My Experience with Implanon: A Long-lasting, Effective Birth Control Method

Though I love being a mom to my 2 yr old daughter, I have no intentions of having another child anytime soon. Fortunately, my husband agrees. So the decision to pursue an effective, long-lasting and easy birth control method was a mutual one. After spending 2 years on a progestin only, daily administered birth control pill (I'm still nursing), I decided it was time for a more reliable method. When my doctor informed me of Implanon, a long-lasting, effective birth control method that won't interfere with my nursing, I was hooked. My doctor administered a pregnancy test and instructed me to return in 2 weeks.

A few days ago, I returned to my doctor. Having done my research, I thought I was ready. Then I began thinking about the two biggest drawbacks to the wonderfully effective, long-lasting Implanon: the unpredictable menstrual cycle and the potential weight gain. I voiced my concerns. My doctor happily went over the side effects, along with a number of alternative birth control methods. He also assured me that the weight gain associated with the Implanon birth control method averages about 2 lbs over the course of 3 years. As someone who works out religiously, I wasn't concerned about 2 lbs. As for the irregular menstrual cycle, there was no defense. Women who use Implanon will experience erratic periods. As unappealing as that is, in the end I decided that it was one side effect I could live with.

The procedure to insert the Implanon, though technically considered a surgical one, was a breeze. My doctor had me lie on a table, before numbing a spot on my left arm, between my bicep and tricep. Once my arm had numbed, he quickly inserted the Implanon rod via a needle. The procedure took under 5 minutes. He made sure that I could feel the 1.5 in long rod inside of my arm and then bandaged me up. He instructed me to return in 4 weeks to ensure that everything had healed. He also instructed me to feel for my Implanon rod monthly, to make sure it hasn't moved.