Implanon and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the Implanon for a little over a year now, and I'm ready to have it removed! The constant mood swings, terrible acne, and constant nonstop heavy periods are just too much. My periods last anywhere from 12 to 15 days! I was told that it would eventually regulate, and it hasn't. Yes, it's effective because you bleed so much that you're unable to have sex! I have not had any pregnancy scares, but who wants to go through all the extra nonsense? I don't! I'm having it removed soon!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2015

For Birth Control "Since getting the implant in, I had a few longer periods, and now I haven't gotten it for a couple of months. That has been the only advantage so far for me. I was always skinny, then gained 30 pounds from this. Being in my 20s, I was horrified. I have to get all new clothes because of mine not fitting, and I was so embarrassed to even go out. I've also never had acne before, and now I've been having major breakouts constantly. I also have no sex drive anymore, I have no energy, and I have been very depressed, which has never happened to me before. I am now getting this removed after 5 months of having it. Overall, I would not recommend this option. But of course, this doesn't happen to everyone."

• Eli...
• August 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I had this implanted in February of 2015. It's now August, and I've had nothing but great results. No weight gain, only loss. No breakouts, only skin clearing. I think often people blame their own behaviors on their birth control. If you take good care of yourself, eat well, and continue to work out, I wouldn't say from my experience that you have any trouble. It has migrated up my arm a little bit, but it's no problem. I haven't had my period since March! No pain or anything bad. I really enjoy this form of birth control. I recommend giving it a go if your insurance will cover it."

• Mae...
• May 22, 2015

For Birth Control "Man, oh man. Let me tell y'all about this Implanon birth control. I got this implant in my arm one month after I had my twin girls. I just got it taken out yesterday, I had this piece of shit a little over a year. Putting it in isn't bad. But I bled for that whole year and one month! Extremely heavy. At one point, I thought I had to go to the ER. Not only that, hair loss is one of the side effects that they don't tell you about in the doctor's office. My hair has gotten so damn thin, it's a shame. PLUS, don't forget about the acne that never goes away, no matter how many times you wash your face lol. I've read that women gained weight on this, but for me, it was the complete opposite, I lost a lot of weight. Plus, constant mood swings!"

• Sar...
• August 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had my implant for about 1 month. I'm 22, I've never had kids nor have I been on birth control before. The reason I got on was because I got into a serious relationship, and well, we both aren't ready for children yet. My main concerns were the weight gain, breaking out, the spotting, and the sex drive. I was weighing 140 lbs when I got it and now weigh 135. My skin has actually been looking better than usual, and the spotting I have had is very little. And the sex drive has not changed. The only negative thing I could say is that I do feel emotional and want to cry a lot more than ever. But besides that, it's great!"

• Kei...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "If there was an option for zero stars out of ten, it would receive zero. I got this put in my arm about a year and a half ago, and since then, I have put on right around 100 lbs. I never get a period but have the worst cramps I've ever had in my life around every 3 months. I've never had acne, and now I can't get rid of it no matter how much medication I use. I am overly emotional and have the worst mood swings. My best advice: STAY AWAY FROM IMPLANON."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for almost 2 years now, and it's not that bad, really. I've gained 40 pounds, and even though I exercise daily, my acne got worse, sadly. When I started, I had my period for a month straight, now it's normal for the most part. I get it for 7 days instead of 3 days. My sex drive isn't really that high either, which I don't mind, but not my boyfriend. Overall, I just like the idea of how I don't have to remember to take it or anything."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2017

For Birth Control "My doctor explained everything, and I read a brochure before receiving the implant. It's a personal decision I made, and when going into it, I knew that every woman reacts to it physically and mentally differently! I wish there was a way they could tell you how your body would react to it beforehand, but they can't, lol! I recommend giving it a try, but it's not for me. I had it removed 6 months in. The number one reason why was because I bled since the day I got it put in, and that is just NO way to live. I had happy moments and really angry moments on it. I started getting acne on my face, which I'm not used to, my anxiety was off the roof, and I gained at least 15 pounds, which I didn't need considering I just had a baby at the time!"

• Sar...
• June 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had three implants in total now and just had my last one removed after having it for a year. I had two with no problems apart from acne. The last I had after I had my first child, and it was the worst thing ever. I'd lost all the baby weight, then had the implant inserted and gained three stone back in about four months. Nothing would shift it. It completely changed my appetite, gave me horrible acne and dandruff, and reduced my sex drive to nothing. I had it removed seven days ago, and it was the best decision ever. In just seven days, I've lost seven pounds by doing nothing, dandruff has nearly gone, and my skin has nearly all cleared up. I loved the Implanon implant before having my baby, but after, it just seemed to cause so many side effects, it wasn't worth it."

• All...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I highly suggest against this birth control. I was on the pill but was annoyed at taking them every day, so I switched to Implanon. Worst idea ever. I gained over 30 pounds in 5 months, have no sex drive, extreme abdominal pains, periods for months (months) straight, very moody, and lethargic all the time. I tried going to the gym for a while, but the weight kept gaining (without any diet change). I went from 120 lbs to now 150 lbs. Not OK! Oh, I forgot about acne. Yeah, a ton of it that will not go away no matter what you do. Do yourself a favor and do not get this birth control. I finally get it out on Monday and I'm switching back to the pill!"

• Bri...
• July 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for 3 months! The first month, I was bleeding for 3 weeks, then, after the 3 weeks, I had brown discharge for a week! Well, everything went away for a week, then I was bleeding again for another 2 weeks! Now, in the 3rd month, I am just angry all the time. I'm depressed, like for no reason, I want to cry. I never want to eat, ever, which is not normal for me. I don't want to have sex, ever, which isn't normal. My head hurts all day! My face is breaking out so bad. I'm getting this out Monday. I'll never use birth control. I'm not going to put this stuff in my body ever again, no form of birth control! I've never felt so sick in my life. It's really affecting my daily life and not good for my relationship with my husband- just overall, the worst birth control ever."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I loved everything about the Implanon - BUT I had to have it removed because it gave me horrific cystic acne deep under my skin around my chin. I was so caught up worrying that my depression and anxiety would arise as a side effect that I didn't realize it was actually the bar causing the sudden change in my skin. It's such a shame because otherwise I loved it. I've had it gone for a few months now, my skin started to settle but now is flaring up again. If you do find you start to experience cystic acne on the Implanon - DO NOT TOUCH IT and get your doc to prescribe a topical acne ointment to save yourself from it spreading and causing scarring :("

• Lal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Got Implanon in December and had it removed a couple of weeks ago. I'm back on the pill, and my hormones are still fluctuating, so I'm waiting until I'm normal again. HORRIBLE side effects. Do not recommend!! I had it in for about 5 months and got my period twice on it (more like spotting for a week). It gave me insane acne on my face and back, terrible breast pain and swelling, the most extreme mood swings, increased my depression and anxiety x1000, gave me headaches at first, and completely wiped out my sex drive. Had pretty much every side effect except weight gain and never-ending spotting. Removal was horrible, it took 2 incisions to remove the stick from hell!!! PROS: never had to maintain birth control (like pills, NuvaRing) and not pregnant."

• Dix...
• March 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Got it 3 years ago and have had it reinserted in the last 6 months. Found it great for the first 3 years, rarely had periods, but when I did, at random times. Did not affect my sex drive, but my skin has suffered terribly with breakouts. Since I reinserted it, it's a completely different story: very heavy period, I'm a complete emotional basket case, extreme mood swings, not feeling myself. Seriously considering a new form of contraception."

• Jes...
• January 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted 4 months ago after my son was born. Since then, I have gained 15 additional pounds to the weight I had gained due to pregnancy. I have had a migraine for the past 4 days that not even migraine medicine and sleep can't take away. My acne is terrible since I got this birth control. I have been bleeding non-stop for the past 4 months. My hair is falling out. It is causing major mood swings. It is making me a very angry person, which I am not. Overall, I just feel unhealthy due to the Implanon. Every possible side effect that any Implanon user could experience, I am experiencing."

• H S...
• May 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my first Implanon in July 2011 at 17 y/o. The 3 years of being on my first rod was okay. I gained about 15 lbs, started getting a little acne (never had acne before that), and I had a period about twice a year (light, lasted a week). I got my second implant in July 2014. A month later, I started experiencing HORRIBLE acne, mood swings, and more weight gain. I've now gained about 30 lbs since getting my first rod. The only pros are no periods (twice a year) and no pregnancies (my boyfriend had unprotected sex for almost 5 yrs). My acne has calmed down a lot in the past 6 months, but I now have a lot of scarring. It's now almost 2 years into my second rod, and I plan on getting it removed this summer because I can't get the weight off."

• mam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I was put on Implanon in September 2011 after delivering my second daughter in July 2011. I did not have a period for several months after getting it, besides a few days of spotting here and there. Within one month of getting Implanon, I started getting serious headaches, and in February, I began passing out randomly. I had low blood pressure, low heart rate, and was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri. I had to get a lumbar puncture to relieve the pressure. A few days later, I had to get a blood patch because I got a spinal headache. I ended up needing a second lumbar puncture in August 2012. In November 2012, I was also diagnosed with PCOS, which caused acne, hair growth, painful periods, and infertility. I was told that Implanon caused these."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon inserted in June 2016, it was not a big deal, as my doctor was skillful. Afterward, it looked like a rather large bruise for ten or so days, but healed neat. It stayed sore for some weeks. I had a hellish first 4 months adjusting: heavier, super-long periods followed by incessant spotting. Hair thinning and loss while body hair increased, acne, too much weight loss, and feeling frequently moody, panicking, or nauseous. Sex drive disappeared. Fed up and miserable, I saw my doc and was advised to wait another few months to see if it settled. It did. My periods have stopped now, and skin and hair are much better (though not completely the same as before). So relieved it's better and that I gave it a bit more time."

• Kia...
• June 17, 2017

For Birth Control "Well, girls, I absolutely do not recommend Implanon. Let me tell you a little bit about my journey with it. I got Implanon on August 8, 2016, and today I took it out on June 17, 2017. It's been a nightmare. Of course, it does what it's supposed to do, which is not getting you pregnant, but on the other side, it is the most horrible thing that has happened to me because of the side effects. 1. My period started to be irregular, and after 3 months, my period just disappeared. 2. I am a person who always tries to take care of my skin, and after one month of having Implanon, my skin started to be dry and breakout a lot, even on my back."

• kim...
• March 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon in my arm for 3 years now, ending next month, April 2014. I will have it removed and not continue to use it. There are pros and cons. Pros: of course, I am not pregnant, so if you want a trustworthy contraceptive and don't mind the side effects, then this is it. However, when I got it inserted in 2011, I was 19. I broke out like crazy, gained a lot of weight, didn't have my period for like a year, and then it would come like 4 times a year. Most importantly, I feel like I am crazy! I have crazy mood swings, when I think of sex, I just want to throw up (hence, sex drive gone). I want to be normal again. I give it an 8 because it's a great product. To me, acne and weight gain are not a problem, and I never got pregnant having sex."

• kat...
• November 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon about a year and a half ago when the PA at Planned Parenthood recommended it. I got the implant in February and finished my last period in May. I haven't had any spotting. I did notice getting more acne and irritability for about two or so months after it was implanted, but now my mood has evened off and my skin is back to what it was before the implant. So far, I don't have any complaints, I'm actually quite surprised to read all of these negative reviews."

• Ham...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I was 21 when I got Implanon inserted. I wanted an easy-to-remember contraceptive that was not placed in my uterus, that kind of freaks me out. Simple, straightforward insertion, few days of bruising. I had it inserted after my baby turned 8 weeks. I hadn't had my period yet, and after the insertion, continued to not have periods for a whole year (up to today), no mood swings, no acne, a really great birth control! However, I have a non-existent sex drive, and it's really rocking my marriage. After a lot of contemplation and concluding that it's the birth control and not likely the breastfeeding causing this lack of libido (possibly motherhood too), I am removing it next week and going back on pills. Good luck to my sex life!"

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon in for almost a year. Since I've had it, I haven't gone for more than 2 days without spotting, will have a heavy period for up to 5 weeks, migraines, muscle pains, joint aches, acne, incredible mood swings, will cry for no reason, extreme anxiety where everything around me goes hazy and I feel like I'm moving in slow motion, my breasts constantly ache, and I've gained about 35 pounds. While it's great to not have to worry about taking a pill daily, the side effects aren't worth it."

• Shi...
• March 27, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my 2nd Implanon, the 1st one I had took a few months for my body to settle. I had a bit of spotting for 5 months, then periods completely stopped. I have had acne and blackheads. I have bloating in my stomach. Weight has been stable, though."

• Shi...
• March 27, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my 2nd Implanon, the 1st one I had took a few months for my body to settle. I had a bit of spotting for 5 months, then periods completely stopped. I have had acne and blackheads. I have bloating in my stomach. Weight has been stable, though."