Nexplanon for Birth Control User Reviews

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2021

"I’ve been on birth control for as long as I could remember. I’ve tried the pill, the depo shot, and the patches. I got Nexplanon inserted three years ago mainly because I didn’t want to remember having to take a pill or set up a doctor's appointment for the injection. The first year was fine, but after that, my whole life turned upside down. I didn’t relate it to the birth control, but I’ve had severe depression and anxiety, which I’ve never experienced in my life until Nexplanon. This needs to be taken off the market. I’m a very mean person on it, and I get my period for weeks at a time. I’m always crying and being irrational, not to mention the horrible acne this thing puts out. Worst experience of my entire life. I can’t even begin to explain the emotional rollercoaster this type of birth control has put me through."

• Kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2021

"Nexplanon is not worth the mental toll it takes on your daily life. I'm willing to cut it out of my own arm at this point. I'm constantly pushing away my loved ones every night. I have had more mood swings and suicidal thoughts than my entire life and I have a good partner, promoted to my dream job and none of those things matter anymore. The joys in life are gone. It's like having split personalities with this product. The one I got four years ago was great and I would only cry at stupid things. This time around I can't stand to be alive. Don't do it. Find another way there is something wrong with this product."

• Jan...
• September 12, 2020

"I have had my Nexplanon implant in for 1.5 years and I had it removed on the 20th of August 2020. Three days later, the nightmare kicks in! Can someone tell me when this will end? Note: 0 history of mental health problems (current nightmare = severe anxiety, sometimes panic attacks, high heart rate, dizziness, dream-like state of mind, confusion, frustration, irritation, mood swings, lack of control. Not myself whatsoever! I asked the male doctor, and he informed me, as well as the lady doctor who removed it, that this was not related to the implant removal. I think the removal has caused a serious hormonal imbalance in my body. Can anyone relate? If so, please leave a message/comment. I am 34 years old and it’s scary, so if there are any young girls or ladies out there, you're not alone! Take care, my fellow soldiers. Xx"

• Fri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2021

"So, for those of you who wanted this implant because Vanessa Hughes smiled on TV and didn’t do your research about birth control, please listen. This form of BC has no estrogen in it, it benefits people who are prone to or have heavy bleeding cycles, endometriosis, HTN. This is a progesterone example, which is a class of steroids and also synthetic to the natural progesterone you make in your body. So, if you are having mood swings or other mental health problems, seek therapy and talk to your healthcare provider. You may need to be on a combination pill instead of this Rx. Also, for anyone who is reading this that is new to BC, most BC messes with your mental health because you’re trying to manipulate your natural hormones, so speak with a professional instead of Google, ok?"

• mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2023

"After reading dozens of these reviews, I thought it might help someone if I added my Nexplanon experiences. I'm 26, have no children, and I've tried other forms of birth control like the pill and an IUD (Mirena). I had Nexplanon inserted years ago and left it in for the full 3 years. Fast-forward to now, I'm on my second insert, it's expiring, and I plan to get another. My first Nexplanon inserts stopped my period completely. Like, not a drop of blood for 3 years. My debilitating cramps almost completely went away. No weight gain. Honestly, the only thing I might have experienced was moodiness (like anger) - but I had a lot going on in my life at the time and I'm 99% sure Nexplanon wasn't the cause. Nexplanon insert #2, I've gradually started getting a very light, regular period again, but that's it - no other side effects whatsoever. Everyone's different, but my Nexplanon experience has been extremely positive. IUD, not so much. Hope this helps someone."

• Fut...
• March 23, 2021

"The insertion was fine and other than a little spotting here and there, I didn’t have a period. However, my mood and attitude towards life have completely shifted and have negatively affected my life and relationships. I get angry and argue with my boyfriend over the stupidest things. He always says I 'make something out of nothing,' and I didn’t usually like to be like that. I describe the feeling as being stuck in a mood that you know is irrational, but you CANNOT get out of it! Also, like others have said, any time I get into one of these arguments with my boyfriend, my first thought is 'I want to break up with you and move out.' I hate feeling that way because we’ve been together for 4 years and I am happy with him. I experienced depression, extreme anxiety, and intrusive thoughts as well. I lost motivation to complete schoolwork for my dream degree. All in all, I have an appointment today to remove the implant, and I can’t wait to start feeling better."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2020

"I had the Nexplanon removed just over a week ago, and I can already feel myself becoming myself again. I struggled awfully with a depressed mood and intrusive thoughts, and they are definitely going (slowly but surely). I don’t feel as anxious, my boobs don’t hurt, I haven’t had headaches, my arm doesn’t itch, I’m not constantly tired, and my sex drive is coming back. It’s crazy how much it has made a difference, but if anyone is going through a similar thing, don’t worry :) Also, the removal was absolutely fine, it was a little painful with the anaesthetic, but it was over in about 30 seconds!! I hope this helps."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 11, 2020

"Nexplanon is a NIGHTMARE! By far the worst contraception I have ever had. I never leave reviews, but I would not want anyone to go through what I have with the implant. I have been on contraception since a young age due to acne (the pill), and I think this has always affected my anxiety. Since being on the implant, my anxiety has gone through the roof, it’s unbearable. I’m constantly tired, constantly anxious, battling trying to get out of a constant low mood. It’s honestly horrible dealing with horrible negative and intrusive thoughts! It’s a great way of not getting pregnant, but it’s not worth it at all. It’s a constant battle to try and feel and remember what your old self was like! I’ve had no bleeding, but I would rather have a period every week than have these side effects!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2021

"I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experiences. I have had the Nexplanon implant in for 5 weeks now, and I am having it removed in two days. I feel like I am going crazy. I have never suffered much with anxiety, but over the past few weeks I’ve been crying non-stop and having very dark thoughts that I am sick and dying. The anxiety is causing me to be very sad and emotional and worry about everything. Reading all of your stories gives me hope that everything. I am not going mad and that the hormones will balance out once removed. Thank you."

• Rik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 23, 2020

"I wanted to choose this type of birth control because I knew so many people who had it. My experience with Nexplanon was amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. I did not even notice it was there. I lost weight, my skin has never been better and I have been so happy! I was super nervous to get this because online everyone says how “sucky” it is but it’s because they gained weight - so you have to watch what you eat. Haha, of course, people who enjoy the Nexplanon are not going to get on these forums as often because they just keep going on with their life. Fifteen of my friends have Nexplanon and we all love it so much! If you are thinking about doing it, do it! The insertion process is SO simple. You may get a little bruised, but not bad!"

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 4, 2020

"Don't get Nexplanon put in. It's pretty effective at not getting me pregnant because I'm not having sex, as I'm on my period constantly. I've always had 7-day long periods, and now I'm bleeding heavily for months at a time. I only go a month and a half tops without my period, and then BAM. I'm bleeding for another 2 months. I am on my period more than I am not on my period. The money that I have spent on feminine products, I don't even want to talk about it. I thought it would regulate itself after a year or so, but my periods just kept getting longer. I feel at this point I'm immortal. No living creature can sit there and bleed for months on end and still be alive. I could feed a small vampire clan, and they would never even have to bite me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2021

"I’ve had Nexplanon in the past a couple of times and it was literally the best birth control ever invented. However, after having my first child, I needed to go back on birth control, and of course, Nexplanon was my first choice. I had it in for a few months, and everything was normal, but then I started to experience some anxiety. I just assumed it was like everyday life. I ended up removing the birth control because I now have extreme anxiety, panic attacks, along with depression. It has completely ruined my life. It’s hard to do everyday things and even take care of my baby. I spend a lot of time in bed, and that’s not the type of person I am. Hoping after the hormones are gone out of my body that I will start to feel better. Anyone felt better after the removal?"

• Ste...
• March 29, 2021

"It’s been less than four months since I got Nexplanon inserted, and I want to get it taken out. It’s done its job in preventing pregnancy, however, it has negatively impacted me both physically and mentally. I have been bleeding nonstop since I got it put in, and this has resulted in a lot of inconvenience in my life as I am always bleeding. Having already been used to tampons, my fear of getting a bacterial infection or toxic shock syndrome has increased to the point that I switched back to pads. I can’t continue like this. The first month, I was having terrible mood swings and pushing my boyfriend away. It went away for a little bit, but I have started feeling uncontrollably sad, worthless, and unhappy again. I don’t think keeping it in any longer is worth it, to be honest. It’s sad, but I’m writing this right after I finished crying for the night because I feel so sad. If you suffer from some form of anxiety and depression already, your mental state may be further negatively impacted."

• Nat...
• March 9, 2020

"I was really excited to start a new birth control method because a mother of 2, being really sexually active with my partner. I'm simply not ready for another kid. I got the Nexplanon back in December of 2019. It's been a little less than 3 months, and I am having constant suicidal thoughts. I catch myself having an anxiety attack while working, and it would make me go home to sleep it off. I thought it was just me overthinking about all my problems, but in reality, I have never had these feelings and thoughts in the past. I catch myself wanting to cry every single day, not wanting to do anything but stay home and sleep. I literally told my partner, 'I don't think I'm ok, I am going crazy. I feel like I am about to lose my breath and my heart races at the same time.' I have lost so much weight. My anxiety and depression have gotten so bad that I am having dark thoughts... I've always been an uplifting, goofy person. I will be making an appointment to get this removed ASAP!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2020

"Getting Nexplanon was the WORST decision I have ever made. Decided to trust the research I did - which was all from the drug company and Planned Parenthood. When I first got it, I was severely bruised for two weeks, my whole arm was swollen and painful, and the whole time I had it, it would poke inside my arm, which was very uncomfortable. I was always scared it had moved. I was so anxious that I had to stop intakeing caffeine. I would cry all the time for no reason, and I was so depressed I wanted to die. I gained like 30 pounds over the course of six months because the places I'd researched said that weight gain was not considered a real side effect. When I finally got this abomination out, it took MONTHS to get back to normal and for my hormones to settle again. This is NOT worth it. I am begging you, please don't get this, and read forums with people's real experiences if you do decide to do so!! Extreme weight gain is a very common side effect! I felt like I lost control. It was horrible."

• Kat...
• June 8, 2020

"I wanna start by saying people usually only write these reviews if they are unhappy. Your body could react differently, you just never know until you try it. I used Nexplanon for about 3 months. Almost immediately, I would get these waves of nausea and I would feel like I needed to throw up, and diarrhea at the same time. My entire body would severely sweat and my heart would beat like crazy. Later, I found out it was actually just a panic attack. Anyway, these nausea waves lasted a good 2 weeks, and then completely stopped. Everything was great. No period. No nausea, no depression. Absolutely nothing and I was very happy. Then, just about 2 weeks ago, my anxiety has become so bad that I literally cannot leave my house. The nausea is back, I have crying spells, and I seriously just feel HORRIBLE mentally. Prior to this, I do have a long history with mental illness, but never like this. I’m removing it tomorrow for my own health."

• Amo...
• January 24, 2015

"My experience with Nexplanon was horrible and would like to share my experience, although everyone is different and what doesn't work for me might work for you or vice versa. I had the Nexplanon placed 3 months after giving birth. Before that I was happy, high sex drive (always have had high sex drive), regular periods, and overall very long life. After Nexplanon, I had non-stop bleeding, severe headaches, severe dizziness, severe lightheadedness, extreme fatigue, and severe mood swings. I felt like I was going downhill because I felt sick all the time and extreme sadness and depression. I had it removed because I no longer felt like myself and felt like I was making bad memories on what should be my most precious moments with my family."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2014

"Probably one of the worst decisions I have made in my adult life. I have always had great skin, and on this medication, it exploded with both random dryness and severe acne. My emotions were a roller coaster (more than just normal girl stuff). My sex drive plummeted. Constant spotting. Yeah, it prevented me from getting pregnant, probably because I was always on my period. All in all, bad experience."

• Sha...
• June 4, 2020

"PLEASE READ: Many of my friends recommended Nexplanon to me. I thought this was a wonderful idea, as I was very inconsistent on the pill (I was inconsistent). I am nearly three months into having Nexplanon, and I want to rip it out. The irregular bleeding is very light, and not an issue. Instead, it's the emotional stress. I am usually a happy-go-lucky person, and I am now so beyond depressed, can't fall asleep at night because I am profusely crying. I try to sleep throughout the day because of how sad I am, I just want to shut my mind off. My eyes are so puffy from crying. I felt borderline suicidal. I have had to start seeing a therapist, have NEVER felt this awful, depressed, guilty, paranoid, and sad in my entire life. I have no motivation. I can't get out of bed. I have even completely lost my appetite, and I throw up my food. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING. And nobody warned me about these side effects. I would never recommend this to anyone. I plan on getting it out ASAP."

• use...
• December 26, 2014

"I got this inserted 3 years ago, my arm hurt for one day with no bruising, and then I literally forgot about it for the remaining time. No periods ever, and never once pregnant. No weight gain. Most convenient form of birth control ever used, but it may just be the way my body has reacted. Got it reinserted for the next 3 years and got some bruising, but not too bad."

• Zen...
• December 29, 2020

"I just want to say thank you to all the ladies who shared their experiences with Nexplanon on here. I actually got my prescription and made an appointment with my doctor to get the Nexplanon inserted in two days' time. Deep down though, I felt uneasy about the whole thing. I thought that the feeling would go away, but as my appointment date got closer, the uneasiness grew stronger. I thought I'd do some further research for peace of mind, and then I found this forum, and I am so glad I did! I have suffered (still do) from anxiety and depression for most of my life, and having read that so many women's mental health declined further after getting on Nexplanon was just the confirmation I needed. I also read that some women didn't have any negative side effects, and that's awesome, but it's not a risk I am willing to take. Thanks heaps, ladies. I'll be canceling my appointment today!"

• Fie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

"Nexplanon completely uprooted my life. Although I never gained weight (I actually lost 20 lbs), I experienced the most intense anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts of my entire life. Every single day, I would wake up in a panic attack, and falling asleep was nearly impossible. My brain would never turn off, and the intrusive thoughts would cause me to break down in tears daily. My hair started falling out and thinning. I would get irrational fears that would consume me to the point of never leaving my house and trying to spend all of my time sleeping to avoid reality. I’m getting it removed in 9 days, and I really hope this stops. I nearly took my own life because of this implant, it made all of the vibrancy drain from my life. I even had to break up with my romantic partner because I just couldn’t energetically show up for the relationship due to the depression and anxiety."

• Bry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2013

"NuvaRing gave me hormonal hot flashes, and I found it hard to take my Loestrin 24 Fe at the same time every day, so I decided to try Nexplanon. I am a 23-year-old college graduate, and I am 3 weeks into my Nexplanon. Granted, it hasn’t been long, but my experience so far is AMAZING. Ladies, I want to make sure all of you know that birth control works differently with every woman, and most reviews online are from negative experiences, for I was so nervous to get this inserted because of all the negative online reviews. Here's how my experience has been so far: extremely clear skin, no breakthrough bleeding or spotting, no mood swings, pain, headaches, or nausea, bigger breasts. I’m in love. Don’t believe every negative review."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2020

"I’ve had the Nexplanon for pretty much two years and it’s just now caused me really bad anxiety, panic attacks, chest pain. I was really weak and I’ve never been like that in my life! Just got it removed today. I will never advise anyone to get this."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

"I got Nexplanon in Aug 2018. Honestly, the worst birth control experience I’ve had. I have month-long periods (with only 3 weeks in between cycles), complete with cramping, bloating, and irritability for the entire duration. My anxiety and depression have skyrocketed, along with suicidal thoughts. I get severe migraines now (never had in the past), my sex drive is completely gone, and I’ve been getting horrible acne on my face and back (also didn’t have in the past). I feel constant fatigue. I gained 20 lbs in the first 6 months of having it and can’t seem to lose the weight no matter how hard I try. And on top of all, recently I’ve started getting shooting pain around the site of my implant, and my whole arm feels numb and weak when that happens. I’m getting it removed in 2 weeks because I cannot continue with all of these side effects."