Nexplanon implant and pole

Kate O started this discussion · 2/15/2015

Lovely ladies of SV! I'm getting a contraceptive implant fitted in a couple of weeks and am trying to decide which arm to get it in. Most people get it in their non dominant arm, which would be my left, but when I invert on my 'good' side the pole is pressing into my left armpit/bicep and I'm worried about it hurting or causing damage. But I understand there's often soreness for the first few days and I don't want my dominant arm to be out of action for all my day to day stuff, at work etc. I just wondered whether anyone who's got an implant could offer any thoughts or info about their experiences? :)

11 replies

Idreamincolour · 2/15/2015
Sorry. Never had an implant put in so can't speak from experience. I think it's best to speak to your healthcare provider and let them know how you plan on using your arm in every day life. After that, you may decide to go with a contraception that better suits your needs.
Phoenix Hunter · 2/15/2015
I never had the implant but my sister and friend had an implant contraception in their arm and both of them had problems with the implant actually perforating through their skin and had to get them removed. this was about 18 years ago so maybe that technology has improved alot since then. I personally would not get this type of birth control because it is just placed under the skin and for what we do on the pole that would be a problem.hopefully someone who has actually had it themselves can tell you better information. it maybe so much better now days but I am skeptical.
Runemist34 · 2/15/2015
Probably best to ask your doctor or whoever is helping you with this decision! You can explain your needs and the ways your exercise may deal with the site of the implant, and see if they can come up with some solutions for you :)
Kate O · 2/16/2015
I'm definitely going to get it as I want something more permanent than the pill and I don't want the coil/IUD. It's the most effective contraception you can get and you just get it put in and leave it for 3 years, I'm definitely going ahead with it so I'd prefer not to hear horror stories about it unless they're pole related please! Of course I will ask the doctor when I get there, but if anyone here has one I'd really like to hear how it has (or hasn't!) affected your poling. :)
I polekat I · 2/16/2015
i have had this implant for the last few years!! the first time i got it was a while before i started poling so it wasnt an issue healing etc, the procedure is over very quickly but i was a little sore afterwards - but it is more painful when u go to have it changed cos they have to pull it out and put a new one in- i definitely had trouble for the first few days doing things like changing gears in the car (pushing the stick up wasnt a problem but pulling it down really hurt!! ) and it did bruise a lot (but my nurse was pretty heavy handed , she was training so it took her a few go's to get it out! =S ) now i am poling a lot i hardly notice it , but i do try be careful if im trying stuff like yogini where the pole is pressed hard against that bit of your arm cos it can get a bit sore if u bash it too much. but could be cos the one i have in now is very prominent (see pic) , i can see it in my arm very clearly like it is close to the surface, whereas with my previous one i could barely see anything, i had to feel with my fingers to find it. i should probably have mentioned something at the time haha but when the nurse finished she looked at it and said 'perfect!!!' so i thought it must be OK =P but my first one must have been a little deeper and felt a good bit more comfortable, i will point it out when i next go to have it changed... so might be worth to mention poling when you go =) hope this helps but feel free to ask any specific questions! =D
I polekat I · 2/16/2015
I polekat I · 2/16/2015
i sometimes wonder if its my new pole muscles pushing it closer to the surface.... =P but yeah my first one was much more subtle xoxox
Phoenix Hunter · 2/16/2015
Sorry I was not trying to scare you or bombard you with horror stories.
Kate O · 2/16/2015
Phoenix no worries :) Polekat thank you so much for your input. Wow yours looks REALLY close to the surface! I've got a couple of (non-poler) friends who have them and theirs aren't visible but you can feel them. Eek. I'm a bit icky about that sort of thing so I hope I can't see mine all the time. Glad to hear it's been okay for pole though! I think I'll skip class the week that I get it done to be on the safe side.
Aerial Flora · 2/16/2015
I got the Nexplanon in my left arm in December. Originally, I planned to avoid it due to fear it would bother me during pole, but I'm too small for an IUD so it was my alternative. I explained to my health care provider that I pole dance and that some tricks do press into the inside of the arm, and she tried to strategically place it toward the lower part of my arm more toward my tricep. The implant is not a solid rod; it is flexible. My doctor did not think it would penetrate my skin because of this. I mainly invert with my right hip to the pole, which is why I selected to have it placed in my left arm. It throbbed and was quite sore the day after insertion, and I avoided pole for about a week to give the insertion site time to heal. I have mashed my left arm against the pole a few times which was rather painful, but I think that pain has diminished over time as all of the bruising has dissipated. While I enjoy having the long term birth control option, I will say that it had been mildly problematic for me as a poler.
Kate O · 3/2/2015
Thanks Aerial Flora, just read your reply. I'm going to get it put in tomorrow (eek!) and will mention this to the nurse so maybe she can position it strategically. Thanks again everyone!