Implanon and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• liz...
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this birth control. I have had it for 2 years, and it's been 2 crazy years dealing with the side effects. I'm going to remove it, I made my appointment, and it's coming out. I wouldn't recommend it, even though it does help with not getting pregnant, but dealing with the side effects is the worst part. I would bleed for like 2 weeks straight, and I won't for a week, and the bleeding will start again. I have had breast pain, acne, etc., things that I never experienced with other birth controls. Not satisfied at all with this birth control."

• Ale...
• August 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I chose the Implanon after 5 years of being on the Depo injection (I began having the most awful mood swings after 3 years or so on it). I chose the Implanon as I wanted to try a different method of contraception. The first 6 months have been brilliant, however, in the last couple of months, I have had such horrendous acne. I've never had spots, and I've recently been getting hard boils/lumps on my face that take about 4-5 days to go! Gross, I know. I've had awful fluid retention around my pubis and belly, which goes after a week or so. Periods are hit and miss. Last month was so light, yet this month I've been bleeding over a week using super plus tampons! Mood swings have been an issue too. I need a non-hormonal method... copper IUD next!"

• Hai...
• January 8, 2013

For Birth Control "I got Implanon three years ago and just got it taken out today. Insertion was very easy and very quick, it did not hurt, they numb your arm. I would say that the only thing I did not care for with the Implanon was the somewhat occasional spotting. I never really got a regular period, which was nice, but I did need to carry a panty liner with me for just in case. I would say that I got spotting about every other month, and it would last anywhere from three to six days. I know that some people have said that they had weight gain, and so did I, however, I went from 88 pounds to 96 pounds (I am only 5 ft tall), so I needed to gain that weight, I was unhealthy. I have always had acne and oily skin, so it is hard to say if it affected that."

• Roa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2016

For Birth Control "My experience has been somewhat mixed. I have been using Implanon now for nearly 14 months and have decided to get it removed because I bleed every day, all day. I would occasionally stain my underwear and my sheets. It didn't start out that way, for the first month, I didn't bleed at all. Then I had an epic two-week period, then everything was irregular, which has basically been my new norm, sadly. I decided to get rid of the Implanon because of the endless bleeding. I should mention that the bleeding was usually pretty light, a bit more than spotting, but not quite a period either. Other than the endless bleeding, I've been pretty side effect free, except for minor acne. I didn't get pregnant on it, so yeah! But... blood, a lot of blood."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon inserted in May of 2010. I also thought it would be the better choice for me because I wouldn't have to worry about taking a pill every day. The doctor tells you that it will take your body the first 6 months to get used to the Implanon and 'figure out what it wants to do with your body.' 9 months later, I am among the percentage that has the negative side effects. I haven't stopped bleeding since May. I will be off of it for 1 or 2 days, but then it starts again. The blood flow is regular. I also noticed that I began to get headaches, back pain, abnormally irritable, feet swelling, and constant acne breakouts. In the end, abstinence had become my form of birth control. So I got it taken out and I'm on the pill."

• mtr...
• July 22, 2015

For Birth Control "Just got my Implanon/Nexplanon replaced again, love it, going on year 7 with it continuously! Had it for a full 6 years now, got it when I was 16 and have had it in since. I have had no noticeable side effects like weight gain and acne. The only side effect I experienced is that my period stopped, other than some light spotting once or twice in 6 years. I would highly recommend it because there's nothing easier and less painful it seems than the implant, from my end, there's nothing to lose."

• jc9...
• August 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my implant about 4 months ago, since then, I've had really long and heavy periods, spotting for maybe 2 weeks, then I might stop altogether for about a week, start spotting, then have the heavy, prolonged period. I haven't had any other side effects, such as the nausea and headaches like it said I would. I am getting more acne than I've ever had, though. I'm just worried about these never-ending periods."

• Tee...
• October 21, 2015

For Birth Control "It's been 2 months and overall my experience has been positive. No period or spotting, just a few acne breakouts here and there. No weight gain or crazy appetite. I barely eat and I don't have mood swings. It was sore for a few weeks, but now it's not noticeable at all. Love it, will do it again if removal goes smoothly."

• 21y...
• September 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had my Implanon replaced just over a month ago. I've had a good three years in regards to this birth control, no side effects except I've had no period for three years (which I'm quite glad about). The only thing with the replacement is I've had a bit of acne. Really large under-the-skin painful spots. I'm sure this is just the initial surge of hormones as it is a new one, so hopefully this will subside. But other than that, no complaints!"

• Ton...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I first had my first one inserted in 2008 shortly after having my first and only child. I had minimal side effects. My period stopped until about a year out from the removal date and became light and irregular with months in between, so it wasn't really a problem. I had bad acne growing up, but my skin cleared. I never have had much of a sex drive to begin with, so I don't know how much of an effect the Implanon had on that side of things. Same goes in regard to depression. My appetite did increase a large amount, and there has been gradual weight gain over the 7 years of use. The removal of my third one had complications due to it moving deeper into my arm, so I have decided to give it a break now and see what happens to my body without one."

• Kus...
• September 20, 2010

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in December 2009. The insertion was fine, and I had very little pain or bruising. It has now been in my arm for nine months, and I am having to deal with the following: acne, increased appetite, loss of sex drive, and horrible mood swings, and I generally feel very low in myself. I am due to have it taken out today and hope that I can return to the woman I was."

• Aet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 21, 2015

For Birth Control "Second implant (5 yrs). Severe headaches, permanent 5-year-long period with a small relief each month, acne, hormonal problems, severe abdominal pain, my kidney stones were nothing compared to what the doctors thought were ovarian cysts bursting (it's a side effect, another no one knew/told me/made info accessible). So much they don't know. Don't get it if you have depressive tendencies! Again, no info I could find at the time! Mental health has been appalling; raging anger; mood swings; depression; anxiety. Don't feel pressure to get it or stay on it if it's not for you. It's your body! I pressured myself in fear of pregnancy ruining my life plan, but I'd rather deal with unwanted preg. I want to be myself again without symptoms! Not recommended."

• Mak...
• July 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I've only had the implant for a little over a month. I got it June the 6th. Since then I've bled for 24 days on end. Light spotting, which I hate. Also, my skin has begun to break out as well. Not really big bumps, but little annoying ones that keep popping up each day. Makes me want to go see my dermatologist again. I've also had mood swings as well, which I already suffered from. I think it's getting worse too. No weight gain. I work out pretty regularly. I'm going to try it for just one more month, and if these side effects don't stop or at least get better, I will have it removed. The only real plus is that I haven't gotten pregnant and I have sex pretty often. So I guess it's serving its only real purpose."

• lee...
• July 28, 2011

For Birth Control "I am getting this out as soon as possible. It has indeed prevented pregnancy, however, I have suffered awful side effects, including: moodiness, weight gain, painful acne, nervousness, nausea, headaches, eye tenderness, ever flutters as if I'm pregnant. I will be back on the pill."

• Cor...
• June 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the implant in May 2014. I didn't have a period until January, which lasted 3 weeks. Now, at the end of May 2015, I'm on a second period entering the second week. It's been working great thus far. I only gained 5 pounds while on it. Whiteheads on my face, on my chin specifically, have increased :( . The only other issue I have is my arm itches where the implant is at times."

• Che...
• November 23, 2015

For Birth Control "Genuinely would not recommend this as a form of birth control. Have had it in for almost a year. The first few months were okay, but it's gradually gotten worse. I'm constantly on my period, I've got acne, I'm tired, I've gained weight, and it's impossible to shift. How I feel on it affects me the most. I'm emotional and moody and feel like crap! It's taken my sparkle away. No girl wants that. Have booked an appointment to get it out. Never again."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for about 4 years now. I just got it reimplanted. If I recall correctly, you do spot the first year or the first two years. I just don't remember spotting as much the third year. Your mood may change a bit. You may get some acne. You also may gain some weight. I don't know how it affects my sex drive. This is what I've experienced. HOWEVER, in comparison to other birth controls, this one is great. The bloating and backache that I got when I was on my period is nothing compared to the small bloating and backache you may get when on this. I get no cramps or fatigue. Depo Provera gave me hot flashes. The NuvaRing kept falling out."

• Gle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2013

For Birth Control "9 months in: The first period that I had on Implanon was about 2 weeks later than expected and lasted about 2 weeks long. Since then, all of my periods have come within about a week of when I would have expected them. Each period has been shorter in length, as well as lighter. (Usually, there are only about 2 days of bleeding that are really noticeable, but the other 5-8 days are just spotting on and off). I look forward to the day when it is just a few days of spotting, or less. As far as other side effects go: I have maybe one bad headache every other month. I noticed no weight gain until recently (which is probably due more so to the holidays than the Implanon!). I do have a lot of acne, especially on my chest. Despite these negatives, I like it!"

• jpo...
• February 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I had Implanon for just about two years. The first 17 months was awesome, no bleeding (at all), and no cramps. Right at 18 months, I started having irregular bleeding/spotting almost every week. It wasn't bad, but it got pretty annoying. I just had it removed today and switched back to Trinessa. I gained only around eight pounds (which was a lot for me because I have always been petite). My face was constantly broken out!"

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon in since March 2010, and I absolutely love it! I have a 10-day period every 1 1/2 months, my libido is up, I haven't gained weight (if I have, it's from overeating), and I don't have cramps. I have started to have really oily skin on my face, which has caused acne, but nothing I can't handle. Overall, an awesome experience!"

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted on July 24, 2009, and had a little bruising, but nothing too serious. Two weeks later, I had a very painful period, where I couldn't get out of bed, literally! My period usually lasts 3-5 days, and on Implanon, it lasted almost 2 weeks. No, it wasn't spotting, it was still bright red blood. But 6 weeks later, I am still spotting! I have changed my eating habits and worked out 6 days a week, and have not been able to drop a pound! I have no sex drive either and have had more acne in the past 2 months than I have ever had in my life."

• Ell...
• February 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I love this little guy! I can't take estrogen, so my doctor recommended this to me. While the birth control pill is incredible, this rod really shines because of how it stops PMS and almost annihilates my periods! I have experienced no weight gain, irregular bleeding, or acne while on this. The fact that it has a 0.05% failure rate really helps me sleep at night. I had very little bruising after getting it inserted, but there was some pain for about 5 days afterward. This wasn't a problem because the implant is inserted on the non-dominant arm. It is totally invisible besides the tiny dot on my upper arm that nobody has noticed. Playing with the implant is also something fun to do in a boring class!"

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I got Implanon in October 2011, and I felt the cons outweighed the pros. My symptoms included: vaginal bleeding (all the time), hair loss! As someone else mentioned, my hair also broke off in the middle - my mother has also noticed it, depression/very emotional sometimes for no reason, anxiety, no sex drive, slight acne, felt down in the dumps/sad, no motivation, fatigue, dermatitis of the skin on my hands. I was in a relationship that I am in no longer. The only good thing about the implant is it's very effective (no pregnancy). I got the Implanon taken out 2.5 months later, recently in December 2011 (4 days ago). My dermatitis has gone away, and hopefully I'll feel like myself again. Please, those who want to try it, be aware of these symptoms. I was 1 of the unlucky ones."

• Jan...
• October 7, 2015

For Birth Control "23, no children, 7 months on Implanon. Not the worst thing ever, compared to pills, but generally not a favorable experience for me. I experienced mood swings, anxiety, depression, gained about 10-15 lbs over the 7 months, a bit of acne, and generally was just very 'hormonal.' Obvious perks: little to no pain upon insertion, the stick in your arm is discreet, and not having to worry daily about taking a pill. Additionally, very light periods - I previously had the Paragard copper IUD in which gave me extremely heavy periods, so this was a HUGE perk and why I kept it in as long as I did. Will note, my best friend who recommended has Implanon and has had a great experience - depends all on your body and how it reacts to hormones."

• pro...
• October 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I had Implanon implanted in March of 2009, and nothing but problems since. I had depression, mood swings, a period for 6 months straight, a cyst in my right breast, pelvic pain, edema, fever, headaches, back pain, joint pain, weight gain, acne, and the list goes on. I just got it removed, and I can't wait to get to feeling better soon."