BC

Night_Sprite

So I just got done with the lady doctor, oh goody.  I'm considering arm implantation birth control what with impending marriage and all.  It is like an IUD but a little tube in your upper arm.  Is anyone familiar?  Does anyone use it?  Pros?  Cons?

shellydiane820

Whoa, I'm curious, I've never heard of that.

C W

Eww. Is it temporary?

RachNRich

A girl I work with had one, and it left a pretty nasty scar on her arm. She was also able to move the tube by touching it--although she said it did not ever hurt.

Night_Sprite

It is about the size of a match stick.  This particular one is called implanon.  It is etonogestrel, which is a progesterone.  It lasts for 3 years.  You can feel it under the arm, but not see it. 

RachNRich

oh, and, it was about the size of a matchstick. fun.

temerityjane

That's like Norplant, right? I'm torn between that and an IUD, personally. Standard BC pills didn't go so well. I am also interested to hear from anyone who may have tried it.

ggmae

Well, I recently watched I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant and the woman who got pregnant had the arm implantation IUD in at the time. The chances of getting pregnant on this form of BC are apparently <1%, but she managed to get pregnant. But, because BC is so personal it can have different effects of different people.

Night_Sprite

The documentation she gave me is pretty funny.  Your period can remain the same, get lighter, get heavier, or stop.  Come on.  That is every option.

gkb0910

Your period can remain the same, get lighter, get heavier, or stop.How englightening.

georgia_bride09

My former step-mom's sister had that, and it seemed to work. She already had two kids and was trying avoid a third. I currently prefer pills, but once I have kids, I may switch to something long-term.

Kati0105

The documentation she gave me is pretty funny. Your period can remain the same, get lighter, get heavier, or stop. Come on. That is every option.Yeah, every BC seems to have documentation like this.  They also tend to say you can either lose weight, gain weight, or remain the same weight.  Umm, thanks?

Kati0105

Well, I recently watched I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant and the woman who got pregnant had the arm implantation IUD in at the time. The chances of getting pregnant on this form of BC are apparently <1%, but she managed to get pregnant.Not to sound rude, but was the woman significantly overweight?  I watch this show a lot and it seems the majority of the women are significantly overweight, and I have heard that can decrease the effectiveness of BC.

Night_Sprite

I want to be off estrogen BC because of clotting in my family but don't want to have to deal with the risk of doing non-hormonal BC wrong.

SwedishChick2011

I'm just on BC pills, but I'd go with the arm thing way before the IUD.  The IUD just seems too invasive and painful...and kind of gross, honestly.

jasmineh7777

Personally, I like my pills.Did they say anything about effects on mood or depression? My Aunt tried to bc shot, and she was very depressed for three months. I would worry 1) about having something inserted in my arm *shiver* and 2) about a constant flow of hormone. Can you get it removed easily if it doesn't suit you?

ggmae

Kati - She was significantly overweight, IMO.

Brie2010

I used to work for ob/gyns and I remember a lot of women complained of scarring or pain.  Doesn't seem worth it to me.

Kati0105

Kati - She was significantly overweight, IMO.My favorite part of the show is that they insist upon hiring "actresses" to re-enact the shocking developments - but the actresses are also usually overweight and only moderately attractive (and not good at acting).  Dear TLC, I can TOTALLY be that kind of "actress," please hire me.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

I have a friend who was on it who said it made her gain weight. She also got pregnant with her first child on it. Of course, she got pregnant with her second child while she had an IUD, and got pregnant with the third after her husband had a vasectomy, so maybe she doesn't count

ggmae

Kati - From what I've seen of the show, it's 50/50 in terms of overweight or not. My friend was actually on the show last week and she's just 5'5" and about 130lb. I get a kick out of the actors and actresses too, especially during the delivery parts! DH was like "How do they fake THAT!?" Haha.

Kati0105

Kati - From what I've seen of the show, it's 50/50 in terms of overweight or not. My friend was actually on the show last week and she's just 5'5" and about 130lb. I get a kick out of the actors and actresses too, especially during the delivery parts! DH was like "How do they fake THAT!?" Haha.Oooh was she on on Sunday?  I watched it for hours on Sunday.  How did your friend not know she was pregnant?  I'm genuinely curious.  FI won't watch it (or any childbirth shows) with me.  Hence my decision to have my mom in the room with me someday and him in the hallway doing the 2000s version of handing out cigars, whatever that might be.

Golfer'sLady

I'm not familiar with it but would certainly consider it as an option. I suppose my only concern would be scarring. I had a family friend who had Norplant it didn't come out cleanly and left a nasty scar on the inside of her arm.

ggmae

Kati - I know she was on Tuesday night last week and I think there may have been a marathon on this past weekend, so she may have been on then. She was the brunette girl who had the military boyfriend. She said that throughout the 9 months, she didn't notice signs but looking back afterwards, they were definitely there. In the beginning of the pregnancy, she was throwing up a lot at soccer practice but because other girls were as well, she thought nothing of it. Then she started gaining weight and attributed this to the fact that she had just quit playing soccer - she played for like 4 hours a day, twice a week so it made sense that she'd gain weight due to lack of exercise. She bled throughout, but only for 1-2 days at a time and because she was irregular, thought nothing of it. She had heartburn as well, but just thought she was eating the wrong things. She never felt any kicking and never showed - her family and friends were amazed when they found out because they never noticed a significant change. She had only gained 15lb by the time she gave birth. When she went to the hospital with unbearable stomach cramps, she found out she was in labor and ta-da. A baby!

LucyD1029

Can the implant cause clotting too?  I thought it had something to do with the hormones. 

LucyD1029

ggmae, that story amazes me every time you tell it!

Kati0105

GG, I did see that one.  She was one of the more relatable stories.  But seriously, why did she go off BC a week before he left?  Regardless they seemed very in love and happy at the end so it looks like it all worked out well.  Did they end up getting married?  I also think your friend was more attractive than the "actress" who played her.

ggmae

Kati - Haha. I called her afterwards and told her that she was prettier than the actress! I did ask her WHY she went off the Pill a week before he left and she just said "I'm dumb." Unfortunately, they aren't together at the moment. He has some issues he seems to have acquired while deployed, but both she and I (and others) have a feeling that they'll get back together one day. They remain friends, but he just needs to work things out. Their baby is adorable though - DH and I love him!

ScarletGem

Night, you could get a copper IUD.  No hormones at all, including estrogen, progesterone, or synthetic hormones.  I have one and really love it.  :-) 

Kati0105

He has some issues he seems to have acquired while deployed, but both she and I (and others) have a feeling that they'll get back together one day. They remain friends, but he just needs to work things out. Their baby is adorable though - DH and I love him!Bummer.  I think that is pretty common when coming back from over there unfortunately.  FI's grandfather had terrible PTSD and ended up abandoning his grandmother and infant father (after Nam, I guess?).  That's great that they are staying civil for the sake of the baby though, I hope it all works out!

Night_Sprite

The problem with IUDs is that I have a pre-children uterus, so it might not fit.