The Pill

Dinah93

I have high blood pressure at 24 and have been told basically I have two options. Barrier methods (ie a diaphragm, condoms etc) or a limited hormonal range (implant being the most heavily reccomended). I went for the implant. It's the size of a matchstick, it can be put in by a trained doctor or nurse in most practices although in some areas you go to the hospital clinic. You get a local anesthetic in your arm a small knick is made and it goes under the skin. You get a bit of bruising but it's a fairly simple process. I was told it lasts 3 years, although I'm just over 9 stone so maybe a slightly larger lady might need it replacing more often.

I've been on it 8 years now, no accidents, only have to think about contraception every 3 years, and a very happy, healthy sex life with my OH. I would thoroughly recomend getting a more clued up doctor, or making an appointment at your local sexual health clinic to discuss your options because this sounds like its having a really bad effect on you (although that you have to go to another room to avoid 'demands' makes me worry more about your relationship than your contraception).

Dinah93

They'll discuss all the suitable options with you. Depending on what is suitable, you might get another option there and then. For example the mini-pill or a diaphragm, however if you go for a coil or implant then you'll likely be asked to come back to have it fitted.

lkmc01

The slepping in the other room is actually to do with the fact that I don't want another child and I feel like a don't trust myself to make sure a condom is being used all the time. Nothing to do with trusting partner either as I know he'd never not use one whilst thinking straight. But its the not thinking straight that I'm worried about.

:rolleyes: How quickly do you think the clinic could sort me out with something? :rotfl:

On Friday?:rotfl:

Not like I'm desparate or owt!!

lkmc01

and so because I don't like condoms it means we don't have sex very often. I would like to more often, but not with the bl**dy condom. We probably have sex about once every 6 weeks

lkmc01

the don't want anything thats going to interupt sex anymore. In terms of needles, I don't like blood tests at all, but don't mind quick injections.

Is the implant painfull to put in? Can it be felt all the time its left in? Can it be seen when you wear sleaveless tops? Does it cost? How quickly does the procedure last?

thanks

lkmc01

also with the implant does fertitly come straight back after you have it removed for future reference

BallandChain

I've just done a search for various contraceptive methods and found this NHS link:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/sexualhealth/Pages/contraceptionguide.aspx?WT.srch=1

If you scroll down the page it lists all different types of contraception including the implant. Just click on any of the contraceptives listed and it gives you more information.

BallandChain

Here is the article on implants:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Sexualhealth/Pages/Contraceptiveimplant.aspx

What is it?
A small (40mm), flexible tube containing progestogen (a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone). The implant is inserted under the skin of your upper arm by a trained professional. The implant available in the UK is called Implanon, and lasts for three years.
The implant is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method.
How does it work?
It slowly releases progestogen into your body. The main way the implant works is to stop the release of an egg from the ovary. It also thickens cervical mucus and thins the womb lining. This makes it harder for sperm to move through your cervix, and less likely for your womb to accept a fertilised egg.
How effective is it?
If used correctly it is over 99% effective. This means that less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
Added benefits?

• Once it's in place, you don't have to think about contraception for three years.
• It can be useful for women who cannot use contraception containing oestrogen.
• If you experience side effects, you can have it taken out.

Anything else to know about?

• You could experience some bruising, tenderness or swelling at first where the implant was inserted.
• For some women their periods may change, becoming lighter or heavier and longer.
• Some medicines or homeopathic remedies may reduce its effectiveness. Ask your doctor for more details, or contact fpa (see Useful links).

If you aren't in a monogamous (faithful) relationship you should help protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections by using condoms as well as the implant.

margaretclare

I wish some of you young women would take the issue of high blood-pressure a bit more seriously.

It can be, and it is, a killer.

My younger daughter went for a cervical smear test and while there, the practice nurse picked up on the fact that her blood-pressure was in the clouds. She was very healthy, active, not overweight, didn't smoke and wasn't on the Pill - no reason, therefore, why her BP should have been so high. There was a reason which was only discovered on post-mortem - she had a narrowing of the big artery, the aorta, which had been there from birth, but over time, little by little, that and the high-blood pressure which was secondary to it had damaged her heart.

All the concern about methods of contraception may be a side issue to the real one - you're young, you have high blood-pressure, you don't realise what it can do to you. When told you have high blood-pressure your reaction shouldn't be 'oh I can't have the contraception I prefer' but why is it so high, is there a reason, is there treatment?

My daughter could have been treated if we'd known in time, if she'd been willing to accept treatment which she saw as 'being just for old people' and if the problem had been properly investigated and the cause found. She'd have been with us now.

Dinah93

margaretclare wrote: »

I wish some of you young women would take the issue of high blood-pressure a bit more seriously.

I'm really sorry to hear about your daughter Margaretclare, its awful to think things like that can still happen. Unfortunately it's one of those illnesses that because you can't see or feel it it's very easy to convince yourself it doesn't do anything. However I was diagnosed at 14, went onto medication at my doctors advice at 18. I have 24 hour monitoring once a year, twice yearly hospital checkups, quarterly checkups with my GP. I take my tablets every day, I'm about 9 1/2 stone and I go to the gym twice a week which I joined on diagnosis to try to get the bp down a bit lower than the medication seems to manage. Unfortunately after a lot of investigations they can't find a reason beyond genetics (mum and gran were both diagnosed in their early twenties) so all I can do is keep taking the tablets.