Etonogestrel and Headaches: What Users Say

• Amo...
• January 24, 2015

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "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."

• Eri...
• March 21, 2010

Implanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I LOVE my Implanon. Insertion was quick and pain-free. The bruising only lasted a week or two. I had one week of very, very light spotting, and a few headaches. Tylenol fixed the headaches. I haven't had that problem in a month or so. I breastfeed and did not notice any change in my supply. No weight gain or appetite side effects, either. In fact, I am starting to lose my baby weight now. I would definitely get this birth control again!!! I will have it removed and replaced with another Implanon when this one runs out. Remember, almost all of the reviews are negative because the only people that want to write about it are the ones who don't like it. There's lots of people who love it, too."

• KQa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2019

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in May of 2017. It was amazing for the first 2 years. I had no issues. In August, I began having panic attacks. Thinking it was because of the birth control, I went and had it removed. The panic attacks didn't stop. It's November, and I'm still dealing with horrible anxiety. I wake up in the middle of the night in a panic, feeling like I'm going-it is the end of my life. I have had confusion, depression, depersonalization, headaches, palpitations, increased heart rate. Sometimes it feels like I'm high and detached from my surroundings and myself. This has been the worst experience of my life by far. Some days are better than others. I'd like to see a doctor to be sure this isn't being brought on by any other medical issues, but at the time, I don't have insurance. My hope is to let others be aware of what this implant is capable of and to see if anyone can relate to my story. I hope I find relief soon."

• Dod...
• June 4, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon implant nearly 3 years after having my son. Initially, I noticed that I started experiencing headaches, period pains but without the periods, and I thought I could bear this. I liked the idea of not having any periods for the whole 2 years, but as soon as I started to bleed, I noticed it was irregular. I didn't like this at all and sometimes noticed some blood clots. I remember at one point I had to go to the hospital for breathlessness, tiredness, and had never experienced this before. I have noticed I continue to get chest pains, and I have had muscle aches all over my body almost every day. I have also had panic attacks too. I have also gained weight, and I don't easily do. It's due to be removed in 2 months, but I am scared to get it removed because of fear of contracting Covid-19. Lately, I have become bloated, have pain in my left lower abdomen, and my breasts are sore. I have no idea how I can get this removed without risking my health. I want it out!"

• Kdu...
• October 27, 2009

Implanon (etonogestrel) 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!"

• Per...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "Do not put your bodies through this, ladies. It might sound good, but it made me bleed nonstop for 4 months long. It’s horrible. I gained 20 lbs. It increased my appetite. I just feel hungry all the time and never satisfied. I have had it for 10 months. Can’t wait to have it removed and have my natural cycles back. The side effects are not worth it. I also felt depressed all the time on Nexplanon, and it gives me random hot flushes and headaches. I’ve noticed I break out in acne since having it."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "After using the Nexplanon for almost a year (October 2019 - September 2020), I can say that overall I did not have many side effect symptoms other than bleeding for weeks at a time. It was frustrating to wake up every morning and see that I was still bleeding. Not only that, but the time between my periods was only 2-3 weeks. I never had a normal period on the Nexplanon and my friend who also had the implant felt the same, she bled for a year straight while my cycle would be 24 days at the least. It was very irregular within those days as well, some days would be heavy, some would be light, some days I would be bloated and have cramps, and some I would have headaches and back pain. It was all very unpredictable. After having my period for 36 days straight twice in a row, I decided my frustration was unbearable. I had to take out my Nexplanon. Though it was a very effective form of birth control, I could not take the periods any longer."

• Jan...
• August 21, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "DON'T GET NEXPLANON. It has brought me nothing but misery. I’ve experienced tremendous weight gain, acne, depression and anxiety, back and breast pain, headaches, brain fog, and fatigue. It’s been extremely hard trying to find a Planned Parenthood to remove the implant during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve been placed on a 2-week to 1-month waiting list and haven’t been contacted for almost 4 weeks now. I’ve also talked with a friend who has it too, and she’s been having the same side effects. My friend also found in her research that Nexplanon hasn’t been tested on plus-size women. And I’ve also noticed when speaking with other users of this drug that each person’s implant expiration is a couple of years off. Mine is supposed to last for 4 years, my friend's for 7, and I’ve heard 5 or 6 for others, and we all have the exact same implant. Not enough research, super crappy side effects, and too much negligence from providers. Just take the pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 22, 2015

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon going on 2 years and have had no issues. I have not had a period since it was put in. The only side effect I have had is my headaches have become stronger than when I didn't have it in. I would recommend this to everyone and plan on having another put in after the 3 years are up."

• add...
• March 21, 2015

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "Been on Nexplanon for 3 years now, and I can say it's the best birth control there is out there. I don't have to worry about taking pills or using a backup at all. I'm definitely going back to get my second one. I only get headaches, and I haven't had a period, but other than that, it's all good."

• Whe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2019

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "In reading the comments, many have experienced abnormal bleeding and other symptoms. I highly suggest getting frequent check-ups with your doctor. My daughter (30s) got the implant 2 years ago. Seemed ok the first year, had no periods, then occasional periods. Then this year, very heavy, clotting bleeding started, often. Plus back pain, dizziness, and headaches. Doctors thought kidney stones because of the back pain. Then they thought possible urinary tract infection because urinating became painful. Then the bleeding and symptoms got worse. This week, 11/22/19, my daughter has been diagnosed with cancer!!! Possibly cervical/uterus. We’re waiting on further tests. I don’t know if it’s related to this medication, but I want to tell anyone who is experiencing side effects with bleeding to go to the doctor and keep getting checked, and insist they do a thorough checkup."

• syr...
• December 1, 2014

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I've been on Nexplanon for 4 months and taking it out. I get headaches every day, I'm on medium to light periods the whole month (always bloated), and I'm losing a lot of hair, not the average amount of hair loss after a pregnancy... also regular acne breakouts which I didn't have. Everyone is different."

• Cie...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2014

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I've had my Nexplanon for over a year now, it's very effective against not getting pregnant, and that's the best part only. I have 2 periods a month, one light, one heavy. I randomly bleed, as well as cramp horribly before I start. I've had headaches, nausea, hives, nasal sinus issues, depression, mood swings, weight gain, loss of appetite, peeling skin on my face, dandruff, a rash on my arm, constantly itching, loss of sex drive, tiredness, and the list continues."

• GQa...
• January 11, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "Well, I got a nice story to tell that goes like this: I almost died because of this thing in my arm. I had it on for a year and a half, and since the first month, my period disappeared, which made me turn into a monster. I became a completely different person: mood swings like crazy, extreme headaches, always tired and depressed. Long story short, over the summer of 2019, one day this vomiting started. I thought it was a stomach virus until 15 days went by and all I could eat. I was on IV at the hospital for weeks, under observation and under medication to ease the vomiting. They came to the conclusion that I had an anxiety disorder to an extreme, got to a psychiatrist for her to tell me that all of this was happening because of that little inoffensive tube I had in my arm. She ordered to get it out of my body immediately, and I promise you I’m not making this up. After 48 hours, I was a different person. The vomiting stopped, and as the days went by, I started getting better and better. Never again."

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 29, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) 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..."

• bab...
• April 19, 2015

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in August of 2014. All around it's effective. My only issues are with occasional nausea, increased appetite, weight gain, and horrible headaches. I am a little worried about the fact that I have zero libido and no desire to be intimate with my husband. I can deal with the rest, but that's a little nerve-wracking. And it's really annoying because he reminds me of it every day. Anyone else have this problem?"

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

Implanon (etonogestrel) 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."

• ANI...
• September 30, 2019

Implanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I have had the Implanon in my arm for over 2 years now, and only within the last 2 months have I come to realize that all these things I have been experiencing: lack of concentration, constantly hungry (especially for sweet things), acting like a pit bull on crack with the mood swings, breast tenderness, backache, itchy, irritable scalp, gripping pains, feeling anxious and crying for no reason, headaches, erratic periods (e.g., none for 3 months, then 2 heavy in one month, followed by spotting on and off for 3 weeks), and the worst thing for me: WEIGHT GAIN! I have put on about 2 stone and I was always good at dieting, but not this time, IT WILL NOT SHIFT! It was not until recently when my headaches got worse that I started to dig on Google, and I feel so stupid that I didn't do my research on this horrible thing! Yes, it stops you from getting pregnant, but is it worth it? Definitely NOT!"

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2014

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) 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."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2023

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I always used Depo as a backup method for birth control until I found out about Nexplanon. Nexplanon has really changed my life. I wish I knew about it sooner, the reason I was scared to get it placed was because of the scarring, but honestly, I don’t see any scarring at all. I guess it all depends on your provider. The only side effect I get with the Nexplanon is headaches. I have a high tolerance for pain, but other than that, I’m happy with my Nexplanon. I haven’t experienced any acne or weight gain as when I was on Depo."

• Mil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "I began birth control for menstrual pain. I was on the Depo-Provera shot for 2 years and stopped because of anxiety and panic attacks that occurred. Never experienced it before in my life. Doctors didn’t think it was the birth control. I’m a 22-year-old healthy female. I go to the gym and I make sure I watch how I eat. I tell my doctor I want something else, I get Nexplanon. A couple of months later, I get anxiety symptoms again, but worse. It was every day now. I tell my doctor it’s got to be the birth control. They don’t believe me. They thought maybe I was stressed. So I got it taken out. And already I’m feeling better. I haven’t had anxiety attacks since. It feels like my body’s slowly trying to regulate itself again. I get a few headaches, sometimes heart palpitations, and sleepless nights. Birth control’s been around for only 50 years, there’s more research that needs to be done. I’m looking for help. I want to know if I’m ever going to be back to normal mentally."

• Mor...
• December 19, 2015

Implanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "Okay, so I got the implant for two reasons: I was terrible at remembering to take birth control, and my menstrual cycle every month used to be awful (heavy bleeding, terrible cramps, vomiting, and headaches). I absolutely love Implanon. My monthly symptoms stopped, and I only bled three times this past year for only a few days. I can't speak highly enough of this! It stopped my mood swings caused by hormones, and this past year has been amazing. I was so worried about getting it because there are some bad reviews of this. I was worried about weight gain, mood swings, and breakouts because I used to have severe acne. I did not experience any of those symptoms."

• Mag...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2014

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "So I've been on Nexplanon for 2 years this June (2014). Pros: it works, I don't have to worry about taking a pill every day, I don't feel it in my arm, I don't have a period but every 8 to 6 months, and it's super light. Only gained 5 pounds in 2 yrs. Cons: I had to deal with a little bit of acne, but after seeing a dermatologist, I have great skin. It made me moody, I would be moody around the same time every month, so it was like I had PMS but never a period to follow. I am tired a lot. I got headaches and nausea for the first 6 months. I developed irritable bowel syndrome, however, I fixed that issue by taking fiber regularly and probiotics, and I'm fine now. All in all, I've had a good experience, nothing major I've had to deal with."

• JSa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2020

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) for Birth Control "Daily spotting started about 5 months after the procedure. Some mood swings, gained some weight (but working from home due to COVID-19), casual bad headache, and acne around my chin (never had acne since 2003)."