I'm interested to hear from anyone with a contraceptive implant who has noticed (since using the implant) any issues with IBS or stomach problems.
I am slightly overwhelmed by the number of reports of women using the implant who report suffering with anxiety and depression as a result of using this form of contraception.
I have been using the implant since 2011, it seemed to revolutionise my life...or so I thought...I'm now on my third implant (i never last the full 3 yrs without changing it!) I've been very quietly battling my demons..the thought of standing up and admitting "I think I'm suffering with depression and anxiety" was so far out of my comfort zone that I've been slowly slipping away...reading all the comments of previous women has so encouraged me to look more carefully at the implant/health implications that I am now keen to know if others have experienced issues with their digestion / unexplained stomach pain etc.
My own stomach issues started about 3yrs ago. I was going through a divorce and then later got involved in a very toxic relationship, so naturally i put my 'aggravated stomach' down to the stress of life. Since then my issues have increased to the point where I am gluten intolerant and I suspect I am also struggling to digest lactose now. I have suffered with bloating, wind, terrible gurgling noises, pain, poor bowel movements, reactions to certain foods (i.e after eating roasted food i get diarrhoea) a tight knotted stomach, a sensation of racing inside me (which feels like a 'fight or flight' response) and I have now developed a real 'love/hate relationship with food'. Prior to using the implant I had not experienced the above symptoms. My diet has always been really good and well balanced and I generally take very good care of myself. This past year I have noticed a real decline in my energy levels and issues with breathing which have been thoroughly investigated now; with doctors deciding that i am just incredibly unfit, granted my exercise regime could use improvements, I'm a busy person like so many of us, raising a child alone and holding down work...but some days i can walk for 4hrs over the coastal paths and other days just getting out of bed i'm breathless....so people...I'd love to hear from you if this sounds similar to your story...I'm not saying the implant is to blame, but if there is a connection I'd love to know so that i can get it removed and have the chance to eat croissants again!! The thought of removing it is a scary one for many of us, i personally worry that the PMT i used to experience will once more swap my life and of course there is that monthly inconvenience which I've been free of since I started using the implant.
Thanks for reading and for those of you who shared your stories, it's been enlightening