Implanon and periods - anyone experienced the same thing?

[50ShadesOfGreggs]

I have had Implanon inserted about 16 months ago. I had no period at all for the first 12 months, which was great, but a few months ago I started noticing some spotting. It kept coming back every few days, heavier every time.

Eventually, it started resembling a proper period, and I have now been bleeding for 2 weeks, and it doesn't seem to be tailing off.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Did the period eventually stop, or have you had to have the implant removed?

[slowgin]

pretty much same as you.
had it in, nothing for 6months then bleeding all the time/after sex for 6months.
Then nothing for 6months then about once a month/proper period.

Then I got sick and took it out and got pregnant after 3months :)

[Babyitscoldoutside]

I had lots of period issues on Implanon - for months I had a constant light period, then a really long normal period, then nothing for about a year. Eventually I worked back to normal periods. All back to normal when it was removed. It put me off using it again.

[Glittertwins]

I seemed to bleed continuously, I was not pleasant. I also got bad side effects and had it removed when we both agreed my behaviour was not normal. No problems, mental or physical since.

[Twinklestarstwinklestars]

Me and 2 friends all had the same and all ended up getting it removed.

One friend had one put back in after a year and has been ok so far but it's not been in long.

My sil has had a nightmare she went to get it taken out and they couldn't find it, she got referred for an MRI to find it and then found out she was pregnant so the mystery still isn't solved!

[Davinaaddict]

I had constant spotting as well. They tried me back on the pill whilst I still had the implant to kick start my periods back to normal but no joy so I had it removed

[TheGrumpalo]

Hi there, I had pretty much the same as you with Implanon. Long spells with no bleeding then constantly for weeks. I still kept it in for the three years though. I have since had another inserted (nex something) and the doctor who inserted it was saying that if I had the same problems with this one I could apparently take a low dose pill to control the bleeding on top of the implant.

They don't use implanon any more, not sure why. The one I have in at the moment I have had for a month and have had no bleeding at all.

[rhonacorona]

I have just had mine removed this morning nearly a year early. The first two years were fine, no periods at all, but since August I started having a heavy period often, and for the last six weeks more or less on and off bleeding constantly. I was waking up feeling tired and drained every day and feeling dizzy and agitated occasionally so I am now going to get checked for anaemia. The clinic this morning said they were hearing more of this,when it would normally be expected towards the end of the lifecycle of the implant. I also had to get a general anaesthetic to get it out which took about half an hour as tissue had grown around the implant and I bled like a stuck pig. Not quite the easy removal promised at the time. Sorry to be so graphic! I will not be trying another.Had to cancel three smear tests as was bleeding so regularly. Managed to squeeze one in eventually which allayed any fears that something else was the cause.

[50ShadesOfGreggs]

Thanks all for your answers, it makes me feel a bit more "normal". I guess I need to speak to my GP about my options.

Thanks ladies!

[rhonacorona]

Update to my post 12th December - by the weekend of 15th/16th bleeding had stopped completely and has not returned so far. A first since early October!! Wound in arm has also healed quickly. Also now seeking other options. I had underestimated how rotten I had been feeling recently until I have perked up considerably over the last few days.