Implanon and Bleeding: What Users Say

• jus...
• August 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I honestly LOVE Implanon! I am a worrywart and not worrying with the monthly pregnancy scare has been fabulous. I have mood swings (but I've always been hormonal). I almost chickened out after reading online reviews, but I'm glad I didn't. No weight gain. No acne. Slight bleeding. Highly recommended by me."

• tir...
• September 27, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon since June 8th, 2010. It was great at first, but after 4 weeks, I started bleeding and have been for nearly 3 months. It was light, and now it's bright red, and at times like a period with clotting. But it hasn't killed my sex drive or caused me to gain any weight. Just has caused constant bleeding. Has anyone else experienced this?"

• Bea...
• February 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon implant for about a month now, and not long after I got it, I have read reviews that really scared me because a lot of people had bad side effects such as non-stop bleeding and mood swings, etc. About 2 weeks after I got the implant, I had a period for about 4 days, and then I was spotting for a week after that, and then it stopped, and so far I haven't had anything. I love the fact that I don't have to take a pill every day, and when I was on the pill, I forgot to take it a lot. Luckily, I didn't get pregnant. I love this thing and recommend it to anyone who asks. Hopefully, everything stays the way it is, but so far so good. The insertion was painless, so if you want good birth control, Implanon is the way to go."

• Cla...
• July 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in December 08. I have only great things to say about it! About a month after it was inserted, I had slight breakthrough bleeding for about seven days. Other than that, I haven't had any bleeding and have felt fine. No mood swings (that I am aware of). I feel great and it works great!"

• Kdu...
• October 27, 2009

For Birth Control "It's been almost a year since I got it, and I haven't gone a full week without bleeding. I have gained 15 lbs in 7 months, very depressed, moody, bad cramps, headaches, muscle aches, weakness, digestive problems. The list goes on. I thought it was all in my head, so I'm glad I found these reviews because I am now going to get it removed!"

• xoD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2014

For Birth Control "Got it in the beginning of the year. Everything was good for about a month. Then I started bleeding constantly. Haven't had a break from bleeding for about 2 months now. Spent almost as much money for pads/tampons as I did for the out-of-pocket money for the implant. Hot and cold flashes are terrible. Still have period cramps. Only thing it's done good for is preventing pregnancy, and it hasn't made me gain weight. Definitely getting it taken out, though, just so the bleeding will stop and everything will go back to normal."

• Ali...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Implanon on August 6th, 2013. Soon after, I noticed non-stop bleeding and mood swings. I cried very often and also ended a relationship. I went through depression, anxiety, and had serious headaches. I haven't quit bleeding for more than a week since I've been on it. I don't recommend it to anyone under 18."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon fitted in May this year. From having it fitted, I think I bled for nearly 9 weeks. I have put on a stone in weight and have suffered really bad mood swings, feeling sometimes like I'm going mad. I felt tired all the time with no energy. I was really snappy with my children and my other half all the time. I am normally a really laid-back sort of person, but this changed me into a nutter."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Honestly, I thought this birth control was the best at first, told everyone I knew to get it. But now, 4 months later, I can't stand it, my emotions have been out of this world, my stress level has been higher, and I went from a happy person to hating everything. I never have gotten cramps before I got this put in, and they are the worst. The bleeding goes from heavy to light but at random times, but means to say I'm getting this removed immediately. Because I know I will go back to my normal self again."

• SFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had my Implanon since May 30th, 2013. I have not stopped bleeding since I got it. I have crazy mood swings, I get extremely depressed, crave junk food, my sex drive is way down, I get horrible headaches, and abdominal pain."

• Emm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I would just like to tell people my story of having the Implanon and the side effects I have experienced during this time. I got my first implant 7 years ago. My experiences with the implant have been awful! And this is the reason I would like to give people an idea of what it can do to your body to hopefully help people deciding whether the implant is for them or if people are experiencing symptoms like the ones I had, then it is most likely due to the implant and the doctors really don't have a clue, as I was told by my GP on several occasions, 'No, it will not be the implant that is causing this,' when in reality I knew it was. When I had it removed, it confirmed that I was right. So here is my story.. With the implant, I gained so much weight, which I have been unable to lose. I bled heavily during sex, and when I say heavily, I mean it went everywhere!! And this was on every occasion during intercourse, and when I explained to my GP, in her head, there was no way it was the implant! And this was when I was not bleeding, which wasn't very often. This really does affect your life, your sex life, and your relationships. I bled almost all the time without a break, which makes you feel so uncomfortable and self-conscious. I never had clean knickers!! I know, not nice. My hormones have been everywhere since I got the implant, also depression, anxiety, etc. Pain during intercourse was a big issue while on the implant. I had so much pain that sometimes I could not have sex with my partner. Sometimes I would not lubricate myself, which was also another symptom. GP did not help with this either, apart from offering me lubricant!! If I was not bleeding, I had dark brown discharge. Until having the implant removed, I cannot remember the last time I wore white knickers. There is so much more, but these are the main symptoms I have experienced more recently. I had my implant removed on 6/11/17, and when having it removed, I was intimidated by the nurse who was removing it, she was very rude!! Anyway, I stopped bleeding straight away. I started my period on 10/11/17, which lasted 4-5 days. I have never bled since, not even a spot!! My partner and I can finally enjoy intercourse without the worry about me bleeding or being sore. I can even wear WHITE knickers now, and they stay WHITE!!!! IT'S AMAZING!! I have never felt so happy! I was starting to doubt my body while on the implant. I thought, my body isn't normal, there's something wrong with me. At one point, I thought I had cervical cancer due to the bleeding during sex. My whole life has changed since having the implant removed, I feel so much better and back to normal, whatever normal is.. I really hope that by sharing my experience, if I can even help one person, I will be happy☺️. Thank you for reading, and if anyone would like to write to me regarding this, feel free to do so. Thank you."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon late 2009, now December 2010, I'm debating if I want it removed. I thought this was going to be nice. A friend of mine warned me the worst was yet to come. A few months after getting it put in, I experienced weight gain. I'm still dealing with this unexplainable fatigue, and I've acquired a thyroid issue, as well as the nonstop bleeding, almost no sex drive, and I'm only 21. I don't know how much longer I can deal with feeling a wreck, but I have not been pregnant, and that's the only thing keeping me on this birth control."

• Nik...
• June 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had this since March of 2010, and at first, it was great. I had a period maybe every other month, sometimes they would last for a week or a little longer, sometimes they would be shorter. Now, after 2 years, I've been bleeding for about a month, and it is heavy. No pregnancies, but I feel like I am. I've had crazy mood swings, sometimes I'm super hungry, and sometimes I can't eat, and I feel like I'm always tired. Thinking about taking it out."

• ypa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I gave it a 2 because I never got pregnant on it. After much research, I decided Implanon was my best bet since I wouldn't have insurance anymore. The first couple of months were good until I got a period that never ended. After 2 months of bleeding, I got on birth control pills to regulate my period. I was good for 2 months, then started the bleeding again. I basically had my period for 3-4 weeks, then spotted for 2, and if I was lucky, had 2 weeks period-free. I gained about 20 pounds in the first 3 months, which I could not lose no matter what I did. Mood swings were awful, at one point, I was depressed. My skin got bumpy. Finally, I got insurance to take it out."

• Mor...
• December 19, 2015

For Birth Control "Okay, so I got the implant for two reasons: I was terrible at remembering to take birth control, and my menstrual cycle every month used to be awful (heavy bleeding, terrible cramps, vomiting, and headaches). I absolutely love Implanon. My monthly symptoms stopped, and I only bled three times this past year for only a few days. I can't speak highly enough of this! It stopped my mood swings caused by hormones, and this past year has been amazing. I was so worried about getting it because there are some bad reviews of this. I was worried about weight gain, mood swings, and breakouts because I used to have severe acne. I did not experience any of those symptoms."

• Hyd...
• November 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon in May 2011 after my son was born. I didn't have a period for a month after that like normal. Then the spontaneous bleeding began (like I expected, the doctor told me it would happen), but then 2 months passed, then 3, then 6! With almost constant bleeding, I called my doctor, and she said to give it 6 more months, and at the year mark, my periods would stop altogether. That day came and went, but the problem continued. Along with that, I have had a nonexistent sex drive, severe weight gain, acne, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, and hair loss, getting it out in 2 hours!"

• Syd...
• April 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I am getting this removed as soon as possible. I have only had it in for a few weeks now, but I just cannot handle what it is doing to me. I am having massive anxiety and depression. It's literally driving me nuts. As I read other women's reviews, I see other side effects such as weight gain and nonstop bleeding, and I know that's something I do not want to experience either."

• Abb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon since December 2011. I am getting it replaced in a few days. The first 2 years, I didn't have problems with it. My periods weren't crazy. I think I had it about every 3 months for 3-4 days of normal bleeding. However, for the past few months, I have had it every 2 weeks, like clockwork, with heavy bleeding. My doctor told me it is just because when it runs out, it runs out and my hormones are just out of whack. I have gained weight (10 lbs in 3 years), but I'm not blaming that completely on birth control. I'm in dental school and quite stressed. For those who say they have gained 20-30 lbs on this, there is no way hormones ALONE cause that much weight gain, other factors are in play there."

• Jan...
• October 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I've had the implant for almost 2 years and bled for almost 2 months to begin. Each month following, I would have heavy bleeding once or twice a month, irregular periods, long periods. Once, I was bleeding very heavily for about 4 weeks and had to go to the hospital as I felt like I was slowly dying from blood loss. I used to be on the pill, which at the time I didn't realize how crazy it made me until after I stopped, and now realize the Implanon is the reason I have been depressed, unhappy, anxious, and fatigued. I'm getting this out next week and planning to use Natural Cycles for a while to rid my body of excess hormones. My friend had a nerve wrap around her Implanon, which caused numbness down her whole arm. Other friends have experienced mood changes and generally not feeling themselves. One friend had this in after having a baby, and to my knowledge has had no issues with it, so it really does depend on the person."

• Rld...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 27, 2014

For Birth Control "I love Implanon. I went to my doctor to complain about my birth control pills (different kinds for 6 years) that caused mood swings, breakouts, etc. She suggested Implanon, and in 20 minutes I walked out with it! It does not hurt. It looks intimidating, but they numb your arm and afterwards it feels like a normal bruise. I have had it for 6 months now. I have no period and no side effects! No mood swings, no breakthrough bleeding, no breakouts, it's amazing."

• Lau...
• January 12, 2013

For Birth Control "Your body will either love or hate the Implanon. I had the Implanon for one and a half years, and for me, it was bad. I gained 5 kg and would go through these cycles - two weeks on, two weeks off - of non-stop bleeding, mood swings that nearly altered my personality, and a huge increase in anxiety. I actually thought I was mentally unwell, and my doctor was so reluctant to take it out, over and over again convincing me to keep it in. But then I insisted on switching to Yaz, which worked beautifully with my body - I am myself again, losing weight was easier (I'm back to my usual weight), and my cycle is back to normal."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2018

For Birth Control "As I'm sitting here writing this, I have the Implanon in and trying to figure out what's wrong with me as I'm crying reading these reviews. This birth control, as far as not getting pregnant, it works. But I used to be happy, energetic, loved going and doing all the time. And now it's like I don't even know who I am anymore. I'm lost, weak, and just feel like dying, laying down and never waking up again. All it has done for me is make me have heavy bleeding, mood swings, depression. I don't recommend this to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2013

For Birth Control "I got this birth control almost a year ago. In the beginning, my periods remained the same. For about 2 months, I bled every other week. It was hardly bleeding. More like spotting. Now, for the past couple of months, I've been skipping periods. Overall, the bleeding is irregular. But it's a small price to pay for the luxury of this birth control. I don't have to remember to take pills. I have not had any weight gain. No hair loss. I have not gotten pregnant. My sex drive is the same. My moods are the same. I have not had any negative side effects besides irregular bleeding. This is the first and only birth control I have ever taken, and so far, it's been working just fine."

• RNi...
• July 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I am very, very, very pleased with the Implanon! I did the research before getting mine and decided that (after all, everything- including oral contraceptives- have risks) it was worth it to me. I got my Implanon in September of 2009. Insertion did hurt, they use local anesthetic (lidocaine) to numb the area first, and that's all that hurt. I didn't actually feel the insertion at all. I had an irregular bleeding cycle for about a month and a half, and since then I have had NOTHING! It is now July of 2010, and I am very pleased with the results. I don't have to worry about keeping up with a daily or monthly option, don't have a period, and I am NOT pregnant (which is, after all, the whole point). I tell anyone who will listen how great the Implanon is!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the rod for 12 years in total. 4 lots of 3 years. Finally getting the rod out now to give my body a rest and get ready for babies in the future. Previous to the rod, I had extremely bad period pain and heavy bleeding, to the point I would have to call in sick and lay in bed all day. With the rod, my periods sort of stopped or only came every 4 months. When it did come, it was extremely light, more like spotting. Never had any issues but always knew when it was time to get it changed because I would start to get bad periods and lots of bleeding. Once I got a new bar in, that would all stop. Would recommend, but obviously it does not suit all people."