AIBU to get implant removed now (heavy bleeding)? Careful - maybe TMI.

[Trytothinkofaname]

Had the contraceptive implant put in beginning of February.

I was warned by the GP that bleeding could be a bit erratic (so could have a lot of spotting/irregular periods) for about 6 months - but generally they should be lighter than normal and then after that it should settle down.

First month I had nothing. No spotting, no bleeding. Was delighted... Since then (at about 5/6 weeks in) I had one horrific period, one day off, then continual bleeding spotting and now another horrific period has just started (lost about 60ml overnight). These are heavier than anything I have ever had before - flooding, a couple of large clots, having to use double protection at times.

So will this actually really "settle down"?

Has anyone had the implant, had heavy bleeding to start with and then at the 6 month mark been OK? Or, if it gives you heavy periods at this point (3 month) is that pretty much my body saying "No, fuck off, get this thing out of me!"

If this is not going to get better I do not want to have to wait another 3 months to get to the GP's magic "6 month" mark for her to take it out. If nothing else I am pretty sure this is making me anaemic...

I had about 18 months of really frequent bleeding on the implant before I got it taken out, never seemed to settle down

The bleeding never settled down when I had my implant, it was a pain in the arse. I had it taken out after a year but the doctor was still trying to convince me to leave it in as it will 'settle' if it hasn't after a bloody year then I don't want to risk any longer!

GP here, I fit and remove implants. I always say that unless it's horrendous, give it 3m as often settles down. I'd say if it's this bad at 3m it probably isn't going to change. If you came to see me I'd discuss options which would include 1) remove and go on pill 2) remove and try another LARC e.g. coil 3) keep implant for backup contraception and use pill on top of it to control periods. This is unlicensed but supported by guidance and popular with people who know that they will probably forget their pill every now and then so like the implant as backup.

I had the implant for 3 years with no issues and then when I had the second one put in, it just didn’t agree with me at all.

I tried to tell my doctor I was in horrendous pain and constantly bleeding heavily but was fobbed off with ‘let it settle’. They also prescribed me the pill to take at the same time which would apparently settle things - it didn’t. Put up with it for a year before going to the family planning clinic and telling them I was trying for a baby (I wasn’t).

I personally don’t know anyone who has had issues beyond the first 3 months, which have them subsequently settled. The implant is one of those things that’s either a godsend or the antichrist - my new GP actually told me she generally wouldn’t suggest it to women because she’s known so many that have terrible issues.

One thing I will say though is that it was an excellent contraceptive - bleeding 3/4 weeks of the month paired with sub zero libido really put the nail in the pregnancy coffin.

I would have it taken out!

Thank you all. And yes @sparemonitor that is what I suspected...if it is this bad (and getting worse) I cannot see how it will suddenly change. I am so drained from the constant bleeding, cramps and fed up of it all.

Coil tried (can't get it in even with head of gynae dept and 2 hysteroscopies). Pill make me gain 2 stone just looking at it so I'd rather avoid.

DH is speaking to a Dr at the end of next week about having a vasectomy (he was going to pre-implant but I said let's try this first...hahaha). I'm going to ask for it to be removed.

First implant was perfect, had it replaced and it w as awful. My hormones shot through the roof, had month long heavy periods, felt really low at times, I could tell I was erratic
Dr knew it was the implant straight away and I had it out about 6/7 months after having it in

@Starkcurtain yep... absolutely the best contraceptive since mid-March....action in that department has been...well...non-existent. My libido is not high enough to be doing with the sex-whilst-bleeding stuff (DH cool with this). Especially as I'm never quite sure if/when bleed is going to turn into tsunami. Am bored of it now.

This happened to me, they wouldn't take it out and said give it a year and it'll calm down. Never did! Hated the thing.

I've had a similar experience. First implant was alright, bit more bleeding ie periods lasting longer but not too ridiculous. Second implant was utter hell; as @Starkcurtain says having 3 weeks of bleeding and no libido at all is an excellent contraceptive
I had mine taken out after a year of suffering (had to change GP to get it done)

@Trytothinkofaname Yep I couldn’t even find it in me to think about sex let alone actually do it.

Started making me feel really down/moody/anxious towards the end as well. I was just not myself.

Read your update & glad you’ve decided not to put up with it anymore - when I had it removed it was like a light had suddenly been turned on!

I've not had the implant but when I had the iniection i bled for the entire 3 months... I will only use the pill or nothing these days. I've also heard far too many horror stories of women being refused removal of coils and implants. Makes me really cross

I'm on my 3rd implant so about 7/8 years down the line. The bleeding has never settled down in terms of becoming regular but my periods aren't too heavy. The do last around 2 weeks and are completely irregular but for me it is not a problem.

I had a nightmare with the implant. Continuous heavy bleeding, no libido at all, really messed my emotions up as well. I kept being fobbed off by the doctor, give it a few more months, give it a year, it will settle down.
There was no sign of it settling down.

Frankly it was an excellent contraceptive, in the sense that there was no chance of pregnancy on it. I was having heavy bleeding every single day, I couldn't even think about sex never mind actual do it, and I was so hormonal and angry that woe betide any man who so much as looked at me during that time.

After the continued fobbing off by the doctor I eventually went for an ultimatum... Either it was removed properly, or I'd do it myself with a Stanley knife in their waiting room and they could just stitch my arm up afterwards. Funnily enough the doctor finally agreed I could have it removed.

It still makes me really angry to think about how little agency I was allowed over my own body. If a man was having serious side effects, especially one affecting his sex life, there would be no question or debate about whether he was "allowed" to have it removed.

I had the exact same experience as @Returnoftheowl. Horrific.
Had mine fitted in the UK after GP’s recommendation. Went to have it removed after I moved back home to Scandinavia and my GP here explained that they don’t recommend them here anymore due to all these horrible side effects and negative impact on women’s mental health. In addition he said they can be such a pain to remove.

I am expecting some kind of fight....even if it is on the "when" they take it out.

Just feels good to have made the decision not to have keep "waiting and seeing".

I had one and had 9 months of continuous bleeding, mood swings and put on weight, every time I asked for it to be removed they said give it more time. I finally had enough, stood in their waiting room and told the doctor that if he didn’t remove it that day, I would do it myself and make a formal complaint against him. He removed it 20mins later.

Never again. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done, I won’t use anything but the pill now, I’ll never give someone else the option of saying no to me