Implanon as birth control...

I haven't heard anyone talk about this in a while , does anyone have one...Pros/ Cons..Advice...

Here some info on them if your confused:

Implanon Background B.C. type Hormonal
Progestin-only implant First use 1998 (Indonesia) Failure rates (first year) Perfect use 0.05% Typical use 0.05% Usage Duration effect 3 years Reversibility Yes User reminders Requires removal after the 3 years Advantages and Disadvantages STD protection No Weight No proven effect Periods Various. Periods Minimizes pain. 20% of women will stop having their period. Benefits Longterm contraception.

Local anaesthetic is applied to the upper arm, and then a needle-like applicator is used to insert the implanon rod under the skin. The procedure can take less than a minute. An experienced clinician is required for proper insertion, to minimize the risk of nerve damage,[5] or misplacement which could result in unintended pregnancy. Implant site complications are experienced by 3.6% of patients, and include swelling, redness, hematoma and pain.

no one?

I haven't heard of anyone using this for a long time, I thought there was some contraversy about it a while back.  can't remember for sure though and couldn't really find much about it on the internet.  check with your doc...or any doc...i would recommend Mirena, kinda expensive but worth it.

Myself and lots of my friends have been addicted to Depo-provera.  A friend of mine recently switched from depo to implanon and she loves it.  I am planning to make the switch soon.  Depo is so amazing...except for the bone loss thing.

lol, let me know how it goes

Original Post by bootser1:

lol, let me know how it goes

Same. I love Depo also... and this birth control seems to be the same as that minus the bone loss. I just really don't want my period back. :P

Cptbunny-

I am on the exact same page as you.  I have had only wonderful experience with depo (the lack of periods is the best thing that has ever happened to me I think) but I had a bone scan and they suggested that I start thinking about going off depo.

Well, no way am I going back to having periods!

Supposedly implanon is the same hormones as depo, but released more slowly so no bone loss.  A friend of mine switched (her bones were much worse than mine are) about a year ago.  She has had no period, no cramping, and no ill effects at all, so I think I'm going to go for it.  I wanted to wait for her to be the guinea pig, and it seems that implanon is just the same for her as depo.

I have read horror stories online about people getting implanon and it messing them up big time, but I guess I figure that if it is horrible, at least it's easier to get out than an IUD.

If I do get it, you can bet I'll report on the effects!

Original Post by pumpkin314:

Cptbunny-

I am on the exact same page as you.  I have had only wonderful experience with depo (the lack of periods is the best thing that has ever happened to me I think) but I had a bone scan and they suggested that I start thinking about going off depo.

Well, no way am I going back to having periods!

Supposedly implanon is the same hormones as depo, but released more slowly so no bone loss.  A friend of mine switched (her bones were much worse than mine are) about a year ago.  She has had no period, no cramping, and no ill effects at all, so I think I'm going to go for it.  I wanted to wait for her to be the guinea pig, and it seems that implanon is just the same for her as depo.

I have read horror stories online about people getting implanon and it messing them up big time, but I guess I figure that if it is horrible, at least it's easier to get out than an IUD.

If I do get it, you can bet I'll report on the effects!

The fact that it lasts 3 whole years is awesome! Going to the docs every ~3 months is the most annoying thing about Depo (except the bone loss of course). When I went on Depo, I had breakthrough HEAVY bleeding for 3 months straight! >_<; But it was worth it! I've been on Depo for 2 years, how long have you been on it? I worry for my bones.

And like you said, if the side effects are horrific, at least it can be removed easily! My plan b from depo was going to be seasonale (4 periods a year, better than a period every month!)... but then someone mentioned implanon and now that's my new plan b! Seasonale can be plan c! I know the bones regen over time and can go back on depo, but if implanon works like depo then I will stay with it.

Depo shot always makes me SUPER itchy where its injected for the first few days too. :P I won't miss that either. :P

I have been on depo since I was 16 (9 years) but I have taken maybe 3 years off in there total trying other BC pills and such.  I did seasonelle for maybe a year and a half and I hated it.  I bled constantly and it made me very cranky (maybe it was the bleeding making me cranky...)

When I had my bone density scan, they said I was about in the 20th percentile for bone density for my age group...which is bad, but since I am only 25 I am not at great risk for broken bones...but I want to get off depo soon enough that my bones can still grow back.  Plus, I snowboard so I don't need frail bones.

Maybe I'll call the doc this week...I'm due for my next shot in a month.

That's odd that you get itchy from the shot.  Sometimes I have been sore (especially if I work out right after getting the shot) but I have never been itchy.  I bet that's really annoying. (though not as annoying as having a period!)