Implanon or Depo users

cortneyloo · September 2013

I have to let my OB know this week what I want to do for birth control. I'm not interested in Mirena because too many people I know have had bad issues with it and it's scared me away, and I just don't think between nursing school, a newborn, and my two jobs that I'm going to be able to remember to take a pill so those are out too. I'm considering the Depo Provera shot or Implanon since a long-term option would be fine as we're not looking to give DD a sibling for at least 3-4 years. For those of you who've used either one of these what did you think? Pros and cons? Did you experience weight gain? Mood swings? What was bleeding like? Also as I'm EBF, did you find either one of these options messed with your supply? Obviously I'm full of questions

MissyCee · September 2013

I've had the Implanon and it was terrible. I had bad cramps with my period, headaches, and mood swings. I had it taken out after six months and getting it out was a terrible experience; the Dr. had trouble and had to get someone to help her. I also now have two little scars on my arm from it. I would definitely recommend staying away from Implanon.

MommyKristin88 · September 2013

Why are you opposed to Mirena? I had Paragard, so it's just like Mirena, but it is nonhormonal. Have you looked at that?

LJUTCMommy · September 2013

I just talked to my ob about all the options. She said the shot was ok, but many patients complained of acne and weight gain.

And, personal anecdote, I have a family member who got pg on it twice. I know that is rare though.

APK141 · September 2013

I don't have and input, but I go tomorrow for my 6 week pp check. I've been researching bc options while BF. curious about real experiences.

MitsB707 · September 2013

I gained 25 lbs after getting the depo! They were incredibly hard to lose, too.

BlondieBia21 · September 2013

Do NOT get implanon. It was the worst thing in the world. I bled for 6 months, became extremely depressed, terrible cramping, nausea. I'm not kidding, it was the worst thing that I ever did. Plus when it was being removed, it broke and became lodged in my arm.

cortneyloo · September 2013

@MommyKristin88-I guess having something foreign in my lady parts makes me nervous because I had a co-worker whose IUD fused to her uterus and caused her a lot of problems. I've also heard it can cause severe cramping (which I already have pretty bad cramping during my period as is and I don't want it to worsen)

I know every birth control works different for each individual, but if I end up not reacting well I know it would be easier to have an implant removed or simply quit getting shots.

southernmama8813 · September 2013

I got the depo shot for years. It was great except for the weight gain. I gained about 60 lbs. It's been years since I stopped getting the shots and I still haven't been able to get all the weight off even with diet and exercise. Not everyone has that side effect though. It was super nice to not have to remember to take pills though!

CelticWife · September 2013

I am considering depo, but I am very very nervous about it. Hormonal birth control has not worked for me so far. I would only do one or two doses of it, until DH's post vasectomy tests show no sperm. Long term use of depo (like two years or more) can cause issues with your bones making them more brittle.

You can always find people with negative experiences with every BC method out there. It is really the luck of the draw.

For me, the entire mirena experience was hell. (It did, however, gift me DD1. Lol) I didn't like having a piece of plastic stuck up in my cervix (psychological thing), so I am pretty sure I would hate implanon as well.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

dmwbqb · September 2013

I had the mirena for a year prior to getting pregnant. (I had it removed before TTC, I didn't get pregnant with it in.) My experience was fine. I had no period the entire time I had it. It was actually really nice!

Soleil3 · September 2013

Depo is the Devil.

MommyAmes2 · September 2013

I had Mirena for 5 years before our third. No issues at all, and no period the whole time!

MH is getting a vasectomy or that is what I would be getting again.

cortneyloo · September 2013

Mirena is the hormonal IUD whereas Paragard is that copper one right? Has anyone tried that?

MommyKristin88 · September 2013

cortneyloo said:
@MommyKristin88-I guess having something foreign in my lady parts makes me nervous because I had a co-worker whose IUD fused to her uterus and caused her a lot of problems. I've also heard it can cause severe cramping (which I already have pretty bad cramping during my period as is and I don't want it to worsen)

I know every birth control works different for each individual, but if I end up not reacting well I know it would be easier to have an implant removed or simply quit getting shots.

I have great news for you! Since Paragard is non-hormonal, it has no lasting effects. Meaning, yes you can stop getting the shot or get Implanon removed, but the hormones will keep working until they are out of your system. I got my Paragard removed and immediately got pregnant last year (got it removed the day my period ended and was pregnant before a new period should have started).

Also, like you said all experiences are different, but it didn't cause bad cramping for me. My period length, cramps, and bleeding remained the same as before having it. That's the joys of no hormones :-)

shelbell1028 · September 2013

I too gained a bunch of weight on Depo. It can also effect bone mass.

I'm going with Mirena this time.

tarapike86 · September 2013

I have had an axon experience with depo. I was on it for 4 years before kids and never has a negative side effect. No crazy weight gain, no depression. I got back on it when our second girl was almost 7 months old. We were about a week pregnant with reed but didn't know it. I had the shot before leaving the hospital after reed was born and have not noticed any difference in my supply. I think as with any birth control there are those with positive and negative experiences. My sister hated it because she bleed for the 9 months she was on it and became depressed

Leahks77 · September 2013

I hated the depo.... I bled the whole time and was miserable! My dr's office doesn't even suggest it anymore due to side effects, particularly bone mass issues. I got the mini-pill. Thanks to this lovely schedule and my sleep deprived PP brain I keep forgetting it. Not going well, haha. I will be getting the paraguard...

Enjeneer · September 2013

Silly question but for those who can't remember often enough to take the pill, are you still taking prenatal vitamins? I still take the prenatals every night as my doc said to keep doing, so I figure I'll just take the BC pill every night when I take the vitamin

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