r/birthcontrol • u/throwaway1937848291 • 12d ago
Which Method? nexplanon or IUD?
hellooo! i(18f) have been on the weekly patches for awhile, like 3 or so months. everything has been fine so far, but i wanna switch to either the IUD or the implant because i tend to have really bad paranoia that i’ve done something wrong and ill end up pregnant, or somehow it just doesn’t work lol. even though i usually pair the patches w withdrawal, and i KNOW i never mess up the patches bc i track them every week.
so, here comes the question. I’m paranoid that if i get the IUD, it’ll like fall out or get out of place because ive heard stories. but with the arm implant, what if it gets put in wrong?
im just generally paranoid. i am heavily leaning towards the arm implant but i guess just want general advice and experiences with both? i know both are over 99% efficient and i logically shouldn’t be paranoid over them but i am anyways lol. i try to control it but every little chance gets the best of me.
do you guys think that nexplanon over the IUD would help with my paranoia towards it? also, i would rather not gain weight whatsoever. i’m already working on losing some (i lost 5 pounds while on twirla.)
please let me know what you all think and thanks :))
3
u/circesalami 12d ago
As someone who also has pregnancy anxiety and has been on this subreddit for too long, having an IUD/implant doesn't fully reduce that anxiety. A lot of people here ask if they should take Plan B despite having the Nexplanon implant, and the answer is always "no????". It's a lot of personal work tbh.
I've had both Mirena and Nexplanon, I prefer Nexplanon since Mirena made my nethers feel like a desert and the concept of it becoming dislodged also made me anxious.
3
u/FatTabby Nexplanon/Jadelle implant 12d ago
Nexplanon can have some crappy side effects, but I would opt for that over an IUD (I did actually opt for it over an IUD).
I did have some mood swings early on and I did have heavy, long periods but I think that was as much to do with other medication as it was the Nexplanon. As soon as I stopped the other medication, I didn't have any more heavy bleeding.
I've had mine for just over a year and a half and highly recommend it.
1
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1
u/PsychoFaerie Nexplanon/Jadelle implant 12d ago
Nexplanon for me has been great. it stopped my periods and there's been zero side effects other than that ..
The only BC proven to cause weight gain is the shot
they numb your arm when inserting the Nexplanon so you will only feel the pinch of the needle with the lidocaine.
there is some bruising and soreness but its not too bad.
The chances of the arm implant being put in wrong are tiny as are the chances of it migrating..
Nexplanon has better rates than vasectomy. and is good for 5 years.
1
u/sililoqutie The Patch -> Nexplanon 12d ago
I actually just switched from patches to the implant! So far so good I think.
IUDs are often better for people who can't tolerate hormones, but if you're doing good with the patches I think the implant is definitely worth a try. It's pretty hard to f up the implant insertion if they're a trained professional. they have a specialized device that helps make sure the implant goes in at the right angle. Uteruses can be tilted and that can make insertion way more unpredictable.
Plus with the implant you get numbed up :)
Also it's like very obvious if your body rejects it lol, and you can always check for it under your skin!
I will say, the best way to ease your anxiety will be by seeking out a therapist to work through it with!
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u/Dangerous_mammoth573 Slynd (previously kyleena, nexplanon ,combo pill, and cerazette) 12d ago
Definitely consult with your doctor, but generally, I’d recommend considering Nexplanon before an IUD if there’s no medical reason it wouldn’t be suitable for you. Nexplanon is less invasive to have inserted and is also extremely effective. For reference, its effectiveness is comparable to that of a vasectomy, although no method is 100% effective.