What Happens If I Get Pregnant On The Implant
In the very rare chance you become pregnant whilst using the contraceptive implant then you should contact your doctor. If you become pregnant whilst on Nexplanon, then you have a slightly higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy . If you experience unusual vaginal bleeding or lower stomach pain then you must call your doctor immediately. The Nexplanon implant should be removed if pregnancy occurs, but there is no evidence to suggest falling pregnant whilst using the implant poses any harm to the developing pregnancy.
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The Contraceptive Implant And Your Sex Drive
Let’s start at the beginning. Around three years ago, I had the contraceptive implant fitted. Zip forward a few weeks and my relationship ended, which was fantastic timing. I’d left it in because, why not?
As to any impact on my desire to get down it wasn’t something I thought about until I was talking with a friend almost a year ago, who was asking about which contraceptive she should try next.
I told her I found the implant to be good. It was painless when it was fitted, lasted for three years, and best of all, I didnt have any periods when I was on it.
When I suggested it, my friend replied that she wouldnt be considering it. Why? Some women she knew had had it and recalled that it lowers your sex drive. I stopped for a second, and was about to say Does it really? when suddenly the last two years flickered before me at speed and it was almost as if Id know it all along.
Since Id broken up with the aforementioned boyfriend almost 18 months before, Id not really taken any interest in dating. Id been going through the worst dry spell on record an almost biblical drought and whats worse is that I didnt have any urge to change that. Was the implant to blame?
‘ Id been going through the worst dry spell on record an almost biblical drought’
Who Cannot Use The Implant
Most women can use the implant, however, you should not use it if:
- you are pregnant
- you have or have had a clotting disorder
- you have liver problems
- you have abnormal vaginal bleeding
- you have or have had breast cancer or endometrial cancer.
Discuss with your doctor or nurse if the implant is safe for you.
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Choosing The Right Birth Control With Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. The thyroid is the small gland at the base of your neck that, as part of the endocrine system, helps regulate the body’s metabolism in blood pressure, blood temperature, and heart rate. When your thyroid hormone production drops, your body processes slow down and change, affecting virtually every system in the body and causing frustrating symptoms.
But hypothyroidism does not have to get in the way of your reproductive and sexual health! If you are diagnosed with and treated for hypothyroidism, it is still safe to use most forms of birth control.
Ahead, board-certified doctors at Twentyeight Health offer some advice about finding the right birth control for you with hypothyroidism.
How Much Do They Cost
Most insurance covers either method. With insurance, youâll probably pay a monthly copay between $0 and $50 for the pill. If your insuranc covers the implant, uouâll pay a copy for the visit to get it put in and removed.
There are options if you donât have insurance. Family planning clinics will usually provide the pill, Nexplanon, or some other form of safe birth control at little or no cost to you.
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Can You Ovulate On Nexplanon
Nexplanon is a hormone implant that prevents ovulation . This medication also causes changes in the cervical mucus and uterine lining making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
The implant is very safe for most people but all medications have some risks and side effects. The doctor will figure out if the implant is safe or not. This is 99% effective.
References
Hormonal Birth Control And Depression
Contraceptives that use hormones to keep you from getting pregnant come in many forms. They include the pill, the mini pill, implant, shot, intrauterine device , patch, and vaginal ring.
Researchers donât have enough evidence to say for sure if hormonal birth control causes depression. But most of the information available suggests that the answer is likely a no. Still, researchers canât rule out that there may be a link between those contraceptives and depression.
Part of the uncertainty stems from the fact that every woman reacts differently to hormones. Another reason is that studies have turned up conflicting findings.
For example, some research says that women get extra benefits from hormonal birth control, such as fewer depressive symptoms or lessened emotional symptoms from premenstrual dysphoric disorder .
But other studies have found a link between women, especially adolescents, who used hormonal birth control and their rates of depression and antidepressant use. Sixteen-year-olds in one study who took birth control pills cried more and had trouble sleeping.
Researchers think that hormonal contraceptives may have a bigger effect if a woman already has a mood disorder. But more studies are needed.
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How Can Pandia Health Help
Its now more convenient than ever before to try birth control. Dont forget to with Pandia Health to get your prescription delivered for free. We also write prescriptions for individuals who live in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, TX, TN, PA, WA, or WY! If you live in one of these states and need help deciding which birth control might be best for your lifestyle, you can set up an online consultation with one of our expert doctors. Join our community of empowered women and get that #PandiaPeaceOfMind knowing youll never run out of birth control on our watch.
Adrenal And Thyroid Health
The pill, the ring, IUDs, implants and the patch all mess with your thyroid and your adrenal glands. We know that these also affect mood.
Hypothyroid women are more prone to having depression and anxiety.
The adrenal glands help regulate inflammation. When function is compromised, this can also lead to mood symptoms.
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Where Can I Get Implantable Contraception
Implantable contraception is only available from a doctor or other medical professional who has been trained to insert it. When the doctor can insert the implant depends on when you had your last period and what type of birth control you currently use.
After numbing the inside of your upper arm, the doctor will use a small needle to insert the tube under the surface. The whole process only takes a few minutes. After the tube is in, don’t do any heavy lifting for a few days. You’ll have a bandage on for a few days after the procedure.
A health care professional must remove the tube after 3 years. It cannot be left in a girl’s arm, even after it is no longer working. The health care professional numbs the area, makes a small cut in the arm, and pulls out the tube. The tube can be removed any time after insertion there’s no need to wait the full 3 years.
Birth Control And Food Cravings
Dear Alice,
Could the birth control pill be causing my weird food cravings?
Dear Reader,
Food cravings are caused by many things â stress, mood changes, hormone fluctuations, and even just the sight of a specific food can cause you to salivate. But, contrary to popular belief, science has not linked food cravings to birth control pill usage.
There are a lot of myths that similarly connect birth control pills and weight gain. Understanding how birth control pills work helps to debunk those myths. Birth control pills work by balancing hormone levels, which stops your menstrual cycle and prevents ovulation, making pregnancy very unlikely. Hormone fluctuations are more often responsible for food cravings. A lot of people experience these hormone induced cravings during pregnancy, when hormones shift a lot. While some increases and decreases in appetite may occur with birth control pill usage, this experience is not consistent. Most weight gain experienced by people on the pill is likely a result of existing exercise and eating habits, not the pill itself.
If youâre concerned about changes in your food cravings, appetite, or potential side effects of your birth control, discussing your observations with your health care provider can help get to the root of what may be causing the changes you have noticed.
Hope this helps!
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Do Antidepressants Affect Birth Control
No, antidepressants do not affect birth control. However, if taking these medications, it is key to talk to your doctor before starting birth control to avoid any negative reactions in your body.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
With All The Stresses In Life It Can Be Hard To Know What Is Bringing You Down Let’s Take A Look At What We Know About Birth Control And Depression
With all the stresses in life, it can be hard to know what is bringing you down. Is it the upcoming test thats stressing you out? Is it the fight you had with your friend? Is it your co-worker being rude for no apparent reason? Or is it your birth control? Lets take a look at what we know.
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Temporary Side Effects Following Insertion Of The Implant
Unlike irregular periods which tend to persist, many short-lasting effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea have been reported after insertion of the implant, often appearing within a week or two. Headaches are reported quite commonly, either as a new occurrence, or as a change to an existing headache pattern.
Fluctuating levels of hormones, mainly oestrogen and progesterone, are known to interact with brain chemicals such as glutamate, and are associated with headaches. This is the cause of the menstrual migraines that many women experience shortly before or during menstruation. The same interaction may be behind the headaches following implant insertion too, but as of yet, research has failed to establish a causal relationship between the two.6
These symptoms are temporary and often settle after a few months as your hormone levels stabilise. Until then, simple painkillers can help. However, if they are severe, and seem to be continuous, you should see your GP for advice.
Some women complain of having low mood or mood swings after implant insertion. Effects of progestogen on brain chemicals which affect the mood, such as serotonin and glutamate may play a role, but this isnt yet scientifically proven
Is Dizziness A Side Effect Of Birth Control
Dizziness may occur while using hormonal birth control, though it is not one of the common side effects of this medication. If this symptom does occur, it is most likely to develop when starting a new birth control method and often goes away within a few months. If your symptoms are interfering with your daily activity or are making you feel unsafe then we suggest speaking to your provider right away.
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How Is The Implant Placed
For someone who wishes to use a hormonal implant to prevent pregnancy, she must not be pregnant when the implant is inserted. A medical provider will apply a local anesthetic to the inside of the upper arm and insert the implant under the skin with a special needle.
Once it is placed, it doesnt require any maintenance or need to be replaced for at least three years some hormonal implants can last up to five years. Because the skin is numbed, you should not feel pain from the placement of the implant although the needle stick for the injection of the anesthetic might cause slight pain.
Types Of Birth Control
There are many different kinds of birth controlâboth hormonal and non-hormonal.
Intrauterine devices
An IUD is a small device inserted into the uterus, containing either copper or hormones to prevent pregnancy.
Birth control pills
Oral birth control pills are medication tablets that contain hormones to stop ovulation and stop sperm from joining with an egg . Birth control pills come in two forms: the combination pill or the mini-pill. The combination pill contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. It is the pill that most people refer to when saying they are taking oral birth control. The mini-pill only contains only progestin.
Birth control ring
The birth control ring is a flexible device that goes inside the vagina and releases hormones through the vaginal wall into the bloodstream to help prevent pregnancy.
Birth control patch
The birth control patch is a patch you wear on your skin that releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into your bloodstream to keep your ovaries from releasing an egg.
Implant
The birth control implant is a small rod placed beneath the skin in your upper arm. The implant releases progestin to keep your ovaries from releasing an egg.
Shot
The shot contains progestin, which prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg. To be effective, you need to get the shot every three months.
Barrier methods
Using a physical barrier like condoms, diaphragms, or sponges keep sperm from entering the uterus and reaching the egg.
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Birth Control Mood Swings Side Effects & Symptoms
More recent studies have helped medicine understand what women have been telling doctors for years. And its been validating for many women to learn that their story has been more than accurate and that these symptoms werent just in their head.
In a large epidemiological study published in JAMA, it was found that women were more likely to be diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants after beginning hormonal contraceptives. This study followed women for 13 years and found that women who were prescribed the combination birth control pill, that is estrogen and progestin, were 23% more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant.
What Happens If Youre Pregnant On Nexplanon
If you are pregnant while on Nexplanon than you have higher chances that you pregnancy will be ectopic than the women who do not use birth control. Ectopic Ectopic pregnancy A condition where fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus. pregnancy occurs when the fertilized eggs gets attached to any place other than the uterus .
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What Are The Risks Associated With The Implant And Who Should Avoid It
Being a progestogen only contraceptive method, the implant has the advantage of being able to be used in conditions where oestrogen needs to be avoided, including when someone is breastfeeding, and in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. However, there are certain conditions where the implant is contraindicated, or better avoided due to the health risks it presents outweighing its benefits.
For example, the implant is not recommended if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding as the menstrual irregularities it causes may mask the symptoms of an underlying condition.9 You should also avoid the implant if you have breast cancer, as it can affect the prognosis due to the cancer being hormonally sensitive.10
Although there is no definitive evidence concluding that the implant increases the risk of blood clots, it is not recommended in those who have had a stroke, are at increased risk of having a stroke, or who have ischaemic heart disease.11
Progestogen is metabolised in the liver, so needs to be avoided in conditions with altered liver functions, such as severe cirrhosis and certain liver tumours, as the efficacy of the implant will be affected. Also, drugs which induce enzymes such as anti-epileptics, rifampicin, and griseofulvin may lead to lower progesterone concentration in the blood, causing contraceptive failure.
Can Birth Control Make You Emotional
Since the introduction of the birth control pill, women have come out in droves complaining of depression and anxiety associated with the use of the pill.
And while this is a side effect listed in the package insert of these hormonal contraceptives, there are still many skeptics within the scientific and medical community that are quick to dismiss womens stories. As a result, many women have struggled for decades due to the connection between the pill and anxiety.
Ive had many patients tell stories of doctors dismissing them. They are told that these symptoms are all in their head, or that its a coincidence. And then theyre met with the next prescription for a mood-altering drug without a single pause or question as to what role these hormones could be playing.
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Would Swapping Birth Control Methods Make A Difference
Changing birth control may alleviate feelings of anxiety. But theres a chance it could make little difference.
If you begin to experience anxiety or other mood changes, you can consider switching to a nonhormonal form of contraception. The list includes:
- copper IUD
for people who are worried theyll forget to take a pill or apply a patch.
Your doctor can guide you down the best path.
If you want to stop taking hormonal contraception, its entirely your choice.
But Lakhani advises never coming off your birth control without consulting with your doctor first.
Ask them the following:
- Can I get pregnant straight away?
- What side effects might I experience?
- What should I use for contraception now?
Some methods, like the pill and patch, can be stopped immediately. Others, like the implant, will need to be removed by a healthcare provider.
Something to consider: Its good practice to not stop the pill or patch in the middle of your pack. Doing so can cause irregular bleeding.
The hormones from birth control should exit your body within a few days.
Stopping any kind of hormonal birth control can have an impact on both your body and mind.
You may find that your menstrual cycle becomes irregular, or that your mood changes.
You may also experience symptoms your contraception was helping to manage, like painful periods and acne.
None of the side effects should be too severe. Many will right themselves as your body gets back to its usual hormone production.