contraception advice

[veritymoon]

one for the ladies

does anyone have any experiance with the contraceptive injection or inplants? ive been on the pill for a few years and with working nights/days find it really hard to remember to take. both me and my partner have been sti tested and are both fine and would really like to stop using condoms.

[lethologica]

I had an implant "implanted" last Friday and as yet there haven't been any problems. It's a bit weird to have it put in and feels sore/bruised for a while after, but that's starting to go now. For the next month I'm taking the pill as well, just to give it chance to work.

Let me know if there's anything particular you're interested in knowing, I tried researching it and only found a few 'reviews' on the internet and know how daunting it feels!!!

[auntie sar]

I've been on the injection for several years with one break of six months. It is fantastic and I would definatly recommend it. Most people (including me) I know who are on it have had their periods stop. I found there were less side effects than the pill and I had no problem when I came off it for a while. Besides which remembering once every twelve weeks instead of every day is much easier although if you do have side effects, once it is in your body there is nothing you can do but wait for it to work its way out. Also if you are planning on having children in the next couple of years it may not be theone for you as it takes longer to get out of your system.

I would suggest going to a Family Planning Clinic simply because they seem to be a little more clued up on different types of contraception than GPs. Whatever you decide, good luck.

[Englishbird]

I'm on the patch at the moment as the injection (fantastic as it was!!) didn't agree with my skin. There are much better alternatives to the pill, but all depend on your personal situation. With the injection, if you want to come off it and get pregnant it can take up to 2 years. Ask about all the different types available.

[mycatis]

I've had an implant for 4 years and I think it's great! I wouldnt go back to anything else (not yet anyway) I've never had any problems with it. The only thing is that it's not nice getting it changed.
I had 2 of the injections before, the first three months I had no period at all but the second three months I bled for the whole time. I was very tired and anemic (sp?) so stopped that.

[woofgang]

I had depo provera to get me through a difficult time when my menopause began. It worked really well and I have friends who use it for contraception and would also reccommend it.

Downsides are that you might put on weight, I have one friend whose "30 year old teenager" skin did get a bit worse but she says its worth it, and it can be difficult to find out when you are fertile again when/if you do want kids as everyone's absorption rate varies so the dose is calculated with a safety margin

[woofgang]

PS its lovely not bleeding every month!!

[joko]

I had depo and developed severe depression and mania and became very neurotic. I do have PCOS so perhaps it was a reaction to that.

I am ok now but it took years to get back to normal.

I suppose if you have no other problems along those lines you'll be fine.

[veritymoon]

thanks so much for the info, when you have the inplant do you still bleed? how often do you have to have it changed? we dont plan on having kids for about 5/6 years.

[lethologica]

You still bleed although it can reduce or stop it... I don't know what my reaction to it will be yet but hopefully they'll stop altogether!!!

How long it lasts is apparently dependent on how 'large' you are, if you're on the larger side, you'll need it changed every two years, if you're smaller, it'll be every three!

[mycatis]

My periods haven't really changed (though they are very regular now) I get mine changed every three years and appaently your fertilty returns within 24 off getting the implant removed.

[veritymoon]

thanks for the info ive been having a read up too on different types , going to also make app today to see doc next week. read about a contraceptive patch too that sounded interesting any one ever tried the patch?

verity