Experiences of implant/side effects.

[Workingallthetime]

Hi there,
Im after people's experiences of the contraceptive implant?
Does it cause weight gain or is it increase of apetite cause it?
Do people have irregular bleeding with it?
And how were people's mood on it?
All I see is negative comments about it.
Many thanks in advance ☺️

There are a few types, I would ask your GP or if your pratice has an advanced nurse practitioner, ask them about the specific implant they'll be using. The NHS medication website has lots of detailed information on dosage, side effects, so I really recommend looking through it. Anecdotes are important, but the overall evidence from clinical trials and all the data, is the most important so try and look at reputable sources like the NHS meds website. It does talk about the side effects, also the positives, also any dosage things and efficacy as well.

I haven't had the implant, but have had the mirena coil, which has massively helped with heavy bleeding. The implant can cause irregular bleeding, such as stopping periods altogether (small number of people), or spotting and mainly lighter periods. It doesn't cause weight gain (as there's not enough evidence to show a causation link), even if theres correlation perhaps, obviously body fluctuations are normal, but there's also the nocebo effect to take note off. Try and eat as you normally do, get high fibre, lots of fruit and veg and you'll be fine.

What do you want to mainly get out of having the implant.

The link below is from the NHS on side effects of it so looking through that. Side effects and risks of the contraceptive implant - NHS https://share.google/1zWH9SZPJV1nmPz3K
Who can use the contraceptive implant - NHS https://share.google/NfMjR4IMfu0p0BG3H

Thanks, I didn't realise there was more than one type?

Not necessarily type but like the brand etc, almost like with medication you may have 3 different brands the overview of what they do will be the same but there might be slight differences in the side effects people report etc as they can sometimes have slight differences. Not always but sometimes it can be good to ask. I'm not 100% sure with the implants if there are that many different brands but always worth a question to the GP

I've had a great experience with Nexplanon. Light or no periods, no mood swings, easily conceived soon after removal. Couldn't have been better. Now I'm approaching peri I am experiencing PMS for pretty much the first time my adult life. I know it's not for everyone but for some people it's fantastic and not having to think about contraception for 3 years is a huge win.

Did you gain weight with it?
Hear so many stories( mostly online) to say they put on huge amounts of weight with it!

I too had great experience with Nexplanon. I didn’t feel I had any side effects nor did I have any periods. Been on this type of contraception for 23 years and just had my last one removed at 56. I would have said it hadn’t caused any weight gain but have lost 5kg since coming off which I have put down to this. Personally I would highly recommend but I know friends it just hasn’t worked as well for them.

I've been on it since my early twenties so definitely not the slim 20 something I was, but overall I'd say no - my weight gain came from having two kids, eating my way through the pandemic and having a husband who think he's the Easter Bunny and likes to deliver me chocolate on a daily basis. However I made a concerted effort to lose weight this year and it came off once I got in a calorie deficit and started moving more, so I don't think I can blame the implant.