Implanon and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Val...
• May 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for about 5-6 months now. I've gained about 8 pounds within those months. It is a very effective birth control, but I've never been so moody and angry in my life. Ever since I've got it, my boyfriend and I have noticed my moods being completely different and awful. Not only have I gained weight, but it's also making me break out really bad. My acne will not go away no matter what I try to use."

• iam...
• January 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had it for 1 year. I bled for 1 month straight, starting the day after it was inserted. My hormones were out of whack. I was irritable, moody! My face broke out in nasty pimples on my face, chest, and back. (I'm on prescribed acne medicines now) but overall no pregnancy. My moods balanced out, eventually. My cycle comes once a month, it's really light, but lasts 10-14 days."

• CHI...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon since '08. This past October is my third one, which will be 9 years. I started out at 105 lbs, which I stayed at for 5 to 6 years. I did gain weight after I stopped smoking. I am now 125 lbs. Not complaining. I was getting acne but blame smoking. My period was really the main frustration: 1 month of very light spotting, panty liner period to 3 months with no periods. Now I am having a 1-week light period after 3 months with no period. My only real concern here is that sometimes my periods are so light that I only know I'm on when it’s found in my discharge often. No need for pads, panty liners, etc. Wanted to know if anyone else was experiencing this."

• gat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2015

For Birth Control "Got it in Feb. '13 (19 yrs) because I had really heavy periods. Seen a lot of mixed reviews about insertion pain. I did not feel anything during insertion and only had a slight achy pain in my arm after for a week. If the procedure is done right, you should not feel anything. If you do, tell your doctor! I had maybe 2 or 3 days of spotting and after that nothing! I've always had depression/anxiety, so honestly can't say either way if this is normal. I have gained a significant amount of weight since, however, my doctor pointed out that I had been rapidly gaining weight before (thanks college!). I ALWAYS had perfect skin and now I struggle badly with acne, so this could have been a side effect. Just remember, every woman is different. Discuss the decision thoroughly with your doctor."

• imp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2016

For Birth Control "So many people warned me against it, but I wouldn't listen. The convenience of not taking something every day or having to use condoms with my partner was too alluring. But 100% not worth it. I bled 20 days of the month - mostly spotting, but due to unexpected random heavy periods at completely random times, I had to wear a tampon always. The constant tampon wear dried out my nether regions to the point that I formed dermatitis downstairs and constantly had sores. This, partnered with the hormonal changes, completely destroyed my sex drive. Not to mention the cystic, painful acne, the hair thinning, constant painful breasts, horrible mood, and yeast infections. I was 17 to 18 years old too! DO NOT RECOMMEND."

• imp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2016

For Birth Control "So many people warned me against it, but I wouldn't listen. The convenience of not taking something every day or having to use condoms with my partner was too alluring. But 100% not worth it. I bled 20 days of the month - mostly spotting, but due to unexpected random heavy periods at completely random times, I had to wear a tampon always. The constant tampon wear dried out my nether regions to the point that I formed dermatitis downstairs and constantly had sores. This, partnered with the hormonal changes, completely destroyed my sex drive. Not to mention the cystic, painful acne, the hair thinning, constant painful breasts, horrible mood, and yeast infections. I was 17 to 18 years old too! DO NOT RECOMMEND."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2013

For Birth Control "It has done its job; I am not pregnant. I have had it since Jan of 2012, and my periods have been sporadic. The first year, I spotted once every few months. Now, into my second year of having it, the spotting/light period will last months at a time. I have been bleeding with no breaks since May. After my concern with the thought of having to go back to the dreaded routine of trying to remember taking a daily birth control pill wore off, I remembered the reason why I got the Implanon: to enjoy intimacy with my boyfriend without pregnancy. This doesn't happen with me bleeding more days out of the year than I am not. The only complaint that I have is the spotting; I've had no weight gain, no increase in acne, no mood swings, etc."

• Dig...
• October 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my birth control implant since February 2015, and my face had broken out so bad: face acne and worse back acne. I had mood swings, and I actually think it's making me lose weight. It's terrible for me, I'm getting it removed next week!"

• Dig...
• October 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my birth control implant since February 2015, and my face had broken out so bad: face acne and worse back acne. I had mood swings, and I actually think it's making me lose weight. It's terrible for me, I'm getting it removed next week!"

• Imp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I got this birth control for ease of use and for the fact of its high rate of effectiveness. This birth control definitely meets those criteria but also brings more bad than good. I'm a very healthy eater, exercise 3-4 times per week, and track all of my calories on a fitness app. I've been on a reduced calorie diet the entire duration I've had Implanon and have managed to gain weight (8 pounds). I want to eat more than 1,200 calories per day. I've complained to my doctor, and she says that it's normal. The final straw has been that I've developed terrible cystic hormonal acne on my jawline that won't go away. I'm getting it out next week and can't wait!"

• bec...
• October 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I would recommend this to anyone. I first had Implanon at 19, back in 2009. I had a two-week-long period, and that was the last period I've had. I'm now 24 and coming to the end of my second implant, and I can honestly say I have had no bad side effects. When I was on the pill, I came out in terrible acne, I had none with this implant. I haven't had any weight gain, but I've always been around 150-160 pounds. I'm living in the UK, so for me (thanks to our amazing healthcare), this product is free, but I would pay for it if I had to. You have it changed once every three years, and you're sorted until next time or you decide to have a little one. Fab."

• Lea...
• October 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for almost 3 years now. No period since I've had it in. Not pregnant, so it's effective, but ever since getting this, I've noticed horrible mood swings in the first year, major loss of sex drive, and now I've had horrible acne on my cheeks for about 8 months. I'm calling tomorrow to get this thing out. It has to come out in May anyway, but I'm hoping my body will get back to normal sooner."

• Jac...
• November 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the implant inserted June 2015, so far it's good. Though I do get irregular bleeding throughout the month, I'm okay with it. The first two months on the implant, I noticed that I was breaking out more than usual, I was very tired and also had a very huge appetite and cravings for seafood. I did also begin to feel very nauseous and even have a loss of appetite sometimes. After the third month of the implant, the breakouts have gone away, and I have put on a few pounds, but more in my thigh and gluteal region. I'm okay with the weight gain because I can use extra pounds. I also notice a change in my hair, it is thicker than what it already is and also grows at a faster rate. So far, I have been fine with the implant."

• alm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my first Implanon six years ago after my second child, and I didn't get my period for 2 years, weight gain, mood swings, and that was with the old Implanon. Then the second Implanon was as bad as the first: mood swings and weight gain, but I managed to lose lots of weight due to diet and exercise. I wasn't really aware that those side effects in the past were the result of the Implanon until I got the third Implanon inserted six months ago. I had weeks of heavy bleeding, zero libido, weight gain like crazy in such a short time-10 kg!!! (I eat a healthy diet and exercise). I developed acne on my chest, shoulders, and head, bloated, mood swings, excruciating lower back pain. I took out the Implanon 3 weeks ago and plan to try Mirena instead."

• 247...
• May 3, 2017

For Birth Control "So I've had my period, it has always been hell: cramps like crazy, insane mood swings, and horrible acne. I've tried almost every birth control pill on the market, and all of them have either not been effective in stopping my period or have made my acne worse. Last year, after a scare, I decided it was time for a more permanent solution. Three months in, and I was really loving it. It really made my periods better and bearable. Then it started to go hairy. I started losing hair, my hair became greasy, my skin began flaking and breaking out. This was all pretty upsetting, but if my period would stay gone, then it was worth it. Basically, my period came back and was coming every day! I also put on thirty pounds with no lifestyle changes."

• 247...
• May 3, 2017

For Birth Control "So I've had my period, it has always been hell: cramps like crazy, insane mood swings, and horrible acne. I've tried almost every birth control pill on the market, and all of them have either not been effective in stopping my period or have made my acne worse. Last year, after a scare, I decided it was time for a more permanent solution. Three months in, and I was really loving it. It really made my periods better and bearable. Then it started to go hairy. I started losing hair, my hair became greasy, my skin began flaking and breaking out. This was all pretty upsetting, but if my period would stay gone, then it was worth it. Basically, my period came back and was coming every day! I also put on thirty pounds with no lifestyle changes."

• Ces...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I only had the Implanon inserted about 3 months ago, but so far it has had its pros and cons. I'll start with the pros. It's great not to have to worry about taking the pill or getting pregnant! I haven't put on any weight at all. I haven't had depressed thoughts/anxiety even though I've experienced this in my past. My sex drive is great. There is just one con, which is quite a big one for me considering I'm in a new relationship, etc. My skin has developed this awful acne. Really deep, painful spots that appear all over my chin and forehead. I got a few spots before but nothing like this. They are so, so painful I've had to go to my doctor, and they've prescribed me with 80 days' worth of antibiotics and gel to hopefully help it."

• bsu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for almost 3 years now, and I plan on putting another one in as this one is removed. They inserted the Implanon when I was on my period, and I haven't had a period since (yes!). I'm on a lot of acne medicine already, so if it did increase acne, I didn't notice. I have also gained weight (8 lbs), but that could be due to the whole 'freshman fifteen', it's hard to tell. I've recently lost some weight, and it has been really, really hard. But again, I have no idea if it is from the Implanon. All around, though, I really like the Implanon. I don't have to worry about taking a pill or getting a shot. It's put in (which is not very painful, I only feel the numbing shot), and that's it for 3 years. I love it!"

• Hap...
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Got it back in Sept 2015, and so far, so good. I love it! I did get my period about 2-3 weeks after getting it, it lasted about 3-4 weeks, and I haven't gotten my period since! Guess everyone's body reacts to it differently, but for me, it did wonders. Didn't gain any weight. Though, 4 months later, I started to break out. Not sure if it's the birth control, but I will try to manage that. Happy that I don't have to take the pills because sometimes I would forget."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Awesome form of birth control. I have been on it since December 2014. It has not failed me once. My periods without BC are every month, with BC, it's every two to three months, which is great. Also, I have noticed the only side effect for me is when I'm going to start my menstrual, I'll develop a little bit of acne, otherwise, great method, and I'm going to renew it for another three years."

• Lc3...
• September 28, 2009

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon since May of 2009, and my experiences are similar to the bad ones. From the time I got it, I had light periods for almost 6 weeks. Then the bleeding stopped for about 2 months. Now it is September and I started again, and it will leave and come back. I have also noticed that when lifting heavy objects, I will have unexpected bleeding. I haven't taken it out because I am in school, and this problem is a lot better than having an unexpected pregnancy. However, those who don't have the patience for this type of thing, beware. I do have mood swings, my skin was beautiful before, now I break out. No headaches and weight gain yet. However, this process is scary because your periods are unpredictable."

• Bub...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 15, 2016

For Birth Control "So, after having the implant for 8 years. Yes, that's right, I've been crazy enough to have this 3 times. Was fine at first. Then I started getting depressed, gained 7 stone throughout the years I have had it (on and off by dieting), depressed, unmotivated, tearful, low sex drive, acne. I've got severe acne scarring on my back, face, and chest and even feeling suicidal at times and constant, heavy, painful periods. The only reason I have had it as long as I have is because I heard horror stories about other forms, and I am forgetful, so the pill is not suitable. I've decided to pluck up the courage to get the IUD and finally say goodbye. THANK GOD! Can finally get my life back hopefully!"

• ava...
• March 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I love my Implanon! Have had Implanon in for about a year, and it's been great! I've gained a bit of weight and have found it a bit harder to lose any extra, but if you exercise and eat healthy, it shouldn't be a problem. So I haven't had a pregnancy, and it's actually cleared almost all my acne. I guess the extra hormones actually balanced me out. Definitely going for another one when I turn 21. If anything changes, I'll be sure to change my review, but so far, it's the best birth control ever, it's out of sight and out of mind."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2009

For Birth Control "I had Implanon since July 07, and I 100% love it. I got it after having an abortion and not wanting to have to make that type of decision again. After I 1st got it, I was period-less for 3 months, and since then, my period comes every 4-6 weeks for about 5-7 days, but no weight gain, mood swings, or acne until 1 or 2 days prior to my period starting, so I just chalk it up to PMS. Other than that, I love not having to think about pregnancy or remembering to take some pills or get a shot. I highly recommend it."

• bst...
• July 12, 2009

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon in May 2008. I was told I would have irregular bleeding for the first 6 months, then it would stop. It's been 14 months, and I have had my period ever since I got it put in. I've been very patient since my doctor kept saying just wait another month and maybe it'll die down. My mood swings are off the charts, I find myself always being angry and depressed. It's so annoying to always have a tampon on, and I can't even mention how that affects my relationship with my husband. I also have horrible acne. The only positive things I can say about the Implanon are that you don't have to remember to take the pill and I didn't gain any weight from it. I made an appointment to get it removed tomorrow, I can't take it anymore."