[rosekitten]

Hello all! This is my first post, but I actually found this site while researching, and was wondering if anyone had anymore information that I might find useful since google is a disaster to search through sometimes.

I'm currently on the NuvaRing, but every so often it almost feels like I'm having an allergic reaction. It's not constant like an allergy, but it's irritating all the same. I went to the clinic on post for my annual, and the nurse informed me of Minera and Implanon.

I'm wary of the IUD, I've never had kids, and I've read that it can be insanely painful to put in. I've also heard that it can effect sex (everything from dryness to pain for both partners). I've also heard that some people don't have these problems at all. I know that birth control varies for everyone, so I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons.

I asked a friend who used to work in a hospital, and she attempted to scare me away from Implanon saying that a girl came in and had to have part of her arm removed due to infection. My thought on this is that infections don't usually happen that severely instantly, and can be dealt with in a much more minor way if actually taken care of at the first sign of trouble.

After my reading, both seem to have an equal number of good v. bad reviews, but I've also noticed that to be true of every birth control on the market. Can anyone offer advice for further research? I'm personally leaning towards Implanon, but I'd like to be more informed since both forms are more invasive as far as birth control goes.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[Mes T]

Hi there, welcome to the forum.

Personally? I've never heard a single good thing about implanon, though I have heard mixed reviews on the mirena. I like the idea of the IUD as it's lower doses, concentrated mainly to the uterus, and lasts a few years unless you decide to have it removed.

I've had the copper IUD inserted before, and it was a bit uncomfortable for sure, but it was over as quickly as it began. The entire procedure from the time I got my legs up in the "stirrups" took maybe one minute? And later when I got it removed, it was literally nothing more than the doctor giving the strings a light tug and it was out.

I haven't heard of the IUD causing dryness. And as long as you leave the strings the way they are (rather than having them snipped at the doctor's), then it shouldn't cause any pain or be felt at all by either partners.

But ultimately you're right, birth control affects everyone differently, and unfortunately you won't know until you try it.

[rosekitten]

So, I went to the FDA website to get their research on both forms of birth control. To be quite frank, Mirena's possible side effects terrify me. I know that the chances are likely low (but, I'm not sure since it'd doesn't directly say like Implanon does), but still... eep. So, I will be trying Implanon. I'll let you know how it goes. :S