|
Post by ladylightning on Aug 23, 2012 16:06:12 GMT -5
Since this is a thread on advice for sex and birth control I thought I'd throw my advice out there.
The implant is the best way, in my opinion. I know everyone's different, but for me it's been a God send. No taking pills, no paranoia that you've missed your pill, and virtually no periods (for me anyway - though I hear it can be a bit different from woman to woman)
It doesn't hurt to be put in, and the rare periods that I do have are not heavy and barely hurt at all (a vast improvement on the past crippling agony).
And it lasts for 3 years - fabulous! It can be taken out if you want to have kids, and if you can get over the fact that something will be in your arm, I can't recommend this option of birth control enough.
Other people I've talked to have also recommended it highly.
|
|
shadow
Full Member
Bolin in the deep
Posts: 186
|
Post by shadow on Aug 23, 2012 17:11:37 GMT -5
I went to the doctors on Monday and asked about the implant. He said that some women experience the implant differently and said that if I am ok with taking pills, to give the pill version of the implant a go for three months to see how I get on. (It's the same hormone that is in the implant just in pill form). That way if I don't get on with it, I don't have to go through the procedure twice.
I finish my current pill (the one with two hormones in it-can't remember the name) next week and I run straight onto my new one.
I am really hoping I get on with it because to not have periods would be BLISS.
(Also, for you Americans, we are talking about the arm implant here not the vaginal ones)
|
|
|
Post by ladylightning on Aug 23, 2012 17:27:33 GMT -5
Ah yes, sorry I didn't think to clarify, what with my complete terror of the vaginal implants!
It took my body a full 3 months to adjust, and things were a little confusing every now and again in that time. Just feel like warning you it's not immediate satisfaction, with level hormones and no periods... though I'm sure you already know that. =)
|
|
shadow
Full Member
Bolin in the deep
Posts: 186
|
Post by shadow on Aug 23, 2012 17:30:45 GMT -5
Ya. I'm sure it's going to be brilliant what with living with my parents and not having a job. I'm going to be such pleasant company.
|
|
|
Post by mercurial on Aug 23, 2012 18:00:50 GMT -5
There's an implant?! And it doesn't have to be stuck in your vagina? WHAT?! Is it available in America?
...Probably with our women's rights issues at the moment I would imagine not, but an arm implant would be amazing --what's the name of it and how can I find out more information?
I have been thinking about getting Paraguard for a while --it's an IUD, if it goes by a different name across the pond. Paraguard is a little less expensive than Mirena, and it also doesn't contain any hormones, which for some women on Mirena has been a problem. It also means that you're periods are never gone, but it's like protection you never have to think about for up to 10 years! But I've heard IUDs are awfully painful, and because I have a short vaginal canal (that's like the first thing someone at a PP clinic told me the first time I went in, lol), I wonder if it would cause problems for me during sex, particularly if I have an average to above-average partner.
I would just explode with happiness if I could get something in my arm...!! I'm headed to Google to see what i can find, but please share more info if you can!
|
|
shadow
Full Member
Bolin in the deep
Posts: 186
|
Post by shadow on Aug 23, 2012 18:13:49 GMT -5
Linky linky: www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-implant-implanon-4243.htm Looks fairly pricey but I guess you'd be saving money on other birth control methods and potentially sanitary wear for 3 years. In all honesty, you said a lot of words there I don't understand! =] When I went to the family planning clinic (same thing as PP as far as I can tell) I just said I wanted to go on the pill and they didn't even try to recommend me anything else (apart from shoving condoms into my hand as I left). It wasn't until the ladies room that I really knew of the whole array of different BC types.
|
|
|
Post by ladylightning on Aug 23, 2012 18:29:31 GMT -5
I don't know if it's available in America, but I know there are a few types of arm implants. The card they gave me when I got the implant says it's "etonogestrel" ... but it also says on the back it's a "progestogen-only subdermal contraceptive implant" I don't know if that helps at all, sorry!
This is probably a really stupid question which will show how ignorant I am... but what are the women's rights issues happening over there right now?
The idea of a Paraguard scares the crap out of me - arm implants all the way!
|
|
|
Post by mercurial on Aug 23, 2012 19:15:12 GMT -5
Shadow, if this helps: An IUD is an intra-uterine device. Paraguard and Mirena are the two brand names of IUDs that I know of, and they are becoming more and more popular here in America. I've heard that they're more common in Europe than they are here. A doctor or nurse practitioner will place it behind your cervix so that it is literally inside your uterus, and they're meant to last up to 10 years, and they cost around $800 each as well. I'm thinking that may be worth it, particularly because my insurance will probably cover most of it. And even if it ended up being slightly more expensive than other options, I still think I'll look into it because it is worth a little extra money, I think, to not have to remember to take a pill every day for ten years. LadyLightning, looks like Implanon is available in America, according to Shadow's link! I'm absolutely going to request more information about it from my local Planned Parenthood clinic. The fact that it is "matchstick sized" scares the daylights out of me, but it still sounds pretty awesome! As for women's rights, I'll PM you. I think women's rights are an important issue to us all, but by its very nature the discussion is highly political and controversial and all kinds of yuck. If people would like, say so and I'll make a new thread for it, but until then, Ill PM you with what I know about what's happening in the US. There's not a revolution or anything going on, but as a young women I fear a few decades from now, when I'm 40 or 50, women's rights will be eroded beyond recognition. A lot of people are saying similar things, really. America may have once been a great (not The Great) nation, but it is falling hard and fast now.
|
|
|
Post by plethorian on Aug 23, 2012 19:46:10 GMT -5
Holy smokes, this whole thread! Fantastic! I'm definitely going to ask my doctor about this, cause I've been kinda of and on thinking about it. I would for sure never want to have kids in three years, so it seems a logical choice! Any info on how reliable it is and how well it functions? Also, mercurial, I wouldn't mind getting a copy of that PM, I'm vaguely interested cause I hear it's getting pretty serious?
|
|
|
Post by mercurial on Aug 23, 2012 20:38:17 GMT -5
Sure! I'll go ahead and just find a place to create a women's rights/ equality of the sexes thread in a relevant area of the forum, and i'll post what I had written on that thread, so this one doesn't get hijacked. Maybe that could be a thread for any kind of women's rights news? I worry about it becoming controversial or whatever, but the ladies here all seem to be very kind, thoughtful, and open-minded, so maybe it will go well. It probably helps that we have such a small community right now anyway. ^__^ I'll be waiting to hear info on how the arm implant functions, but the link Shadow sent me, if you click around the site there is a chart comparing the different methods of birth control; those listed as fewer than 1 in 100 pregnancies included vasectomy, female sterilization, an IUD, and the implant! So it seems to be more effective than the pill! Sign me up! hehe
|
|
|
Post by ladylightning on Aug 24, 2012 3:55:55 GMT -5
Mercurial, don't worry about the matchstick size. I thought I'd have a horrible phobia of something being you know... inside me all the time. But once it was there I hardly noticed it at all. I think it's much less invasive and scary as the IUD thingies, which I'll be honest, I don't think I could ever stomach.
Thanks for the message on women's rights... I'll read it properly a little later when I have time =)
I feel like England is falling as well. My boyfriend and I really want to move to Cannada. We have this feeling that something bad is going to happen in England in the next few decades. I don't know if it's just where I live, but there seems to be this racial and financial tension that really bothers me.
Plethorian, I think the implant's got a good % reliability, but there have been a couple of people who've got pregnant despite it. I think that might have been a few years ago though, and I know they have changed the implant's contents a few times over here to make it better.
It doesn't bother me because my boyfriend and I always use a condom too, as we are super paranoid about getting pregnant and having to deal with all the questions that come with it.
Ultimately it's everyone's personal choice as the implant may react badly to your particular body... I just wanted to pimp it out since it's been so fantastic for me! x
|
|
shadow
Full Member
Bolin in the deep
Posts: 186
|
Post by shadow on Aug 24, 2012 7:20:43 GMT -5
Yes, post it as a thread! I only know what little reaches me through tumblr and I'm sure a lot of it can't be too accurate.
Thanks for that bit of info, I think it's the brand names that confuse me as well as the two types of female hormones having ridiculously similar names AND being spelt differently in the UK/US. Am I right in thinking that there are two types of cervical implants? One like a cross and one like a coil? Or am I getting confused. (^^)
LL- I has a dream the other night where the whole country turned to shit, and there were breeding programmes and forced army sign ups and everything... I hope it's not a premonition! If so, we'll join you in Canada.
While I do not want to get pregnant now, I know that it would be fine if I did, which certainly helps with not being super paranoid as you put it. Though we also use condoms most of the time to due to mess. =/
|
|
|
Post by ladylightning on Aug 24, 2012 10:23:30 GMT -5
Oh God the mess!
And thank goodness I'm not alone in my feelings for this country. x
|
|
|
Post by Alyssa on Aug 24, 2012 18:38:08 GMT -5
Just to clarify, the arm implant (Implanon) is definitely available in the US. My mom used to have it but she said the hormones made her crazy, haha. I don't know how I'd feel about it because of the size and because it seems like it would be more of an invasive procedure to put in than the IUD. But it's definitely good to have this firsthand info!
|
|
|
Post by plethorian on Aug 24, 2012 19:45:57 GMT -5
Wow, you guys are kinda convincing me, hahaha...I think I'll bring it up with my boyfriend and my doctor, get some opinions! Because I'm not even 19 yet, I am seriously not thinking about having kids. Except as a "when I'm 35" thing.
Is it possible to get it taken out whenever, if the hormones end up being annoying? Or is it a rather large procedure?
|
|