn’t due to change it until next month.

TriskaiDeckTheHallsia · 05/01/2018 12:17

Definitely get it out! It'll be a lot more painful if it gets buried under muscle. Mine is still in after 5 and a half years- I wasn't afraid of the procedure but of registering with a new doctor(asd/social anxiety) which I've finally done now.

I'm pretty sure its expired but worried it could still be leaking hormones stopping me getting pregnant. So I want to get it out and my doctors has a waiting list for it so now I've now got to wait even longer. So annoyed with myself.

BellyBean · 05/01/2018 12:27

Gosh don't leave it in for years over the date, it'll embed in the tissue and be a real ball ache to remove.

Personally I'd leave it for 3 months over the 3 years, they say 3 years to cover themselves but chances of getting pregnant are v low. Then straight to condoms so no hormones to mess up your cycle.

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