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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get implant removed?

19 replies

Mynameischocolate · 07/07/2018 15:54

Basically these are my side effects ( I've only had it a few months)
Dizziness - sometimes my vision goes blotchy(not sure which word to use) and I feel like I'm going to faint.
Headaches - multiples times a week (so bad only codiene works, I know codeine can make headaches work but I don't know what else to take, paracetamol and ibruprofen don't touch it)
Constant bleeding - I had cerazette on top of the implant for a month and it didn't stop the bleeding, I was supposed to have 3 months but couldn't take it any longer and my headaches were becoming almost daily.
And recently I've been getting bad 'period' type pains and my stomach is extra sensitive.

Have any of you experienced this?
Did anything improve for you long term?
If I ask to have it taken out will they refuse me as I've only had it a few months?

I really wanted it to work for me as the mini pill gave me constant periods too and I'm not allowed the combined pill due to blood clot risk. Can any of you tell me if the copper coil is okay, I'm just scared as I want more children in the future and I don't want it to affect that.

Sorry for rambling xx

OP posts:

Original poster

Mynameischocolate · 07/07/2018 16:44

Anyone?

OP posts:

nikkylou · 07/07/2018 17:06

I havent had the implant so can't advise on that. But if it is having such side effects you must be able to ask to have it removed. A few months i expect is more than enough time to 'give it chance so to speak. Any objections to removing it, go to a family planning or gum clinic to ask instead.
As for the cooper coil, my understanding is that it can cause a heavier period, but is not hormonal.
I have the mirena coil and think you are supposed to get little to none ( i have none). I think it has less hormones than the pill but the same reliability.

Festivecheer26 · 07/07/2018 17:10

I had mine for 18 months with no issues then started getting the headaches (but nowhere near as bad) dizziness and constant bleeding too. I asked for it to be taken out which they did with no issues and the symptoms were gone within a couple of days. Haven't gone for anything else yet but so glad I got it taken out - I would have got it out much sooner if my symptoms had been as bad as yours! Good luck.

lennyisnuts · 07/07/2018 17:23

It's you're body you have all the say! If you want it out ask for it out.
Most mini pills you can take double doses of the pill safely and that stops bleeding so you could try that if you came off the implant.
Are you limited to progesterone only methods? Do you have history of migraine?

Beaubeagle · 07/07/2018 17:53

It’s usually advised that you have to keep your implant in for 6 months to see if things settle down before you can request removal. In the meantime if you see your local GP or family planning nurse they can prescribe you a short course of the pill to help things settle quicker. I’m on my second implant and this one is loads worse than the first one, but I’m taking the mini pill for 3 months Which have settled things dramatically. Good luck op.

BounceAndClimb · 07/07/2018 17:55

I was awful with the implant. Made my moods very low, tired, headaches, from 6 months started bleeding 75% of the time.

Now on cerazette which has been great. No noticeable side effects and no periods.

BounceAndClimb · 07/07/2018 17:57

Also gave me awful pains randomly in ovary area which would last from a couple of hours to a whole day, doubled over in pain type. Never had period pains before and it stopped after.

Original poster

Mynameischocolate · 07/07/2018 21:39

Okay thank you, I'm just worried they will say no etc as I've read people saying that they don't like to take it out and yes progesterone only methods for me. I get migraines and have a family history of blood clots. 😟 I just want to find something that works for me.

OP posts:

BE18mum · 07/07/2018 21:42

I had implant removed fairly quickly as it affected my mood massively. Only contraception I get on with is the mirena (sp?) coil. Had it removed last year, fell pregnant and waiting to have another put in now my daughter is here.

Popsicales · 07/07/2018 21:53

I had the implant removed after 4 months because I had constant bleeding, my hair started to fall out and it really affected my mood. Progesterone only contraceptives don’t seem to agree with me at all.

I’m on my second copper coil now. First one I had for around 18 months and got it removed to TTC. Had my second fitted around 2 weeks ago after having my second baby. It’s brilliant! The only negative for me is slightly heavier periods for the first 2 days of my cycle.

redexpat · 07/07/2018 22:02

I had mine out after 18 months. I bled basically everyday. Tried 2 packs of pills to knock it into line and it didnt work.

You might find that the fastest way to get them to take it out is to say you want to start ttc. Ethical? Nope but apparently we feeble brained females arent trusted to know our own bodies.

yerbutnobut · 07/07/2018 22:10

I had implant in a few years ago after deciding along with my GP, that the pill wasn't working for me i.e ridiculous mood swings and headaches. Within a few weeks I noticed side effects, heavy bleeding most of the time, constant headaches, so I went back to GP and was advised to keep it in for 6 months at least as they were confident all of this would settle.
It didn't! I bled most days, couldn't maintain my running as I would get cramping in abdomen and bleed even heavier.
I was unbearable to live with as everything pissed me off (very laid back usually).
So I had it out at just under 6 month mark.
In the year following its removal I felt much better but noticed dark patches appearing on my face so I visited GP who diagnosed this as chloasma and was confident this was brought on by the hormonal changes I experienced whilst having the implant.
I now have very noticeable patchy skin and won't go out without foundation on. I can't sit in the sun as exposure makes it worse.
OP, follow your gut instinct and if you feel its not right, push to have it removed, its your body.
Personally I wish I had never had it, what I experienced was never explained to me as a possibility and as I have discovered in recent years from friends, colleagues etc...it's quite a common occurrence to have these side effects.

andadietcoke · 07/07/2018 22:16

Mine went in in February. The hairloss was extreme from March to May but has thankfully stopped now. I've had weird symptoms but they have settled and my light periods are fairly regular.

Paie · 07/07/2018 22:18

Get it removed!
I had a hellish time with my implant, 2/3 periods a month and headaches and my hormones were everywhere! Now 8 months pregnant and the hormones are not as bad!

flamingnoravera · 07/07/2018 22:23

I had constant heavy bleeding and night sweats so bad that I had to sleep alone. My dr refused to accept that request symptoms were associated with implant but I insisted it was removed. The bleeding and sweating stopped within 24 hours. It also itched inside my arm and I hated it.

MitchumsCorner · 07/07/2018 22:23

Can any of you tell me if the copper coil is okay, I'm just scared as I want more children in the future and I don't want it to affect that.

Copper coil has been great for me for years. I had my second one removed when we decided to try to conceive. 6 weeks later, I had a positive pregnancy test!

I've never gotten on with hormonal contraception but for different reasons to you (depression, loss of sex drive, weight gain) and I love being hormone free.

Lovestonap · 07/07/2018 22:31

I get on fine with copper coil - I too chose it because it's hormone free.

pinkdelight · 07/07/2018 22:41

Gosh those are some bad stories of the side effects. Just for balance - I've had three implants over the last ten years (with breaks for two kids) and they've been great in that I've barely had any periods at all, just the odd day of very light bleeding maybe two or three times a year, and not had any of the awful side effects, thankfully. However I would say it's flattened out my mood somewhat and definitely dampened my libido. I've decided I've had enough so am having it out soon and that's despite all the positives, so OP is definitely NU to get rid of hers asap.

lennyisnuts · 07/07/2018 23:58

@Mynameischocolate

The copper coil is a good choice if your natural period (so periods prior to all hormonal methods) is very light and non painful. Copper coils often make periods a little longer, heavier and more painful. If you have a history of painful or heavy periods then I would not recommend this method. Alternatively a Mirena coil (IUS) has a low dose of localised progesterone which keeps the lining of your uterus thin. For the first 6 months of having an IUS it is completely expected that you will have a degree of abnormal bleeding. This will usually settle and most women do then continue to have very light, infrequent periods or stop having them all together. As the method is localised to your uterus the side effects are often less pronounced than systemic hormones such as pills which get into your blood stream. There are side effects with all methods of contraception and you do need to allow your body time to adjust to these and they will usually settle. These can include breast tenderness, changes to mood, tension headaches and spottier skin. You are within your rights at any stage to have your implant removed if you no longer wish to keep the method. A professional (including myself) would always encourage to persevere with the method as often the side effects do settle after a few months BUT ultimately it is your decision- we cannot refuse to take it out if we have the resources to do so.

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