I had the Implanon implanted July of 2011, before that I took the pill. I was fine August of 2011 and come September I got a vaginal infection. Every month since then I started to get either yeast infections or Bacterial Vaginosis in addition to developing a rash under and on the sides of my mouth. This is the first time in my life that I've had infections this frequent (of coarse every now and then a yeast) but NEVER every month and I have never had a problem with acne or a rash being around my mouth. My obgyn says that its not the implanon causing my misery but it's the only thing I changed so it has to be. My general doctor says the rash looks like perioral dermatitsis. I was given antibiotics for ten days and it didn't make it go away. I've been suffering a little over two years. As far as Implanon working, it has done its job. I never bleed (maybe spotting every now and then), I haven't gained weight, and I barely know its there. I've read other reviews and see the pros and cons from women but haven't read of my two concerns. If any one has had or heard of someone having my problems, PLEASE let me know. I hate to have to take it out and it not be the problem. Also, any suggestions on a different birth control that doesn't cause these issues? Thank you for your time!
Can Implanon cause vaginal infections (Y.I., or B.V.) every month, & rash around the mouth?
Question posted by Starlight888 on 29 Aug 2013
Last updated on 12 October 2022
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
56 Answers Page 4
So, I've been googling this issue for quite some time. I also had a nexplanon implant put in January of 2014. Shortly after insertion ... maybe april I noticed that I started to get fissures in my peri area. I went to the Gyno of course thinking thinking these small cuts were herpes (they weren't blister like, however, herpes can manifest in other forms) got tested; cultured a fissure, labs and everything was negative. This continued on for months. Then in October I developed a yeast infection and pretty much have had one ever since. I also had BV as well. Like many of you my GYN states she didn't think it was the implant causing these issues, however, the implant has been the only new addition. I had two periods in one year while on the implant. I just had my implant removed January 21st, 2015. I'm hoping my symptoms and infection will finally go away. I'll follow up in a week or so to let you ladies know how it's going.
Hi! I have had the exact same problem! I had small fissures come after I got my implanon put in, and I have had constant yeast infections. I've been tested for stds, and nothing. I just got my implant out this month, did your fissures go away and yeast??
Hello. Sorry about the delayed response. They Absolutely went away. About one week after removal (although I was treated with a vaginal cream anti fungal and oral diflucan together) my infection went away, fissures went away. Honestly I have post traumatic stress worrying I'm going to get one. But in a nutshell after it came out, my problems went away. I hope you feel better soon!
Yes same here I've had my nexaplanon for 2 and a half years . And for the 2nd year I've been getting BV I finally got it removed . So far it's only been 3 days but I finally got abnormal period so that's good . Wish me luck and I wish everyone good health I know the pain of having BV I. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy
Im having same problem BV each month doctors say its from partner throw off mine bP so we used condoms still getting them every months its from the insert which i really like it but taken antibiotics every month is maken me think strongly of haven it removed
Hi, i was on impalnon for about a year n never had vaginal issues. I have gotten bv while on impalnon every month since then!!! I wouldnt recommend this to anyone!!! But that's just me
Hi I'm completely on you're wave length... I've been suffering with the same issues for 5 years and have previously had issues with other inserted contraceptives. I've been tested for every STI going two, three, four times over... cause nobody knows whats wrong with me. I suffer terrible vaginal swelling, splits in my skin, horrendous itching and a green discharge that pours out of me. It's stressful, I can't have sex if I do I tear or get BV. I have never had BV before and now I couldn't tell you a month that i haven't had it in over two years. Doctors say that its not the implant yet it states on most websites that Vaginitis is a common side effect of the implanon implant. I'm pretty sure it was on the leaflet that the doctor gave me too!! Im at my wits end, I'm tired of being sore, so so sore. Its the first thing on my mind when I wake and last thing on my mind at night.
I have been wondering If I should just take it out but like you guys its doing it's job and the doctors are sure its not the implant. They have me on yet another course of resistant antibiotics and vaginal gel... no changes yet though and the way it feels not any time soon. I've had hormone tests and they too come back fine. I really do believe that my body is resisting the object in me or the balance of its contents is effecting me. Would really appreciate knowing if anyone has taken it out and their symptoms have cleared up.
I've also been curious about this topic. I got the Nexplanon in March 2014 and have noticed the change in my vagina. I have been getting very bad vaginal fissures with a sore and swollen vagina and reoccurring yeast infections. The vaginal fissures are painful and yes I have been wearing tight panties and have been very stressed lately and just moved to a tropical climate, but this never used to happen. I need to revisit the doc but I am nervous and anxiety ridden all the time and dont know if this is because of the Nexplanon? Anyone know?
I got nexplanon in April 2016, I did have recurrent yeast infections before I got the BC but I feel it's gotten worse since I've Been on It. I've gotten swollen and red vaginal lips out of nowhere and it's itching like crazy, I don't know what to do. I'm in a long distance relationship so I haven't been sexually active in 5 months. I got tested and came back negative for any STD's. This BC has to many side effects I'm most likely getting it taken out soon it's not worth all this trouble
I'm so glad I read all of this because I thought I was alone.. my doctor said he didn't think it could be coming from the nexplanon. I'm going back to see my gynecologist. I keep having recurring yeast infections and also a rash on my body which one doctor said was yeast and another said was an allergic reaction to something. Meds make it go away till I finish all the pills then its all right back. I wonder if there's something we can take to regulate this cause I don't wanna take it out. :(
I have the same symptoms you were having. I have a rash around my mouth (not herpes or any other disease) I have been getting frequent yeast infections. I love my nexplanon because I don't even know it's there but I never had all these problems until I got it.
Yes it is the implant. I'm extremely in tune with my body and very healthy. I just got mine in January of this year and I haven't been sexually active in over 6 months. I thought I was going crazy so I've had two vaginal exams (cultures) and STD testings and all came back negative both times. I've consistently inquired with my doctor to see if other patients c/o the same problems. She said no so I figured I was a rare & sensitive patient. I've had break through spotting since I had it, extreme vaginal discomfort from a swollen irritated vulva area, fatigue, an annoying odorless brown grainy discharge and I've noticed my hair shedding and breaking off. I have really thick hair and I've never had problems with it falling out... I as well could only pin point this being the only significant change.
I returned to my OBGYN requesting to take it out within 4 weeks of having it she talked me into keeping it in for a little while longer to see if things calmed down & bc of the portion I paid out of pocket. (It cost $600 my copay was $160). I'm not one to waste money but at that point I didn't care. She prescribed a steroid relieve my irritated inside walls and swelling. The discomfort eased until my I started spotting again. I noticed every time I had break through spotting my pH was so different from when I didn't have the implant. I've been on plenty of BC methods and NEVER experienced these type of side effects or symptoms. It's even uncomfortable to wear undergarments. I know the Nexplanon implant has caused all this hormonal disruption to my body. My true reason for taking BC was to ease my menstrual cycles. After going through all this discomfort and stress I'm looking forward to having my normal menstrual. I'd rather deal with that pain than go through this aggrivation. I'm so excited to be getting this thing out of me!!! Good Luck
So you have the implant in your arm?? I'm having some of these same problems I got the arm implant a few months back and for almost two months now it has just been a pain. Iv been treated for yeast infection and treated it myself. I just don't know I am swollen, irritated, and have a light brown discharge. If you did have the arm implant did you get it out?? Was it bad having it removed??
I am having the same problem! I got the Nexplanon implantin late June and have had sex with my husband twice since then. Bleeding, bad mood swings, lethargy, weight gain, baby brain, seriously decreased libido, and for the past week now I have had the most painful irritation and burning. I've never had a yeast infection before so this is all new to me. I haven't been on BC in 6 years and have had a great sex life and excellent health. All of a sudden after having the implant I am a mess! The nurses told me that my symptoms weren't caused by the BC but after reading so many stories similar to mine I know that's what it is. It's the only thing that's changed.
Wow yeah im having the same issues i got the implanon 6 years ago or so and got it removed after the 3 years since that point in time ive been having extreme irritation and bacteria infections every so often probably about 6 times a year it feels like its almost all the time. Ive been to so many doctors they all just say its an infection but it never actually goes away or it will come back in another month or so and no doctor can tell me why... and then i thought about how it started around the time i got the birth cotrol and during the 3 years i was bleeding (spotting) for half and then it just stopped the rest of the time... im sick of feeling like this and not knowing why or how to treat it ):
Hello I know that your post was years ago but it seem to me that I have the same problem as you, this is my 2 implant the first implant gave me light headaches and this one gave me BV and YI! I got rid of the infection but the walls of the vaginal still feels irritated, so with that being said do the steroid cream solve the issue? I have been dealing with this for 3.5 months now because I just realized that it may be the ANNOYING NEXPLANON. so I had it removed almost 2 weeks now but I just started applying hydrocortisone cream to the area as directed by the doctor 2 days ago. I really would like some relief as of yesterday!!
Heyyy. I just took implanon for the same reason and my doctor told me the same thing that the first comment said but bacteria vaginosis from my understanding is not techinically an infection from an outside bacteria it is an over growth of bad bacteria in your vagina messing up the ph. Which I have been researching and it says this imbalance can come from hormones so I took mine out and I will let u know how it goes I took it out for two weeks now and the smell is slowly reducing it's not completely gone but I'll let you know how i progress because it's too soon to tell. I'm going to get tested for BV one time and let you know in a few wks.
Thank you very much for your response. This has been driving me crazy. I was thinking that I was the only one. I hope it clears up for you and am looking forward to your response.
Your comment is very interesting. I too have had good health down below, until I started my implant. My husband actually passed comment on an odour down there and I was mortified. I've treated myself for BV as I bought a kit that tests for other things and it was all negative and BV was the only other thing that it left. I have had horrendous itching down there, and periods for the last 8 months since my implant was replaced. I gave terrible spots bordering on acne like, and have put on a lot of weight. I've lost interest in sex and my husband thinks I'm either having an affair or I've gone right off him. I hate the wretched implant now and seriously thinking of having it removed.
Hi, I was reading up on my very girls case about the Nexplanon causing BV and yeast infections, and I’m experiencing the same thing as all the women in here. I was wondering how it turned out after you took it off? Did the BV go away?
oh please, I would love to know how you have gone!! I have had the same problem. I had chlamydia early in the year and have been worried it is something more serious but nothing has shown up. Now it is just getting so annoying and I think my boyfriend feels so aswell.
I actually have been having the same problem I just found out I have BV and all this time I've been getting it reoccurring and not even knowing it was BV. Before even being on birth control I never had BV this frequently my doc said it can come from the pH balance in your body. When you have sex the guys semen if he ejaculates in you has a higher pH level which can throw your pH level off causing the BV. I still think it has something to do with the Implanon or birth control in general. hope this helps
I had bv several times and was taking no hormones whatsoever. Your dr is correct. The ph can make a difference in whether or not you can fight off the infection.
I been having the same problem and im also wondering the same thing.. i got nexplanon in Feb 2014. I just removed it last week because this past year i been having yeast infections and bv. Ive never had problems before till this last year. I make sure im clean all the time bt somehow this is something i cant help. And i been having discharge all the time too..
I am having the very same problems I also send my man to check up for every STDs in the book and he came back negative ... I am going to take my implanon out because I am feeling like my vagina is eating me alive please I would advice you to take it out too and look up a nonhormonal birth control...
I have had no recent sexual partners.. 3 normal sti tests(down to paranoia)... and have a super thick white discharge like lotion that is far from normal but everywhere i go the drs say its normal .. it has been a very frustrating 3 months for me i have been wrecking my brains trying to solve this embarassing issue .. i have come to the conclusion its my nexplanon.. before anyone says that it cannot be well it can be because it is listed as one of the rare side affects and i am hopefully going to get it removed asap ive had it in 1 year and 6 months its done ok till recently .. i also believe its given me anxiety and depression which i blamed my hypothyroidism for and also dizzy spells sometimes when i stand ... i am very disappointed in my gp for not giving me the help i needed to solve this.. i have spent £100s of pounds on trying to remedy this and countless hours online searching..
i truly pray that taking out the nexplanon works and that anyone in my situation reads this and considers it might be their nexplanon because the mental and emosional torture this has given me i hope no one else has to go through.
Hello I know it’s been a minute since you posted this, but I’m having the same issue as u dizziness, vaginal discharge that won’t go away that doctors say is normal, hair loss, the most irritating thing is vaginitis! I had my Nexplanon removed a few days ago and I just want to know did ur symptoms go away and how long did it take? I really forgot I had it in my arm so I was suffering with this vaginal irritation for 3.5 months.
No birth control cannot cause a vaginal infection. Yeast or bacteria do that. A rash around the mouth if connected to your vaginal problems are usually caused in oral sex. Did you change partners? My husband of 20 yrs gave me chlamydia from the woman he was cheating with.
Thank you for your reply. I was under the impression that my problems could be coming from hormonal changes due to the Implanon. I did start to see a man probably March of 2011 but my problems started two months after I got the Implanon in September of 2011. I addressed my issues to him at one point and he went to the doctor to see if he had any bacterial and yeast problems and he didn't, so that made me believe there's a problem on my end. I do believe that I'm the only partner he has, I defineitly know he's my only partner. That's why I believe it had to be the Implanon. If anyone has any additional information, please please respond. Thank you!
You have the yeast and bacteria in your body, and they can overgrow if you have a decrease in immunity, or a hormone change. Its things like trich and chlamydia you don't have in your body.
Actually you are incorrect. B.c. can change the hormones in your body which CAN change the ph levels, which can lead to an abnormal balance of good/bad bacteria in the vagina, causing bv or yeast infections. Iuds especially can cause bv.
Actually that is one of the common side effects with some contraceptive implants. I'm on Nexplanon and it is in the list of most common side effects that you may experience. I loved the implant to begin with, but on my first and now second implant, I've experienced some horrible side effects. Seriously considering getting sterilised so I don't have to take any contraception.
I do not agree every bodies body reacts different
I’ve experienced both bacterial and yeast infections since I started using implanon. As soon I got it out . I haven’t had any issues . It’s now 2 months
Related topics
implanon, infections, birth control, skin rash, contraception, mouth, vaginal infection
Further information
- Implanon uses and safety info
- Implanon prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Implanon (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.