Implanon or Mirena..... please explain to me whats involved etc

Hi everyone, I know a few of the BB girls have used the implanon or something similar.... I had a quick search here on BB but couldn't find anything to answer my questions. Please if you could help me by answering any of these following questions for me....

What exactly is it?

What are the pro's & con's?

How much does it cost? (I'm on the single parent pention & have a discount I think for some medications?)

Do you still get your period while you have it?

Would you recommend it? Why (either way)


Thanks alot in advance ladies :)

Oh I looked at both of these! I ended up with the Implanon...

which is a small rod which is inserted under the skin in your arm. It's done with a local and over with very quickly.

Pro's and cons are the same as most contraceptions... some women bleed for months some go without their period...

cost me nothing as I had it done in the hospital before I was discharged.

I've only had it in 3weeks 1 day, so can't comment on the rest of your questions...

I also looked at the mirena, but decided against it...
I didn't like the fact it was quite invasive and you had to check on it at least once a month to make sure it hasnt moved.
Another thing was I had to wait until min 6-8 post partum and I wanted something then and there so I didn't have to worry about it!

I've read that with the mirena you have to get it inserted within the first few days of your cycle... which really grossed me out :lol:

I used implanon for 6 years in total from August 2002 until August 2008

What exactly is it?
A subdermal implant (an implant that goes under your skin) and releases progesterone (sp?) hormone. It sits under the skin on the inside of your upper non-dominant arm (ie if you are right handed it usually goes in your left upper arm)

What are the pro's & con's?
Pros - you don't have to remember to take a pill each day, you don't have to worry about when you can DTD as for most ppl they don't get a period, when inserted correctly is very effective against unwanted pg as you can't not take it (if that makes sense), stays in place for 3 years, you carry a card with you that has the info (ie insertion date, batch no, removal date, placement) on it so if you are in an accident or something the emergency staff don't try to remove it, most people don't get a period and if you do it is usually only very light

Cons - does hurt at first when it is implanted, you have a scar from the insert site and then the removal site if you get another after the 3 year period, it can be hard to track your cycles if you do TTC after removal (but I also had undiagnosed PCOS so that made it harder for me - but is the same as coming off the pill essentially), even though you may not get a period you may still go through the hormonal overdose each month - and it can be worse than when not on hormonal contraception, may put on weight and find it hard to lose weight

How much does it cost? (I'm on the single parent pention & have a discount I think for some medications?)
I can't remember how much it cost - I had the last one implanted in 2005 but I don't think it was overly expensive... taking a stab in the dark - bout $30 or so

Do you still get your period while you have it?
See notes above - sometimes yes, sometimes no - there was no pattern as to when I would get a period - I could go months between periods and then sometimes I would get a light period each month. I have PCOS (which was undiagnosed at the time) so it is hard to say how much was the implant and how much was the PCOS

Would you recommend it? Why (either way)
Yes and no - I loved it whilst I had it in but after it was out it had made life TTC very hard. The hormones had masked my PCOS to a certain extent as when I had gone to GPs whilst it was in they would just say "oh it is the implant, it will be fine once it comes out" and there is no real way of knowing how/if you will go "back to normal" once it is out... when I did have mine removed (cause we were going to TTC) it was a while before we worked out what was going on

It was handy not having periods and not having to remember to take a pill etc - for the first few days to a week or so after implantation they recommend you check the site to ensure it is in place - if at anytime during the 3 year period you can't feel it you should go to doctor as it may have moved. This did not happen to me but has happened to people I know of.

I will PM you some other details that are a bit TMI for the boards for my liking!

Thanks alot ladies.... I had to go to the Drs soon to get a new presription for the pill but might just ask about this instead. Do I have to give some kind of notice or just turn up & ask for it on the day?

Thanks :)

I discussed it with GP first - from memory (PMSL it was back in 2002!!) I either had it implanted just before/after a period or had to take a pg test to ensure I wasn't pg when they implanted it... but I can't for the life of me remember which one it was. The second one they did same day as removing the first one.

I just did a quick google search and it says that it depends on whether you are currently using another method of birth control but that you should not be pg when it is inserted... so if you are using the pill or something else they might do it the day you go in but if they have no history they may do a pg test just to be sure.

Hope this helps in your decision making process.

i have anicdotal evidence... implanon i was on for 4 months and bled the hole time(its why i got rid of it)
gf got her tube removed after an eptopic on the mirena.. wont be going on it again.

Thanks ladies.... I got the Implanon put in today...... massive bruise on my sore arm, we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!!! (AF stay away hehe)

I don't bleed constantly but i spot quite a lot. I've had one 'period' since having it in (came 4 weeks post-insertion) which was severe and heavy for one week and then spotting for the next. It stopped for a week and then the spotting came back.

The itching where the rod is always flares up and i think it took away the stability i had dealing with my pnd med-free. The spotting doesn't bother me that much... except that i will go from having none to getting home from work with dirty underwear :redface: . Mostly just when i wipe.

That said, I know two girls who have had no troubles - both period free for the full three years - and two others who just had irregular, lighter periods.

It may work for you, it may not - unfortunately abstinence is about the only miracle contraceptive lmao.

Danielle, the bruising is horrid isn't it - I must admit I had forgotten how much you can bruise until I read your post - I do have a photo somewhere of my bruise upon removal of my last rod in August 08 - OUCH!

All the best with the Implanon - as I said I loved mine whilst it was in... and still think of it fondly but my only disappointment was that it masked my PCOS... I suppose some part of me may always regret that my choice of contraceptive made diagnosis so much harder :doh: