Author: nessbow

by

What I wore: Behind the scenes

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know by now that I’m in the process of packing up to move to Ballarat.  After six years of living in my hometown of Benalla, I’m ready for a new adventure.  As Moving Day looms closer, I’m trying to take time out to visit some of my favourite places in town for the last time in a while.

One of the hidden gems of Benalla is our costume museum.  It’s tucked away in the tourist centre and it’s a haven for vintage-loving visitors.  It was a visit to this museum when I was in year seven that kindled my own fascination with vintage fashion.  The museum owns clothing and accessories that date all the way back to the 1700’s (older than Australia itself!) which are all carefully stored and cared for on site.  The display items change regularly, and on the Saturday I visited there was an exhibit of 1930’s evening wear in the secondary gallery. The main gallery was devoted to an exhibit of clothing owned by a woman named Margaret Richardson, who was a resident in Benalla until her passing two years ago.  Mrs Richardson was famed for her incredible passion for fashion and her expansive wardrobe.

To visit the exhibit I wanted something fun and comfortable, but still fashionable. I opted for a new swing dress that I was gifted by a friend, and monochrome accessories to compliment it.

I am wearing:


The two exhibitions were magnificent, and we took our time wandering through and marvelling at the beautiful garments. I was especially taken by a heavily beaded cape in shades of blue, purple and green that reminded me of a peacock.  As we moved through the museum, one of the curators struck up a conversation with us about a display of shoes.  After chatting with her for some time, she asked whether we’d be interested in coming out the back of the museum to see the archives.  I nearly clapped with glee.  I’ve been to the museum so many times but I’ve never seen the workroom or archives. And being that I love vintage fashion, you can imagine how exciting this prospect was.

We were taken out the back to the workroom. The centrepiece of the room was a large sewing table, spread with fabric and folders filled with reference photographs.  On a tall sewing form was a forest-green skirt, which our guide explained was a riding skirt from the 1800’s that was in the process of being repaired and restored.  A large cabinet housed bottles of buttons, bolts of thread and all manner of fastenings and trims.

The archive room was our next stop, and it was honestly one of the most astonishing things I’ve seen in my life.  Shelves reached from the floor to the ceiling, each one stacked with slim white boxes. Each box was meticulously labelled with the contents, which ranged from dresses to suits to blouses and even children’s clothing.  Another wall housed a mountain of hatboxes, all similarly labelled and yet another was stacked with boxes of shoes.  Along the far wall was a rail upon which hung evening dresses and furs, again all labelled and carefully wrapped in linen.  I was taken aback by the array of historical garments that were being held here, and it moved me to see them all stored with such care and reverence.  It’s clear to see how much the museum workers care about preserving these items and ensuring that they are properly restored and cared for.  It was nothing short of amazing and I left feeling somewhat awed.

The costume museum has long been a favourite place of mine to visit, but until that day I truly had no idea of the scale of the collection or the dedication of the curators who work to run the museum.  It’s quite fantastic to learn that something so special has been happening right under my nose for all the years that I’ve been attending the exhibits there.  I feel like I got a peek into Santa’s workshop, and I have such respect for the people who have worked so hard to run the museum and preserve these flashes of fashion history.

Advertisements
by

How to remove a butt plug

When I first considered trying a butt plug I did a lot of research.  I read books about anal, I searched for optimal first-time toys, I looked at comparisons of different types of lubricant and checked blog posts outlining backdoor tips.  One thing I noticed was that a lot of the first-time info on using a butt plug was very focused on choosing a toy and inserting it, but almost none of those sources tell you how to remove the plug.  So I wanted to take some time to touch on this subject, because I know it’s something that a lot of people (myself included) worry about when they’re considering trying a plug for the first time.

It’s not as difficult as you’d think

First of all, I want to tell you that getting that plug out of your backside isn’t as tricky as you’re imagining it will be.  I always thought that taking a plug out was going to be really difficult.  I think that’s because I’d read so many articles about how strong your sphincter can be, and how your butt can suck up toys that don’t have flared bases.  All of this advice had given me the impression that my anus was akin to an industrial-strength vacuum, and once something was in there it would hold on relentlessly.  And this just isn’t true.

Sure, your internal sphincter can be mighty strong, and your butt is capable of swallowing items that don’t have a base.  But it’s also important to remember that your anus is designed to push things out.  So if you’ve got a plug anchored in your butt, it’s not  very difficult to remove it.

Relax

The most important thing you can do is relax.  If you’re tense and worried about getting the plug out, then your muscles are going be tighter and you’ll have more resistance to contend with. So even if you’re nervous, try to chill out.  Take a few deep breaths and exhale through your mouth.  The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to remove the plug.

Don’t stress about mess

Another misconception about butt play is that it’s messy.  As long as you’ve prepared properly for play, and you’ve listened to your body, you’re unlikely to encounter any fecal matter.  However, it’s also important to set your mind at ease so that you aren’t tense and worried.  You might find it more reassuring to remove your plug in the shower or sitting on the toilet.  It’s also a nice idea to have some tissues or a towel on hand to wipe your hands and carry the plug in to wash it off.

Pay attention to your jaw

One of the first places we begin to hold tension in the body is our jaw.  If you’re feeling nervous, you might notice that your jaw begins to clench.  To help you loosen up, take a few deep breaths and consciously relax that jaw.  Unpeel your tongue from the roof of your mouth, separate your teeth and just let some of that tension go.  This will send a message to the rest of your muscles to relax and you’ll find that you feel less tense after you slacken your jaw.

Go slowly

Just like you (hopefully) inserted your plug slowly, you should also take your time removing it.  Sudden movements can shock your sphincter, causing it to tighten up.  You could also bruise or tear the delicate skin in and around the anus if you use too much force.

Once you’re ready and relaxed, get into a comfortable position.  Some people like to sit or squat, others like to stand with one leg on something sturdy.  Whatever feels comfortable and allows you to reach the plug is perfect.  Make sure your hands are free of lube before you begin so that you can get a good grip on the base of your plug.  Once you’re holding the base, begin to gently pull it downwards, nice and slowly.  Keep breathing and stay relaxed while you remove the plug.  It can also help to very gently bear down as though you were passing a bowel movement.  The combination of downward force and pulling slowly on the base should be enough to slide the plug out of position.

It won’t come out!?  What do I do?

First of all, don’t panic.  As I said at the beginning of this post, the more stressed out you are, the more difficult it will be to remove the plug.  Relax, wash your hands, walk around a little and then try again.  If you still can’t get the plug out on your own then it might be time to take yourself to the emergency room. Keep in mind that if you’ve used plenty of lube, chosen an appropriate toy and you’ve followed the steps above, having to get your toy medically removed is a very remote possibility.

Anal play is still a taboo that is shrouded with mystery and misconception.  But in reality, it’s not as scary and difficult as we expect.  Removing a butt plug actually isn’t as hard as you’d imagine.  If you stay relaxed and take your time, you shouldn’t have any issues at all.

by

Product review: Feeldoe by Tantus

The FeeldoeThe Feeldoe is one of the weirder looking toys in my toybox.  It resembles what I imagine a boomerang made out of a cock would look like.  But the value of the Feeldoe goes far beyond it’s appearance, and it’s a surprising and versatile toy.

The Feeldoe is Tantus’s patented “strapless strap-on”.  The idea is that a person with a vagina can insert the short bulb end into their vagina and hold it in place with their pelvic floor muscles.  They then have a cock that they can use to penetrate their partner without having to fiddle with harnesses.  I loved the idea of a strapless strap-on, because although I don’t mind wearing a harness for strap-on play, there was something very intimate about the idea of not needing one, of being able to be completely naked while still wearing a strap-on.  Another reason that I was drawn to this toy is that I felt it would solve the issue I have with the lack of biofeedback during strap-on sex.  See, when you’re having sex with a strap on, you don’t have the same level of sensation as you would if the toy were actually a part of your body.  And so I thought that having a portion of the toy inside me would make it a more pleasurable experience.

After a few tries to use the Feeldoe for it’s intended purpose, I was ready to give up.  As a strapless strap-on, I feel that the Feeldoe fails woefully for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, once the toy is inserted, it juts out at a strange angle from my body.  The stem that holds the bulb end onto the toy is very flexible and the dildo is quite heavy, which causes the cock to bob about wildly when you move.  It makes it difficult to penetrate your partner, to thrust or change positions during sex because the whole unit just feels wobbly and insecure. In order to give the toy some stability, I have to stand with my thighs squeezed together to hold it in place.  Not only is this not a very sexy position, but it is damn hard to thrust when you’ve got your legs held tightly against each other.  I’m afraid that my partner will think I need to pee, or am indulging in a mid-coital Time Warp break.

The other reason the Feeldoe doesn’t work well for me is that it just doesn’t want to stay in position.  See, the funny thing about vaginas is that when they get aroused, they become wetter, more slippery and more open.  And those three factors are disastrous when you’re trying to hold a slick silicone bulb inside yourself while pleasing a partner.  I’m convinced that Xena is the only woman with kegel muscles strong enough to hold this toy in place long enough to fuck her partner with it.  The only way this toy really stays in place is if the person wearing it is lying or sitting and the partner who is being penetrated mounts them.  Which is very fun, but somewhat limiting if you can only use it in certain positions.

On their website, Tantus suggest using a harness with this toy if you have trouble keeping it in place or if you want more support.  Which is fine, but entirely defeats the purpose of a strapless strap on.

So as a strapless strap-on, the Feeldoe really missed the mark for me.  But that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad toy at all!  In fact, I think it’s an amazing toy with several very versatile uses.

Firstly, as a regular dildo it freaking rules.  It’s a nice, firm silicone, it’s got a lovely curve and the pronounced head is wonderful for g-spot play.  It’s also safe for anal play, and the super smooth texture makes it great for going in the back door. It’s also not terribly thick, but nice and long which makes for a very satisfying anal experience if you’re exploring depth rather than width.

The most surprising use for this toy came to me while I was reading this comic by Shelby Criswell for Oh Joy Sex Toy.  In the comic, the author talks about how the Feeldoe opened up a world of masturbation for him by allowing him to masturbate with a penis that feels like it’s part of his body.  When I read that, I had to give this a try.  Now, I’ve never fantasised about having a penis, and I don’t have any kind of dysphoria around my genitals so I can’t speak about those experiences.  But what I can tell you is that the Feeldoe is an amazing masturbatory tool for people with vaginas.  Once the bulb end is inserted, you can jerk the dildo end as though you were masturbating a penis.  The inserted bulb provides internal stimulation on the g-spot and the ridges on the inner shaft generate friction and pressure against the clitoris.  The result is an explosive orgasm that was different to any I’ve had before.  It was a bit of a mind-fuck to be jerking off with a penis, but it was a seriously hot experience.

I definitely recommend the Feeldoe for anyone who has dreamed of having a penis, or for trans men who are finding it difficult to navigate masturbation with a vagina.  I can see the Feeldoe being an incredible tool for healing and empowerment for people who have felt dysphoria around their vagina by offering the opportunity to feel like you’ve got a penis of your own, and derive pleasure from that experience.  If you’re looking for a more realistic version, Tantus also make the Reeldoe, which is a flesh-toned Feeldoe with life-like features (although sadly, it only comes in one shade).

The Feeldoe also features a cavity at the bottom of the toy which can fit a vibrating bullet.  I never use this because the vibrations don’t carry well through the toy and it just gives me the feeling of an itch I can’t scratch.

The Feeldoe is made of glossy, firm silicone which feels super smooth and is easy to clean. It also comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes, including the Feeldoe More, the Feeldoe Slim and the Feeldoe Stout.  Each version comes in only one colour, which is a bit of a bummer but I do love the royal purple hue of my Feeldoe.

It’s difficult for me to give a definitive ruling on the Feeldoe.  For it’s intended purpose as a strapless strap-on, it misses the mark by a mile.  But as a stand-alone dildo it’s excellent.  Best of all, I feel like it’s a really unique toy that offers the opportunity for people with vaginas to experience masturbating with a penis.  The Feeldoe is a toy that opens the door to pleasure for trans men who have felt uncomfortable or dysphoric touching their genitals and I think it has the potential to be a tool for healing and exploration, which is an excellent thing.

by

What I wore: Fuzzy coats and horror brooch

Every year I look forward to winter, getting excited about finally pulling all my fuzzy jumpers and hats out of the cupboard, imagining myself rugging up in adorable vintage gloves and cardigans and prancing about in tall boots.

 

And every year July hits and I am sick of being cold and tired of planning outfits that cover the greatest possible amount of skin.  I just want to wear something that looks cute without shivering through the day.  Luckily a few weeks back I got gifted a bag of second hand clothes from my friend Judith, and in the bag was this amazing nobbly grey coat. It’s heavy and warm, like wearing a blanket, but it still looks super chic.  I’ve been wearing it non-stop, both to work and on weekends.

 

This past Saturday I adorned my new coat with a brooch from Cherry Loco that I’ve had for months but I haven’t worn nearly often enough.

 

I am wearing:

  • Hogwarts raglan tee from Jay Jays
  • Grey Boucle coat (gifted)
  • Checked jeans from Forever 21 (thrifted)
  • Black motorcycle boots from Big W
  • Redrum brooch from Cherry Loco Jewellery
  • Deadpool locket necklace (gift)
  • Ladybug stud earrings from Louvisa

 

Something about this outfit gives me a bit of a Judd-Nelson-from-The-Breakfast-Club vibe. I think it’s the combination of boots and long jacket and red checks that does it.

 

I can never get enough Hogwarts tees.  This is the only long-sleeved one I own.  I wear it so often because the colour palette means that it teams with lots of colours that I typically wear: red, blue, purple and black.  This one is a staple of my winter wardrobe.

I thought about doing a smokey eye to go with my slightly grungy look but instead opted for a clean copper eye.  I watched a makeup tutorial the night before where Detox did a fierce copper eye look and it reminded me how much I love wearing copper eyeshadow.  It’s a very eighties shade, but it’s so flattering on blue eyes and looks brighter than black or grey shadows.

 

This warm, textured coat is breathing new life into my winter wardrobe.  It’s been the perfect thing to pair with so many lighter-weight dresses and shirts to make them winter-appropriate and I’ve loved experimenting with it.

by

20 ways to work D/s play into your daily life

Most of us have pretty hectic schedules and full calendars.  When it comes to finding time for Dominance and submission play (or D/s), it’s sometimes easier to work a little play into every day rather than blocking out a whole evening for a full scene.

couple holding hands love people

Photo by Life Of Pix on Pexels.com

Dominance and submission refers to a type of power exchange where one person takes on the role of Dominant or top, controlling the scene, creating rules for the submissive party and dishing out punishment.  The submissive or bottom follows the rules, giving up some or all of their power to the dominant.  Dominance and submission play is an extremely broad term that may incorporate elements of bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism, or roleplay.  Some people follow a D/s lifestyle, where their relationship permanently takes on these roles and the people in the relationship negotiate ways in which their everyday lives will operate based upon these roles.  Other people may engage in D/s as play only in the bedroom or on specific occasions.  People who enjoy temporary D/s play are more likely to switch roles, sometimes playing the dominant role and other times being more submissive.

 

If you’re interested in D/s play, you might be looking for some ideas to dip your toe into the water. Or perhaps you’re an experienced D/s player who is finding it difficult to make time for full play scenes, but still want to feel connected to your partner in a way that speaks to your power exchange dynamic.  Today I’ve got 20 ideas to get you started, some small ways that you can inject D/s into your everyday life.

*As always, negotiation is a vital part of any BDsM play.  Even with light, daily play, it’s still important to check in with your partner to discuss boundaries, limits and reactions.  Consent is the cornerstone of D/s play, so make sure that your partner is ok with any of the following actions or rules before implementing them.*

  1. The dominant partner chooses the submissive partner’s underwear for the day.  Knowing that your partner has selected the thing that’s closest to your skin is such a turn on.
  2. The dominant partner sends a text message to their submissive, demanding that they sneak into the nearest bathroom and take a sexy selfie for them.
  3. Wearable sex toys provide endless opportunities for daily play.  Requiring a submissive to wear kegel balls or a butt plug while they do household chores, or while out of the house reinforces power dynamics and is physically stimulating.
  4. Develop secret code names for each other to use in text messages or out aloud.  It can be anything that you feel comfortable with, but having a special name to call your partner that reinforces their position, such as Sir, Madam, little one or babygirl is both a term of endearment and a way to signal your dominance or submission discreetly.
  5. Make a rule that when dining together, the submissive partner is not allowed to begin eating until the dominant partner has begun their meal.
  6. Have the bottom serve food or drink to the top. The submissive partner should pour their dominant’s drink before their own.  When serving hot drinks, the handle should always be placed to face the dominant.  (you can find endless articles on D/s serving techniques which can be developed to suit your own tastes).
  7. Create a list of chores that the submissive partner has to complete, as well as a suitable punishment if chores are not completed satisfactorily.
  8. Jewellery can be used to signify submission and ownership.  Collars in the BDsM world often hold a similar significance to a wedding ring.  If you’re not ready for the commitment of collaring, you could try gifting the submissive partner with a necklace, anklet, ring or other piece of jewellery that they can wear regularly to remind them of their partner and their desire for submission.
  9. Make a rule that the submissive partner must ask the dominant’s permission before eating sweets or treats.
  10. When kissing your partner goodbye, gently but firmly hold under their jaw and tilt their head towards yours.
  11. Nothing beats pushing your partner against the wall for a passionate kiss, especially if you pin their wrists in place while doing so.
  12. Have your submissive groom you, helping you to wash in the shower, painting your nails or combing your hair.
  13. Provided the setting is warm and private, have the submissive partner strip naked or to their underwear while doing household chores.
  14. When watching television, the submissive partner could sit on the floor at their master’s feet.
  15. Foot rubs and massages are both relaxing for the dominant partner and a way for their submissive to show their service.
  16. Have a short morning or evening ritual, where the submissive says or texts good morning or good night to the dominant, so that they are the first thing they think of upon waking and the final thing they think of as they drift off to sleep at night.
  17. Have the submissive read erotic stories or poetry to the dominant partner.
  18. During sex or masturbation , the submissive partner must ask permission to climax.
  19. Allow the submissive to lay out the dominant’s clothes before work, or pack their lunch to show service and devotion.
  20. Together, write a mantra or vow that sums up your role in one another’s lives.  Each day, find a moment to reflect on this mantra, and carry it with you.

As you can see from this list, there are a lot of simple, everyday activities that can become a part of D/s play.  That is because Dominance and submission isn’t necessarily represented by specific acts, but by the mindset that accompanies them.  So for a lot of people, doing the dishes is a simple household chore that must be done each day.  But for me as a submissive, doing the dishes for my Sir is a way to serve him and show my love and respect for him.  With a bit of creativity and discussion, it’s easy to think of ways that you can weave Dominance and submission into your everyday life, just by adopting the mindset that “we are doing this as an expression of our dynamic”.

 

It is vital to note that there is no one specific way to incorporate D/s into your relationship.  Every relationship is different and so are the people within it.  People change with time and so the relationship has to be periodically revisited and revised to suit shifting circumstances.  There’s nothing wrong with wanting to just do the odd spot of D/s play, or switching roles as you see fit.  These small acts of D/s can be done as a one-off or developed into an ongoing set of rules or protocols for lifestyle D/s.  The most important thing is to communicate with your partner and ensure that everyone is happy and comfortable with the play you’re partaking in.

 

Do you incorporate Dominance and submission into your everyday life?  What are some other ways that you can weave D/s play into the day-to-day?

 

by

What I wore: body con dresses in winter

Lately I’ve found myself in a bit of a wardrobe rut.  Winter has begun and it’s been icy around these parts.  As such, I’ve found myself reaching for the same warm and cosy clothes over and over.  And that’s fine, but it’s making me feel bored and a bit sluggish. I’m the type of person who needs to dress up once in a while, to put on something fun to sweep the cobwebs out of my brain.  For me, trying something new with my clothes is like a cup of coffee for my soul.

I pulled out a body con dress I was given by a friend a few months ago.  I wore it a lot in summer, but now that the weather has cooled off, I hadn’t reached for it in a while.  I decided to pair it with thermal leggings, boots and a slouchy jumper for a sassy winter look.

I am wearing:

  • floral body con dress
  • Black fleece-lined tights from The Reject Shop
  • Black knitted jumper from Cotton On
  • Black vegan leather boots from Ebay
  • Moonstone ring from Louvisa
  • Dr Frank brooch from Erstwilder
  • Vintage silver earrings.

This almost all-black ensemble felt like the perfect backdrop for my Dr Frank brooch.  He’s one of my favourite Erstwilder creations, and I’m particularly smitten with his tiny pearl necklace.

I paired a few makeup products that I don’t usually wear together- a smokey purple eye with a pink lip and I was pretty happy with the result. I have been wearing a lot of dark lip colours lately and it was a refreshing change to wear something a bit punchier.

It’s so easy to update your summer clothes for the cooler months.  Adding warm legwear, a jumper or cardigan and boots brings your body con dresses forwards into the new season and means that you can get twice as much wear out of them.

 

Do you wear body con dresses in winter?  How do you style yours?

by

My Implanon experience

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that over the last year I’ve had a bit of a struggle with birth control.  I came off the pill after more than ten years in an attempt to ease my chronic migraines.  I tried a Mirena IUD, which initially was great.  But my body expelled the IUD so I was back to square one. After a lot of research and debate, I decided to give the Implanon implant a try.

What is implanon?

Implanon is a long-term contraceptive option.  It’s a flexible plastic rod that’s about the same size as a matchstick. The rod is inserted below the skin on the upper arm.  Once inserted, the rod gradually releases hormones to suppress ovulation.  Implanon lasts three years.

I chose the Implanon for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, even though it’s a hormonal birth control method, it’s a  steady dose of hormones.  I already knew that my migraines were aggravated by the varying dose of hormones in the pill, and that they settled down when I was using the IUD.  So I felt confident that the Implanon wouldn’t trigger my migraines.

I was also keen to try the implant because it is extremely effective.  Implanon is more than 99.9% effective, making it the most effective birth control method on the market. I also liked that it was a “set and forget” method that didn’t require remembering to take a pill or get a shot regularly.  Implanon is also fairly cheap.  I paid $35 for the implant itself and then $70 for the doctor’s appointment to have it inserted.  So all up it was around $100 for three years of contraceptive protection.

Initial difficulties

I had a fair amount of difficulty getting the implant inserted.  I made an initial appointment with my doctor, who answered all my questions and gave me a prescription for the implant.  She explained that she isn’t trained to insert the device herself, but there are five other doctors at my practice who are.  For best results, it’s recommended that the Implanon is inserted on the second or third day of your period, because this reduces the likelihood of side effects.  My doctor instructed me to wait until I had my period and then call the surgery to make an appointment for the insertion.

 

Now, I live in a small country town, and it is very difficult to get a doctors appointment.  I usually wait up to three weeks for a doctors appointment. So I tried to plan ahead.  I got out my calendar and made an educated guess at when I expected my period to arrive, and then made an appointment three weeks in advance.  However I miscalculated and when that day rolled around my period hadn’t started yet.  I went to the appointment anyway but the doctor told me he couldn’t do the procedure until my period began.  He assured me that if I rang on the day my period arrived and explained the situation, I’d be able to get an appointment on the right day.

 

So three days later I got my period.  I immediately rang the clinic to book my appointment, and was told that there were no available appointments.  I explained to the receptionist that my doctor had told me I needed an appointment on this specific day, and that I’d been waiting weeks without contraception.  I asked if she had any emergency appointments set aside.  She said she did, but this isn’t an emergency so I couldn’t have one.  By this point I was fed up.  I was frustrated from the trial and error with birth control, sick of doctors appointments, tired of being anxious about accidentally becoming pregnant (despite being exceptionally careful) while I waited for long term birth control and angry that I wasn’t able to get an appointment on the day I badly needed one.  I burst into tears on the phone.  I think the receptionist was shocked and offered me an appointment the following day.  I tearfully accepted it.

 

Insertion

The day I had the Implanon inserted I was very nervous.  I was mostly anxious that the doctor would refuse to do the procedure again, and that I’d be left without contraception for another month.  But luckily for me, he was happy to put the implant in once I’d confirmed that my period had arrived.

 

The insertion process was very quick and almost completely painless.  The doctor had me lie down and remove my shirt so that my arm was exposed.  He then cleaned the inside of my upper arm and marked the spot where the implant would be inserted.  He gave me an injection of some numbing solution which stung the tiniest bit, and was the most painful part of the whole process.  After that he quickly inserted the implant using  the applicator it comes in. The applicator looks scary, like a plastic gun with a giant hollow needle poking out of it, but it really wasn’t anything to be frightened of.  Basically the needle went right into my arm, under the skin, he slid a lever across which pushed the implant out of the needle and into my arm and then carefully removed the applicator.  He then gently pressed on my arm to make sure that the implant was in there and in the right spot and let me feel it for myself.  Then I got a bandaid and a bandage on my arm and I was allowed to leave.

The results

After the numbing wore off my arm was a little bit tender.  I had some light bruising and I had to leave the dressing on for a few days.  My arm was a little stiff for about three days after the procedure, but not really sore.  I had a little puncture mark where the needle had gone in and I now have a tiny diamond-shaped scar.

 

I love the fact that I can feel the rod under the skin of my arm.  It feels very reassuring to know that it’s right there, doing it’s job.  And it’s a cool party trick to be able to show it off to my friends.

 

I haven’t had any side effects at all since I had the rod inserted.  Some women report itching at the insertion site, headaches, nausea and irregular bleeding.  I have had none of that.  The only thing that’s happened is that my periods have stopped, which is very common with the Implanon.

 

After all the drama I went through to actually have the Implanon put in, I’m so relieved to have found a contraceptive that is working for me without triggering my migraines.  I feel confident that I’m protected from unwanted pregnancy for the next three years, and I don’t even have to think about it.  I’d definitely recommend considering the Implanon if you’re looking for a set-and-forget birth control method that’s fairly inexpensive and very effective.

 

Have you tried Implanon?  Did you like it?  Do you have any questions for me about mine?