Contraceptive implant

sherlock holmes · 01-02-2015, 11:17 AM

I'd like people's experiences with the contraceptive implant, preferably Nexplanon as that should be what I'll get.

Basically I can't swallow tablets so the pill is out of the question, I've tried Evra (contraceptive patch) on 2 different occasions and it gave me horrendous headaches. Evra has exactly the same hormones as the combined pill so I know that's out. Nexplanon is progesterone only and should reduce the chance of me getting headaches.

I'd really like it to help with my PMS- a week before my period my mood plummets and I get actively suicidal and self harm. I also get lots of pain/cramps and my period can be quite heavy on the first day or so. I know it can be hit or miss as to whether the implant reduces the heaviness of the periods.

If I am getting it it would be this thursday, and I'd have to talk to the nurse first.

How easy is it to get removed? If I get awful side effects then I'd need it taken out pretty quick.

Albus Dumbledore · 01-02-2015, 03:58 PM

I've had the implant (pretty sure it was nexplanon). I gained a lot of weight on it, but I'm not sure whether it was that or antipsychotics that made me gain weight as I started both at around the same time. It really helped with my periods and I hardly ever had them on the implant, and when I did, they were really light. I had mine taken out earlier than usual, and it was really quickly and easily done, as well as being really quick when I had it put in.
Hope this helps.

Emmabob. · 01-02-2015, 09:01 PM

honestly, from my experience, medical professionals seem to be pretty cunnty for taking it out if u have issues with it. i've had mine over a year & they're still telling me to wait it out & side effects will settle down.

Ballerina123 · 01-02-2015, 09:52 PM

Ive been on the contraceptive implant for 4 years. Im on my second one.
I had no problems with it. no side effects and I have about one light period a year.
Its very easy to get removed. it takes about 10 mins to fit and to take out.
it honestly the best contraception I have ever been on

Aardbei · 01-02-2015, 10:31 PM

I've had the implant for 5 years. I love it - my periods are much lighter and less frequent. The only tricky thing is now I find it hard to tell when I'm due on so they take me by surprise a bit!

Getting it put in is fine - the anaesthetic stings, but it doesn't take long. Getting it taken out can be a bit tricker as it can sometimes be a bit harder to find inside the tissue, but again it's just the sting from the anaesthetic and then a feeling of pressure while they remove it. I've never had any issues with mine so I haven't experienced the potential difficulty of wanting it removed quickly, but it is always worth booking your removal/change appointment in advance so you don't get caught short.

Aardbei · 01-02-2015, 10:32 PM

Oh also, one thing I did notice towards the end of the 3 years of my previous implant was that my periods started to get more frequent, and that to me was a signal that it needed changing :)

sherlock holmes · 01-02-2015, 10:33 PM

Thanks guys! I'm less worried about it than I was.

effervescence · 04-02-2015, 09:47 AM

I have a Jadelle which is very similar to the Nexplanon although it has 2 rods and I think nexplanon only has one (?).
We put lots of Jadelles in at my work.
I've had it two years and I love it. I got it for similar reasons to you and incidentally it is highly effective contraception.
My periods used to be terrible and now I only get one light one about every 3-4 months. The one thing it has given me is spots on my face, but I feel the benefits outweigh this.
As said above, it's just a slight sting then some pressure to get it put in and taken out. If you have it taken out fairly quickly due to ill effects I believe it is easier as it hasn't had a chance to go deeper into the muscle, which occasionally happens (and if it does, they just use ultrasound to locate it). It usually sits just under the skin so you can feel it with your fingers if you press on the skin, so it's very shallow and easy to locate.

sherlock holmes · 04-02-2015, 12:58 PM

That's very helpful! I'm going tomorrow to ask about having it.

Ballerina123 · 04-02-2015, 01:18 PM

I hope it works out for you. it is the best contraception Ive even been on.

tiptoes · 04-02-2015, 02:32 PM

I don't have experience of the implant but I did switch from combination pills to a progesterone only one as I would get horribly depressed and suicidal during the week off. The change to progesterone only removed this completely. I hope that going on the implant helps you.