How many of you have/had the contraceptive implant Implanon?
I'm contemplating trying it as part of treatment for endometriosis as well as its other more obvious effects. ;);)
How easy did you find getting it?
what was the fitting like?
has it worked?
any other effects i should know about?

Ta
Em
xx

I have it! It is wonderful.

I didn't watch how they put it in and they numbed it first so I couldn't feel it. My arm was a bit bruised and swollen at first but it was ok after about a week.

The nurse will go with you through all the side effects of the Implanon, I had a bit off dizzyness and sickness and first and my periods seem a tiny bit heavier.

But other then that I personally think it is the best form of contraception (used with condoms as you probably know they don't protect you from STD's) and it puts your mind at rest for 3 years!

Go to your doctors or the Mulberry Street Clinic to discuss having it, they are very helpful.

Good Luck and PM me if you need any more details

xxxx

Originally posted by x_Sunshine_x
I had a bit off dizzyness and sickness and first and my periods seem a tiny bit heavier.


Heavier??? :shocked:
oohhhhh :(

it should stop being so heavy after a while, don't worry!!

Plus every girls side effects are different so you may be a lucky one, and your periods could stop!

Have you looked into the Depo Provera (sp) I think you have an injection every 3 months and it stops the periods completely I think!

Only problem my ex had was her periods. They become very irregular. She would have a really heavy one and then nothing for six months. Not so much a problem except she didn't know when to be 'prepared' If you know what i mean:confused:

She said it was the best thing she ever did. She didn't put on any weight like the pill:thumbsup:

i've looked into it but don't want anything that is in my system for a long time (yes for me 3 months is a long time) in case i react badly, at least the implant can be removed.
I can't have combined pills due to migraines and am absolutley crap at taking the minipill as it needs taking at the same time every day (almost impossible for me) my remaining options are the coil the injection or the implant, the injection is in my system for three months whether it reacts badly or not, the coil acts about the same as the implant but can take up to 6 months to settle and is painful to fit if you've not had children, that leaves the implant as my best option.
I do really need it to stop my periods or make them lighter as thats my problem, the endometriosis makes it impossible for me to even get out of bed for about 3 days every month...
ah well i'll see what the hosp says this aft..

Thanks sunshine :D you're lovely :D

any other opinions anyone?

I have heard that the Mirena Coil can be very good, but I haven't actually had any experience of it personally, but I was thinking about it.

Originally posted by RobT
Only problem my ex had was her periods. They become very irregular. She would have a really heavy one and then nothing for six months. Not so much a problem except she didn't know when to be 'prepared' If you know what i mean:confused:

She said it was the best thing she ever did. She didn't put on any weight like the pill:thumbsup:

lol i don't know the meaning of 'regular' anyway ;)

thankyou :)
xx

I looked at this form of contraception a few times and spoke to a few people that had it.
Some people don't have any periods after it gets settled in but if you do you don't know when they are going to happen. Could be once every month (tho rare) to every 3-6 months or not at all. This put me off as i like to know where i am.

I went for the Mirena coil in the end. It is a coil with a hormone on it, but the hormone is just there, i was told it would not be in my bloodstream?? . Had it done just over a year ago and am very happy with it. It last for 5years and once it's in you can forget about it. I still have periods but not like they were before. Like the implant it takes some settleing in and i did think about having it taken out after 2 months but am glad i didn't. I don't get PMT like i use to either. I was told it would be uncomfortable to put in but i found it fine. (i was waiting for it to hurt and they said they had done). I had this put in after having and fairly large endometrial cyst removed.

Info here for implant (http://www.fpa.org.uk/guide/contracep/conimp.htm#6) and IUS (coil) (http://www.fpa.org.uk/guide/contracep/ius.htm)

Hope this is helpful.
Fuzzy

Thanks fuzzy :) (oooh and valentine)
I've thought long and hard about the coil, but as i'm currently desperately trying to find a decent job i can't afford even a couple of months of settling in time... the pain i get is far too much to put up with whilst working/learning a new job. it is definately something i'd consider after having kids... depending on job situation then too... :(

My mums periods stopped completely with the Mirena Coil, id did take a while for her periods to settle down.

Sorry to hear that Em, periods are bad enough as it is!

I had a Mirena fitted in November. It was quick and relatively painless, a lot better than I expected. I chose it because of similar problems. Since then I have had one period which lasted longer than usual but was about 90% lighter! I know quite a few other women who have one and none have any complaints.

thanks for that Fairy :)
it is still on the list...
had you had children before the mirena? apprently that makes a huge difference in the fitting...

im assuming that youve already spoken to your gp about the options available to you?

im currently on the depo injection and have been for ages- i love it!

although, when i first went on it i put on loads of weight and went from a size 8/10 to a size 16 in about 8 months. dont let that put you off though, that was mostly due to lifestyle changes too. ive since disproved the 'depe makes you put weight' theory by dropping from a 16 to nearly a 12 in about 4 months last year. (then i got bored and now im a 14 again! lol)

the only thing i would say is that it does take ages to get it out of your system. i had to stop for a while a few years back because i missed the appointment due to travelling- i was told i had to wait for my periods to be come regular again before i could start again. at that point i had been on the injection for about 4 years and it took 18months for them to go back to normal.

before you set your mind on a choice though, speak to your gp to double check that your choice wont affect any other treatment they may recommend for your condition.

best of luck and i hope you get it sorted- my periods were nothing major but they were bad enough for me, so i really hope you get sorted- and they say blokes have it bad?!?!?

sophie
x

Yeah I have 2 kids :gag:

I'm similar to you in that I have awful migraines so can't have the pill or the depo injection and really wanted something to help control my periods. I'm hoping they will evebtually stop al together :clap:

em3978
i have tried pill, mini pill, coil, cap,i think everyones different about what suits them,
if you do have bad periods them your gp will advise you,what will be best,
my advice is listern to what others have to say but make your own mind up as to what you think will work for you,
also if what you choose doesnt suit you then you can opt for something else,
:)

Originally posted by julie23
em3978
i have tried pill, mini pill, coil, cap,i think everyones different about what suits them,
if you do have bad periods them your gp will advise you,what will be best,
my advice is listern to what others have to say but make your own mind up as to what you think will work for you,
also if what you choose doesnt suit you then you can opt for something else,
:)

Sadly my GP (and the other one at the surgery) is next to useless and won't do anything as i've been diagnosed with endometriosis ( i had to DEMAND a referral for that despite complaining of pain for 13 years!!!!)
I have however got an appt at Jessops in a few hours time which is why i'm attempting to arm myself with info as i'm getting kinda sick of being told to go away and see how things go...

Thanks everyone for your help.. i'll let you know how things go :)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! i got listened too :shocked:

:clap: Finally!!

I was on implanon but when the time had come to have it taken out i decided not to have another one put in. As i just couldnt lose the weight from the pregnancy (had it put in after having my son) but as soon as i had it taken out i lost the weight. (I never put weight on while having it in though). The good thing i had (or didnt have) was that i didnt have a period for three years and no p. pains either!!! :D :thumbsup:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! i got listened too
good im glad,hope they gave you some good avice anyway,
good luck :thumbsup:

I fire blanks if any of you ladies don't hav contr but looking for some lastminute lust.

I fire blanks if any of you ladies don't hav contr but looking for some lastminute lust.
:shocked: thats nice to know
i think:loopy:

I would be interested to know if you can breastfeed if you have an implant. I have suggested my daughter gets one.

I didnt have a good experience with the mirena coil. I was prescribed it to make my periods lighter and it didn't, they got worse. I had an endometrial ablation and that sorted my periods.

alysonpeach,have a look at the link on page one by fuzzy:thumbsup:

Originally posted by valentine
I have heard that the Mirena Coil can be very good, but I haven't actually had any experience of it personally, but I was thinking about it.

In Sheffield you will only be offered the Mirena IUS if you have previously had children, as this affects the size of your cervix and how painful the fitting would be.

I would strongly recommend anyone thinking of having either an IUS or a standard IUD fitted to go to Mulberry Street in town rather than their GPs, as they do it day in day out and are frankly a whole heap more competent in the field.

well i think the implanon was the best,
never had a coil fitted,mind so i wouldnt know :confused:

Originally posted by medusa666
In Sheffield you will only be offered the Mirena IUS if you have previously had children, as this affects the size of your cervix and how painful the fitting would be.

I would strongly recommend anyone thinking of having either an IUS or a standard IUD fitted to go to Mulberry Street in town rather than their GPs, as they do it day in day out and are frankly a whole heap more competent in the field.

I do have a child but he is 16. And i had mine done at Mulberry St (very few GP's are trained to do the Mirena fit) and as i said i was suprised when they said they'd done it, i expected it to hurt a lot more. It was no worse than having a smear just a bit longer time wise. I do think part of it is to relax tho. They do use anestetic jelly to make it less painful.

I don't get pain like i used to at all, i now know what other women mean when they say they don't have problems, if only it had been like this all the time.

Originally posted by medusa666
In Sheffield you will only be offered the Mirena IUS if you have previously had children, as this affects the size of your cervix and how painful the fitting would be.



My GP has suggested it and knows I haven't got any children

Originally posted by valentine
My GP has suggested it and knows I haven't got any children

As has been said before valentine- your GP would probably refer you into Mulberry Street to do this, and they won't give it to anyone who hasn't had children as it's twice the thickness of a standard IUD, and as a childless woman who's had an IUD fitted I can tell you that having the cervix dilated just for a standard coil is not really much fun.

I had very very severe endometriosis (severe enough that the only treatment that was appropriate was a total hysterectomy, including removal of ovaries, tubes and cervix) and they still would not offer the IUS to me.

You may find that your GP's views are not in line with standard policies. This is quite common, but Mulberry Street are the experts in this field, and I understand their recommendations are made from experience.

I hope that you find the answers to your contraception problems.