the scarlet state new template possibly

Elle Robson

I decided I wanted the mirena coil fitted as it stopped periods and lasts up to 5 years, I didn't want to have to worry about taking the pill and I most defiantly didn't want to try any other forms of contraceptive (besides condoms that is). I had my coil fitted after I had a termination (had to have one for health reasons) so I wasn't awake when they fitted it but when I woke up they explained to me that I have to wait 6 months for it to settle. I did as they said but by the time the 6 months had ended up was still having terrible pains, random heavy bleeding and the worst breast pain in my left breast. The pain was so bad I ended up having to go to a breast clinic who told me that the mirena coil could be the most likely course of my tissue inflammatio and pain. They said because of all my other systems I'm having with it that it will might be best to have it removed, so I booked an appointment at the hospital as GPs don't remove it. The woman explained that once I have it out I will have cramps and bleeding and suggested I go on another form of contraceptive, I agreed and was told that unfortunately my only option left would be the mini pill. After that I laid down and she inserted a speculum, gave me a smear test as I was due one and then came the horrid part, getting the mirena out. She told me to keep breathing and that it shouldn't hurt too much, unfortunately for me the mirena had started to embed itself in my uterus wall (which was most likely tge cause of all my pain) so when she pulled I shouted out in pain, she did manage to get it out in the end up it was so painful. Since having it removed I have felt a lot better, although my mini pill has been giving me some side effects so I'm contemplating stopping it.

Sabrina Collier

I use the Nexplanon implant, and I've had it since 30th April 2015. I chose this method because I've been in a long-term relationship with my boyfriend for a while now and wanted something long-lasting, reliable and easy to use. I didn't really want to use the pill as I'm not very good at swallowing pills, and would probably forget and have pregnancy scares! I was a little apprehensive about the idea of having a foreign object inserted into my body but the procedure for inserting the implant less scary than the ones for the IUD or IUS...although it did involve needles! The insertion wasn't hugely painful but I am a massive chicken so I squirmed especially when the needle was put in to numb my arm (weirdly, I had to have a quick pregnancy test before insertion, despite the fact that I was on my period at the time). The actual insertion was very quick and not that much to worry about, you just need to try to relax. I have a tiny scar on my arm from where it was inserted but it's not a problem. Also, it feels very strange feeling the actual implant in my arm with my finger! I'd say the best thing about Nexplanon is not having to worry about contraception, as it is practically impossible for the implant to fail and I don't have to do anything to make it work - it's there for another two years and I really like the peace of mind it gives me. (I'm not sure yet if I'm going to get another one in two years' time). I had some mood swings for about the first six months or so, but nothing too bad. I haven't had any weight gain, which is good. The worse side effect and most annoying downside of the implant is definitely the fact that it gives you unpredictable periods (although they're not technically periods, as the implant stops you ovulating). I have no idea when I might get a bleed and for the first six months or so it was very on and off, not usually heavy but quite annoying and all over the place. At one point I started bleeding again only a few days after I thought it had finished! I went on a medication called norethisterone to control it, which I eventually stopped taking as I wasn't bleeding in the week I had off - I can't remember, but I think I may have started bleeding for a bit right after I stopped taking it! I definitely did when I went on holiday recently and decided to take it again to be 100% sure I wouldn't bleed while I was away, as there is no way to tell. This can be quite inconvenient and irritating but I can also go for months without having any bleeding whatsoever which is great. Every woman will react differently to the implant...some won't bleed at all and that will be it! I carry pads/tampons in my bag all the time just in case. If I bleed a lot in the next two years I probably won't decide to get another implant, as I'd rather just have a normal menstrual cycle again. Hope this was helpful! I also wrote more about my experience on my blog here: https://sabrinajaine.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/possible-tmi-my-nexplanon-experience/

Megan Trigg

The Implant When I first got the implant it seemed like everything I'd ever wanted. With pregnancy protection for up to 3 years and the chance of it stopping my periods altogether I was pretty certain this was the method for me, despite reading quite a lot of negative reviews online. I rang my local sexual health clinic to ask about getting it inserted, and she booked me an appointment the very next day. I think some places like to insert it whilst you're on your period but as far as I can remember I got mine fitted shortly after just finishing one. She suggested that I use another form of contraception for the next seven days until the implant had had time to get to work in my body. The insertion process wasn’t painful at all; they numb your arm with a local anaesthetic and then insert it. My nurse made me feel mine so I knew where it was, but if you’re particularly squeamish you might get away with not doing this! My problems started with my next period. My periods have always been pretty long, averaging anywhere from 6 to 8 days. However my first period with the implant lasted for over a month. I'd heard that your bleeding could be quite sporadic at first when using the implant, so I persevered but ended up returning to my sexual health clinic about a month and a half after having the implant inserted. My nurse never really offered me the chance to remove it straight away so instead I started taking the combined pill on top. I took the pill as you’re supposed to do with three weeks on one week off, and also tried taking the pill consecutively for 3 months and then taking the break but I always ended up just bleeding continuously after the pill had left my system. I ended up keeping the implant for around two and a half years just because I really liked the protection that it gave. I took the pill on top for those two and a half years and my periods were regulated as long as I was taking it. I never had to worry about missing a pill really because I was always going to be protected from pregnancy: it was only there to regulate my periods. My main issue with the implant was obviously that it didn't work for me as a solo method of contraception. When the time came to think about whether I would get it put in again I just couldn't really justify it to myself so I started researching other methods. I would definitely recommend implant to anyone that thinking about it, as there are so many benefits including the fact that it can actually stop your periods all together, or make some more regular. It's just unfortunate that it didn’t work for me. I believe that the hormone is the same as the one in the mini pill so if you can try a method with the same hormone before you commit to the implant then you’ll have a better idea of how your body is likely to react. The Patch After a failed attempt with the implant, I was on the hunt for something new. I've never really enjoyed taking the pill as I'm a bit of a worrier and I don't like the thought of being able to forget it so easily. After doing a lot of research online I came to the conclusion that I wasn't comfortable having something like the coil, but I did want something with a bit of longevity. The most logical option that stood out to me was the patch. I’d never really heard of anybody using the patch and I couldn't really find a lot of information about it online. When I went to get my implant removed I asked the nurse who was doing it what she thought about the patch. Her response was quite positive and I thought I might as well give it a go as I didn’t really have any other options. Because I'd had experience with the pill before, she was happy to give me the patch there and then. I believe she gave me three months worth of it to begin with but told me that if I had any problems I was more than welcome to come back and discuss it with her. Since then I can honestly say I've never really looked back. I’ve written about my experience with the patch on my blog before but I can honestly say that for me the upsides definitely outweigh the downsides. You only have to change the patch once a week which for me is such an improvement over having to remember something everyday. It's also really easy to do you; just stick it to a part of your body and Bob's your uncle. I personally stick mine on my bum because it's not visible to most people and it's the place that I find interferes with my daily life the least. Some downsides of the patch are that it can get quite dirty around the edges - kinda like a plaster gets when you've had it stuck on too long. Because of where it is on my body this doesn't bother me, but I can imagine if you had it stuck on your arm or your back this might be problematic. The main reason I think people don't like the patch is because it's visible but I would honestly say I forget it is there most of the time. I think the other worry people have is that it's going to come off in the shower or just in everyday life but honestly I've never had one come off early and I've been using the patch for the past six months now. If it does come off it's not really a big deal because you just stick a new one straight back on it and you're still protected as long as you notice within 48 hours.

Llana Fearn

My experience on contraception... I was on the pill at the age of 15, not sure on which one but I never had a period for years. I ended up starting to bleed on and off at random and would sometimes bleed for days. I knew that this wasn't normal and asked if I could go on to the injection, I went on to the injection for only a month (you get it injected into your bum every month) and gained so so much weight! My mum said she was the same with the injection. I then went onto a combined pill (I think it's called) where I take 3 weeks worth and then have a weeks period which feels so much more natural. I would rather I didn't take it but for obvious reasons can't do that because I don't like rubber lol... Anyway, hope this helps ❤️