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Family planning

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Original poster

Contraceptive implant??

23 replies

glitterwhip · 22/08/2016 12:37

I'm considering getting the implant fitted and was hoping to hear some opinions. Have you tried it? Did you like it? Or not?
Let me know your experience

OP posts:

Cka241292 · 22/08/2016 13:43

Hi,

I've had it twice and have had two different experiences to it. First time I had it I was having periods every two weeks which were VERY light! I didn't get any cramps so had a bit of a wake up call when I came off it for a while to just how painful they used to be! This time around I had some spotting for a few months but no period since..

I had some other symptoms like weight gain and loss in libido (although I can't say for sure the weight gain was entirely the implants fault ).

The insertion and removal was very easy and caused little to no pain after the local anesthetic worn out

Both times I would still say it was worth it and would prefer it over any other type of contraception. But I have heard horror stories of endless periods so fingers crossed it all goes well for you from my experience though from friends and family who have had it, it has all been positive experiences

Scribblegirl · 22/08/2016 13:46

I had two, first one was brill - no periods, month of spotting at first then nothing for three years. Second one, I wound up with periods all over the place and begged them to take it out 10 months later. Apparently the first one I had was a different brand though and had been discontinued.

I would definitely say go for it, just be aware that if you have problems with it you will need to be pretty forceful with them to get it taken out - I think, due to the cost, they're not keen to have them removed before the 3 years is up.

BumbleNova · 22/08/2016 13:46

I bloody love it. its been absolutely brilliant. I havent had a period in 3 years and get no PMT either. i love not having to worry about taking a pill every day, I was rubbish.

its the same hormone as the mini pill so I tried that first to see if I got on with it.

Scribblegirl · 22/08/2016 13:47

X post with CKA! Perhaps they're not as good second time around, who knows?!

Original poster

glitterwhip · 22/08/2016 13:54

I'm definitely leaning towards the implant simply because Iv been on the pill for so long and I'm absolutely dreadful at taking it.
And Iv heard so many horror stories about the coil but I don't know anyone personally who's had the implant so it's good hearing some positive experiences!

OP posts:

ChunkyMonkey4321 · 22/08/2016 13:55

Think it's great as it stays in so long, still have periods but not that often and not heavy. Worst part is the weight gain- it just makes me SUPER hungry. Literally think I gained half a stone overnight

Danglyweed · 22/08/2016 13:56

Hated it. Heavy bleeding pretty much everyday for 6 months. I have wee skinny arms, so it really stuck out obviously, yet it took 45 mins to remove and was fucking sore.

A couple friends who have had it, quite frankly went a bit nuts.

Diddlydokey · 22/08/2016 13:57

I like the fact that I had no periods and didn't have to think about it.

I didn't like the effect on my moods and the weight gain. My appetite really did rocket.

oakthorn · 22/08/2016 14:05

Long time lurker here but I do have something to say here. I have had implants since they were first introduced into the UK in 1993. I personally have had only one problem and that was with the 2nd Norplant implant which was withdrawn in 1999 (they lasted 5 years) I then had depo for a short while until the replacement implant was fitted. I have had minor spotting at the end of each 3 year implant but apart from that no other problems. No periods (think of the money I have saved). I have put on 1 stone over the last 15 years but that will be attributable to food and drink rather than the implant. I have recently (last Monday) had one removed which had gone too deep but likely to have been caused by it being put in the same place too many times, and my last one inserted (I am 50 and menopausal). Minimal discomfort from both sites. certainly nothing to worry about. Go for it. I have loved it.

SpidersFromMars · 22/08/2016 14:19

I've had two. First one no problems, regular normal periods, great. Second one, constant heavy bleeding for 6 months, gave myself anaemia, as well as awful mental health. Honestly the worst experience of my life. And still doctors were really reluctant to take it out. That's put me off trying other long term hormonal contraceptives completely, since it's so irreversible if you do find you have a bad reaction.

If your doctor is supportive, and will promise to take it out, it's worth a try.

FinallyHere · 22/08/2016 15:03

Like oakhorn, i had it from the early 1990's until last year when i no longer needed it. It was brilliant for me. A bit of spotting for a day for the first few months, then nothing at all. For the first few months I would occasionally wake up in a cold sweat thinking that I had forgotten to take my pill.

Otherwise, brilliant.

Cka241292 · 22/08/2016 15:05

scribblegirl I've only just joined mumsnet today so Im not sure what x post means?

MyBreadIsEggy · 22/08/2016 15:10

I've had two implants.
First one was put in when I was 16, never had a period while on it. Absolutely no issues! Had it taken out 3 years later after my wedding to start ttc....I was pregnant within a month!
Had my second one put in after Dd was born, had a little irregular bleeding, but that soon settled and I had no periods. Had it taken out on 22nd January this year thinking it would take a bit longer to conceive again, and we've worked out I got pregnant somewhere around Valentine's weekend!
I've been an acne sufferer since I was about 12, and the implant did seem to help with that too

Original poster

glitterwhip · 22/08/2016 15:15

Well there definitely seems to me more positive experiences than I thought there would be.
The weight gain thing would put me off slightly coz I'm not exactly skinny now lol but I think it's worth a try!
I'm really squeamish about the coil so apart from actually getting sterilised it seems my only other option

OP posts:

MinisWin · 22/08/2016 15:24

I've had 3, each time towards the end of the 'lifespan' of the implant I've had some irregular period-type bleeding, and have had it replaced which has been effective. You can also usually regulate this fairly quickly by taking the combined pill for a short time in addition to the implant. I don't know if the hormone level tails off towards the end of the time the implant is in perhaps? No problems with weight loss, libido, mood etc. Also conceived within 4-5 months after having it removed so no issues there either, unlike some friends who have used other methods (especially depo injection). Love it, would never take the pill again.

Scribblegirl · 22/08/2016 15:27

Sorry cka - it means we cross-posted, or rather that we posted at the same time so your comment wasn't up when I went to go and post mine!

NotAMamaYet · 22/08/2016 15:28

I really like mine - about a year into my second one and never had any problems.

The implant itself doesn't cause weight gain if one side effect is that it makes you hungrier then that's just something you need to be aware of. Never had that myself though (my weight fluctuations are purely cake related)

My only qualm was taking out the first one, took bloody ages with a nurse messing around for ages. Not uncomfortable though as under local. If you didn't want to go through it though, they give you the option to just keep the old one in!

Do it!

OhFuds · 22/08/2016 15:30

I've got one, it's due for removal Jan 2017 and I'll get another one. I haven't had any bleeding or any nasty side effects.

I lost 2.5st last year due to my health taking a turn for the worst and have since gained it and more back but I don't blame the implant for that, it's more that I like nice food

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/08/2016 15:31

Easy to get in and take out.
Most reliable contraception there is.

However I'm having mine out early because of the fact that two years in my periods are all over the place eg three weeks light bleeding, then a week no bleeding and then so heavy I'm emptying a menstrual cup every couple of hours. More subjectively zero libido, weight gain, miserable all of the time.

Brightsmoke · 23/08/2016 03:44

I had one for 3 years. First year, periods were normalish, second year they stopped all together and it was bliss! Third year was hell, bleeding heavily every other week. Went to docs to get removed and they got me to take the pill to try and sort it out before removal. Back off the pill and straight back to every other week. Only had a few months left by then so stuck it out until I could get it out.

I put on weight on it, mainly cake but it was difficult to shift it with it in. Now it's out, it's much easier to lose.

Libido was zilch, but it did sort out my mood swings, and now it's out I still don't have them.

But, in all honesty I wouldn't do it again. It suits some people really well, so it's worth a try! Was easy in and out though

FairyDogMother11 · 24/08/2016 11:51

I had mine put in two months ago having been on the pill for 3yrs. I love it; I've stopped getting horrific headaches which I developed a couple of years into taking the pill. I have got weight to lose which I'm finding difficult to shift now, but that is probably more down to the fact that I enjoy cooking and eating I had it put in at the beginning of my period; it lasted a few days longer than normal and I haven't had a period since. So no horrible PMS, DP is delighted

LoveInTokyo · 25/08/2016 20:39

I had three consecutive implants (for 9 years in total) with no problems. You don't know how you will get on with it until you try. On that basis, I would definitely give it a go. If you don't like it, you can always have it taken out. If you do like it, it's the best thing ever.

I've only come off it now because I thought 13 years on hormonal contraception was a bit much so now I've gone for a copper coil.

Sunshineonacloudyday · 26/08/2016 23:37

I am on week 5 going on week 6 period with the implant. This week was particularly heavy. I am on the heavy side 14 stone plus will jogging help this blobbing to stop. I am trying to give this implant a chance I had it put in 23rd May. With the implanon which they don't give out anymore I just had light bleeds every couple of weeks which I could live with. This is a sin what is coming out of me now.

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