pill vs implant

[sophie_1003]

I've been on the pill for a few years and the nurse keeps asking me if I want to change to a different form of contraception. The only one that appeals to me in the slightest is the implant but I've got a few questions and not sure if the nurse will be completely honest with me!
I've had weight gain with the pill and have heard this is also a side effect of the implant, am I likely to put on weight again if I go for it?
I've also read that one common side effect of the implant is vaginal infections, I've had problems with recurrent thrush in the past, would this be likely to come back if I went on the implant?
What are the problems with staying on the pill long term?
Thanks in advance!

[Jemisa]

I was on the Pill for 10 years and found I had no adverse affects from it long term. The Implant? myself I think is brilliant but it wasn't around in my day. However my daughter was on it for 6 months and although it did its job she found it caused depression, she was always bursting into tears and moody, she had it taken out in the end. With a lot of persuasion her husband agreed to have a vasectomy realising what she'd been through with 2 kids with only 20 months between them and a tearful miserable wife. Perhaps more men should wake up to that fact.

Aunty Gem.

[sophie_1003]

thankyou! may give it a try, could always have it taken out if i dont like it

[Jemisa]

Thats right Sophie, after all its not life threatening and remember we all have a different metabolism, it may very well suit you. Good luck...
J

[JamSam17]

Hi Sophie,

I had the depo injection for a long time but decided to switch to the implant as I had been on it (injection) for so long I was unsure of how long it would take before I was fertile again. (Want to have a baby in the near future) The injection was the best thing I have had so far. One shot every so often (6 weeks, I think) and I didn't have to worry. I can't comment on the infections as I'm Diabetic and get thrush more often than I should!
I think you're very right when you say you can try it and have it removed if it's not for you. It's not the most pleasant thing to have done, in or out but if you want to try it, go for it.
My humble offerings would be to a) warn you of the really quite odd feeling of having a matchstick just under your skin. I couldn't forget about it no matter how hard I tried and b) the awful effect it had on my libido. And I've spoken to quite a few others that it affected. It didn't just decrease it slightly, it totally put me off and I couldn't think of anything more repulsive.

I have been put on the mini pill now and am rubbish at remembering it but if I didn't want a baby soon I would have the injection again like a shot. Excuse the pun!
I seem to have been a bit negative, and not really answered your question direcly, sorry. As Gem said, we're all different :)

[sophie_1003]

Thanks for the answer JamSam, was trying to avoid the injection because of the fertility thing, I don't want children yet but also don't want to keep swapping between contraceptive methods when I do! Personally I would prefer to stay on the pill as I have little problems remembering it and it suits me at the moment but as the nurse keeps on about changing to a different method I thought I'd do some looking into it!

[JamSam17]

I think the longer you are on the injection, the longer it takes to wear off when you stop it.
I hope you make a good decision for you.

Have a great Christmas!
Jam :)

[BagPussAA]

You could also look into having a Mirena coil instead. I was on the pill for 15 years and had the weight gain and headaches as side effects so my new GP suggested that I get a coil. It only needs replacing once every 5 years, it has stopped my periods completely so no more PMS and I have had no side effects. I have lost all the weight I had gained and my headaches have gone. I wish I had done it years ago! The other advantage is that if I want to start trying for kids, as soon as it is removed then it has no residual effects.

[sophie_1003]

thanks bagpuss but was told that the coil is only suitable for women who had already had children, may be wrong though?

[BagPussAA]

The coil is suitable for anyone. I have not had kids and I have had my coil 4 years

[ummmm]

That use to be the case with the coil.

I have the implant. Had it in for a few years now. At first I had a problem with sweating but it only lasted a few months. I've had weight gain but I think that's more to do with being bone idle :-) I haven't had a period since either. That's a bonus for me.

[sophie_1003]

Think there is one that is difficult to insert if you haven't had kids that's similar to the coil, been reading up on it! Ideally I'd like something with no hormones at all but they're just not as effective, my friends on the mini-pill and she really likes that, but again it's not as effective. Have got two packets left before I need to go back and get another prescription anyway so will have a talk with the nurse about my options then I think. Thanks for all the answers!