Implanon or Mirena

You have more than two options... pooh pooh to that doc. I hate when docs do things like that.

I think of the three (implanon, mirena, and depo) mirena has the lowest amount of hormones. I'm not too sure about implanon. All of them use the same hormone, progestin, so you might have similar reactions to all of them. However, depo (to my knowledge) is a stronger dose so while you might feel crazy on depo, but not on mirena. (However, there is a small chance you would feel crazy on mirena too, you'll never know until you try it)

Implanon and Mirena both have similar risks too, that they might come out. Both are pretty rare. Are you comfortable touching yourself? Because with Mirena, you'll have to reach in and check the strings every month (every week for the first while) and that's kind've a pain. I'm not sure about implanon, I've heard there can be issues with scratching at the incision and the implant coming out. All of this is rare.

You could also try paraguard, which is a hormone free iud. Good option if your doc is concerned about your blood pressure. You won't have any hormonal side effects, though your period might be heavy for the first few months. In general it will stick to your normal cycle.

I'm guessing your doc just doesn't want you on estrogen- in that case, you could try pop's too (progesterone only pills, also known as mini-pills). The downside to mini pills is that you have to be really really careful about taking them at the same time every day.

There are other things too, such as a diaphragm used with spermicide, condoms, etc. Those wouldn't effect your blood pressure and many women rely on them.

My suggestion is to go to a website such as planned parenthood's site- they give you lots of options for different types of birth control and what the good things and bad things are for each type.

Every type of birth control affects every woman differently, and unfortunately, you'll never know until you try them. I will tell you that most women are happy with the type they choose. Mirena is really easy for your doc to remove if you're not happy... I don't think implanon is as easy to remove. Mirena lasts for 5 years, implanon for 3. It's your choice!

The implanon is the best so far to me. Ive heard girls saying their partner can feel the strings on the mirena during sex. My implanon was simple, little pain, but EASY to put and and my doc said its EASY to take out. I havent had a problem with it. i spotted a bit for a while but im not now. There will be random spotting but I have high BP too. its been great. The site doesnt hurt and playing with the "rod" in my arm is a plus to gross people out (My mil..)

Its a 50/50 street. Have the doc in your crotch or a rod in your arm. Im all for my arm

I just had my implanon taken out yesterday after a year of having it in. I bled 95% of the last year (18 weeks straight was not uncommon) and it was the heaviest periods I've ever had. I used overnight pads day and night. I would bleed for 12-18 weeks straight then stop for 1-3 days then it would start again. I bloated constantly and broke out all of the time, which I never did prior to the implant. I also had severe menstrual-like cramping and lower back pain. I was miserable. My doctor kept telling me this was all normal but I just couldn't take it anymore. It took over an hour to extract it yesterday and instead of 1 incision, it took 4! I had to get stitches in my arm and she said I will definitely have a decent sized scar. I am now having withdrawal symptoms (nausea, the shakes, a headache) and they told me to expect that for about 2 weeks. I will tell everyone that I know NOT to EVER get Implanon!

I've had Impanon since 2003 and never had a single issue. I had it removed in 2006 to fall pregnant and then had a second one fitted after the birth of my son. The only issue I've had is a tiny (one stitch) scar on the underside of my arm where it has been inserted and removed. It is an individualistic thing though - my sister had one inserted at the same time as my second one and ended up with problems much the same as jennf817 describes (although not quite as severe). I'm now due to change it again and my gyno has suggested Mirina as it lasts 5 years instead of 3. I am very confident in recommending Implanon to anyone. Make sure you are confident in your doctor's ability to insert Impanon as it should require no more than a centimetre long incision. While using Implanon, my periods became much lighter and infrequent - one every 3-4 months for 3 days or so. I've decided to try the Mirina because the hormone release is direct and does not effect the entire body, which can apparently decease periods substantially and leads to fewer potential PMS-like symptoms such as bloating, cramps and weight gain.

I currently have the mirena and its the worst thing for me that is why i am here doi8ng research... mirena sounds great by the way they advertise no worries for 5 years etc etc..the mirena is inserted in your uterus to fool your body not to release any eggs so your body all the time it thinks your pregnant. Thats why you dont have periods. but YOU ALWAYS FEEL PREGNANT, ACT PREGNANT, EAT LIKE pregnant monster and the wonderful feeling you have when youre pregnant... lol... who misses that? Lol... with major mood swing i can be nice and than just be very hateful for no apparent reason.. its crazy before u consider it do research.. recently my strings are missing so i had an ultrasound done and i discovered it also created an ovarian cyst.. so yes i would stay away from that if u dont believe me just google mirena side effect and you will see what im talking about

Hi,
I had Implanon for 3 years and it was great, I had no problems at all with it. I decided to try the Mirena after the 3 years was up and it has been awful. The pain of it going in was horrific, when I left the doctors surgery my legs actually went from under me. I had a whole night of really really bad cramps then just months of back ache, bloating, terribly sore breasts, I now have ovarian cysts and all the symptoms that go with those. I suffer from anxiety and get upset very easily since having the mirena. I am having it out in a couple of weeks and having the Implanon again. I would not recommend the Mirena.

I have had the mirena for 2 years. Getting it put in was so quick it took me longer to get undressed. I had cramps for about 3 months contraction like cramps when i was ovulating then they went away for a few months now there back again. While having sex my husband cant feel it but if im due for my period my right side hurts horribly. Been through 3 ultrasounds and the position of it is good just a side effect some people get my doctor said. She advices me to get the implanon, i have heard very bad side effects from 4 people that ended up switching to mirena..so for now im keeping the iud..good luck everyone

I got implanon about a month ago, I know you said you're scared about the scaring, the scar is absolutely tiny. It's about the size of a tiny little mole, not even mole really, it's more like a freckle. Implanon is amazing. You don't feel it at all, I haven't had any side effects. The period on it is very weird, it's there for a few days, then it's gone for a day, then shows back For a few days. It's not bad at all. I've had amazing results with implanon. But with mirena, if your uterus isn't wide enough, it can poke holes in your uterus. And that doesn't sound appealing at all. I think implanon is the way to go. I will recommend it to anyone.

I got Implanon inserted in December 2008. I am a couple of months overdue to have it removed (insurance referrals take forever) but I am considering switching to Mirena. I haven't had any bad side effects with Implanon really, except I will RARELY have a prolonged period. Other than that, it stopped my cycle completely. I have a TINY, almost invisible, scar where it was inserted. All these horror stories on here about removal have freaked me out a little bit, but I know my OBGYN knows what she's doing so I'm sure it'll be fine. The only reason I'm considering the switch to Mirena is because the hormones stay in your uterus rather than circulating throughout your entire body. Still researching

I'm on my second implanon and the first one was super no faults! My bleeding was regular would bleed for sometimes two weeks then it would stop for two months plus. However on my second one i have broken out into spots on my face chest and back. At first they didn't bother me nothing a bit of concealer couldn't hide but now they are very painful and embarrassing . I had very clear skin before getting the implanon. I now bleed for what has seem like forever. It has reduced my sex drive immensely! I will be considering getting it removed asap

I've had Mirena for a year and a half now. For the past 6 or 7 I've had CONSTANT infections. They come like periods. BV one month, UTI the next, yeast the next. It's ridiculous. I absolutely love my mirena. I really do. But I can't handle having a disgusting vagina. I'm considering getting the implant, but I'm worried that it will make me crazy or bleed like crazy. I had bad periods before I got on the pill, and after forgetting it too many times I got the mirena. My question is, would I continue to have infection problems if I were to get the Paragard (copper iud). Someone give me some insight. I need opinions here.

I wanted to add that up until the past half year, my mirena was perfect. No bad side effects. I was really happy with it. I seriously don't want to get it removed but I can't deal with going to the doctor every two weeks to get treated for another infection.

I had the implanon put in last July after having my son. At first it was great, no periods, no cramping, no spotting, nothing. Then I started dating my boyfriend of 6 months and everything changed. I stated getting anxiety attacks, head aces, mood swings, hair loss, weight gain, etc. AWFUL!!!
Last week I had the mirena put in because my boyfriend and I were on the rocks about everything and I figured it was my birth control and it was. After a week I have noticed a huge difference in just the way that I feel on a regular basis. I'm not tired when I wake up, I don't have any anxiety attacks, I haven't gotten in one of my "moods", I am back to my happy self again. My whole family even notices it after a WEEK of getting it put in.
There are a lot more hormones in the implanon compared to the Mirena. It's different from person to person but I can say that I am 10 times happier than I was a month ago.