Implanon implant

[delerious.livejournal.com]

Hi there, my gyno has given me a prescription for the Implanon implant as i've been having trouble with bleeding between periods, no matter what pill he puts me on. I was on Trifeme for years then, when irregular bleeding began he changed me to Marvelon (which he stated was one of the best) but the bleeding persisted so now he is recommending i get the implant.

I was just wondering if any of you have had the implant and what your experiences with it were like? (side effects, mood changes etc) I have read up alot about the procedure, how it works etc, at the moment i'm mostly interested in hearing other poeples personal experience with it ...i've heard good and bad and would like to find out a bit more before i go ahead and get it.

I also have to get a ultrasound next week as my gyno suspects uterine polyps are causing the bleeding :o(

Thanks for the info and sorry for the X-posting!

Comments

[perigrine.livejournal.com]

I'm new here, and thought I would answer your non-answered question, seeing as I have just had my Implanon out after nearly 4 years.

I first got it in early 2004, mainly for the fact that it was a one off prescription, and would reportedly stop periods for the time it was in. (being on an extremely limited income made those points valid). I read the sheet that cam with it, worked out that I could 'expect' to gain 4 kilos/8lbs and decided that was ok. I could live with that.

My periods stopped dead. I gained weight - like 30 kilos/60lbs. Nothing about my lifestyle said I should have gained that much weight. I ate the same things, got the same exercise. I got other health issues due to the weight gain - became pre-diabetic, muscle cramps, swollen eyes of a morning, pins and needles.

By the time I was nearing the end of three years, I started bleeding. HEAVILY. For two weeks at a time. Soaking super duper tampons in an hour. Wicked cramps, huge clots. But I only did that for quarter of the day. The rest of the time I was dry as a bone. I lost about a kilo/2lbs a week. Then I got worried enough to go to the Dr. The Dr only tested for anemia. The gyne clinic prescribed Ponstan to help with the cramps. After three months of this, I went to Family Planning and they gave me a new implant.

Periods stopped again. Weight and associated problems returned. I started to think that not having periods was great, but not normal. Bodies aren't meant to go without periods for that long (IMO anyway). Plus I thought the weight was affecting my bladder control during sex. From what I read the hormone in Implanon is also a muscle relaxant one. The same one made in pregnancy.

So five weeks ago I got it out. Not without some effort to convince the Dr either. First bleed with it out was wacky, but this one is shaping up to be a normal one.

I feel much better. The wight is coming off slowly. Sex is better, and for the first time since I was 12 I am looking forward to periods!

Would I get it again? No way in hell.