Implanon and Depression: What Users Say

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Beware and do extensive research on Implanon before you get it. If you’ve found this forum, I’m proud of you. Doctors and first initial 'Implanon' Google searches do not yield all side effects. After I had the Implanon inserted, I had intense mood swings of immense sadness and unnecessary anger towards loved ones. After 3 months, the mood swings settled down to constant depression and anxiety. It took me 8 months to connect the dots of side effects to Implanon: the 10 kg weight gain, the mental illness, the COMPLETE AND UTTER LOSS OF LIBIDO, and loss of any natural lubrication ('getting wet') on the odd chance that I did want to have sex with my fiancé. This was huge for me and caused a lot of insecurity because my body simply wouldn’t respond to sexual advances, even things that usually always turn me on. I feel numb most days. Last week I went to my GP to get it removed, she said no. She wouldn’t remove it because I’m a 20-year-old. I’m going back in today to demand it be removed."

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Beware and do extensive research on Implanon before you get it. If you’ve found this forum, I’m proud of you. Doctors and first initial 'Implanon' Google searches do not yield all side effects. After I had the Implanon inserted, I had intense mood swings of immense sadness and unnecessary anger towards loved ones. After 3 months, the mood swings settled down to constant depression and anxiety. It took me 8 months to connect the dots of side effects to Implanon: the 10 kg weight gain, the mental illness, the COMPLETE AND UTTER LOSS OF LIBIDO, and loss of any natural lubrication ('getting wet') on the odd chance that I did want to have sex with my fiancé. This was huge for me and caused a lot of insecurity because my body simply wouldn’t respond to sexual advances, even things that usually always turn me on. I feel numb most days. Last week I went to my GP to get it removed, she said no. She wouldn’t remove it because I’m a 20-year-old. I’m going back in today to demand it be removed."

• Lil...
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had 2 implants, the first one was fine. I would get my period maybe 3 times a year and very light, so once I removed it, I got a new one. It has been a little more than 2 years. I have gained 5 kg, I exercise a lot, started doing 16 hours fasting, and stopped eating meat. Even after all this, I haven’t lost any weight. But then comes the worst part. Since I got the new one, I have my period all the time, sometimes for 3 to 4 weeks straight. For the past 5 months, my boyfriend and friends have been warning me about my mood swings. For the past 4 months, I feel horrible anxiety, something I never had before. Now, after my long period, I have sad thoughts coming into my mind out of nowhere. I cry over nothing, and I just don’t understand where this sadness is coming from. Once I started researching about it, I read so many comments of similar situations and decided I’m getting it removed next week. I do not recommend this, the depression that puts you in and no one tells you about it!"

• Kdu...
• October 27, 2009

For Birth Control "It's been almost a year since I got it, and I haven't gone a full week without bleeding. I have gained 15 lbs in 7 months, very depressed, moody, bad cramps, headaches, muscle aches, weakness, digestive problems. The list goes on. I thought it was all in my head, so I'm glad I found these reviews because I am now going to get it removed!"

• Ali...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Implanon on August 6th, 2013. Soon after, I noticed non-stop bleeding and mood swings. I cried very often and also ended a relationship. I went through depression, anxiety, and had serious headaches. I haven't quit bleeding for more than a week since I've been on it. I don't recommend it to anyone under 18."

• Fel...
• November 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have only had the Implanon for 4 weeks and am going in today to have it removed. I chose this because it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' easier birth control. But the side effects for me have been horrendous. I have had severe anxiety, mood swings, and depression. And instead of little issues rolling right off my shoulders, it feels as though it's the end of the world. I've never struggled with this before. I've also had literal thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Also, it caused my sex drive to become pretty much non-existent. Coming from a woman who has been with the same man for 12 years and could have sex 3 times per day. I started having no sex drive and had a very dry vagina."

• SFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had my Implanon since May 30th, 2013. I have not stopped bleeding since I got it. I have crazy mood swings, I get extremely depressed, crave junk food, my sex drive is way down, I get horrible headaches, and abdominal pain."

• Emm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I would just like to tell people my story of having the Implanon and the side effects I have experienced during this time. I got my first implant 7 years ago. My experiences with the implant have been awful! And this is the reason I would like to give people an idea of what it can do to your body to hopefully help people deciding whether the implant is for them or if people are experiencing symptoms like the ones I had, then it is most likely due to the implant and the doctors really don't have a clue, as I was told by my GP on several occasions, 'No, it will not be the implant that is causing this,' when in reality I knew it was. When I had it removed, it confirmed that I was right. So here is my story.. With the implant, I gained so much weight, which I have been unable to lose. I bled heavily during sex, and when I say heavily, I mean it went everywhere!! And this was on every occasion during intercourse, and when I explained to my GP, in her head, there was no way it was the implant! And this was when I was not bleeding, which wasn't very often. This really does affect your life, your sex life, and your relationships. I bled almost all the time without a break, which makes you feel so uncomfortable and self-conscious. I never had clean knickers!! I know, not nice. My hormones have been everywhere since I got the implant, also depression, anxiety, etc. Pain during intercourse was a big issue while on the implant. I had so much pain that sometimes I could not have sex with my partner. Sometimes I would not lubricate myself, which was also another symptom. GP did not help with this either, apart from offering me lubricant!! If I was not bleeding, I had dark brown discharge. Until having the implant removed, I cannot remember the last time I wore white knickers. There is so much more, but these are the main symptoms I have experienced more recently. I had my implant removed on 6/11/17, and when having it removed, I was intimidated by the nurse who was removing it, she was very rude!! Anyway, I stopped bleeding straight away. I started my period on 10/11/17, which lasted 4-5 days. I have never bled since, not even a spot!! My partner and I can finally enjoy intercourse without the worry about me bleeding or being sore. I can even wear WHITE knickers now, and they stay WHITE!!!! IT'S AMAZING!! I have never felt so happy! I was starting to doubt my body while on the implant. I thought, my body isn't normal, there's something wrong with me. At one point, I thought I had cervical cancer due to the bleeding during sex. My whole life has changed since having the implant removed, I feel so much better and back to normal, whatever normal is.. I really hope that by sharing my experience, if I can even help one person, I will be happy☺️. Thank you for reading, and if anyone would like to write to me regarding this, feel free to do so. Thank you."

• Jul...
• June 4, 2014

For Birth Control "Implanon often tends to get a bad rap, but so too does every other type of contraception. I was on my first lot for 3 years, never having a period. After it ran out, I waited two months before getting a new one. In those two months, I had regular periods. When the new one was inserted, I went back to no periods. My mother had an implant for years with regular periods and loved it. I have loved it. It was the best thing for me as I have depression, and the pill and some injections caused me to become lifeless and made my depression horrible. Everyone is different, so different things work for different people. The upside of the implant is that if you do have issues, you can take it straight back out with no side effects. I recommend it."

• Sch...
• September 2, 2016

For Birth Control "What everyone needs to realize is that everyone's body is different and reacts differently. You have to see what's best for you!!! You may react differently than the next person. I was on the shot for 8 months and gained 20 pounds and fell into a terrible depression. I've switched and have been on the implant for 8 months now and have dropped 10 pounds! No depression! I'm actually happy! No mood swings. I'm very satisfied so far with the results. So my advice, find what fits you and your body. You may have to try a couple until you find a fit. But don't go off of how other people's bodies reacted."

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I had Implanon placed back in 2010 for 3 years, later found out it was extended to 5 years. I didn't notice any side effects right away. My sex drive was normal, skin normal, everything was fine. I noticed a major change after 4 years. I started getting depressed, angry for no reason, 0 patience. As time went on, I started becoming a really mean person, uninterested in everything. I would eat and snack constantly. I didn't want to go anywhere or see people because I just didn't care to converse or act like I cared what was happening in their life. My sex drive was low. My health started being affected too, I suffered from severe migraines, nausea, mood swings. I went to the doctor, had MRIs done, and nothing came from it. I was 'fine.' I didn't even think to associate my birth control with it. I started getting educated, read reviews, and saw that I was not alone. It is now removed, and I am slowly becoming the woman my family deserves. I would 100% not recommend this birth control. I hope this helps someone."

• ypa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I gave it a 2 because I never got pregnant on it. After much research, I decided Implanon was my best bet since I wouldn't have insurance anymore. The first couple of months were good until I got a period that never ended. After 2 months of bleeding, I got on birth control pills to regulate my period. I was good for 2 months, then started the bleeding again. I basically had my period for 3-4 weeks, then spotted for 2, and if I was lucky, had 2 weeks period-free. I gained about 20 pounds in the first 3 months, which I could not lose no matter what I did. Mood swings were awful, at one point, I was depressed. My skin got bumpy. Finally, I got insurance to take it out."

• Sam...
• January 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted in October 2014. The first couple of weeks, I felt quite queasy and depressed. After a few weeks, I was fine. I have not gained any weight or had any nasty side effects. I have a light and short period once a month. However, sex drive has gone out the window."

• Hyd...
• November 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon in May 2011 after my son was born. I didn't have a period for a month after that like normal. Then the spontaneous bleeding began (like I expected, the doctor told me it would happen), but then 2 months passed, then 3, then 6! With almost constant bleeding, I called my doctor, and she said to give it 6 more months, and at the year mark, my periods would stop altogether. That day came and went, but the problem continued. Along with that, I have had a nonexistent sex drive, severe weight gain, acne, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, and hair loss, getting it out in 2 hours!"

• Syd...
• April 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I am getting this removed as soon as possible. I have only had it in for a few weeks now, but I just cannot handle what it is doing to me. I am having massive anxiety and depression. It's literally driving me nuts. As I read other women's reviews, I see other side effects such as weight gain and nonstop bleeding, and I know that's something I do not want to experience either."

• Wjc...
• May 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I got Implanon put in February 2013, while I was on my cycle. My cycle stopped when it was supposed to. About two weeks later, I bled constantly. The Implanon caused me to have many side effects. I got depressed, anxious, sad, and hormonal. And I bled constantly until May. Everyone is different, and everyone's body responds in a good or bad way. After having it removed, I'd say I'm 99 percent better."

• Jan...
• October 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I've had the implant for almost 2 years and bled for almost 2 months to begin. Each month following, I would have heavy bleeding once or twice a month, irregular periods, long periods. Once, I was bleeding very heavily for about 4 weeks and had to go to the hospital as I felt like I was slowly dying from blood loss. I used to be on the pill, which at the time I didn't realize how crazy it made me until after I stopped, and now realize the Implanon is the reason I have been depressed, unhappy, anxious, and fatigued. I'm getting this out next week and planning to use Natural Cycles for a while to rid my body of excess hormones. My friend had a nerve wrap around her Implanon, which caused numbness down her whole arm. Other friends have experienced mood changes and generally not feeling themselves. One friend had this in after having a baby, and to my knowledge has had no issues with it, so it really does depend on the person."

• Ies...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon since February 2013. The first day I had nausea, but the doctor told me that would be expected. I was on Depo before this. My first period was 3 days, and my next period was 2 weeks long. My side effects are cramps, headaches, depression, and sore breasts. I like the fact I haven't gotten pregnant, but the bleeding part drives me crazy. If the periods didn't come often and the side effects weren't so significant, I would love this, but periods are the negative."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the implant since September 2016, and whilst I acknowledge that it is one of, if not the most reliable methods of contraception, I am shocked at the changes it has imposed on my body. Since insertion, I have gained 2 stone with no changes in my diet or exercise, and my mental health has been particularly bad. It goes without saying that everyone's body responds differently to contraceptives, but this has not worked for me."

• Sec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Honestly, it's not worth it. Was on it years ago for almost the whole 3 years, went from 65 kg to 96 kg. I just got another back in 2 weeks ago after successfully losing 23 kg. In the time of having it back in, I'm almost 4 kg up ALREADY!! I crave food all day, every day, I literally cannot stop eating. It's all I want to do. I'm constantly tired, have headaches, and feel depressed because of all these symptoms. I'm so upset about my weight gain and so scared it's just going to get worse. I'm having it taken out tomorrow."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Personally, I love this birth control method, and I even have recommended Implanon to several of my friends. Insertion didn't hurt much, although, I do have a very high pain tolerance. The days following insertion were the worst, pain-wise, but it wasn't unbearable. I did experience nausea and dizziness in the first couple of weeks as my body adjusted to the hormones. I've actually lost weight, and I haven't had a period or even a single pimple since insertion. The only serious side effects were emotional lability (probably the most concerning), rapid mood swings, and some slight depression, but honestly? Worth it. It's a hassle-free birth control method, and I absolutely love the peace of mind it gives me."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "2 months after I had my baby, I decided to get the Implanon. Worst mistake EVER. I had no sex drive at all, and my mood swings were so bad that my husband and I almost broke up over me being in such a bad mood all the time. I also got very depressed. I knew it wasn't the baby blues because I was so happy with my new daughter. Right after I took it off, I started feeling like myself again."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2018

For Birth Control "As I'm sitting here writing this, I have the Implanon in and trying to figure out what's wrong with me as I'm crying reading these reviews. This birth control, as far as not getting pregnant, it works. But I used to be happy, energetic, loved going and doing all the time. And now it's like I don't even know who I am anymore. I'm lost, weak, and just feel like dying, laying down and never waking up again. All it has done for me is make me have heavy bleeding, mood swings, depression. I don't recommend this to anyone."

• Cas...
• September 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I was 140 lbs at the time of insertion. I've had this BC for a little over a year now. I am now 115 lbs, can't gain weight, no appetite due to the depression, and very low on energy due to the lack of nutrition. Migraines just started, they last for about 3 days. No sex drive, minor acne, NO PERIOD, moody, back pain, sore throat, flu-like symptoms that go away within a day. Some episodes of vaginal itching."

• Lau...
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "Before getting this, I religiously read the reviews, and I was terrified. Weight gain, no sex drive, depression were common things I was reading in every thread. However, I have had an amazing experience, and I just want to remind everyone that everyone has different reactions, and keep in mind that it's normal for people to post negative reviews, but people rarely post positive reviews. I went on this from the NuvaRing. I haven't gotten my period since I've had it, which is great! No weight gain (but I do work out and eat decently), and I haven't had feelings of depression. My sex drive isn't as high as it was without any birth control, but it's definitely higher than it was on the NuvaRing."