the implant?

[Glen Coco]

Have any girls on here got the implant?
I've been on the pill Loestrin 20 for about 5 years (I was young when I went on it, I know but it wasn't for sex reasons) but I'm really bad with remembering to take my pill at the same time everyday and it's a pain.
Sooooo
I was thinking about getting the implant.
BUT
i want to get some questions answered by girls who have already had it / have it.
1) does it hurt when it goes in?
2) does it hurt when it gets taken out?
3) did you experience any bad side effects?
4) what happened to your periods after you'd taken it? (I've heard some people having constant bleeds whereas others it goes until they get it removed)

and i've also heard of women getting pregnant whilst being on the implant which worries me a bit :( but I'm not sure if they've sorted the problem out so if anyone has any info on this it would be appreciated.

[Charz777]

Okay, let's see...
1) No, it feels a bit weird, but you feel no pain, just the anesthetic, so the needle stings the tiniest bit, but nothing to make you flinch or think, 'This hurts so bad!'

2) I've not had mine out yet, so I can't comment. As far as I'm aware they numb it again, and put a new one straight in unless you're planning a family or have it removed because of problematic side effects.

3&4) I got a few severe headaches for a couple of weeks and emotionally felt annoyed and angry for practically no reason. The headaches were about 3/4 days a week for a month and the moods were probably once every 2 weeks for about 2 months. As for periods, I had nothing for 2 weeks and then they started and it lasted 64 days none stop, (I know!) but were light. And by this point I just wanted it out. But I stuck with it. Two weeks after it ended, I had another that lasted 15 days. Now, it's been 3 months since the last period and I haven't had one at all which in my opinion is great!

So, I'd definitely recommend it, you don't have to worry about remember pills or going out to buy condoms or whatever. I've never had any problems concerning pregnancy and it's more effective now. 99.99% (Depending on where you're from and which one your doctor carries). The side effects at the start are worth it in the long run, without a doubt. It can only be used as birth control though and obviously, doesn't stop STIs.

Hope this helps :)

[Glen Coco]

eee the long periods don't seem nice though!
Not really worried about STI's, i'm in a long term relation ,both virgins when we met (awwww)
Which implant did you have? I've heard horror stories about implanon D:

[Charz777]

Ha, me and my boyfriend were both virgins when we met too :P

I have the Nexplanon. I heard a lot of bad things about the Implanon too, I think the Nexplanon has replaced the Implanon in England now as it's safer. Not completely sure though.

[Glen Coco]

yeah that's what i've got the impression of from other sites. loads of people have gotten headaches and heavy bleeding.
I'm really stuck about whether to get it or not. did you get period pains before you got it and if you did, did it help?

[lawrawrrr]

i've not had one myself but my friend has one, she said it really hurt when it was in and still does now (she's anorexic though so that might be why). its definitely easier than remembering to take the pill, but i'm considering the injection instead cos it does uaully stop periods :/

[Charz777]

I've not had period pains at all since getting it.

You can only get the injection from age 19+ because it can stunt bone development. And you have to get it repeated every 8 to 12 weeks.

[Glen Coco]

oh ok, injections aren't really my sort of thing anyway :P
somewhere it said you had to be 18 to get the implant, is hat true or is it lying? I know people who were 15 when they got it so that seems a bit strange.

[wixard]

IF YOU GET IT LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES.

my periods are way too painful and i just can't go on with them.
thinking bout the implant, but heard it's painful and if that girl had a period for so long wtf
imagine cramps for 64 days osryjsriyoo

[Rozi]

Buy this month's glamour!! there's a superb article in it about contraception! they list so many different types, the pros, the cons, and it's glamour so it's fab.

I was considering the implant but my periods are so horrifically vile, I don't think I could face knowing I had something in me for 3 years that could make my life a misery. I've been on 3 types of pill (both combined and POP) and none have done me any good at all.

[FlyingJesus]

If periods are a big problem (as they can be with the implant as it's obviously messing about with hormones) it is possible to have it taken out after a few weeks, it doesn't have to run the full 3 year course. I can't remember percentages but in a large number of people who get the implant it actually stops your periods altogether since what it's essentially doing is tricking your body into thinking that it's already pregnant, it's supposedly a small minority who get the prolonged periods

[Glen Coco]

Buy this month's glamour!! there's a superb article in it about contraception! they list so many different types, the pros, the cons, and it's glamour so it's fab.

I was considering the implant but my periods are so horrifically vile, I don't think I could face knowing I had something in me for 3 years that could make my life a misery. I've been on 3 types of pill (both combined and POP) and none have done me any good at all.

how could it make your life a misery? D:

Thanks for all the replies, i definitely think i'm going to look into it more. Does anyone know if there's been any reports of getting pregnant on the nexaplon one?
Annnnd does anyone know how long it is after that you're protected from pregnancy?

[Johnathan]

Interesting. I have yet to ever hear of such a thing. o.0

[Glen Coco]

Interesting. I have yet to ever hear of such a thing. o.0

hear of what? the implant?

[Johnathan]

hear of what? the implant?

Yes. But I'm now up to date. Did a little research. =]

[Charz777]

My periods weren't bad in terms of 'heaviness' but on the first day I get an awful pain, so bad that I can't stand without going dizzy and my vision completely blurs to blackness. Constantly feeling faint and sick and basically can't move. I didn't get any pains with the 64 days thing and it was very, very light. Everyone I know, which to be fair is only about 4 people, who have one all had their periods stop completely once the couple of off months pass.

I really sound like I'm trying to sell it, so don't take my word for it, because it's true, it can be bad for some people.

One symptom my doctor said is false is weight gain. Scientifically and medically, the implant doesn't cause weight gain. Some sort of chemical can be released to give you a bigger appetite but if you stick to your same diet you won't gain anything.

Also, my doctor said wait a week to be fully protected, I waited two and had no problems. (And then just went you think you're in the clear to go back to normal sexual relationship, you get a period for 64 days, that really throws a spanner in the works :( I was starting to feel like a nun)

[Glen Coco]

My periods weren't bad in terms of 'heaviness' but on the first day I get an awful pain, so bad that I can't stand without going dizzy and my vision completely blurs to blackness. Constantly feeling faint and sick and basically can't move. I didn't get any pains with the 64 days thing and it was very, very light. Everyone I know, which to be fair is only about 4 people, who have one all had their periods stop completely once the couple of off months pass.

I really sound like I'm trying to sell it, so don't take my word for it, because it's true, it can be bad for some people.

One symptom my doctor said is false is weight gain. Scientifically and medically, the implant doesn't cause weight gain. Some sort of chemical can be released to give you a bigger appetite but if you stick to your same diet you won't gain anything.

Also, my doctor said wait a week to be fully protected, I waited two and had no problems. (And then just went you think you're in the clear to go back to normal sexual relationship, you get a period for 64 days, that really throws a spanner in the works :( I was starting to feel like a nun)

I can imagine! that's the problem that Im having with the prolonged period bit, I don't want to go months without sex :P
What you said at the start about it being painful i what I used to get anyway before i went on the pill ( the reason I had it at 12)
I think i'm going to do it but once Ive had my driving test. Im scared of the big needle though!

[Charz777]

I can imagine! that's the problem that Im having with the prolonged period bit, I don't want to go months without sex :P
What you said at the start about it being painful i what I used to get anyway before i went on the pill ( the reason I had it at 12)
I think i'm going to do it but once Ive had my driving test. Im scared of the big needle though!

If you're afraid of needles, just don't watch, it makes it so much easier. I looked away :P

[Glen Coco]

and theyll definitely numb it? how do they numb it?

[Charz777]

They will DEFINITELY numb it, any article you read online about it will tell you this. They inject a local anesthetic :) It's really not that bad at all. I was nervous but after having it done I wouldn't worry the slightest about having the next.

If you're worried about symptoms, have it taken out if it isn't for you. And if your doctor says, 'I want you to have it for at least 3-6 months even if you don't like it,' ignore that because if you go to any family planning clinic and say your doctor won't remove it, they will. And they'll numb it too. Family planning is really good. If you want take your mum, sister, friend, boyfriend, anyone really :P


You can get a contraceptive implant fitted or removed:



at a contraception or sexual health (GUM) clinic
by a GP or practice nurse

Only a specially trained doctor or nurse can fit or remove contraceptive implants.
Contraceptive implants are available free on the NHS.