Implanon - side effects

[katty_kins]

So glad i came across this site. I have had the contraceptive implant in for just a little over a year, at first it was ok, i expected bleeding between periods. However, i have been extremely unhappy, i have been bleeding more or less constantly since i had it put in (thats over a year) i thought it would sort out, but no sign yet. Also went to my GP about excess hair i seem to have gained, he told me he thinks it was P.S.O, also suffering from acne. I believe, since reading what all you ladies have written that it is the impant causing all these problems. I love the fact it is convinient for me and my partner, and i havnt suffered any loss of sex drive (quite the opposite) but i am certain now i am going to remove it, as the bleeding is ruining my sex life.

[celmac]

hi, l have been on the lmplanon for three months now and what l am finding is that my arm is still sore where it was inplanted can anyone tell me if they have experianced this also, or is it just me. Thanks looking forward to hearing from you....................

[witsend]

I posted this on the Implanon - weight gain thread by accident. It really ought to be on this one.

Also I have an update - I do in fact have an Ovarian Cyst now as well, and have been told to book a follow up next week.

I am coming off the implant, but apparently nobody knows who at my GP would remove it and I need a doctors appointment first. *sigh* I have booked one for Monday I hope I can get this thing out of me next week!

Back to condoms and a prayer. Joy.

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Hello everyone

I just want to put my experience on here and see if anyone else has had similar. (Seems like lots of you have from what I have read).

Firstly, I had severe migraine with Aura when on the pill, I am now not allowed to take the pill or any other method of contraception with the same ingredients, so this means no injections either.

Secondly my only other option other than implanon is a coil, but a friend of mine got pregnant with the coil still in, not only is this is somewhat inconvenient, but it cause a hell of a lot of complications during the pregnancy as they could not get the coil removed as it moved inside her. Seeing what she went through and how really dangerous it was, has put me off getting a coil.

So its implanon or fingers crossed and a little prayer. Yes we can use condoms on their own, but I have had so many split or get lost in me, I may as well just cross my fingers and say a little prayer each time I have sex.

So January 2010, I found out about implanon and I found out I could actually use it. I was over the moon. I did 2 pregnancy tests before it went in, to be sure.

Since then, I have had about 2 to 3 periods a month - not 'spotting' like I was told, full on bloating, upset tummy, mood swings, cramps, faintness, bleeding. I also noticed the blood was different most of the time, light pink or brown, but never what I had experienced before. I am told this is because there is little lining left to shed with implanon, which sounds gross.

About 6 months ago, after several visits to my doctor I had yet another smear test and I found I had pre cancerous cells. I went and had them removed, which was awful and there were obviously complications while I was healing.

January 2011, a year later I had a full month or normal cycle. I had another full month of normal cycle in February. By this I mean 7 day periods, only once a month.

This month I went for my 6 month check up post cell removal, and I am told that there are more abnormal cells. In addition I finished my period on the wednesday, had my smear on the thursday, and then the following Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday I was extremely bloated, upset tummy, faintness, moods swings, and a period on Wednesday, only 1 week after my last one. In addition this has been making me feel very unwell, I am so bloated I cannot fit into my clothes, and for 24 hours over this weekend it went away, only to come back last night.

I saw my doctor this morning. She is convinced there is no link between the implanon and my pre cancerous cells, but this was a coincidence and is confusing the matter. She may well be right.

She has also said that there really are no other options for me, so I should wait it out. Also she hinted that my clock was ticking and should probably think of kids anyway! There is nothing they can give me to help with the irregular bleeding, as I was unable to take the pill etc.

I am now at my wits end, will this get better, or should I have it removed? I am in no position mentally or financially to have a baby, in fact I have no desire to be a parent at all. I want my sex life back, I am sick of saying not tonight I am bleeding again love. Unlike some others in implanon I still do have a sex drive.

I am sick of being tired, having no energy, I lost some weight when I started with implanon and now I am gaining quite a bit. I also have sore breasts a lot of the time, and suffer from panic attacks and feeling sorry for myself.

What I want to hear is that later down the line, this gets better.. I would also be interested in hearing about any other ladies with abnormal smear tests after going on implanon, I cannot see how its connected to be honest, but you just never know.

I am scheduled for a scan next thursday to check my ovaries to rule anything out in that area as well.

[littlemisszapppy]

I've had implanon for around a month and I'm not having a good time on it. I suffered with stomach cramps for a week and thrush until I was finally taken into A&E in agony. I had severe lower abdominal, back and (left) side pain. I was in hospital for 24 hours. They did a scan and luckily my ovaries are ok, but I had a pelvic infection - no cause known (weird). I have since been researching implanon and the dangers of taking a progesterone only contraceptive. Implanon has been associated with ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies and PID, and listed side affects are pelvic, stomach and back pain. Even their own website lists serious dangers: http://www.implanon-usa.com/Consumer/in ... 9052314815
I think it is potentially very dangerous for some woman and I don't think it's been around long enough for anyone to really know the long term implications (the late 90s I think). I'm having my removed as soon as possible. I would rather risk getting pregnant than risk my fertility. The most frustrating thing has been that my GP doesn't seem to really know anything about it. I think it was very bad advice getting it in the first place because I had a bad time on the progesterone only pill (chronic thrush).

[[email protected]]

chelhappy1- that's a joke! the only thing I am happy about these days is finding this site and learning that I am not alone is this crazy situation. Some of these posts date back to 2008 so why the hell this product is still on the market is beyond belief.
I am definately going to get this thing removed and will be letting the GP know exactly how I feel about being offered a product that has so many side effects without true warning.
Can anyone tell me if they found it as hard to shift the HUGE amount of weight once the implant had been removed? The thought of being stuck in this strangers body for much longer does not appeal.
I am actually looking forward to being a "nice" person again and definately feel the need to apologise to everyone I have tried to kill in a single tongue lashing over the past 7 months
I am also annoyed with myself for being fobbed off following repeat visits to the GP to check I wasn't going totally bonkers - I obviously was! something else to get weepy about lol

[Guest]

I have had my impant for 8 months i just want the damn thing out I feel so depressed and I am moody with my partner over such little things as well as the 2 1/2 stone weight gain

I have booked an appointment with the doctors to have it removed , but I know they will try and make me keep it , does anyone have any suggestions to make sure they take it out and not just send me away?

Thank you so much xx

I would say that if your moods are anything like mine they wouldn't DARE refuse lol
chel x

[Guest]

Hi there, ive had my implant in for just over a year now. im unable to take the pill for medical reasons and previously tried a coil (i wouldnt reccomend it) The problem im having is chest pain. The doctors ive seen (quite a few now) dont seem to think its related to the implanon but it started just after i had it put in and after many many tests and a chest x-ray i am apparently perfectly healthy. im wondering if anyone else has experienced chest pain after having the implant as its been a year now and im worried. unfortunately i have a blood condition which prevents me from using the vast majority of contraception that is available so im a little reluctant to have it taken out when i dont have and mood swing side effects most people seem to have. all in all ive been quite happy with it even if i have put on some weight and keep buying pregnancy tests just to make sure. its much better than my current alternatives. That is unless its causing this pain. Any ideas?

[Laura M]

I love the implanon but it comes out in jus over a muntha dn for the past munth av had hot flashes awful nausea and dizzyness am only 20 so hot flashes are scary as hell especially coz all my male work mates are teasing me about goin thru the change, anyone else had anything similar a need some reasurance lol

[guest mum]

Hi there,

hoping someone on here can help! I had the implant put in after I had my twin girls in Jan 2010 and had thought it was ok, I bled for a couple of weeks and then it totally stopped and I thought brill! I've had 3 periods in the last year that last for a month at a time which I didn't think was too bad I've heard worse stories but then in the last couple of months I've had really bad mood swings and then last weekend I started leaking from my nipples and it looks like milk. I've got an appointment with the GP next week and done a pregnancy test which was negative. Has anyone else had this sort of problem?
x

[guest1989]

I got my implant in November 2008 and i have been thinking about having it removed since before Christmas. Ive finally made an appointment to see my GP on Monday to talk about it. I have 3 week long periods, then a week off (2 if im very lucky) and then im back on for 3 weeks!
Im exhausted and have no energy to do anything, which is causing problems between me and my partner because im always on, and when im not im too tired to do anything!
For the first few months it was great but im really suffering from it now and wouldnt recommend it to anyone!
Ive put on a lot of weight recently and i think its due to the stress of my side effects and being so bloated from being on a period all the time. Just want the flipping thing out now

[bluesparks21]

I've had the implant in for 3 months and I still haven't stopped bleeding. My moods are horrible (according to family and boyfriend) and the period pains are erratic. I've had enough, I'm having it taken out!

I know exactly how you feel, ive had the implant for nearly 5 months now, since i had it put in i have had one very long period, my moods have become horrible too, very short tempered and cant seem to relax, Co-workers and my boyfriend have noticed. Im having it taken out in a week and to be honest i cant wait to have my regular periods back!!! according to my doctor i am just one of the 'unlucky ones' and it isnt rare to have these side effects. I hope having yours out helps with everything.

[smem007]

Hello,

Iv just read a long list of these threads and i think i must be the only person where everything has been fine. I have had the implant for 6 years now. No mood swings, no bleeding. The only thing i would say is that i have put on 3 stone in that time, but this could be due to many things like being content? I have not had a smear test in that time (as only 27 and been in a relationship for 7 years), but having read this i am going to do that asap.

I have just had the implant removed as i want a change. It was VERY easy. Made a appointment with the local sexual health clinic straight away (a lot of these centres do evening clinics)and got it taken out within 10mins.

I have been very happy with the implant, but i do know that it does't work for everyone as i am 1 / 5 friends where it has worked with no side effects.

[Natalia G]

Hi All,

I can see that alot of users are fairly new to Implanon so it might help if you hear my history...........I've been using Implanon for the last 9 years and for me it's the best & most suitable contraceptive (have tried Depo Provera and the Pill). As soon as it's replacement time, I start getting my periods, when it's in use I go to 'no bleeding or slight bleeding' which is a wonderful change from painful periods and excessive bleeding. Yes I suffer from fatigue, sore breasts, weight gain etc but cannot say if these are related to the Implanon or just the side effects of a busy, working mum's life as I'm always on the go and even women not on the Implanon have these issues during period time and otherwise. I do a pap smear regularly and have recently started watching my diet and making an effort to exercise and now can truly say, after watching the weight come off, that the weight gain was certainly not due to the Implanon. It is hard to know what effects are linked to what and doctors don't know everything........all I would suggest is listen to your own body and be observant.......don't just go by what others say or do, everyone's body works differently and if you're not happy with your doctor, make an effort to find a new one or get a second opinion. Last but not the last, I would also like to add that Marie Stopes clinics are wonderful and you can get great advice and support from them.

[rayjay00]

I have had the implanon for approximately six months...ive missed a period,had a light one, had a period which lasted two weeks and right now have been bleeding for four weeks! The only way this is working as a contraceptive for me is that i CANT have sex at the moment! i suffer from anaemia as it is so the constant blood loss is making me extremely tired and 'low'...my breasts have become tender and have grown in size and i have experienced vomiting and diaorrhea in the last two weeks...i didnt know whether to let it settle and let my body adjust ,(or is that wishful thinkin?),but after reading comments on this forum i am making an appointment with the GP asap to discuss other contraceptive methods...dont know what my options will be though...cannot go back on ovranette,cerazette was no good for me and am not keen on the coil at all! bleurgh! what a pain?!

[Meekos]

Wanted to add to this my bad experience with implanon.

I'd been on the pill (Mycrogynon 30) for about 7 years and had no issues with it. But was going travelling and the thought of having no periods and no pill to remember to take was pretty good so had the implant fitted a couple of months before my boyfriend and I flew to Mexico. Was pretty busy before we left and felt fine so thought it was working out for me. While we were away I felt less happy, more anxious, uptight and stressed than I ever thought I'd been before. Put it down to difficult environments, but couldn't figure out why I felt this way, especially in the incredible places we were visiting and with sound people around us. Four months into the trip and these symptoms were getting worse, felt self concious, confused, indecisive and a bit depressed too. Wasn't til I had a panic attack out . (not fun at all, never had one before. Mind felt calm but body just over reacted, struggled to breathe), that I thought to look up the implant and it's side effects...

Reading posts on forums like this I was comforted to find that so many other women reported this thing in my arm to have affected them in similar ways, relieved that I might not be going mental after all, but so angry that my long awaited trip through central america I had not really been feeling or acting 'myself' and that so many people are having to deal with this ordeal. Caused massive problems in my relationship with my boyfriend of 5 years, just felt really annoyed, selfish and vicious a lot and acted accordingly.

Had one month left In Nicaragua before we had to head home and I wanted the implant gone immediately. Next morning I woke up and decided that my bf should cut it out, we were in a hostel on beach 2 hour bus ride along dirt roads from town so reckoned we could do a DIY job with a craft knife blade and some tweezers. Bad move, thought it was supposed to be under the skin, not in the muscle. Gave up when it became apparent what a big cut would be needed. Luckily there was a clinic a motorbike ride away where I was able to pay 20 dollars to have a local anesthetic and 3 stitches afterwards, took doctor around 10 mins to get it out, almost fainted. But so so relieved to know it was out of my body.

It's about a month and a half since i've been free and am staying off contraceptives for a while, let my hormones do their own thing for a while, probably go back to the pill sometime. Will think hard and do some research before i take any other alternatives the doctor recommends. Still had awesome time despite crazy emotions, my Mum has taken medication for depression for years and i was terrified that I was going to have to deal with the same she has, but thankfully i'm feeling more like the person i thought i was all along.

Get it out your arm if you're not feeling like you should!