Implant birth control - any experiences?

Has anyone ever used the implant?  (or known anyone who did?)

I've been considering it due to its lengthy effectiveness and not needing to remember a pill every day, but it seems there are loads of horror stories on the web about it (never ending heavy periods, constant depression, horrible acne problems, severe nausea, cramps, etc).

I know you tend to hear more bad than good on the web, so if anyone's ever used it (or known someone who did) and doesn't mind sharing, was it all that bad?

I've had one in since May 2010. I definitely love the fact that I don't have to remember to do anything, because while I was good about remembering to take the pill every day, I sucked at taking it at the same time.

I was told that 1/3 of women have their regular periods, 1/3 of women have worse/more frequent periods, and 1/3 of women have fewer/no periods.

I was really hoping for the no periods , but I seem to still be in that 1/3. I bleed about every 6-8 weeks, about the same level of cramping as on the pill (less than w/o BC at all).

Not sure about acne issues as my face has never been clear , so either my body doesn't like the hormones at all or it just refuses to stop spotting. Still, it's no worse than it was on the pill, either.

No depression, no nausea.

My only complaint is that it hurt like crap for the first couple of weeks - anything brushing it (sleeves, brushing my arm against something) - would really hurt. After scar tissue built up, or my body got used to having it in, or whatever, it's fine. I can feel it in my arm, but it doesn't hurt unless I'm giving blood and they stick a tourniquet right around it.

Hope that helps. I do like the implant, though I'm considering getting an IUD when this runs out, since it lasts longer and has the hormone-free option.

I had a Norplant in the US for 5 years and it was easy and uneventful, but just as I was up for a new one, they discontinued it. So based on my previous positive experience, I was excited to try Implanon.

It was 9 months of hell for me. My bleeding was completely irregular and at times, almost constant. My moods were erratic. I didn't have acne or nausea or anything else, but it obviously did not agree with me so I had it removed.

I know it's hard to decide based on other people's experience. You won't know till you try it unfortunately. Good luck with your decision!

I know it's not an implant but I just wanted to say I had an IUD (copper coil) inserted in May and I love it!

It was quite painful to insert, but only briefly, and although it was really uncomfortable for a few days since then it's been smooth sailing! I love not having to worry about hormones, taking pills etc...my periods still aren't quite regular yet but that may just be my body. Just for consideration!

I also have an IUD (Mirena), and have no periods.  I originally went on in the spring of 2009, because i was about to be kicked off my parents' health insurance plan. I was fine taking a pill at the same time everyday then, but since my schedule is a bit more erratic now, I'm happy I don't have to worry about that.

There are a lot of horror stories out there, but so far so good in my case.

I didn't get on well with the Mirena coil and had it removed after 7 months.  However, I am the only one out of my friends that had problems. 

I know it's not an implant, but I used the Copper-T IUD for about 6months or so. Even though I haven't had kids yet, my dr said I could do it since I'm in a monogamous relationship. I guess my uterus didn't quite like it because it fell out of position and wound up near my cervix, where it wouldn't be as effective, so I had it removed. I definitely had much heavier periods than I ever did on b/c. And they lasted for at least 5-6 days, as opposed to the 3-4 days I have now on b/c.

I had a copper-T IUD for nearly ten years and I never had any trouble.  No irregular periods (although I did 'sync' up with women I was always around, so it did come late or early on occasion) or any other adverse side effects.  Also, when I had it removed I got pregnant after my first regular-ish cycle.  It hurt going in, but it was out with pretty much no pain in less than five minutes. 

I had implanon, for the first year it was okay, then 2 years of utter misery. No health insurance in US meant I didn't think I could afford to have it removed.

Depo provera on the other hand is absolutely wonderful, 3 month injections and I can forget it. And my bones are just fine after 11 years use, I think the US horror stories on that are overhyped.

I have also known women who are the complete opposite, despised depo and loved implanon. You really won't know until you try it. I'll be going back to the depo once the resident in my belly makes his way into the world

Does anyone know if any of these that are mentioned above come without the possible nausea side effect? I always feel sick for the longest time no matter what I try. That's a major day ruiner.

I had Implanon put in last year. Worst year ever. I'd have my period for a week, off a week, back on a week, off a week, back on a week then I'd go 40 days without one then back in a very unregular schedule. The only time it worked properly was the 3 months they put me on the pill AS WELL to see if it'd get my cycle to go normal. No such luck.

I had it removed in August.  I was rather dissapointed. Other than the irregular periods I also had severe PMS but I'm not sure if this is as a result of my PCOS or the implant. I'm back on the pill now.

It's worth a try as every woman is different and you won't know how you react until you get it in but just be aware that your GP is likley to ask you to give it a good go before removing it if you are having problems. Mine gave me a hard time until I told him I'd had it in little over a year.

Does anyone know if any of these that are mentioned above come without the possible nausea side effect? I always feel sick for the longest time no matter what I try. That's a major day ruiner.

I think nausea can be a side affect of almost any substance you put in your body if it doesn't like it.

You might find a copper coil being hormone free would eliminate that issue, I cannot speak from experience on that though.

I had Implanon inserted in March 2010 and had it removed in October 2011.

I did not have a period from the time it was inserted and still have not had a period since removal.  I experienced horrible depression, acne flare-ups, and weight gain and that ultimately lead to the decision to remove the Implanon early and go for no bc at all.

I don't mind not having my period yet, except that it's hard to try for a baby when you don't have a period to keep track of!

I had an implanon in for from Nov. 2010 to January 2012.  Initially, I thought it would be a good idea because I had horrible nausea on the Yasmin Pill. 

Unfortunately, I am one of those people who had all the negative side effects and none of the positives. It bled constantly, gained a bunch of weight because I was literally always hungry.  Also, I had an increase in acne (I already had acne so getting more was really frustrating).  This past summer, I started having bacterial vaginosis a week before my period, which did not go even after being treated with a dose of antibiotices.  I tried to tough it out and stay on the Implanon because we really can't afford to have a baby at this time, and I did not want to go back on the pill due to the horrible nausea. But finally, I had to face the fact that this thing was not good for my body.

However, A couple of people I know on it really love it and have experienced all the good side effects. so I say try it and see.  Have it removed if it doesn't work for you.

I've had Implanon for almost 2 years now, and aside from a couple bad weeks at the start I'm relatively happy with it. I haven't had a period since, which I'm very happy about since I always got the most horrible cramps that usually lasted the whole week, and spending 1 week of every month curled up in a ball crying wasn't much fun.

Only bad thing is the weight gain, and it's significant enough I'm wondering if I should switch to something else and see if I can shed some of these extra pounds. I'm literally ALWAYS hungry and will eat anything in sight that isnt nailed down. It hasn't done my figure any favors.