Sexual Relationships 
Sexual Health 
This, is a picture of my left arm. That mark you see is the result of my getting birth control. AKA the Rod. No I have not yet had sex so in a way you could say I don't need it. But better safe then sorry eh?
What this myTake is about, is the rod.
What is the rod?
Well, it is about the size of a matchstick, filled with hormonal something's, and is inserted into a woman's arm through a needle the size of your partners penis and lasts three-five years depending on whether you're relying on my memory or the internet. Its purpose is to decrease the possibility of pregnancy by 99% (it will fail for one in a hundred women). (Also its three years, just clarifying for you)
Okay so I lied about the needle being the size of a penis, but it is a pretty decent size. I'll get to that later though.
Why should I choose the rod over any other contraceptive?
Well you could go for my reason, which is laziness. There is no way I was going to remember to take the pill everyday. Hell, I forget to wash my face everyday. Getting a needle every time I want t have sex is just not worth it. And the doctor forbade me from getting the copper IUD (which is what I initially wanted) because I'm not eighteen. (18 being the legal age in Aus. I'm eighteen in just a few weeks). The rod is easy to insert, just purchase it, visit your gp and demand they put it in your arm. Easy. Plus I have a thing for needles.
What is it like getting the rod?
Well, it was fun. First I had not realized you had to buy the thing separate so. That was an ordeal as the day i booked it I had no money to buy the rod so had to rebook. So you have to get a prescription from your gp. You go to a chemist, buy the rod. In Australia if you have a healthcare card you get a discount. I paid eight dollars for mine, however, without the health care card it would have been something like two-three hundred dollars. (AUD). Once you have purchased your rod, go back to the gp on the first day of your period, and they will insert it into the arm opposite to that with which you write. So, that was my left arm as I write with my right. What the gp will do, is they will rub your arm down with that brown disinfectant, to clean the area, they will then apply a local anesthetic with a needle. I had to be given two doses as for some reason my arm wasn't cooperating and could still feel pain. I saw for only a split second the needle that my rod was inserted with and I'm glad I was not watching. That thing was big. About two-three millimeters in diameter. Considering it was needed to insert a stick into my arm the size of the needle was a fair call. So I looked away while the gp put the rod in my arm as I knew seeing the needle go in would only cause me to tense my arm and make the whole thing take longer. But I didn't feel it, it didn't hurt, and the anesthetic lasted a good three or four hours. My arm was wrapped up and after a few instructions I was free to go. The whole thing took about ten minutes.
What will the doctor say?
Now, this is something my friend asked me. Her cousin had been made to get parental permission, but I wasn't. The only answer I can come up with for that is that her cousin was fifteen when she got her rod, I'm seventeen. In Australia, sixteen is the age of consent, so. Yeah. Now the doctor didn't say much to me. He told me in an appointment before the rod was inserted to look up the pros and con's online, so I didn't hear any from him (which was kind of shitty, I mean, I might not have had internet for all he knew) but after he got done inserting it, he sat me down and gave me this receipt like thing that serves as a reminder to have it taken out in three years time. He advised that I come back a week later to make sure everything was okay, and after that, when my next period comes to only come back if I notice changes, such as heavier bleeding or worse cramping as those are signs of my body rejecting the hormones the rod gives out. I had no problems and was given the all clear in that week later appointment, and my next period was simply lighter, which I read up online is a good thing. So I didn't go back.
Are there any con's?
Short answer, yes. There are con's to everything. Have I personally experienced any? Other than people questioning the scab like dot on my arm, no. I have experienced no draw backs to the rod.
So here is a list of con's of the rod from the Planned Parenthood website:
Some women may have undesirable side effects while using the birth control implant. But many women adjust to it with few or no problems.
The implant cannot be used by women who have breast cancer.
Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect, especially in the first 6–12 months of use.
For most women, periods become fewer and lighter. After one year, 1 out of 3 women who use the birth control implant will stop having periods completely.
Some women have longer, heavier periods.
Some women have increased spotting and light bleeding between periods.
These side effects are completely normal. Some woman may worry that they are pregnant if they do not have a regular period. But when the implant is used correctly, it is very effective. If you are concerned about a possible pregnancy, you can always take a pregnancy test.
Less common side effects of Implanon include
change in sex drive
discoloring or scarring of the skin over the implant
headache
rarely, an infection or pain in the arm
nausea
pain at the insertion site
sore breasts
weight gain
- See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-implant-implanon#sthash.7ecYDvmE.dpuf
What about pros of the rod?
Of course there are pros as well. These are also taken from the Planned Parenthood website as I am lazy.
Using the birth control implant is safe, simple, and convenient.
Women like the implant because The ability to become pregnant returns quickly when you stop using the implant. It can be used while breastfeeding. It can be used by women who cannot take estrogen. It gives continuous long-lasting birth control without sterilization. There is no medicine to take every day. Nothing needs to be put in place before vaginal intercourse. - See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-implant-implanon#sthash.ItutrKQw.dpufdpuf
(Don't ask about the blue. I have no idea)
What is your experience with the rod?
Easy. My experience has been easy. After getting it put in I was left with a yellow bruise that stuck around for three days. My arm was painful after the anesthetic wore off, and the area where the rod lies was very sore to touch. Though my mother did make the very good point of how piercings also hurt to touch until the flesh around them heals. The rod is essentially a piercing you cannot see. I had to sleep on my back and right side so as not to hurt my arm, though you needn't worry, as I have since learned that the level of pain I had was a less common side effect coupled with my low tolerance for lasting pain. (As in soreness rather than the pain of being pinched). Other than that however, I have experienced no drawbacks other than my currently missing period. The first period I got after receiving the rod was much lighter than I am used to and I had very minimal cramping.
What is the effectiveness like?
As I am a virgin I cannot determine this. However, should the day come that I become with child, I shall be sure to let you know.
Anything else?
I would totally reccomend the rod as a form of birth control.
Live a good life everyone and good luck!
Most Helpful Girl