contraceptive arm implant not having information available on when it starts working for people already on hormones?

[Marnie25]

I’m so mad. I was told that the arm implant would work right away even though everything I’ve read about it in preparation has said it takes a week to work so was going to continue taking my mini pill while on it for one more week.

I was told on the day by the nurse that it would work immediately so stopped taking my tablets (“missed” them). I then read the link I’ve been sent after my appointment (as I had no need to as I was informed and asked questions at the time) and it’s also saying it takes 7 days to work and rambling about when you got your last period when everyone knows that most people on the mini pill don’t get periods (which is what I told her).

However I also had some bleeding due to missed pills (about a month ago, not within the past week or so, which I also told her).

All she said was it will work right away and that the technology has improved. She also said this about the placement in the arm, that it’s been moved position.

Why are none of the websites being clear whether or not you’re covered if you switch straight from a pill to the implant? This seems like a totally ridiculous omission and oversight, especially when it is mentioning abortions and miscarriages.

I only found 2 websites (after a LOT of searching with very specific keywords) which mention if you’re on a pill already it should work immediately/within 24 hours, if you don’t miss a pill and get the implant in before the next pill is due/ within 24 hours which I did.

Why would the NHS send such worrying and conflicting information from what I was told on the day? Why does the website information not state the rules for when you are already on hormones?

But in the end I assume that it is in fact that the implant will take over from the mini pill immediately. However it is a different type of hormone but both still progesterone only.

Does anyone have any reliable links to put my mind at ease please or simply clear it up one way or another? And obviously this post will be here for other people to find in future.

I am also specifically concerned as I take hormones to help with PMDD so it’s not as simple as a pregnancy issue. I will be incredibly sick for months if I’ve “missed” pills.

(Also the risk of blood clots is in fact slightly higher with the implant so I don’t want to take a double dose if I don’t need to. That I know for sure, even though they don’t tell you this in the literature. Maybe it’s considered not important/high enough or maybe they studied it more since I learned that fact via in depth research in medical journals. But I wasn’t on a pill then so didn’t pay attention to the switching info)

You could use condoms for a week to be safe but avoid double dosing the hormones?
You could also double check with a pharmacist tomorrow if you’re worried.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/contraceptive-implant/

why not just look on the NHS webpage…?

I said I tried lots of websites lol and I’m talking about the one the clinic sent me after I visited. Why would 99.9% of the websites not mention it at all or say it takes a week to work if in fact it works immediately? PMDD isn’t affected by condoms and isn’t an answer to my question. I already know they exist, duh.

This.
There's never any harm being safe with a barrier method to supplement a hormonal method. But doubling a hormonal method could be bad for you.

Lots of websites say you can still take the pill (and even that they get prescribed it while on the implant so it is considered technically safe to do so) but I have already researched it in depth and know it’s not really or not worth it to me. I don’t know why people are replying with things I already know and specifically things I’ve already said and asked. I don’t need told to use condoms especially when I’m not only a fully grown adult who doesn’t need such basic patronising information belatedly, but also asking about hormones lol. If you can’t answer the question just don’t comment…

My question is about the conflicting info, if it takes over etc, the clinic vs the site the clinic gave me, not how to use condoms after the fact or you wildly guessing the answers. I hope admin clears up this mess. This is a serious subject and I’ve already missed 2 pills and yes it’s Sunday so everything is closed. I would have assumed some people on here have had the same thing and could shed light.

Do me a favour and look up PMDD and what happens when women who need to take the pill for healthy / hormone reasons miss or are late with one x

You missed pills before you had your implant. Even though you said doing so could make you ill.
Its not clear what your concern is- pregnancy or illness?

I don’t need to be clear because I’m not asking you about pregnancy etc nor is it any of your business, I am asking about the facts of taking hormones and switching to an arm implant. In general. All and either. I am not asking how to use condoms just in case. I am asking you if I’m covered or not.

if you don’t know anything about hormonal symptoms and the treatments or effects then simply keep quiet. Is it possible for you to do that or do you want to just come in and have a little attempted bullying session?

Am I covered yes or no? Use condoms isn’t an answer. Try again. lmao

It's probably safest to assume that you're not wouldn't you think?

"Attack" "victims blame" JFC.

Was it a desogestrel mini pill?

Patient.co.uk says:

How do I change to the implant from the progestogen-only pill?

If switching from the progestogen-only pill (POP), you should continue the POP for seven days after the implant has been inserted, or use other methods. If you were using a desogestrel pill, you are protected immediately and no additional precautions are required.

Why are you being so aggressive? Fuck off.

https://patient.info/sexual-health/long-acting-reversible-contraceptives-larc/contraceptive-implant

Wrong link earlier, sorry

Crikey OP, why did you even post? You want to know if you're "covered", but not in relation to pregnancy, and have done in depth research but still are taking some pills and missing others. You do you, clearly no answer is going to help you.

Is your aggression down to hormonal rage or are you always like this?

Seems like someone can’t actually remember what they wrote 5 minutes ago
However I also had some bleeding due to missed pills (about a month ago, not within the past week or so, which I also told her)
No mention of illness.
will be incredibly sick for months if I’ve “missed” pills
Mention of illness caused by missing pills.

Bet the nurse didn't have a clue what you were banging on about if you spoke with the same level of clarity you've used here

If you were taking the mini pill leading to to it I was always under the impression (I've had 3 previous implants) that you still need to take the pill (or use another type of contraception for 7 days) as it only works straight away depending on where you are in your cycle however you won't be having a true cycle being on the pill, especially if you've been missing days.

The only thing I would mention is that if you have issues with hormones anyway the implant may not be the best option for you. Whilst I appreciate it affects people in different ways my last implant made me fucking miserable. I ended up having it out after 6 months (despite the previous 2 giving me no issue) and went on the mini pill.

It depends if it was the desogestrel mini pill or of it was the older 3 hour window mini pills.

From NICE

If switching from correctly taken progestogen-only pill (POP) to a progestogen-only implant:

For the traditional POP:

Insert the implant immediately.
Advise the woman to avoid sexual intercourse or use a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) for 7 days, or continue the POP for 7 days.

For the desogestrel POP:
Insert the implant immediately.
No additional precaution is needed.

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/contraception-progestogen-only-methods/management/progestogen-only-implant/#starting-or-switching-to-a-progestogen-only-implant

Sexwise have some information about Contraceptive implant and also a downloadable leaflet that may tell you more.

Yeeehhh this

Posters aren’t exactly going to be rushing to help you with the answer you’re looking for if you’re going to be rude and aggressive.