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I want to say thank you for making this thread. Reading it has been extremely informative and it's very comforting to have such a vast source of information right here for the looking.  That said, my birth control prescription is about to run out so it's back to Planned Parenthood for me next month. I've been thinking about exploring some other options. I've been on Ortho-Tri-Cyclin Lo for about 6 years. Started on it about when I started college. It's been working out fine, no problems at all, but it seems there have been some new additions to the birth control options since then. I'd never even heard of this implanon thing before the thread, or the Nuvaring. The implanon thing sounds especially appealing to me because it looks like it has about the same side effects as hormonal BC (which I already know I can tolerate), and it's no-maintenance, with the added bonus of the possibility of being period-free. That is very appealing! So I think I will ask PP about it. I figure it couldn't hurt to ask. If I'm wrong, please let me know now. To add my two cents to the weight loss while on hormonal BC discussion, I've dropped about 10 pounds in the last two months with a light exercise routine and portion control, and still going. I could probably be dropping a lot faster if I exercised more and really watched my diet. It's not crap, but it's probably not great either. Mostly I've just been trying to eat less.
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Apr 30, 2011 18:18
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Volcano posted:I think the chance of Implanon stopping your periods entirely is about 1 in 5; if you're not one of the lucky few, you can expect things to get pretty irregular. Aside from the potential period madness, it's great. Oh yes. I saw here that it had about 20% chance of stopping the period. Even irregular, light periods don't seem like they'd be too bad, and it'd be really great to just put a thing in and not have to worry about it for 3 years. I'll have a chat with PP about it when I go. Thanks for all the advice, everyone.
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May 1, 2011 02:59
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So hey, I just had a consultation at P.P. today vis a vis getting Implanon. They were super nice and gave me a little pamphlet thing so I could read it over, and said they'd call my insurance company to make sure I'm covered. The lady who talked to me also talked about the Mirena, which I have also seen mentioned in this thread. I just... don't think I'm prepared to try that. The Implanon seems nice and non-invasive, whereas Mirena is pretty painful to insert. I am not so good with pain.  Anyway they said all I have to do to get the Implanon is call them the first day of my next period. So yay! 
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May 11, 2011 21:16
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2tomorrow posted:Silver Falcon, be aware that the local injection they give you to numb your arm hurts like hell, and your arm will be sore for a bit afterwards (though it's more of an ache, or was for me). So Implanon isn't pain free, but it isn't that bad. Not trying to scare you off it as I love it, just being honest. Oh, needles I can deal with. It's the prospect of fingers in my uterus that bothers me. Seriously, my cervix! Fingers do not belong up there. 
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May 11, 2011 23:03
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Ok clearly I was operating on some misconceptions. Pardon me. 
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May 12, 2011 00:11
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Well, I am officially off my pills. I have an appointment with PP Wednesday to get my Implanon. They said no sexytimes until then. I am both excited and a little bit apprehensive.
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Jul 4, 2011 23:49
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fork bomb posted:Good choice! Expect your arm to be sore for a bit. I had a touch of the malaise (general icky feeling) the day after getting it put in but was fine after that. Well, I actually just came down with a cold today, so I'll be feeling lovely anyway!  Either way, I'm not going to work tomorrow.
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Jul 6, 2011 02:20
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Hope things work out for you, Tulip! I agree that lady was way out of line. Anyway, I got my Implanon put in yesterday. Just took off the gauze wrap so I could take a bath, and I see I have some lovely bruises. The insertion itself was relatively painless, little pinch for the local, and it stung like a bitch when she was injecting me. I also felt a little pinch as she was shoving the Implanon in there. I guess it got beyond the reach of the local? Anyway, no problem. It just took a long time. I had my husband come with me since I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to drive, plus moral support and blah blah. First, they were trying to solve some issues with my insurance, so we waited for an hour plus, then, the actual procedure took over an hour! I thought it would be a lot quicker than that... my husband was rather miffed, because he was bored. And I don't blame him either. Ah well. At least it's in now, and he doesn't seem to be pissed off anymore.
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Jul 7, 2011 20:54
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Anne Whateley posted:
I mean I spent an hour from when they called me into the back to when I went out to pay my bill. The insertion itself... I can't say how long it took because I wasn't looking at the clock. She did do a lot of futzing around though. She dismissed the nurse for some reason, even though I think she could have used the help. She wasted a lot of time unwrapping things. Plus, they called two people in the room to ask me questions they'd already asked me at my consultation, and in between I was sitting there waiting for a good 10 minutes I'd say. I guess they were just really disorganized. This was PP, by the way. It's the first less-than-stellar experience I've ever had going to them, so I dunno what was going on.
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Jul 8, 2011 01:03
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What were they doing for all that time? I've had two put in, and they took less than five minutes -- combined.
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So, I've been on the implanon for a little more than a month now and it's going great so far. Last week I had a "period." I put that in quotes because it sure was a sorry excuse for a period if I ever saw one. ~3 days in total of extremely light bleeding (stretched over about 5 days, with bleeding every other day). I put a tampon in because I still have loads of them lying around, but it was hardly necessary. Really, it was just a trickle. I'm feeling fine so far, and my sex drive is normal, so it looks like this thing will work out just fine. Thanks all of you for this thread and for the extremely helpful advice you continue to provide.
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Aug 12, 2011 03:57
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Well, I just found out my new health insurance doesn't cover Implnon, only the pill. It won't be an issue for three years, but still. Pisses me off. I didn't want to switch insurance in the first place!  As an aside, I haven't gotten my period since that little trickle a couple months ago. Should I be going to get a pregnancy test, or just thanking my lucky stars that Implanon stopped my periods?
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Sep 1, 2011 12:50
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gabi posted:Warning! Incoming stressed out word vomit! I'll add in my anecdote! I got Implanon close to a year ago now and it's never given me a lick of trouble. For the insertion, all they did was give me a local anesthetic, then cut a little slit and shoved it in. I don't remember any pain. At all. My arm was wrapped in about an inch of bandages and gauze afterwards, which felt weird but it wasn't a big deal. I was supposed to leave the bandages on for a day or so and not get them wet. Again, no big deal. The insertion site was bruised, and a bit sore for a few days, but that was it. Take a deep breath and relax. You'll be fine.
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Apr 2, 2012 19:06
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Candygram posted:So it has been four months since my Implanon has been inserted. I think my period is irregular, but I've been bad about keeping track of it since I got the Implanon. It's just not so important, you know? It's usually super light and I barely get cramps. It's usually just "Oh, look, there's blood on the toilet paper. Time to put in a tampon." I've never had skin irritation, but sometimes when I bend my arm a certain way, the insert pinches a bit. Pretty minor and totally worth it for the worry-free baby blocker. Aimee posted:I read the OP and a couple of pages, but didn't see this asked (though I'm sure it has been in 75 pages!) Heh, I had a similar situation when I went to study abroad in France. Totally forgot to order extra pills, ended up panicking when the student health center said they didn't have any. I ended up walking through town, stressing out, when I spotted a sign that said "Planning Familial." Is that what I think it is?! It was. I think I stumbled upon the French equivalent of Planned Parenthood. They were super nice and understanding, and didn't even charge me a dime for my pills!  Anyway, I'm glad you could find someone to help you out. Being in that situation sucks.
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Aug 8, 2012 00:14
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samizdat posted:Well, now I have a yeast infection (an interesting new experience) and my doctor thinks it's because I switched between birth control pills with different hormone levels. Kind of weird. I used to get yeast infections at least a couple times a year when I was on the pill, but I haven't had a single one since I switched to Implanon 2 years ago. Could be coincidence, but regardless I'm grateful. Yeast infections suck. You have my sympathies.
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Dec 17, 2013 04:26
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I'm getting my Implanon out and a brand shiny new Mirena inserted on 23rd May! I'm excited and also apprehensive. But after reading some of you ladies' horror stories, I figure as long as my experience isn't worse, I'm good!  Plus one of my coworkers has one and she went to a lady who's been putting them in for years, and her insertion was the worst one she's ever seen. Coworker still says she'd get another one in a heart beat. That's a heck of a recommendation!I've never had kids and I do have insurance, so I'm hoping it'll all work out. I'm also hoping my husband will be able to drive me back from it, just in case I'm hurting. I'll be gearing up for battle before I go in, taking my 800mg of ibuprofen. Let's do this! 
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May 13, 2014 12:26
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Trip report! I just got back from Planned Parenthood, where I was getting my Implanon removed (its time was nearly up) and getting a Mirenda inserted. Result: the removal was super easy. The doc said it was the easiest Implanon removal she had ever done! Then we got to the Mirena part and... hoo boy. Guess my cervix decided to respond to my easy removal by puckering itself up like a tight little rear end in a top hat. The doctor couldn't even get the stupid thing open to insert the sounding device, much less get the IUD up there. And she tried several times. And she said she does IUD insertions all the time. So now I just feel all crampy and shaky with nothing to show for it other than a rad bandage on my arm.  The doc gave me some cervix softening medication that she said may help if I decide to try getting Mirena again. Or I can just get another Implanon.I'm kind of torn now. I wanted to try the Mirena, because it lasts longer, has a lower hormone dose, and has a chance of stopping periods entirely. All those were very appealing. However, I liked the Implanon just fine and I know it's a heck of a lot easier. So I don't know. Help me decide, ladygoons!
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May 23, 2014 17:28
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biggest platypus posted:The same thing happened to me when I tried to get my mirena the first time. It hurt like hell and was ultimately unsuccessful, and I went home to another month of nuva ring, crying out of frustration (and a bit from the pain). The next month I tried again. I got the cervix softening medication and went to a real gyno instead of my GP - they both had experience with IUDs but the gyno had done more. It worked this time - still hurt, and I learned never to take 4 ibuprofin on an empty stomach (oof), but success! Thanks for the reply! I'm actually going back today to get a new Implanon put in. The cervix-softening medication might have worked, but I didn't want to try going back, have it fail again, and tack on another wasted day/another dang week of no sexy funtimes without condoms. Ugh. The lady who tried to put it in said she does a ton of IUDs, so I don't think it was her...
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May 29, 2014 12:39
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Ladies! I need a bit of advice. I got the Implanon inserted last Thursday, May 29th (at about 2pm). I was told to use a backup method for 7 days. However, we got a little frisky last night and had sex at about 11:30 pm. Technically I abstained for 7 days and 8 hours or so. Was I covered by then, or do I need to call up Planned Parenthood for a morning-after pill?
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Jun 6, 2014 12:19
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floofyscorp posted:Pretty sure you're fine. Seven days is a safety buffer just to be 100% sure the hormones have kicked in and are doing their thing. You waited over the seven days! It's grand. Thanks. I ended up calling them and they said the same thing. It's a relief. Just wondered if I was cutting it a little bit too close.  Here's to 3 years of no babies!
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Jun 6, 2014 22:53
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So, I got my new Implanon at the end of May and haven't had a period since. I was starting to get a little paranoid, even though my chances of getting pregnant on this thing are vanishishingly small, so I got a pack of babby-detection sticks from the pharmacy. Results: NEGATIVE. So I guess I'm OK. Kinda weird not having my period for so long. Of course, I fully expect that now that I've mentioned it, I'll get it the next day!
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Jul 15, 2014 21:50
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Etuni posted:Thank you for all your help, this is useful info. I've been reading about a number of women who found their sex drive dropped dramatically or completely disappeared on Nexplanon, which makes me nervous about that method. Although, the same can be said for some women on IUDs... It's hard to make this decision when you can't know what side effects, if any, you'll get until you try! It affects everyone differently, but for what it's worth, I'm on my second Nexplanon and I haven't noticed any negative effects on my sex drive. It's lower than it was when I was younger, but I'd chalk that up to... not being a horny teenager anymore. 
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Jan 18, 2016 04:09
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Splish posted:I think I might be in the same boat--is it the implant, or is it that I'm on year four with the same person? I think at least some is due to the implant. I've been with my guy for 11 years. poo poo has it really been 11? Yeah, it has. I'm considering getting the ol' tubes tied, frankly. I'm 32 and still have no interest in reproducing, and neither does he. I figure if I regret that decision down the line, we can adopt.
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Jan 19, 2016 21:59
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You guys made me want to reach over to my arm and feel where my Nexplanon is.  It's still there, right where it's supposed to be, phew.It's still working out great for me, and I even managed to lose some weight!
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Jun 24, 2016 22:16
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Anoulie posted:Ouch. I just got mine two weeks ago and it's still where it's supposed to be, but now all these stories are making me nervous O.o Mine are light, but random, and sometimes seem to last for longer than 5 days, but I've never actually counted. They also like to show up during or right after sex, so that's always fun. It's like my uterus is punishing me for not getting pregnant... Spiteful thing.
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Jun 26, 2016 15:03
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| # ¿ May 15, 2024 09:11 |
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The Snoo posted:
I went to Planned Parenthood just last month for a checkup and inquire about more permanent birth control in light of my Nexplanon being due for replacement and the incoming reign of our Orange Overlord. They said I'm too young to get sterilized (I'm 33 next month), and I don't feel like disputing that, but they DID tell me that Nexplanon now works for four years! I won't have to get a new one until 2018, so that's nice. Hopefully by then Lord Orange won't have made it impossible to get BC! Otherwise I guess I'll have a case for getting sterilized!
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Dec 22, 2016 20:07
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