Because I Have Epilepsy I Need To Be Careful About My Birth Control Methods
I got the Nexplanon implant in August of 2016. Before I got Nexplanon, I tried the Mirena . I had that for about a year or so until I started experiencing cramping every single day. It was just as bad, if not worse, than my menstruation cramps. Nothing was wrong with the IUD, its placement, nor did I have any cysts my body just didn’t like the IUD in it after a year.
Because I have epilepsy, I need to be careful about my birth control methods. I didn’t want to do depo shots since that would require regular visits to a doctor that I wouldn’t be able to afford. I chose Nexplanon for how long it lasted, and how it wouldn’t interact with my antiepileptic medication.
My experience with Nexplanon has been fantastic. Its insertion was relatively painless, especially compared to that of an IUD. It stopped my menstrual cycle , which I cannot be more happy about. During my menstrual cycle, not only is the cramping intense, but my mental illnesses and gender dysphoria get worse. After I had the Nexplanon put in, I experienced a lot less of that. Before I had it inserted, I was worried it would not work out for me just like the IUD, and that it would move. In the two years I’ve had it, I’ve experienced nothing but positive side-effects.
My options for contraception as an epileptic are limited. Out of all the forms of contraception I know of, it appears to be the best for me short of tubal ligation. The only reason I would have it removed is to have a child, or to get a new one put in.
Does Nexplanon Have Hormones
Nexplanon contains the active ingredient Etonogestrel, which is a progestin hormone. It is released continuously into the bloodstream from the implant. This hormone prevents pregnancy in a few different ways, the most important way is by preventing ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovary.
Do You Need To Pull Out With Nexplanon
He or she will then use a scalpel to make a small incision near the site of the implant. Procedural instruments are then used to locate and remove the implant. A new Nexplanon can be inserted at this time if you want to continue using this form of contraception. Nexplanon must be removed on or before the 3-year mark.
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Risks & Side Effects Of Nexplanon
Nexplanon can have side effects, and the most common one is a changing menstrual bleeding pattern. One out of ten women may have to stop using Nexplanon because of this change.
A woman can experience spotting between menstrual cycles, different time periods in between the cycles. There can be times when there are no regular gaps, shorter or longer cycles, or no bleeding at the time of the period. Women must tell their healthcare provider if they think they are pregnant or if the bleeding goes on long and heavy.
Other side effects of Nexplanon can be:
- Headache
- Viral infection or flu-type symptoms
- Nervousness
- Pain at the insertion site
- Dizziness
I Did Not Connect The Depression With The Device Until I Had The Implant Removed
I got an Implanon four years ago, and had it removed a year ago. The reason I got one is because I was anemic and my doctor recommended it to reduce heavy periods. Insertion was easy. At first it made my periods impossible to track, then it settled down. My periods became lighter but this might also be because of my age I put on quite a bit of weight and experienced depression which struck especially just after my period, and went away as soon as I had the device removed. I did not connect the depression with the device until I had the implant removed and experienced a dramatic change in my moods.
I had my implant removed because they wear out after 3 years. I have not replaced it with a different kind. My advice would be: Track your moods carefully. Keep a mood diary. If you notice you are getting depressed and anxious, find a doctor who will listen to you and believe you. My implant definitely made me depressed in a way I had not experienced before.
Implanon is easy to put in, and difficult and painful to take out. The doctor had to dig in my arm for ages. Doctors also didnât want to believe me when I told them my hormonal contraceptive was affecting my mental health.âMasha, female, 46, Cape Town, South Africa
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If You Just Cant With Your Period Anymore Talk To Your Doctor About The Options At Your Disposal
Dont wait until youre looking to stop your period for a specific window of time, like for a wedding or vacation. Try to give yourself some lead timeif you can give yourself three months, thats better than the month before, Dr. Shirazian says. The longer youre trying methods to stop your period, the more likely they are to give you no bleeding.
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How Soon After Nexplanon Can You Ovulate
The rapid return to fertility is considered one of Nexplanons main advantages. You may ovulate as soon as a week to 14 days after the Implanon device was removed. For women who are not yet planning on becoming pregnant, this means that they are wise to line up an alternative method of birth control before having Nexplanon removed.
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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.
How Do You Get It
A person needs to visit a doctors office to have the flexible tube inserted into their upper arm. People interested in having a Nexplanon implant should make sure that the doctor has experience in performing the procedure.
During the procedure, the doctor will make a small incision with a tool designed to insert Nexplanon. The procedure only takes a few minutes and does not require any downtime.
The doctor can insert the device at the same time as they remove an old one. To remove the device, they will administer a local anesthetic to the area, make a small incision underneath the implant, and grip the device with forceps to gently pull it out.
A range of healthcare professionals and birth control services offer Nexplanon and other contraceptive options online.
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Nexplanon And Irregular Bleeding Is It Normal
Yes, spotting between time periods, especially when you have just started with this new method in the last couple of months, may be normal when using a progestin alone method such as Nexplanon or IUD.This irregular, or even daily, bleeding is not a danger and for most women, adapting their bodies to their new method of birth control only takes a few months, and they regularize their cycles again.
Some women do this while adjusting their bodies to new hormones in their bodies.Bleeding between times, as your hormones in your body are fluctuating and inconsistent while your body adapts to your new technique, may take place as breakthrough bleeding.It can also happen if your body finds it difficult to adapt to a progestin-only method, without the oestrogens that typically support your uterine fiber.
The hormones oestrogen and progesterone help build and maintain your uterine body in your typical menstrual cycle, so that your body can be pregnant.Hormone levels drop if a pregnancy does not occur, causing your uterus to shed its lining Based on the new birth control method your hormone levels fluctuate, your body gets confused and bleeding can happen both on and off.
We advise you to adjust your body to any new method of birth control 6 months or longer to allow you to benefit from all the great advantages it offers!In that case, you will have with your Nexplanon the 3 years of worry-free birth control!
What Happens If You Get Pregnant While Using An Implant
If you do become pregnant while using the implant, it is important to see your doctor as soon as you can. Equally, if you develop stomach pain, you must see your doctor urgently to rule out any chance of an ectopic pregnancy. There is good evidence to show that implants do not cause birth defects and will not cause harm to a developing pregnancy.
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Should I Be Worried If My Menstrual Period Stops
No. Some women stop having their menstrual periods after getting a hormonal implant. This is not a reason to worry. It just means that your ovaries are resting and not releasing an egg each month. Your ovaries are making less estrogen, and the lining of your uterus does not get thicker. So there is no menstrual bleeding. Your menstrual cycles will return to the way they were, after the implant is removed. Talk to your health care provider and theyll decide if you need a pregnancy test.
S That Can Stop Your Period Long
If you wish to explore the idea of stopping your period long-term, you have options. At the very least, birth control can minimize the frequency of periods you have a year.
- Intrauterine devices may take three to six months to stop your period altogether, but after that, they can remain effective for anywhere from three to 10 years depending on the type.
- Birth control implants like Nexplanon work for up to three years and provide lighter periods or may stop them altogether depending on the person.
- Endometrial ablation procedure: This procedure is usually only recommended for people with very heavy, prolonged periods who are at risk of anemia and shouldn’t be considered if you are planning to get pregnant at any point in the future.
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Where To Get More Information And Support
If you are using the internet for information, only use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones provided above.
Disclaimer
This website and any related materials are for general information purposes only and should not be relied on as medical or other professional advice. You should seek specific medical or professional advice for your individual circumstances.
The copyright for material on this website is owned by Family Planning Victoria and is subject to the Copyright Act 1968. We permit you to reproduce or communicate our copyright material if you are a not-for-profit educational organisation, for the purpose of providing the information to your students provided that you include any disclaimers associated with that material. Any other reproduction or communication of our material requires our prior consent, via our consent form which you can complete and submit.
28 May 2021
Family Planning Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our offices stand and in the regions in which we provide our services. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
It Can Happen With Any Type Of Hormonal Birth Control
All these methods work by delivering hormones that prevent pregnancy. These methods include
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birth control pills
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the birth control implant, a small plastic rod thats placed under the skin of the upper arm
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hormonal IUDs
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the birth control shot given by a health care professional
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the vaginal ring that women can place and remove on their own
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the skin patch that contains hormones
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Which Way Is Right For Me
If you want to cut down on the number of periods you have per year, then experts suggest standard birth control pills, patches, or the vaginal ring. To stop your period long-term, birth control shots, long-term pills, and the IUD typically work best. Speak with your doctor about it. Youâll work together to figure out which method is best for you.
Is It Really Ok To Not Have My Period
One of the most common questions I hear from patients is whether or not it is safe to not have periods. Most women are so accustomed to their menstrual cycle that the notion of not having a monthly period feels strange and unnatural. However, the reality is that not having a period can be perfectly safe in certain situations.
Its helpful to understand that the monthly bleeding that women experience while taking some forms of birth control, including the pill, patch or ringis not the same as a natural menstrual period. Natural menstruation occurs as a result of the changes in hormones that are triggered by ovulation, or the release of the egg from the ovary, and the buildup of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy. When pregnancy does not occur, the body reduces the amount of those hormones that it makes. This withdrawal of hormones causes your body to shed that lining as your monthly period.
The hormones in the pill, patch and ring methods of birth control are similar to your bodys natural hormones. They stop ovulation from happening and prevent the uterus from building up a thick lining. When you take a week off from these methods , this mimics the natural withdrawal of those hormones that occurs during a menstrual cycle. This is considered a withdrawal bleed.
If youre considering your birth control options or want to discuss your period, contact a Womens Healthcare Associates office to schedule an appointment.
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What Is The Procedure Like
Before the procedure: You will be asked to read and sign a consent form which gives your health care provider permission to insert the hormonal implant.
The procedure: Your upper arm is cleaned with a special soap. Numbing medicine is then injected just under the skin of your upper arm to lessen the discomfort. Next, using a special tool, your health care provider pushes the implant through a needle under the skin. This is a minor procedure that takes less than 5 minutes with minimal discomfort.
After the hormonal implant is inserted: Your health care provider will go over home-care instructions with you and will cover the site with 2 bandages. The top bandage can be removed in 24 hours. The smaller bandage can be changed to a new one each day. The insertion site should be kept covered for about 3-5 days. This will keep the site clean and dry as it heals.