Hi ladies! So I've had the contraceptive implant / bar / Implanon in my arm for 5 weeks now and I've gained 2 kilos! I'm a very active person who does 30+ minutes of average - strenuous exercise everyday, and my diet is mostly healthy, but I can't seem to shake this extra weight! It's my first time using it. I've previously tried the pill but suffered terrible headaches so stopped taking it. I don't like the idea of a Mirena or the like up my hoo-ha, so I was really hoping the Implanon would work for me. I'm hoping to hear from others who have experienced weight gain while on the Implanon or other contraception. Did you manage to lose the weight? Is there hope for me, or should I just get used to the extra tyre around my middle? :(
6 Replies
2 kgs weight gain is nothing to worry about. Secondly if it took a few weeks to gain it's going to take at least that to loose. But a little weight gain is normal with hormonal changes as long as it doesn't keep going up I really wouldn't worry about it.
It's not nothing to me, it's out of the ordinary and I've never experienced it before, and it's very noticeable on my frame. I gained the weight despite eating healthy and maintaining my active lifestyle so I'm curious to know if my hormones will settle and I'll be able to lose it, or if upping the intensity of my workouts will help. I'm interested to hear other peoples experiences on the matter. Thanks for your reply :)
I'm with the first poster, seriously, a good bowel movement could be 2 kgs.
I've never tried the implanon but a lot of my friends have and they have all had issues with it and all ended up getting them removed and going back to the pill. One friend got terrible acne from it and her moods were all over the place, another had terrible moods as well and gained a little bit of weight, she used it for many years though but when she stopped using it it took nearly a year for her periods to come back and she had a lot of trouble getting pregnant.
It also works well for a lot of people so I don't want to scare you.
I have had a lot of trouble with the pill as well and have reacted badly to everyone I've tried so far, I have just started a new one and if it doesn't work I give up!
The thought of having something in my arm like really freaks me out for some reason so I wouldn't try it but my advice is to go back and see your doctor if you are worried and if you aren't satisfied with the answer see a different one. My doctor told me that you should give it 3 months for your body to adjust and if it doesn't then you should try something else.
Also just to add, you can also chat to a pharmacist as they know just as much as a doctor will tell you and they can usually advise whether or not you should see a doctor
Thanks hun. I've been keeping an eye out for any other reactions. I haven't suffered any mood swings as yet. I've had an acne breakout which has now cleared, but that's nothing out of the ordinary for me. The only problem I've really had so far is the weight gain and I'm hoping I can fix that.
I was really grossed out by the thought of something foreign in my arm too at first and dwelled on it for a long time before taking the plunge. I was mostly worried because I do a lot of weight training and lift weights everyday, I wasn't sure how it would go, but I don't even notice it! The bar is flexible so I guess that helps. I can't feel it at all unless I feel for it with my other hand. The thought of the Mirena freaks me out even more lol!
Good luck with your new pill, I hope you've finally found something that works for you! :)