The implant, should I do it?

Question

I'm looking into birth control for the first time and I think the implant is the right option for me I've done my fair share of research And have my reasons (I'm referring to the arm implant) but I've never seen such a division about the pros and cons, issues, etc with the other methods as compared to the implant. Share your stories? Help?

Answer

It's different for everybody. It works for some people and some people it don't. One of the major issues with this implant is the excessive amount of weight you CAN gain. I have always been a size 2 but since I started using this method (mid March) of birthcontrol I am now a size 9. Some girls lose a lot of weight also. You never know until you try how it will affect you. I had about 2 heavy periods but after that I stopped. Now I'm spotting every few days so if you do get this birth control invest in some panty liners. If you find yourself bleeding a lot buy some iron tablets so you won't become anemic. You also may feel pregnant all the time due to the estrogen hormone provided in this birth control but don't worry it's very unlikely. The symptoms I have had follows; headaches, decrease in energy, acne, peeing all the time, sore boobs, discharge in boobs, increase in appetite, depression (I'm usually very happy now anything can make me go from 0-100 in a matter of seconds over the smallest things). If you want to take the risk of all of these side effects just to prevent pregnancy go for it, like I said its different  for everybody.

Answer

So far, I have few complaints other than cramps, which are about the same/a tad less intense and come on and go with my period. I have awful PMS, so it's been great. Bigger boobs, no mood swings, no huge energy sap.

I have had it for 2 weeks, so I don't know what bleeding pattern I will get. I have spotted 3 days and had light/medium flow for 4 days. No clots, not sure if I will get them. Weird because I always used to get them. Period still in progress, not sure if it hit its peak yet. I use a menstrual cup with cloth liners, so I am comfy.

Most women, statistically speaking, have no problems with the implant. If you looked at the clinical trial stats, many of the symptoms have a very small chance or were not frequently reported. If you look on the internet, you'll see tons of complaints.

I would give it a chance and if the bleeding is heavy or constant, I would try to get on bc pills to regulate it. If there were other major undesireable side effects, I would weigh my options.

Answer

I don't have the implant myself, but I have done a lot of research and know a lot of women who have.

It is super effective, at 99.9%. It's also super safe. Complications with it that are severe are rare.

With any birth control method, or even any medication in general, there are going to be about 10 horror stories to every positive one, as people are more likely to complain when something doesn't work, than say positive things when it does.

Before I got my Mirena IUD, I considered the implant (Implanon specifically), the only reason I didn't is because the Mirena lasts 5 years compared to the implants which last 3.

The implant, should I do it?

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