It sounds like something from a sci-fi film or a dystopian novel; an injected implant which sits just under the skin and controls the way your body work. When you put it that way it sounds pretty scary, but realistically it's just a small tube which stops you from getting pregnant. Contraception is something which is mostly about preference. You have to find something which works for you and will be the best for your body, habits and needs. I chose the implant because it worked for me, and here I am to sing its praises.
The implant releases progestogen into the bloodstream, this imitates the hormone progesterone, and stops your body from releasing an egg. In addition to this, it also thickens cervical mucus (yuck!) and thins down the lining of the womb. If there's no egg, then there's no chance of conception, and with these added factors, a much lower risk of pregnancy. It's pretty effective (about 99%), with only 1 in 1000 women getting pregnant whilst using it as contraception. That's the scientific bit.
The implant can be fitted at most Sexual Health Clinics or GP surgeries and is inserted under local anaesthetic - so it shouldn't hurt! It lasts for three years, but you can have it removed before then if you need to. You can also have another one fitted as soon as you have your old one out. Because it's just sat underneath the skin in your arm you don't need to worry about remembering to take a pill, in fact, you don't actually have to do anything, which was brilliant for me.
I did get a fantastic bruise on my arm as a result of having it fitted, but it only lasted a couple of days and was easy to hide. That's another thing, it's almost impossible to notice the implant in your arm unless you specifically feel for it.
Of course there are downsides to any form of contraception and the implant isn't any different. It can disrupt your menstrual cycle which leads to odd timings on periods, or no period at all (which I actually think is a wonderful bonus), and then there are other side effects, which aren't so different from other forms of contraception, such as headaches, acne, nausea, etc. but you can get your implant removed if this is the case!
Once you have the implant removed your fertility should return back to normal straight away (unlike the contraceptive injection), and you can even breastfeed whilst using it. Of course, you have to remember that like all a lot of other forms of contraception, the implant will not protect you against Sexually Transmitted Infections, only condoms will do that!
I have found that the implant was perfect for me and I have a couple of friends who agree. If you find that taking the pill is hard to remember, or even if you want something that's a little more worry free then this is probably what you're looking for. Then again, I have yet to have to have mine removed - maybe it'll be a different story then!
If you want to know more head over to the NHS choices website, where you can look at information on all types of contraception and find out more information!
The implant releases progestogen into the bloodstream, this imitates the hormone progesterone, and stops your body from releasing an egg. In addition to this, it also thickens cervical mucus (yuck!) and thins down the lining of the womb. If there's no egg, then there's no chance of conception, and with these added factors, a much lower risk of pregnancy. It's pretty effective (about 99%), with only 1 in 1000 women getting pregnant whilst using it as contraception. That's the scientific bit.
The implant can be fitted at most Sexual Health Clinics or GP surgeries and is inserted under local anaesthetic - so it shouldn't hurt! It lasts for three years, but you can have it removed before then if you need to. You can also have another one fitted as soon as you have your old one out. Because it's just sat underneath the skin in your arm you don't need to worry about remembering to take a pill, in fact, you don't actually have to do anything, which was brilliant for me.
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| How revolting. |
Of course there are downsides to any form of contraception and the implant isn't any different. It can disrupt your menstrual cycle which leads to odd timings on periods, or no period at all (which I actually think is a wonderful bonus), and then there are other side effects, which aren't so different from other forms of contraception, such as headaches, acne, nausea, etc. but you can get your implant removed if this is the case!
Once you have the implant removed your fertility should return back to normal straight away (unlike the contraceptive injection), and you can even breastfeed whilst using it. Of course, you have to remember that like all a lot of other forms of contraception, the implant will not protect you against Sexually Transmitted Infections, only condoms will do that!
I have found that the implant was perfect for me and I have a couple of friends who agree. If you find that taking the pill is hard to remember, or even if you want something that's a little more worry free then this is probably what you're looking for. Then again, I have yet to have to have mine removed - maybe it'll be a different story then!
If you want to know more head over to the NHS choices website, where you can look at information on all types of contraception and find out more information!
