Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Family planning

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Having the implant fitted next week. Any advice?

21 replies

CobaltRose · 18/01/2018 18:38

Hi everyone.

I've booked an appointment at my local FP clinic to have the implant fitted next Tuesday. I can't take the regular combined pill as I'm a migraine sufferer. I was on the mini pill a couple of years ago and it worked great for the first 18 months or so (no periods or any negative side effects) but the last six months on it I bled constantly! It resolved as soon as I stopped taking it, so could only have been caused by that.

The nurse I saw at my GP's yesterday told me that prolonged bleeding was less likely with a long lasting form of contraception like the implant as your body has a constant level of hormone rather than fluctuating levels, but it's still possible that I may have unusual bleeding. Only one way to find out!

Anyone else who's been on the implant and would like to share their experiences? What was the insertion like? Was the healing process unpleasant/painful? Side effects if any? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

OP posts:

Mol1628 · 18/01/2018 18:42

Do you mean nexplanon?

shakeyourcaboose · 18/01/2018 18:42

I'm on implant 3/4 i think....been getting since 2007 and I love it. Migraine also on pill. :(only gap when ttc and pg, which for me from removal to BFP only 5 weeks! No side effects none of the constant heavy bleeding on pill. It feels magic so hope you have same!

Butterandsugar · 18/01/2018 18:42

Hello! Insertion was fine - they numbed me up so it was bound problem at all. For a couple of days afterwards my arm was a little sore but it didn't stop my doing anything/really affect me. I have a similar contraceptive history to what you described and experienced pretty much no bleeding, though now I'm almost due to have it removed I have started bleeding again (my doctor tells me this is normal).

Overall, no issues and not too bad at all being fitted

KnittedBobbleHat · 18/01/2018 18:45

Insertion was fine. Bleeding very irregular (month long periods). Anxiety and depression levels have increased. I brushed off the side effects to get mine fitted but majorly underestimated the effect on my mental health

PeekabooPoo · 18/01/2018 18:47

I had it. Worked perfectly as a contraceptive , had no periods. However.... It made me rather depressed and unhappy. It was only after I'd had it removed after suffering 18 months of ennui that I realised just how down I'd been, and the difference was remarkable

Katescurios · 18/01/2018 18:49

Insertion fine, had a bit of bruising and soreness in the days after but nothing major.

Still having monthly periods, have done all along.

Has lowered my sex drive soits a bit more of an effort to want to do it.

loverofcake983 · 18/01/2018 18:49

I've had it for over a year. No periods whatsoever. Can't comment if it's made my moods worse as I was a moody cow before it was fitted 😆 but at least now I don't have any periods

lljkk · 18/01/2018 19:09

Due to insertion, my arm was sore for a week (or maybe it was a fortnight) & I spotted for most days for 18m before I had it out. Shame. Seemed like I would have loved it.

Didn't hurt to have it out, at least.

Original poster

CobaltRose · 18/01/2018 19:18

Yes, I mean Nexplanon. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:

Batteriesallgone · 18/01/2018 19:19

I found the insertion hurt badly for 24hours after. On removal it had burrowed into my muscle and I needed more anaesthetic and a cut to remove it. Nurse said she would write it up and feed back to manufacturers, apparently it’s rare but not unheard of for it to move around post insertion.

Once I’d had it removed I realised just how powerful a negative effect it had on my mood. Wouldn’t have it again.

lljkk · 18/01/2018 19:37

I think mine hurt so bad (insertion) b/c I have skinny arms. I imagine there'd be more cushioning if I had more fat on the arms.

Don't gain weight after you have it inserted or they may have to ferret around a bit for removal.

Jellybean85 · 18/01/2018 19:39

I was so nervous to get it but I love it!! The numbing injection But I didn't feel insertion. Slightly bruised feeling for a day or two but nothing crazy, didn't stop me doing anything. No side affects at all 4 months in. Hope it goes as smoothly for you

KnittedBobbleHat · 18/01/2018 19:43

Had mine a few months and have majorly underestimated the side effects. My mental health is much worse and I'm having month long periods. Considering asking the Dr to take it out but it's convenient

KnittedBobbleHat · 18/01/2018 19:47

Oops double post! My sex drive has all but disappeared as well

userabcname · 18/01/2018 19:53

I've had it put in recently after the birth of my son. I got a massive bruise from the insertion although didn't hurt at the time. It also itched for about a week afterwards. It was fine though. Have had no periods but I am also breastfeeding which may be contributing to that too. Can't say I have noticed any other side effects (yet).

TitsalinaBumSqoosh · 18/01/2018 19:56

Insertion was easy and pain free (they numb it)

7 months on and I'm desperate for it to be out, constant bleeding and awful, awful 'wading through treacle' feeling. I'm not me and I hate it!

BrazzleDazzleDay · 18/01/2018 20:05

Bled continuously for 8 months. It got stuck so took over an hour to get it removed.

BrazzleDazzleDay · 18/01/2018 20:07

Also because my arms are thin, it was very visible

Mol1628 · 18/01/2018 20:38

I’ve had mine two years.
Insertion was fine. It’s numbed first. My arm just felt bruised for about a week.
I do get irregular bleeds, but infrequently do I don’t mind. Maybe once every 3 months. When I first got it in I bled for a couple of weeks but it did settle down.
I had acne before having it, and it hasn’t improved it, but it’s not worse. Sadly doesn’t cure it like the pill did.

It’s been great. I’ll have it replaced next year probably.

Honey2468 · 20/01/2018 19:19

I’m shocked your nurse has told you this! I bled for 9months constantly and they refused point blank over and over again to remove it. When being told I had to have a copper coil fitted I was told over and over again that the implant was notorious for “constant nuisance bleeding”. When I went to have it removed I was told I was a quitter and a drama queen and when she put in the anaesthetic and I said I could still feel my arm I was told “oh stop it, no you can’t”. I now have permenant nerve damage in my arm 6years on and get cramping in my arm every time it gets cold outside. I have never had regular periods since. Once every 8months if I’m lucky and I’ve recently been told my chances of having children are minimal. I’m sorry if this is not what you want to here but that thing (implanon) absolutely ruined my life and me and my husband are paying the price every time we here our friends announce they are having a baby. The truth is most nurses and dr’s have no clue what is going to cause what in a patient and if you are more clmfortable taking a pill then I would ask for a different type of pill to try and make sure you are in control of your contraception. Best of luck

calzone · 20/01/2018 19:23

I’m due to have it redone in April but my sex drive is non existent and I would quite like to know what else is out there.....

I’m 47. Any suggestions?

Flip