What Should I Do If I Get Frequent Or Heavy Bleeding
Irregular bleeding is a common side effect and will usually settle down within 3 months. Whatever your bleeding pattern, the implant is still effective.
If the bleeding does not settle or you are unhappy with the bleeding you can see a doctor for medications that can help with this. You dont have to wait until 3 months to do this.
Your Period On Birth Control: What Is A Withdrawal Period
Before we can get into what birth control stops your period, theres something you should know.
Did you know that your period while on hormonal birth control is an imposter? Dont panic! We can explain.
Women taking hormonal birth control typically have what are called withdrawal periods. While they may look and feel like regular periods, they arent actually true periods at all.
These periods usually occur during your placebo week when taking hormonal birth control such as the ring, the patch, or the pill. However, as mentioned, this bleeding isnt really a true period. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals , its the bodys reaction to not having the hormones it gets the other three weeks of the cycle.
How Effective Is Nexplanon
The Nexplanon implant is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when implanted correctly, which makes it one of the best contraceptive options for people who opt to use hormonal birth control. Its also a good choice for anyone who is sensitive to estrogen, since Nexplanon relies on progestin to prevent pregnancy.
Although the implant is not as widely used as the pill, it is far more effective and just as safe. Because it is a get it and go type of birth control, the likelihood of user errorsuch as forgetting to take your birth control pill every day, change your patch weekly, or swap out your NuvaRing every three weeksis eliminated.
Also Check: Does Birth Control Help With Period Cramps
What Are The Disadvantages
Breast cancer patients cannot use implant birth control.
Someside effects are undesirable, such as irregular bleeding within the first 6-12 months. However, most side effects can be reduced over time and after some slight adjustments.
These changes may involve:
- Heaver and longer periods
- Light bleeding and increasing spotting between periods
Note that, 1 out of 3 women stop having periods all together .
Some of the other common side effects include:
- Sore breasts
- Anti-seizure medicines
- Other prescription medications
An implantbirth control does not protect against STIs, so use amale condomorfemale condomto avoid the risk of infections.
So Whats The Problem Exactly
Periods like this may be dysmenorrheaa fancy medical term for pain with menstruation. There are several possible causes of severe period pain, some of which have special treatment options.
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The cells from the lining of the uterus may be growing into the muscles of the uterus or on other organs in the body .
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The muscle of the uterus may be growing fibroids.
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The uterus may be releasing too much of a substance called prostaglandins, causing its muscles to contract irregularly and leading to big-time pain.
The good news is that you dont have to put up with this pain! If youre having abnormally bad periods, talk to your health care provider about what might be causing the pain and how to treat it. There are a few things you can do to make your periods less painful, shorter, or go away altogether.
Read Also: How To Relieve Period Cramps Naturally
Exercise The Right Way
Exercising regularly can help reduce the intensity of cramps and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, says Ross. Exercise may even reduce the frequency or length of your period. However, it’s also important to note that exercising too much or suddenly starting an intense new exercise routine can cause your period to stop or become more irregular.
Number : Is It Normal To Bleed At All While On Birth Control Pills
The answer is yes scientists designed the pill so you’d bleed during the placebo week. This was the one feature of combined oral contraceptives that scientists let remain unchanged over the decades.
That said, you will probably have unpredictable bleeding patterns during the first few months of taking any birth control method. The National Institutes of Health says that irregular bleeding can happen when you take hormonal birth control like birth control pills or IUDs.
Here are 3 ways to describe how unpredictable periods can be on birth control pills:
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You may have your period on birth control during active pills .
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You may have spotting, also called breakthrough bleeding, during the first few months. Doctors say this is the most common symptom when taking any brand.
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You may have a missed period on birth control. But that doesn’t automatically mean your pregnant.
This unpredictability is usually not forever. As your body adjusts to birth control pills, you’ll probably just have bleeding during the regularly scheduled programming when you take those “sugar pills” that have no hormones in them. But if you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to check with your health care provider about it.
But get this. It’s not medically necessary for you to have this scheduled week of bleeding. We’ll explain more later.
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What Is The Cost Of An Implant Birth Control
In order to get the insertion you will need to consult with a healthcare professional first. Then youll need tocontact a trained professional that can make the insertion.
The cost of this whole procedure can run from $0-800. Theremoval cost can run between $0-300. These costs depend on thecoverageof yourhealth insurance, where you live, and the medical programs provided.
Learn aboutotherBirth Control Optionsandspeak with your doctorbefore deciding on a method.
Number : What’s Normal For A Period On Birth Control
The UK National Health Service says that irregular bleeding, like bleeding between periods, is common when you first start to take hormonal contraception like birth control pills, the patch, or the shot (Depo-Proveraâ¢.
Here are some facts about bleeding irregularities when you take birth control pills:
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Overall, birth control pills should decrease how much you bleed.
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Irregular bleeding is a common side effect during the first 3 to 6 months of taking the pill. It’s so common that 30-50% of women experience it.
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The good news is that irregular bleeding will lessen or go away with time, usually after 3 months, when only 10-30% of women experience unscheduled bleeding.
It may be helpful to describe what bothersome bleeding can look like when you’re on birth control:
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Spotting
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Unscheduled bleeding when you’re bleeding between periods or while taking active pills
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Short periods
Read Also: How Can You Track Your Period
How Does A Contraceptive Implant Work
The implant slowly releases a progestin hormone called etonogestrel into the body. Progestin prevents pregnancy by blocking the release of eggs from the ovaries. It also thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.
If you get the implant during the first five days of your period, its immediately effective against pregnancy. If the implant is inserted at any other point, you should use a backup form of birth control for seven days.
If I Have A Contraceptive Implant What Do I Do When I Want To Try To Get Pregnant
If you want to try for a baby, you need to have the implant removed. Your periods will return to normal, although it can be up to three months before you get back to your old rhythm. However, it is possible to get pregnant before you have your first period.
Start pre-pregnancy care such as taking folic acid, stopping smoking and considering any regular medication you take beforehand. You can ask your doctor or nurse for further advice.
Also Check: How Long After Your Period Is Ovulation
Number : Do You Even Need A Menstrual Period At All
Here’s a fun fact: Monthly menstruation isn’t really necessary. In hunter-gatherer times, women were having babies one after the other, and they breastfed for long intervals, which suppresses ovulation and menstruation. Prehistoric women had about 50 menstruations, while modern women have about 450 periods!
With a 28-day cycle , the traditional birth control pill has no basis in biology. The makers of the pill decided to go this route to mimic the natural menstruation cycle to be more acceptable to society.
We know what you’re thinking: Can I just take birth control pills and not have my period at all? The answer is yes you’re allowed to skip your periods using birth control pills. You should ask your doctor if you’re interested. We got all the information in our previous article on how to delay your period.
How Is A Contraceptive Implant Fitted Or Removed
A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area on the inside of your upper arm.
The implant is then inserted under your skin it only takes a few minutes to put in and feels like having an injection. You wont need any stitches after your implant has been fitted.
Nexplanon works for 3 years before it needs to be replaced. You can use this method until you reach the menopause, when a woman’s monthly periods stop naturally.
The implant can be removed at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It only takes a few minutes to remove, and a local anaesthetic will be used. The doctor or nurse will make a tiny cut in your skin to gently pull the implant out.
As soon as the implant has been removed, you’ll no longer be protected against pregnancy.
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Will Other Medicines Affect The Implant
Some medicines can make the implant less effective, such as:
- medicines for HIV, epilepsy and tuberculosis
- complementary remedies, such as St John’s Wort
- some antibiotics, such as rifabutin or rifampicin
If you’re taking any of these medicines, you’ll need additional contraception , or you may wish to use a different method of contraception that isn’t affected by your medicine.
Always tell your doctor that you’re using an implant if you’re prescribed any medicine. You can also ask them whether the medicine you’re taking will affect the implant.
Number : Because Of An Abnormal Balance Of Hormones Like Pcos
You may have heard of a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome . This is when the body makes more androgen hormones than it needs, which can cause fluid-filled sacs called cysts to form in the ovaries. These sacs of fluid interfere with ovulation – pretty much they keep the egg from releasing. Women or girls who have PCOS either do not get their period for months on end or have irregular periods.
PCOS is a common reproductive health disorder that affects adolescent girls, and pediatricians often consider it first if they have irregular periods.
Another cause for an abnormal balance of hormones is a thyroid disorder. Your thyroid is a small gland in the shape of a butterfly that sits at the base of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones that can affect menstruation, and if it’s overactive or underactive, that can cause you to miss periods. As you can see, it’s all about those hormone levels.
Also Check: How Can I Make My Period Come Faster
How Will I Keep Myself And My Partner Safe
One thing I can say about condoms is that thats the only birth control we have that protects against STIs, says Dr. Gariepy. But not all condoms are created equally: Natural lambskin condoms wont protect against STIs because they have tiny holes in them that block sperm but not viruses and bacteria.
However, latex, plastic, and polyurethane condoms will do the trick. . When you pop into your doctors office or local health clinic to talk BC, dont forget to snag a few freebies to make sure you and your partner are covered.
And before you leave your appointment, remember to ask what exactly you should expect in the following months, when to reach out for help, and what to do if you decide your initial pick isnt working for you. Its your doctors job to make sure youre satisfied with your choice of contraception. If youre not, dont hesitate to revisit your checklist and try something else.
Oh, and if you do have unprotected sex before having the opportunity to talk through your birth control options, remember, you can always pop over to your local pharmacy to get the morning-after pillits a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy in a pinch.
Who Can Get An Implant
Almost anyone, at any age, can have an implant.
It is good if you forget pills, appointments for injections, or if you have a medical reason that stops you using the combined pill.
If you have had breast cancer or you are taking some medications, you should not get the contraceptive implant. Tell the nurse or doctor if you are taking regular medication.
Recommended Reading: Why Are My Period Cramps So Bad
My Insurance Was Running Out And I Didn’t Want To Risk Not Having Birth Control
I got the Nexplanon implant in October of 2016. I was 25 and had it in for around a year and a half. At the time, my insurance through my parents was running out and I didn’t have a full-time job. I didn’t want to risk not having birth control if I didn’t get a full time job, so I got the implant to be on the safe side. Not because I wanted to. I loved the pill I was on.
Getting it in wasn’t bad because the area was numbed, but there was pain in my arm afterwards, which lasted for a few daysâlike someone punched me really hard in the arm. There werenât any mood swings, but there was HORRIBLE acne. I always had almost perfect skin before, then I started to break out every other day, and nothing cleared it up. My period was completely irregular too. I would bleed for three to four months straight, then not get a period for three months, and then it would be back for months again. It was horrible. My period was light most months, but I use a cup exclusively so things got sore inserting a cup every day for months on a light flow. I had to switch back to pads/liners, and I hated using them again.
What Kind Of Upkeep Makes Sense For My Lifestyle And Needs
Ease of use and convenience are also big considerations when choosing a new birth control. The pill remains one of the most popular BC picks, but the downside is pretty obvious: You have to remember to take a pill around the same time every single day. So if youre in college and youre having a really excellent sex life, then you have to take 365 pills a year to not get pregnant during college, says Dr. Gariepy. Understandably, you might miss one.
On the other hand, if youre a frequent traveler, it could be difficult to fly back home to have an IUD or implant removed if youre not happy with the results or change your mind. Then, theres the trickiness of barrier and behavioral methods of BC like condoms and pulling out . These options require some speedy finagling and quite a bit of self-control during foreplay or when youre on the edge of orgasmyou know, when birth control is the last thing on your mind.
So, be honest with yourself about what youre willing to put up with and how responsible you and your partner can trust yourselves to be. Heres your quick guide to how often you have to deal with different forms of BC:
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