Nexplanon and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 2)
Reviews for Nexplanon
- Kay...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- May 21, 2023
For Birth Control "Do NOT get it!!! I got the Nexplanon inserted a year ago, and I'm getting it removed next week. It has been the worst experience, both physically and especially mentally. I gained 10 pounds and am constantly bloated, and I am someone who is a very healthy eater and regularly exercises. My skin also plummeted, and I now have painful acne. I am also bleeding CONSTANTLY!! I'll go for 3 weeks bleeding and 1 week not bleeding. Finally, my mental health has completely spiraled!! I have constant mood swings and waves of anger that have been completely ruining what are supposed to be special moments. I have zero control over my emotions and reactions, as if my brain and body are separate! I'll be telling myself I'm angry and crying over nothing, but I physically cannot get out of the terrible mood I am now somehow in. I am not myself anymore, and you are not alone if you feel this way with Nexplanon. I cannot wait to get this mood-controlling parasite of an implant out!!"
- Mon...
- January 7, 2013
For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon about 3 months ago. I'm gonna break down my list of issues. I have been bleeding/spotting ever since then, total change in my hair texture (bad), acne which I have always had clear skin, always feeling down, weight gain, weak, and no energy whatsoever. I have done everything but the Depo Provera shot. I guess I just gotta take my chances. Wish I didn't have to take it out, but I can't deal with ALL the side effects. Hope this helps anyone."
Frequently asked questions
- What are my birth control options and how effective are they?
- What is the difference between Nexplanon and Implanon?
- man...
- July 21, 2014
For Birth Control "I got this put in roughly 7 months ago, and honestly, I've had no problems at all. I was, like many, nervous because of all the horror stories I heard about bleeding and moodiness and decreased sex drive, but decided to try it. I have had no prolonged bleeding, I get a 3-4 day long period once a month. I am not moody at all, which is great, because the pill made me crazy. And I haven't noticed a significant difference in my sex drive, though it has decreased a little - my boyfriend and I have had no problems. I'm glad my body reacted positively to this, because it is a very efficient method of birth control. I truly recommend at least trying it to see how your body reacts, and be sure to remember to give it some time to settle in."
- Jer...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- April 7, 2020
For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in August of 2018. Almost two years of having it, I’ve never stopped bleeding. I have stopped for about a month or two total, but the year and a half I’ve been on it, the bleeding has gotten worse. The cramps are unbearable, the smell has worsened, and the headaches are so, so, so bad. I got put on antidepressants because my anxiety skyrocketed. I plan on getting it removed ASAP. The only good thing about it is not getting pregnant, but it’s still not worth it, in my opinion. The physical and emotional toll outweighs the one pro it has."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Dod...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 20, 2020
For Birth Control "I've had a very bad experience with this implant. I reacted very badly to the hormone in it. Got it put in July 2019 and just got it removed in August 2020. I kept it in for around 13 months, it's been in long enough to settle down. Unfortunately, I started experiencing mental health issues. My depression and anxiety were very debilitating to the point that it caused my heart rate to go up to 132, which was scary. I began having constant dark thoughts and lost interest in doing the things I used to enjoy, like exercise and going out. I experienced almost a lot of side effects. My periods were abnormal, they would come when they wanted. Sometimes, it would be bleeding and spotting between periods, then nothing for a couple of months. It was not worth it for me. So happy to have it gone. I couldn't deal with the side effects any longer, it started to have a big impact on my social life."
- Ria...
- January 4, 2021
For Birth Control "I used Nexplanon back in 2014 after I gave birth to my daughter. It worked great the first two years, but once I hit year 3, I was bleeding nonstop. I couldn’t handle the bleeding anymore, so I got it removed. I recently had another one put in again in August 2020 and have been bleeding ever since. Maybe one or two days off every two weeks, but it’s been constant bleeding. I’ve also noticed an increase in hair loss. I’m emptying my brush every single time I brush my hair. Literally, handfuls of hair are gone. I also noticed that I have developed major anxiety. Specifically, “death” anxiety. I’ve never been paranoid of tragedies before. It keeps my mind going at all times. I’m also gaining weight little by little, and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to lose it. I’m hoping to get it removed this week so I could see a change in my overall health. After reading other people’s feedback, I’m realizing the effects of this birth control that I didn’t even think about as listed above."
- Pis...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 9, 2020
For Birth Control "I got my Nexplanon put in on August 5, 2020. The first month, my cycle lasted a week. The second month, I didn’t have a period at all. Currently, I have light spotting for almost 2 weeks. My sex drive is still the same, the main reason why I don't like it is the irregular bleeding. My moods haven’t changed, and I haven’t been feeling depressed. Sometimes my arm feels weird where the insert is. The only side effect that I have so far is irregular bleeding, which is my dislike. I am going to keep it in a little longer to see if the irregular bleeding changes. Nexplanon is effective. My advice is, if you suffer from anxiety or depression, DO NOT GET it. I see more people with depression/anxiety having negative side effects with their mental health. Other than that, I love it."
- Not...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- October 13, 2020
For Birth Control "I had gotten the Nexplanon in February 2020, the first 2 months I had gotten 2 periods. One was normal for my body (about 4 days long), then the next month I had light bleeding for about 23 days. My doctor had told me this would be normal due to the change in hormones. At the beginning of this month, October 2020, my breasts had become extremely sore. A couple of days later, these extreme drop-to-the-floor cramps. I had gotten my period for exactly 8 days, now, three days later, I'm having these extreme cramps again. Also, around May, I had completely lost my sex drive, and I still struggle with it. Sex has become extremely painful since."
- Ton...
- August 28, 2020
For Birth Control "I have gotten Nexplanon birth control in January of this year, and the whole time I have had it, I have been bleeding non-stop. I may see 2-3 days of blood-free after it comes right back and interferes with my sex life with my husband. I have passed out while out with my 8-month-old daughter due to it spiking my heart rate. I have black moments where if I’m alone, I will pass out. I already had depression from losing my 9-month-old twins last year, and it made it worse. I have committed a suicidal attempt 2 months ago while I have this drug in me. I am awaiting a date for removal. I don’t recommend this drug due to all the side effects that come along with it. I thought it would be great due to me being extremely fertile, however, my body is not accepting the drugs like most. It rarely accepts any form of birth control."
- MP0...
- December 12, 2014
For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in October of 2014. Since getting it, I have not had a period. No spotting or bleeding, periods just stopped. It's great! No random breakouts on my face and no weight gain from it. Definitely the best option if taking a pill is hard for someone. I never could remember to take my pill, this was the best option. The insertion was much better than I thought, and it's been great ever since."
- Aub...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 15, 2015
For Birth Control "I recently had the implant put in and would like to share my first thoughts; I plan to do an update in 3-6 months. The initial pain of having the implant inserted was mild - I would rate it even less painful than a shot. Your arm will be sore for a few days, and there will be bruising, but nothing to get excited about. It has now been 2 weeks, and I can't even tell that it is there except when I feel for the implant on purpose. My doctor warned of immediate and persistent bleeding/spotting, but I haven't experienced that so far. I've been losing weight for the past few months (on purpose) and haven't noticed a difference since the implant. No major issues with acne. Everybody is different, but don't let the negative reviews scare you!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 29, 2020
For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for about 7 months now. For the first few weeks, I dealt with some anxiety issues, and for the first few months, I had irregular bleeding, but everything seemed to pretty much level out after that until I started having all kinds of other symptoms about a month ago. Sore breasts, cramping, and headaches, to name a few. I took a couple of pregnancy tests, and they were both positive..."
- yok...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 19, 2015
For Birth Control "I have a really good experience with Nexplanon. After insertion, my arm was sore for about a week, after that, I could go back to my gym and daily routine. It doesn't bother me at all. No migraines, no weight gain, no skin problems. My mood is the same, maybe even better, I'm not as moody as before. I had some irregular bleeding about a month ago, but it was very little. After a month, I don't have a period (hallelujah) and no bleeding at all. The only disadvantage I found is my libido. I noticed my sex drive changed quite significantly. I really recommend it!"
- blo...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 16, 2014
For Birth Control "I chose to change from Yaz to Nexplanon because I wanted something new and easy. I had normal cycles until I started the implant. I bled for 30 days, then stopped for about a week. My ovaries hurt, my breasts hurt, I have gained about 15 pounds in 2 months, constant headaches, and absolutely no sex drive. Even cuddling and knowing what he wants next is dreadful. Do not get it. I want this out. Obviously, it does its job with no babies because you bleed too often."
- mja...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- May 3, 2020
For Birth Control "I have had Nexplanon for almost two years now. I did not have a period that whole time and have not noticed any side effects that I attribute to the birth control. Just within the last couple of weeks, though, my boobs got very sore, and then today I started bleeding some. I'm thinking that maybe it's because the amount of hormone that it is releasing is decreasing? I'm not sure, but I'm gonna wait it out and see. I might just need to get it changed out."
- Swi...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- February 23, 2023
For Birth Control "After being on Nexplanon for two years, I began experiencing severe anxiety, paranoia, and obsessive thoughts about a year ago. It has been an incredibly difficult experience, and I couldn't understand what was happening to me. I had intense nightmares, a fast heart rate, and uncontrollable panic attacks. Prior to this, I had never experienced any mental health issues, which made it all the more terrifying. Additionally, I experienced constant bleeding and irregular periods, sometimes bleeding for months on end or having a period twice a month. The pain was excruciating and caused me to cry and vomit. Furthermore, I developed multiple cysts. After randomly researching the effects of Nexplanon, I stumbled upon numerous reviews that described precisely what I had gone through. It was a relief to learn that I wasn't alone, and I immediately scheduled an appointment to have the implant removed. I advise against getting this implant, as it's not worth the damage it can cause."
- Ano...
- April 17, 2016
For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon inserted 6 weeks after giving birth to my daughter. I was 148 lbs at the time, still losing weight from my pregnancy. I reached an all-time high of 175 lbs on Nexplanon. Extreme bloating. I even wondered myself if I was pregnant. I had severe mood swings, increased anxiety (it honestly became uncontrollable), always hungry, and I overate daily. I felt so tired I didn't enjoy doing anything like I used to. I got to the point where I didn't even feel like myself. I bled all the time: 3 weeks on, 1 week off, and even 6 weeks at a time. I had it for a year before deciding to have it removed, now it's been a week since I had it removed. Please research before choosing this b/c option, it does prevent pregnancy at a price!"
- Moo...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- May 22, 2023
For Birth Control "I am not sure how I spent a year with this implant in my arm and did not connect it to the very high anxiety, very low mood, and high heart rate I was experiencing. It was the near-constant bleeding that switched on 8 months in that nearly drove me over the edge with constant dehydration, lethargy, dizziness, and irritability. 5 days after having it out and replaced by the Depo injection, I feel worlds better. Negative mental health and anxiety are not a rare side effect, and the packaging needs to be changed to reflect this. Also, 1 in 5 patients in my registered practice are now reported to have near-constant bleeding with only 1 week off, according to my GP. If more knew that, I bet they wouldn’t consider this option, as it destroys your everyday life and well-being. If this is your experience, get it out and try another method."
- Cap...
- April 22, 2023
For Birth Control "I have tried a few different birth controls, and I like Nexplanon the best. Birth control pills always gave me terrible mood swings and the worst attitude. The NuvaRing made me bleed for 5 months straight, and I am not able to have an IUD placed. The Depo injection was awesome, but my doctor only recommended it for 2 years. Nexplanon got rid of my period for 2 years, but in year 3, it has returned, though more manageable than without. I would use this form of birth control again."
- jay...
- March 7, 2021
For Birth Control "I started getting terrible side effects. Ridiculous mood swings, rage, social anxiety (I'm usually a social butterfly), depression, suicidal thoughts. I got a period/bleeding/spotting for 30 days straight, constantly exhausted, fatigued, lost my sex drive, very constipated and bloated, nausea. Because of the way I was reacting, I at times thought I was pregnant, so add in constant pregnancy scares. Hair was shedding like crazy. I have now fallen out of love with my boyfriend, I am unsure if this relationship will survive. He has been nothing but absolutely supportive and caring, but I've tried to break up with him at least 6 times in the last 2 months. I got the implant out after 3 months and now am on nothing. Everyone is different, trust your body and gut. Nothing says 'effective birth control' better than being super gassy, bloated and constantly cramping from not being able to poop around your new significant other, lol – can't get pregnant if you don't want to have sex, lol."
- Dar...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 4, 2014
For Birth Control "I've had the Nexplanon for about four months. It was annoying for a good month and a half, almost two, from constant bleeding and spotting. But after that, I have not had a period. It's great, only now I sometimes realize it gets itchy, but then the urge to itch goes away. Would definitely recommend to others. If having the bleeding and spotting for long times, I would hang in there. It gets better, just have to wait it out."
- I...
- January 24, 2020
For Birth Control "I got the implant January 15th, 2019. The first couple of months were fine, insertion was a breeze, no periods for the first couple of months. Out of nowhere, I started bleeding with maybe a three-day break in between. It would range from spotting to very heavy bleeding. I also have anxiety and depression, my seasonal depression being the worst. My doctor put me on the same antidepressants I’ve used for years, and I started feeling extremely suicidal. I thought it was because we were trying medication for my ADHD for the first time in years. But I’m convinced it’s this dangerously stupid thing in my arm. I have zero sex drive, I feel like I hate everything around me, everything and everyone annoys me or frustrates me, I’m exhausted all the time, zero motivation, very little feelings of my usual bubbly, happy self. I so can’t wait to get this thing out. If I could give a negative amount of stars, I would. This will be taken out no later than the end of February."
- des...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 3, 2022
For Birth Control "I can't stress enough how hard the last four months have been since the implant insertion. Mood swings, sadness, fear, no sex drive, sex is literally an irritable experience, no sleep, constantly tired, can't make me leave the house, thrush, constant bleeding, over a stone weight gain. I am having it removed tomorrow, I wish I could have ripped it out myself earlier. My life is so miserable that the lively, happy, active person feels like I have been imagining her. I wish someone had told me this earlier. I feel doctors and nurses are aware of these problems and yet still using and offering it. Don't do it, not sure how I will go back to my old weight and life, but God help."
- Hea...
- January 2, 2015
For Birth Control "The first few months I loved it! Then I started bleeding for weeks, then it would stop for a few days and come right back. I always have cramps and feel bloated. I have gained 25 lbs! Now I have to be double birth controlled."
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.More about Nexplanon (etonogestrel)
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For Birth Control "I got my first Nexplanon in 2016 and had it in for a little over three years. The first couple of years were great, my period stopped. Towards the end of the 3-year mark, I started getting more migraines, had two burst ovarian cysts, and was irregularly bleeding. I thought it was just because the hormone level had gone down, so I got a new Nexplanon reinserted. Two months into the new one, I lost all sex drive. Read forums like crazy and was astonished to see people feeling the exact same way. Didn’t even want to be touched. Looking back, I did have increased anxiety and hadn’t felt like myself for a while. Times when I should’ve been happy but wasn’t. If you feel like you aren’t quite feeling yourself, don’t discount it! Great for preventing pregnancy and worked for me for a while, but everyone’s body is different. Waiting to see how I feel without it before potentially getting a copper IUD."