Contraceptive Implant

[Ness]

Hi all,
Wondering if ant of you have dived with the contraceptive implant?

For those unsure of what I'm raving on about, a product called Implanon here in Australia, it's a thin plasticy rod kinda thing, about 2 inches long, it's inserted into your upper left arm. It then releases hormones slowly over 3 years so you don't have to take contraceptives. I'm certain you must have something similar in other countries?

I guess I am wondering about physical side-effects (e.g. how do you go with suit-squeeze in a drysuit? How long did you have to wait before you got back in the water? Can you feel the rod at depth?) plus hormonal side-effects (e.g. I know that a lot of trans-dermal medication applications are not suggested for diving as they can cause strange reactions).

My Gyno is not a diving specialist so had no answers for me.

If anyone has any info to share, I'd *love* to hear it!

Thanks heaps,

Ness

 

[scubawife]

I haven't used it myself and don't know anyone who has, but, I did ask my Gyno about it last year. She's stopped using it for her patients because there was a high number of infections (around the implant site) and nasty homronal caused side effects. It's possible that the product you've got in Australia is more advanced and has eliminated these things (the US is usually last to approve anything and get it on the market), but I'd try and find some women who've been using it and see what they have to say.

As for effects with diving, try DAN. Not sure if you've got an equivalent in Australia, but DAN's website is www.diversalertnetwork.org. They've got a pretty good medical section, and you could also email a question if it's not covered.

 

[AliKat]

I had a Norplant (I think this is similar to what you are talking about) for 10 years. When I got my first one, I taped it up really well, then taped a bread bag over it, and did my OW pool dives the same day I had it inserted. I had this one replaced 5 years later when the first one expired. I have been diving all along and have never had a problem...to include the pool work I did the same day it was inserted.

My second one is now is expired, and its time for some a more permanent solution, but I loved my norplant. I had no negative side effects and it never interfered with normal activity including diving.

 

[Otter]

but my wife has a contraceptive device that seems as permanent as an implant.......teenage sons!

 

[Ness]

AliKat, thanks for sharing your experience, I think I'm gonna go ahead and get it put in.

Scubawife - yep, we have DAN here, but they weren't able to give me any practical advice, just said that there are no negative medical issues with using it.

I'll let y'all know if I have any problems with it!

Regards,

Ness