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Original poster

Chickening out - arm implant, supposed to be put in this afternoon

27 replies

RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 11:23

I had a call yesterday for a last minute appointment to have an arm implant (contraceptive) thing put in this afternoon.

They listed the side effects etc and now I’m a bit Confused. I’ve just had a baby; well 5 and a half months ago. And all the talk of potentially constant, heavy periods argh - no. I’ve just had a baby and all the hormones. Why the fuck do I have to flood my body with more bloody hormones again? And having another procedure... I’ve just had a cesarian. No thanks. Humph. I’m basically sulking that this is my responsibility and not dh’s.

We’re currently just using condoms, which we did successfully for years pre dcs. I’m tempted to just keep doing this.

OP posts:
RedBallpointPens · 05/07/2018 11:27

Some people have heavy periods with an implant, some have no periods. It really does depend on the individual. I had periods twice a year on it, but did have massive moodswings around those times.

I would caution against getting one unless you are keen tho - the doctors can be reluctant to take it out if you don't like it, and when I wanted mine removed to ttc there was a 6 week wait for an appointment - not too bad in my case but would be really annoying if you were having horrid side effects.

britnay · 05/07/2018 11:27

I loved mine. I was lucky enough that it stopped my periods entirely while it was inserted.

thewreckofthehesperus · 05/07/2018 11:29

If it suits you it is a great option, I'm on my fourth implant and I basically have one or two periods a year. My sister however wasn't so lucky and ended up having to get hers removed after six months as she had the constant bleeding. It really does just depend on the individual which unfortunately you can't know until you try it.

No pain with insertion bar the initial local anaesthetic, easy enough removal too with only a small scar.

If you're unsure why not put it off for a bit and mull it over?

argumentativefeminist · 05/07/2018 11:30

Only had mine a few weeks but it's been fine! Also didn't have any symptoms with depo injection except a bit of PMS type symptoms for a few days after each injection, so I'd recommend that too. But all contraceptives are so different for different people that I think it's almost not worth reading reviews or taking too much notice of the potential side effects.

rebelrosie12 · 05/07/2018 11:31

Mine was great. You can always get it taken out

Original poster
RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 11:35

Thanks all.

Hmmmm I’m thinking I might cancel...

I’ve got some cerelle upstairs which I had been taking but wanted a break from it as it was effecting my skin and (I thought) weight loss (lack of). Maybe I should take that again for a bit and see how I go? Then when I’m used to it I can think about arm thing again.

I hate contraception. I’ve had niggly problems with all of them, except condoms. Tried one of those cycle apps once and fell pregnant with dc2 😂. We were fairly sure we wanted to start ttc soon then anyway, so it wasn’t at all a problem - we were thrilled. But wouldn’t be with a third. Not at this point anyway.

OP posts:
IllHaveALargeGlassOfRed · 05/07/2018 11:37

I had a terrible experience on the Implanon and got it taken out after 18months. Mood swings doesn't begin to describe it.

AsleepAllDay · 05/07/2018 11:37

It's not that rough - feels a bit like stapling something when they do it

I have lots of friends who think it's fab and have no periods or very short ones

I'm one of the few who feel side effects - I was bleeding non stop when I had it in & even took the pill alongside but didn't improve matters so had it taken out

Then was on the pill only and found it so much easier

I wouldn't not recommend trying it - it's free on the NHS and you may be one of the majority who love it

Re: hormones - I think we're fed lots of alarmist rubbish about contraceptive hormones & if you want to do BC properly then it's either putting up with them or going for IUD which lots of people have trouble with too. Not in a relationship now or looking so off all BC but would jump on the pill again and explore options if needed for sure

yorkshireyummymummy · 05/07/2018 11:38

I’m just about to have my fifth changed.
I know when mine needs changing as I get a period.
I’ve been lucky I suppose but they really are great- you never forget as it’s just ‘there’ and I think lots of people get very little or no bleeding. It’s not painful getting it inserted - but it can be a bit sore and bruised for a few days afterwards.
Trust me - it’s nothing like a section! It’s just a tiny nick- about 3mm.
If you want one but the thought of the procedure is making you anxious then re book and get your go to prescribe you a single dose diazepam to take before the insertion appointment which will calm you down and take the edge off any anxiety you feel .

AsleepAllDay · 05/07/2018 11:39

Also with taking it out - I went to a sexual health clinic and explained that I had tried it for three months+ and with the pill as well & they agreed it was better to take out. Only took a few minutes and was a relief. Have a tiny scar but now know better what works for me BC wise

BishopBrennansArse · 05/07/2018 11:40

I ended up having to get a Mirena to stop the bleeding.

Subtlecheese · 05/07/2018 11:40

If it helps I found the periods were heavier than usual, but not on the level of the nonhormonal coil. I have also found that the irregularity I had did settle down after 4-6 months

Original poster
RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 11:48

I had hideous mood swings with the mirena. This worries me a bit as I was really not quite right and I’m all over the place emotionally just now as it is. So much going on. But then another pregnancy wouldn’t help!

Just posted this^^ on the wrong thread Blush. Fantastic.

OP posts:
AsleepAllDay · 05/07/2018 11:52

Fwiw @RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb I didn't have any real mood changes with the implant. But I have depression and MH issues so maybe I just didn't notice!

The physical side effect of always bleeding was the deal breaker for me. Made me feel powerless to stop it and couldn't get in the mood for anything despite a new relationship at the time. If not for that I would have kept it

ChickensForTheHound · 05/07/2018 11:55

I had mine put in about a month ago. I found it was painful when they inserted it, but it was for a very short amount of time. So, more painful than a vaccination needle, but it was over quickly.
My arm ached for about a week and then that went away. There was bruising from the insertion for a couple of weeks and it was sore at the insertion site but nothing since then.
I've not experienced any side effects, but then I tend to do ok on progesterone-only contraception - I do get spotty on my chest and arms, but nothing else, and I've not had a period this month.

Original poster
RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 13:29

I’ve cancelled. Just wasn’t sure and thought well it’ll be a bit tricky to remove if I change my mind. I’ll start the pills again tomorrow.

Thanks all for input Flowers.

OP posts:
Yogafailure · 05/07/2018 13:31

I've told this story before, but I ended up in the family planning centre threatening to cut the damn thing out myself with a knife. 18mths of constant bleeding, ruined clothing, bedding, mattresses...excellent contraceptive, it nearly ruined my marriage too.

astoundedgoat · 05/07/2018 13:35

I completely misread your post title as Chickening out - arm TRANSPLANT, supposed to be put in this afternoon

It's not about arm transplants at all, is it? Blush

I haven't got anything useful to say about the implant, I'm sorry. I have had a Mirena since DD2 was born and I love it. No periods, no mood swings, and no babies. All good.

Original poster
RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 13:36

That sounds horrendous @yoga. Really sorry to hear that! I think that’s the thing; at least with a pill you can just stop taking it. And I didn’t have a good experience with the mirena at all and I had to wait till they agreed to remove it and then wait for an appointment.

OP posts:
Boofay · 05/07/2018 13:37

I constantly bled when I had the implant. If you're a bit iffy with hormonal contraceptives, definitely give it some more thought before having the implant.
I also had a horrid time getting someone to remove it. I was in tears for weeks begging the health clinic, GP and eventually the GUM clinic to get someone to take it out.

Original poster
RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 14:05

That made me laugh @astoundedgoat.

@boofay, sorry to hear that too! Sounds horrible.

Yeah, I’m not good with some hormonal contraception. Mirena made my moods very strange. When I had it removed I sort of spiralled a bit and cried all the time about things I really couldn’t do anything about. DH was seriously worried. I got better quite quickly though. I’m sure it was to do with the mirena as I’ve never had anything like it before.

I was brilliant on the combined pill until I had dc1. When I went back on it though, I started getting dreadful headaches on my week off. So annoying, as it was fine for my mood, skin and weight management. I can’t have it now anyway, as I’m more or less exclusively feeding my ds and it’s not recommended for EBF.

OP posts:
Mousefunky · 05/07/2018 14:17

I hated it and had to beg and literally break down in floods of tears before they would remove it. They’re very, very reluctant to remove them due to cost but mine was literally sending me batshit crazy.

I had it put in on my period and basically that period never ended, I just bled and kept bleeding the entire time I had it in. The bleeding stopped a couple of days after having it removed and I had never been so relieved. I was anaemic and spending a fortune on pads. I didn’t feel attractive at all, lost my libido entirely, dried up down below and I just thought to myself “no wonder it’s the most effective contraception, you don’t want to bloody have sex with it!” Horrible thing and I now have a scar to remind me of it.

AsleepAllDay · 05/07/2018 14:42

Sounds like I had an easy experience taking mine out - I booked an appointment online at a GUM clinic for implant insertion/removal and the nurse popped it out for me

OP if you don't like the idea then don't but I would say it's worth a try. I prefer the pill but was looking forward to three years of no fuss! Too bad it was non stop periods for me...

Original poster
RhubarbRhubarbRhubarbRhubarb · 05/07/2018 14:52

Ah I know long term you’re right, and I should just get be it a try. But there’s the bit in between, while I’m giving it a try and getting used to it. I’m not ready for another potentially big, physical change already! I’ve just had all of that in pregnancy, birth, recovery and now feeding. Not ready for more yet!

OP posts:
TheGreatCornholio · 05/07/2018 14:57

I'm on my third consecutive implant and had never had a moment's bother.