I have an IUD (the nonhormonal one) - and I've never had kids. My gyn recommended that I try it. I have worn one for about 12 years now (it has been replaced once, it's a 10 year one).
I didn't want to be on hormones anymore - so I did the IUD. It is very popular in Europe, and without so many of the issues of pills.

I love it!!!

thanks guys! great info!

See if your insurance covers Implanon. Some do, I wouldn't be surprised if your's doesn't. I have an HMO and they covered it, surprisingly. Not really that great of coverage... I did have to call several times and speak to different people though before I found out that it IS actually covered.

Implanon is NOT cost efficient, if it's not covered. The entire procedure costs over $1000, which is far more than 3 years of copays on BC pills (for me, anyways).

But the great thing about it, is that it only has one hormone (estrogen type) and that it releases far less hormone into your body than the dose you get with the pill, because it's continously released, so it works just as well as the pill. Better in fact, because you can't forget to take it, lol!

It is a minor surgical procedure (they can do it in the office, you'll be out of there in 20 minutes), and I know some people HATE needles and such, but really, I had it done and it wasn't bad at all. Far less uncomfortable than getting my teeth cleaned. Just a little needle prick, they numb you up so you can't feel any pain, and then it's done (kinda a weird feeling when they put it in, but I promise NO PAIN!).

Anyways, look into it. You will get a lower dose of hormones than any pill you could possibly be on, and thus less weight gain, and it's better at preventing pregnancy cause you can't take it even a minute late, and it's SOOOO much easier not having to take a pill! Best thing I ever did!

I am on Yaz...I love it because it has evened out my mood swings, my periods are lighter, and overall I feel better emotionally.

It has done nothing for my weight, though.

Implanon has a progestin hormone, not estrogen....other than that, Athen, you are right on, especially with the efficacy.

im sorry for the confusion- to clarify, not having had kids does not mean you can't have an IUD. many gyns avoid doing it in that case because insertion requires manual dilation of the cervix which can be really painful if your cervix has never dilated before

Women who have not ever been pregnant may still be candidates for IUDs. Some cervices are open more than others, regardless of pregnancy history. When in doubt, it is easier to put in in when the woman is on her menses.

Some people on Yaz or Yasmin or Ocella (generic yasmin) experience a decrease in hunger and a diuretic effect. Some people experience nothing, some people gain weight.

I peed all the time on both Yasmin and Yaz. It was funny, I was watching one of those commercials for overactive bladder that was all, "Do you frequently get up in the night? Do you pee more than X amount of times a day?"....I would completely feel like it was me.

With birth control, it's try one until you find what works for you. If you aren't liking it, let your doctor know you want to switch.

Yaz made me VERY sick. I've been told by one doctor that it was a toxic reaction to the estrogen, and another doctor said it wasn't a "toxic" reaction, just an elaborate one. Within twenty minutes of taking it I was throwing up, and continued to do so for about 24 hours continuously. I've been told that I'll also probably know the day I get pregnant because the estrogen had me SO sick that pregnancy likely will too. So, sadly, I didn't get to really try Yaz.

I have tried depo twice, and it made me gain my weight I'm still struggling with. I had food cravings so bad I'd want to cry if I couldn't have it (thus feeling like a HUGE baby having a tantrum) but it felt like such a dire need it was almost scary.

I've also tried Trinessa (huuuuuge mood swings, morning sickness, acne, weight gain) and Ortho tri cyclen (same thing)

So right now I'm birth control free. I've been told to try the Nuva ring, but by now I'm too discouraged to try anything else :(



ETA - After reading Zen's post I also just realized that this second time on Depo, I got up in the middle of the night, EVERY night to pee! I've NEVER had that problem in the past, and it lasted two months!!! It probably drove DBF CRAZY! I know it drove ME crazy alright. I never thought of there being a connection before though between peeing and birth control......

well so far I've been taking it for 3 weeks and it hasn't made me gain any weight at all so that's a plus! and it's helped wonders with my moodiness! I'm so much more easy going!

however I have horrible cramps almost daily but I'm not spotting- they feel different from normal period cramps I've never had a baby before but I would guess they feel like contractions? I get a very Sudden sharp pain it's horrible for like 10 seconds and then it goes away? some times I'm getting them every couple mins and on some days I only get them a few times through out the day.. it's weird... and my boobs are soooooo sore! is this normal for being on a new BC?

I would say those aren't happy reactions: when you're on a BCP, the goal is to be the you you're used to-- just safe from pregnancy.
I was on a pill that made my boobs so sensitive, I couldn't wear a bra, and when I didn't, it was worse... so...
I'd say talk to your doctor about a different one...

Congrats on not gaining weight, though!

My BC that I went on recently made me have "contraction" pains too (I've never had a baby, I was also just guessing at what that would feel like)

It passed. I haven't had them since. I wouldn't worry too much :)