Implanon - Has it been removed properly?

Rachmr

Hi

I have a question about the possible problems when an implant is not removed.

Background: I got my first contraceptive implant (implanon) in 2005 and the second in, in 2008 and have had no problems, no periods etc. all went well. I decided not to get another one in as I am getting married shortly and would like to start trying for kids after that. I want to get my body back to a normal cycle and am allowing myself good time to do it. When I got my first implant in the doctor couldn't feel it so sent me for an x-ray and it didn't show up so she put in another implant and that one we could feel. I've read up on implanon and found that the one prescriped before 2010 does not show up on an x ray. I could be wrong about this and maybe it does show up on an x ray but if I'm not should I get an ultrasound/mri done? I know that the implant only lasts three years but still wouldn't like to have it in my system just in case.

I am due to go to my doctor next week for something else but wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience so that I can be prepared for the doctor and have my information correct.

Any help would be appreciated.

netaddict

Hi Rachmr, your right the implant won't show up on x-ray as it was pre 2010 the new version do. Its a common mistake many GPs make but very human as it can sometimes be picked up. Usually identifying the implanon does not require getting to the imaging stage as in most people it can be felt. But the recommendation in your scenario is for a specialist ultrasound. I emphasise specialist as its needs to be done by someone who's trained in this usually a person who works in ultrasound at a gynae department. It often takes quite a bit of looking around. I'm not sure about this but often for this kind of thing manufacturers provide a test to measure the synthetic hormone as while rare failing to find an implanon does happen. Unfortunately it is just something we have to accept as with all medications/procedure their are risks/benefits.

Hope this helps.

Rachmr

Thanks netaddict. I'll look into the manufacture test and talk to my doctor next week about an ultrasound.

Do you think if it was still in my arm and left in that it would cause any problems?

sam34

Rachmr wrote: »

Hi

I have a question about the possible problems when an implant is not removed.

Background: I got my first contraceptive implant (implanon) in 2005 and the second in, in 2008 and have had no problems, no periods etc. all went well. I decided not to get another one in as I am getting married shortly and would like to start trying for kids after that. I want to get my body back to a normal cycle and am allowing myself good time to do it. When I got my first implant in the doctor couldn't feel it so sent me for an x-ray and it didn't show up so she put in another implant and that one we could feel. I've read up on implanon and found that the one prescriped before 2010 does not show up on an x ray. I could be wrong about this and maybe it does show up on an x ray but if I'm not should I get an ultrasound/mri done? I know that the implant only lasts three years but still wouldn't like to have it in my system just in case.

I am due to go to my doctor next week for something else but wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience so that I can be prepared for the doctor and have my information correct.

Any help would be appreciated.

Rachmr wrote: »

Thanks netaddict. I'll look into the manufacture test and talk to my doctor next week about an ultrasound.

Do you think if it was still in my arm and left in that it would cause any problems?

rachmr, you are the first casualty of our updated charter re medical advice.

infracted.