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Original poster

Contraceptive Implant.

22 replies

JanHR · 22/09/2003 20:49

I went to the docs today to see about contraception as dd is now 14 months old and we don't want anymore just yet.
He mentioned an implant that lasts for 3 years and is put into your arm (at the top) by the doctor. Periods are affected in the same way as the Mini-pill so would like me on that for at least 3 months before implant if that is what I decide.
I have said that I would think about the implantand have therfore got 3 months supply of the mimi-pill, but would like to know what the "wise women" of Mumsnet think.

OP posts:
currantbunmum · 22/09/2003 21:13

I have had a couple of friends who have had the implants put in, one got along fine with it the other wanted it taken out after about a year. Personally I wouldn't have the implant as it can be quite dificult to remove, I work as an operating theatre nurse and have at least 5 ladies needing general anaesthetics and a fair bit of poking around in thier arms to remove the 6 rods. I think it's a good idea though to ask for others opinions.

Twink · 22/09/2003 21:39

My GP was not keen on implants for me because of a few oddities I have (YES, only a few !)

Quite a few of us Mumsnetters have gone for the Mirena coil. It's a small coil with slow release progesterone, doctors recommend it's fitted for at least a year (it's quite expensive, but has a maximum duration of 5 years). For a lucky group of us it means no periods, but I still get the spots and PMT.

Have a look here for more details if you're interested.

misty · 24/09/2003 14:40

I had the implant 'Implanon' fitted a year ago, which is just 1 rod about 1.5 inches long. I had the first few months with no periods, then seemed to be on every 2 weeks for a couple of months, and it has now settled down to normal. Have suffered no side effects, nurses at the hospital where I had it fitted said it is really easy to get out as is only 1 rod, and they have had no problems so far (they could have been trying to make me feel better ). Some lucky people don't get periods with this either, or lose weight (I know I did initially). I haven't heard any bad points about it and it is 100% safe. I had it fitted because I suffer from high blood pressure, so it is considered safe for this as well. Hope this helps!

misty · 24/09/2003 14:41

oh and by the way, it lasts for 3 years!

singingmum · 24/09/2003 16:53

Haven't tried implant but had pill injection.Whatever you do do not use the injection it's a nightmare.Have found out since that it causes more than a little weight gain,can make deppression worse or give it to you and thats only for a start.I cheated after my daughter was born,my partner had the op and that was that.
I know that you didn't mention the injection but after my experience and that of many others just wanted to warn as a lot of docs think it's a good alternative.There is a website for people who have suffered side affects if you search.
Sorry can't help on this subject otherwise but as I said wanted to warn.

zebra · 25/09/2003 04:44

Well, if we're doing warnings, I didn't get along with the coil at all! Very painful to insert, 10-day long periods and constant discharge. But it was the non-hormonal variety, so the Mirena (hormonal) might be much better.

Jemma7 · 25/09/2003 12:13

My best friend has recently had the implant fitting int he top of her arm - just the one - she is getting on OK with this but it did unsettle her period for the first month or so.

I have been told that it is possible to cause infetility.............therefore would not necessarily recommend if you are wanting more children "at some point"!

This could only be a rumour though!

LizC · 25/09/2003 13:51

Did you know there's now a contraceptive patch being launched? That must be easier, but I don't know how easily available it is - think you stick it on your hip or your arm.

Original poster
JanHR · 25/09/2003 15:18

LizC I di ask about the patch, but was told that is just the same ass the pill.

OP posts:
Original poster
JanHR · 25/09/2003 15:19

LizC I di ask about the patch, but was told that is just the same ass the pill.

OP posts:
Original poster
JanHR · 25/09/2003 15:20

Bloody machine took time its time posting terefore clicked pressed post message again. arrgh

OP posts:
oriana · 25/09/2003 20:42

I can recommend the Mirena IUD. I used to have very heavy periods after having 2 kids. Since having the Mirena IUD my periods ceased completely after about a year and I have had no side effects. I've had it for 4 years and it lasts for 5 years.

Original poster
JanHR · 25/09/2003 20:44

Do you know of any problems trying to conceive after the coil as we may want another child in the future.

OP posts:
oriana · 25/09/2003 21:09

I don't have any experience with trying to conceive after having a Mirena removed. 1 can only tell you what it says in the Mirena booklet and they advise that it is possible to become pregnant with your first ovulation after it is removed.

misty · 28/09/2003 11:52

Janh - I was assured there is no risk of infertility with Implanon, in fact as soon as it is removed you are fertile again. This was an important factor to me as I may want another baby in the future.

Moomin · 28/09/2003 13:54

I had the Mirena taken out last Jan and have since been ttc with no luck. But I do know I'm ovulating so it must just be coincidence(?)

susanmt · 28/09/2003 21:21

Beleive me you can get pregnant if the mirena isn't even in place correctly!! I loved it when it was working and am hoping to get another one after this baby is born - no periods (and they were heavy before), no PMT, no migraines (which were linked to ovulation). But we are not going to rely on it again (although can I reassure you that the failure that I had is a 1:200 000 risk!!!) So presumably their information that the mirena doesnt affect fertility after it is removed is firly accurate - mine was sitting in my cervix and that was low enough for the hormones not to be absorbed and for me to get pregnant. But I liked it and would still recommend it!

Original poster
JanHR · 28/09/2003 21:58

Thanks for all the replies. I will talk to the doc when the 3 months supply of the mini pill is almost up.
THe mirena coil sounds good if it helps with migraine. I havehad a migraine for most of today and would love to be rid of them.
Misty - we may also want another in te future so the possiblity of inferility is also important.
Thanks angain for all you input.

OP posts:
susanmt · 29/09/2003 02:47

The mirena helped with my migraines because they were related to ovulation (got one every month along with pain in my back from ovulation - not nice) and so as the coil stopped the ovulation it also stopped the migraines - I also dont get them when pregnant for the same reason, but the pill made them a lot worse, must have been the high dose of hormones. I have a friend who was prescribed the mirena for migraines which she got along with her periods - her husband had had a vasectomy but they still gave her the coil as her migraines were crippling. Its used a lot for heavy periods these days and has reduced the number of women having hysterectomies for heavy periods. As I said, I loved it and will be asking for it again! Hope you manage to find something that works well for you!

Nome · 29/09/2003 12:12

I had a Norplan implant put in when I was in my early twenties - it was great, no periods, no worries. But when it was taken out (minor op at GPs surgery) they left half a rod in my arm. Not that I notice it at all. I am now on the injection again after birth of ds, and again no periods. I was on it for two years before we tried for ds. A bit of weight gain, but that could just be my Ben and Jerry's habit... I didn't want the hassle of when to take a pill and the injection is suitable if you are breastfeeding.

Nome · 29/09/2003 12:13

I had a Norplan implant put in when I was in my early twenties - it was great, no periods, no worries. But when it was taken out (minor op at GPs surgery) they left half a rod in my arm. Not that I notice it at all. I am now on the injection again after birth of ds, and again no periods. I was on it for two years before we tried for ds. A bit of weight gain, but that could just be my Ben and Jerry's habit... I didn't want the hassle of when to take a pill and the injection is suitable if you are breastfeeding.

singingmum · 03/10/2003 12:34

nome whats the name of your particular pill injection or is there only one.I warned about the pill injection as after personal experience and research found that there are way more side effects than the docs tell us.I myself had a hormone prob,major weight gain,fertility trouble,also now suffer depression and agrophobia.All these I have discovered are known side effects of pill injection and on top of that am now at 26 experiencing signs of menopause which I am once more going to have to contact docs about.If you search the web for pill injection you'll find plenty of info although you have to look in the section marked for docs.Have known many people who seemed to have no trouble while on the injection but as soon as they came of it to try for further or first children have had an extremely bad time.One woman has had constant misscarriages and I to have suffered one and a fake pregnancy.I spoke to my doc and he says he honestly believes that the probs can be traced to the injection.

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