contraceptive implant...

Basically it's a tiny flexible stick [same size as a kirby grip or thereabouts] which gets stuck into the underside of your upper arm.

It's done under local anaesthetic, so the most you feel is a bit of a poke and some stinging of the anaesthetic needle itself. Afterwards you get a pressure bandage for 24 hours and then you take it off to reveal a tiny little scar which then heals [mine's hardly visible]. It bruises and may be a bit pinchy for a few days, but it's bearable and touchable.

Basically what it's done for me is to lighten my period SIGNIFICANTLY to the point where I wondered whether I was imagining it. It also dulled cramp. I began to wonder whether it was just a marvellous analgesic/hallucinogen.

For some girls, periods stop entirely [i'm hoping this will happen in time], some they are regular, and some girls will bleed or spot for weeks at a time until it a) settles or b) they decide it's not for them and have it removed. they say allow 3-6 months for settling and adjustment, but you're protected from pregnancy in less than 24 hours.

side effects listed are generally the same as the pill, but since implanon has no oestrogen [mainly progestogen] you're less likely to react that badly, to be honest. I've had none [although it itched like a mofo for about a week]. the medical history checks and stuff are the same as you get for the pill - history of cancer/thromboses/high blood pressure etc etc.

One thing it can give you apparently is ovarian cysts, which 99% of the time go away by themselves, because they're not harmful. some need to be removed though. - they're really rare though.

You probably know they laast for 3 years, and there has yet to be a recorded pregnancy on this contraception. they have never been rejected by the body as the old norplant ones were. they're also far easier to remove, and can be replaced in the same session.

As soon as you have it removed, you do supposedly return to normal fertility, so it's better than the injection on that point.

to compare it to the pill, I'd say it was streets ahead. it's minimal mess, no fuss and full of benefits that you don't have to wake up at 7am for . I'd reccommend it wholeheartedly.

ahem..insert where exactly?

i don't think we have anything like the NuvaRing over here (im possibly wrong)
With the pill it just increased my appetite, so i started eating more, but i didn't really notice til i went from 8 stone 3 to 9 stone 5 in the space of 9 months and went from a 8/10 to a 10/12.