Can someone explain...?

[travellingturtle]

I've been reading online all morning but can't seem to find a definitive answer –if the mini-pill, hormonal coil and implant are all progesterone-only, what is it that gives people different side effects from each?

I had the Skyla coil (a smaller version of the Mirena) for years and loved it. Don't want to go back to it, though, because the insertion pain was so severe.

Then I went on the mini-pill, which has been OK, but I've noticed some down-there dryness and a lower libido - which I DIDN'T have with the coil, despite it being the same hormone.

So I'm looking at Implanon, but I'd have thought that if it's the same as my hormonal coil, then the only difference is how it gets into my body and I'll still have the same issues with dryness and disinterest?

Does anyone understand the ins and outs of all this?

They might all just contain a progestogen but they may have a different type and each can cause a different side effect e.g. norethisterone may have different effects from desogestrel

Kyleena contains levonorgestrel
Nexplanon contains etonogestrel

Different mini pills contain different hormones e.g. cerazette has desogestrel and Norgeston contains levonorgestrel like Kyleena

I had the Nexplanon implant about 9 months ago, my period returned about 2.5 months ago (i was exclusively breastfeeding DD) and since then I've went from no period to constant bleeding!
My doctor suggested taking the contraceptive pill along side the implant for 3 months which apparently can reset you and stop the spotting, but I'm not sure, it's sounds like a lot of hormones!
I never had any issues with the mini pill but I've definitely also noticed a lose of libido and feeling a bit depressed

Ah, blimey... it's SO complicated once you start looking into it all!

I'm really not sure what to do - in the grand scheme of things a lower libido and some dryness aren't the worst, but I'd rather avoid them if I can. And yet I don't want to end up in some anxiety-ridden hole instead... and there's just no really way of knowing until you try something.

@travellingturtle if you loved the coil I'd recommend that again, even if it's not the most fun getting it in at least once it's done you can forget about it for five years

@MissSmiley I hear you, I really do. But it's not a question of it just not being much 'fun' getting it in –I passed out from the pain the first time they tried.

Just thinking about it makes my eyes well up – and I'm not someone who gets upset about pain easily.

If they could knock me out for it I'd get it in a heartbeat, but I'm not sure I can put myself through that again.

@travellingturtle many GUM services will insert under local anaesthesia if you explain your clinical history and request. Some even do GA but this wouldn't be likely unless they were doing something else at the same time.