I've had the birth control implanon in my arm for about 3-4 months and everything has been great except recently I've been getting pains. I went to my doctors and she reassured me it was okay because I wasn't swollen or red... but that seems strange to me, because the day after the visit I noticed its bruised slightly where the rod is. There is still pain and sometimes it goes to my hand as well. I am VERY cautious about these minor things after having complications with every other birth control. Has anyone else experienced this??
Pain in arm due to implanon?
Question posted by ap13 on 26 Jan 2013
Last updated on 11 May 2022 by Shazzar86
30 Answers
Shazzar86
11 May 2022
I have had my implanon for four weeks now. It feels bruised and you can physically see a bruise even though I haven't knocked it or anything. It gets irritated by my shirt rubbing on it and I find it hard to sleep on that arm. I am going back to see my doctor because if this is how it's going to feel for 3 years I dont want it.
L022grace
28 Jan 2022
I’ve had the implant for about a month now. The bruise was minor when it was first put in and only lasted for a week then faded. But now my arm hurts it not constant it’s just now and then. It’s spreads through my arm in my armpit to the crease of my arm etc.
Chezbug
1 July 2020
Omg I have the same problem but it feels like a pinching nerve and it hurts so bad it goes from my implant to my hand and it stays like that for quite a while I told my doctor I wanted it out a year earlier than expected and she told me no because she didn’t want me to get pregnant but it happens all the time and I’m going back again to see if I can get it removed a few months earlier than the date it’s supposed to come out and not only does it hurt me half the time but it’s so uncomfortable when literally doing anything I have to either move my arm or move the rod around just so it would stop and when it pinches I apply pressure which somewhat helps but I try moving it too but other than that I honestly have no clue what to do.
Animals1315
4 July 2020
Get an x ray/ mri of your arm with the implant in. It could be on a nerve.
Dud_m
12 June 2020
I have had Nexplanon in for about 2 years now. I experience this same numbness/ tingly feeling in my arm about once a month around the time of my cycle. It's almost like I can feel it "working." I'm getting it removed asap!
Slimwheeze
8 May 2020
weirdly enough, I’m having the same issues.
I’ve had my Nexplanon in for at least 2 years , and out of nowhere it started to ache , I called my doctor and scheduled to get it taken out next week, but it’s aching and time to time it’ll feel numb. I’ve tried to move my implant maybe a little bit to get whatever is bothering it out, it seemed to help some of the pain, but in all it’s still in the same place where it was inserted and it’s visible, so I know it didn’t move. but I just need some help, it’s in my left arm and honestly the pain comes and goes. and I’m TERRIFED to get it taken out... sos someone help pls
Slimwheeze
8 May 2020
but anyways , yeah it’s been hurting and aching for like Three days and I wanna know what you guys did to help with the left arm pain until I get it taken out. May 13th.
Harridam000
13 Oct 2019
Yes I have in I’m trying to figure out what’s going on
Shannonw9171
23 Sep 2019
I am experiencing the same things going on in my arm and my hand on the same side the implanon is implanted. Mine has not ran out yet. I had it put in on 11-1-17 but since have had a hysterectomy on 1-2019 due to transvaginal mesh removal. I'm not sure but arm goes numb and fingers tingle only thing I can figure it could be
Ba79072
22 Sep 2019
This is my second round having the Implanon and I have had it in for 6 months and I occasionally get a sharp pain in the arm that it is placed in. I have also gained about 10 lbs and my acne is worse, but at least I don't have to remember to take the pill. I had one period the month that it was placed and have not had one since. Definitely piece of mind and I am not wasting money on a pregnancy test every month.
It sounds like this pain is normal considering it is placed right next to muscle and tissue. If you put pressure on it by resting your arm or even moving your arm around, it makes sense that we can have discomfort because it is slightly mobile.
Alyssa44
30 July 2019
I know this is a late response , but I’ve been having the same issue lately , my left arm will go almost completely numb including my hand and some fingers , and this will last either all day or 2 days it will never last a few hours , I don’t know whether that’s normal or not , has anyone had the same issue?
Kathleeng81
30 July 2019
I have actually suffered severe nerve damage in my arm although it occurred getting it replaced for a new one which resulted in me getting a general anaesthetic to have it surgically removed I know have a permanent scar as well as nerve damage through this, if u have ANY concerns at all I’d get it check out & removed if there’s a possibility it’s not worth it
Holcath
31 May 2019
Literally made this account just to reply to this thread. Same issue for me ~ uncomfortable pain in my arm, had the implant for 2 years so far. I'm also tired all the time, gained weight (2 dress sizes), am irritated and moody all the time and it's putting strain on my relationship.
I actually went to the dr last month asking for it removed and she strongly advised against it. She claimed that "you can't gain weight or get moody on the implant" I even mentioned all the forums online saying otherwise and she said everyone was wrong..
Honestly don't know what my plan is rn, sick of contraception, pill made me spotty and gain weight too, apparently im too young to get tubes tied (22, no kids, don't want kids)...
Good luck for anyone else reading this, hope u figure things out & remember dont always trust ur gp!!!
LousArk
31 May 2019
I went through similar & now learned how to use the method of knowing when I'm fertile to time when I need to use condoms or avoid intercourse. It's only for 1 week of the month. Some family planning clinics teach it, or you can learn online which is what i did. It involves charting your fertility symptoms each day & only takes a couple of months to get the hang of. No more artificial hormones thankfully. Been doing it for a few years, now. Might be worth researching.
Kathleeng81
22 Jan 2019
I had an implant removed or they attempted removal & nerve damage has left me in pain, my arms a mess with 2 implants in & so far had 4 days at two different hospitals trying to get my arm fixed, they are deciding if I need surgery now truely horrendous, had 1 before this never a bother before
Miche38
22 Jan 2019
Oh my goodness!!! I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. I hope the doctors can fix your arm. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.
JamRenae1
19 Jan 2019
I’m having a Achy feeling in my arm. I got this implant 9 days ago before I left the hospital after delivery. My arm was fine the first week, every day now the pain is getting worse, not even around the injection site, but my whole dang arm as if I got punched. Feels like my whole arm is bruised down to just past my elbow. When I touch it, it’s extremely sore. My energy is starting to drain, im getting more and more tired each day, im never full and I already started gaining weight. I don’t mind the weight gain, or eating. I needed to gain weight. I’m 30, my height is 5”7 and I just gave birth to my 4th child. I’ve never weighed over 130 without being pregnant so the gaining is ok. But this pain and constant fatigue is kicking my but man. I’m not sure what I should do.
I have a high pain tolerance, but I remember when they were putting it in it felt a lot worse than my dang labor, it was extremely painful. My sister watched she said dang mine was not that bad at all and I did not even bleed the way you just did. I wonder why my experience was so different and if they placed it correctly. My arm, from my shoulder to below my elbow hurts and is extremely tender and weak. What’s wrong... smh
Miche38
19 Jan 2019
I suggest seeing your doctor to verify it was placed correctly. It could be hitting a nerve as mine did. I hope you will be able to see this. My last two replies never showed up on this thread.
JamRenae1
19 Jan 2019
(Miche38)
Yes, I got your response, so nerve pain isn’t always sharp? It can be dull and a sore achy kind of pain? On Monday if it does not improve or feel better I’m definitely going to call my Doctors Office. Did you feel better after you got your removed?
Miche38
19 Jan 2019
Yes, my pain got better after I had mine removed. It was a dull, achy pain most of the time. But it was becoming more and more frequent. If it was in the middle of the night I could not go back to sleep easily. Sometimes, I'd have a shooting pain towards my elbow or up towards my armpit. The doctor didn't seem concerned, but was willing to take it out as I kept repeating that I had constant dull pain that came AFTER the implant was placed. When I had the implant taken out after approximately 8 months, the dull pain went away after everything healed. When it was pulled out, however, there was a chunk of cells attached to the implant. I had sharp shooting pain down to my ring finger for about two weeks after it was removed. Now it feels normal again. I hope you get answers soon. It's not normal that you have that much pain. Good luck!!!
Animals1315
2 Jan 2019
Are any of you left handed by chance and have it placed in your left arm?, it's usually placed in the left arm even if it is your dominant arm. I had to actually really research this but the implant is known to be too close to the main nerve in the arm, the ulnar nerve. Which is almost always gets tapped against. I've looked into it and people have to had nerve surgery due to this. The providers who give it are supposed to be better educated. And it's never supposed to go in your dominant arm. I'm still trying to get mine diagnosed. The issues show up in ultrasound of the arm or MRI. People have lost full functioning of there arm. It's even worse when it gets taken out because the nerve can it tapped then or pulled on. I have not been able to write or draw without extreme pain since the implant, which has been getting worse now if I do too much with my arm and hurts bad I get migraines.
I had that thing put in two years ago, and taken out roughly a year after because it hurt. It definitely did not make a difference. Hope my answer helps. I used to draw all the time. Now I can't even sign my name.
Slimwheeze
8 May 2020
Yes, I am having the same exact issue.
Kiah-marie
3 Dec 2018
I have the implant too, and have had it for 8 months or so. I randomly get throbbing pain where it is also and I have no idea why lol
Miche38
22 Nov 2018
I had my implant placed in April, so I've had it about seven months. After the initial healing time, I didn't really have any pain or discomfort issues. My period stopped but after having heavy bleeding from the previous nonhormal IUD, I welcomed the change. Then I started losing my hair. I thought maybe it was just a seasonal thing as I don't have much stress for once in my life, but it hasn't stopped. I started taking supplements to hopefully hold on to what is left. Then the sex drive started going down. It's at 0 now and for someone who has always enjoyed having sex, I feel nothing. Nada. Zilch. Then I started having an aching pain in the same arm as the implant. It wasn't all of the time, so I figured it was no big deal. As of the last few weeks the aching pain is there almost 24/7. As an added bonus, I also have a nerve like stinging pain under my armpit that sometimes radiates to my breast or down my arm.
I went to see the doctor today as the pain issues are keeping me from getting a good night's sleep. She told me that everything "looked" fine. It was a good insertion. Should be easy to remove. She doesn't do removals in her office anymore so I get to go to the hospital. Although she seemed to be okay with me getting it taken out, she didn't really seem bothered by the fact that I was in constant pain. She wasn't worried about it being cancer and she thought maybe I'd change my mind about having it taken out. I insisted that the pain and lack of sleep was not okay and that I'd be making an appointment. I finally got a hold of the hospital where they'll take it out. The first available appointment is in one month. If this keeps up I might go in and ask if there have been any cancelations. Hopefully when it's out, the pain will stop and everything will go back to normal. Fingers crossed!!!
Hayleesmom92851
3 Dec 2018
Checking up
Related topics
implanon, birth control, pain, doctor
Further information
- Implanon uses and safety info
- Implanon prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Implanon (detailed)
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