Implanon and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 5)

• sat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I am on my second Implanon, and I love it. I have only had about six episodes of light spotting for two to three days in that time, so it's working as intended! I've gained about thirty pounds, but I've also got other health issues going on, so I'm not ready to blame it all on the implant. (There was also cheesecake and ice cream involved. I regret nothing!) It helped with cramps, mood swings, raging hunger, and heavy bleeding and clots for almost seven days every 28 days. I am much easier to live with, even if there's more of me to go around. My migraines aren't any worse or more frequent. I'm absolutely terrible at remembering pills, the ring was getting expensive, and my insurance doesn't cover birth control. It was a good option for me!"

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I really wish I had a better experience with this! It was the best choice for me, and I did a lot of research. The only good thing it does is prevent pregnancy. I gained weight, my moods are crazy, and I wasn't very nice before, so definitely not good. I get random cramps and either a long period or none at all, NO SEX DRIVE! Not good. Headaches and fatigue. I want it out."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

For Birth Control "The whole procedure of getting this birth control was simple. It didn't hurt at all and left a tiny bruise that went away quickly. It was great for about a month, then I started getting irregular periods in the first few months. Then went on a 5-month-long period. Always spotting. Off-and-on heaviness. Bad mood swings. At the 4th month, I started getting every symptom of being pregnant: nausea all the time, breast tenderness, moodiness, bloated, sharp cramps, etc. I took 3 pregnancy tests, all negative. Finally got it removed. All symptoms went away not even 2 days after it was out. I didn't gain weight on it, I didn't get pregnant on it. But the other side effects were just too much for me to handle."

• Sis...
• March 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I got it in April 2010 (1 year, 11 months). I love the convenience, but thanks to this site, I am scheduled for a comprehensive medical test because Implanon appears to have given me unexplained headaches, fever, leg cramps, arm numbness, general body tiredness, a terrible mood, very sore nipples, bloating, weight gain (I went from 72 kg to 82 kg), and hypertension (I started drinking coffee excessively to keep awake in the office). My positive, very convenient birth control, regular period, no cramps. I guess I will stick out the negatives until next year, especially knowing that it is normal with Implanon!"

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

For Birth Control "I decided on Implanon in Nov 2010, and here I am in April 2011. The process was easy, and it didn't hurt, just a pinch and done. I do have some cramps, but no period after a month. No mood swings or weight gain. I have lost weight. So far, I love it. I recommend it to anyone who has tried other birth controls. This, for me, has been the best, and it lasts 3 years. Bonus."

• Jay...
• August 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon since November, and I've only had a couple of periods, no cramps or PMS. My sex drive has gone down, and my weight has gone up by about 50 lbs, and it's hard to get off considering I don't have a period to get rid of the retained fluid. But all in all, I love that I haven't gotten pregnant."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2009

For Birth Control "I had it implanted about 2 weeks ago on the day I should have started my period. My period did not start, instead, I had all the PMS symptoms and a little bit of spotting. However, a week after I got it, my period came, bleeding, cramps. The worst period I have ever had by far. My periods usually last 3-5 days, and I am now on day 8 of heavy bleeding and cramping. I also feel very emotional and moody. The site was badly bruised and hurt for 3-4 days when it was put in. It looks a lot better now. I am seriously thinking about having it taken out already because I can't handle the bleeding. What's the point in taking birth control if you can't make use of it because you can't stop bleeding?"

• ren...
• May 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I got it in August 2011, and I never had any serious issues other than irregular periods, but now, after my 3 years is coming to an end, I am in so much discomfort. I have literally been cramping for a week straight, I have no appetite, and I'm also nauseous. The signs I have, you would think I was pregnant. I've read from many sites that it's common for women to relate their experience to feeling like they are pregnant. Well, I find this to be so bad that I will not get it again, which is sad because I loved it for the last 3 years. Needless to say, despite the negatives, it does the job, and I never had a scare in 3 years, it is seriously worry-free."

• Kin...
• August 21, 2009

For Birth Control "Since I got this birth control implanted, I've gained 20 lbs and have experienced irregular bleeding. I have also gone through several pregnancy tests because the Implanon gives me the same symptoms as pregnancy. I'm nauseous, I get headaches, I'm tired, I have cramping, and I have mood swings. However, it is nice that I don't have to worry about a pill, patch, or a shot every three months. It has never really been painful. I would compare the pain of the initial implant to the Depo shot."

• ugh...
• December 27, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had this in for about a month now, maybe longer. But so far I have had nonstop bleeding, no sex drive, horrible mood swings, crying uncontrollably, hot flashes, so tired all the time... I mean exhausted. Terrible cramps, so bad I can barely walk at times. Stomach pains, I have no appetite, I take one bite of something, and I feel like I just ate a four-course meal. I swear it seems like every possible side effect there is, I have. Just not meant for me, I guess."

• Kod...
• March 11, 2016

For Birth Control "Got a painful period 3 days after, lasted for a week, almost all blood clots. The day before I got it put in my arm, I was 178 pounds, now, 13 months later, I'm 232 pounds with no change in food intake or what I eat or how much I exercise. No periods anymore, though, just painful cramps. Every single morning and night, I will cry because of the pain. I've had ultrasounds and nothing! I'm now so, so moody and lash out on everyone. I am hoping to get this out so fast. Only good part is not having to remember if I took the pill or not because it's in my arm."

• TAJ...
• August 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 2 weeks in and I just want to know, will this help me gain weight? I was currently on Depo and switched to Nexplanon thinking it will make me gain. I can't really tell yet, the only thing I experience is the cramping, but I take pills for that. Other than that, I'm fine so far."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I received the implant around March 2016. The first few months, my periods lasted 10 or more days. Each period was between light to moderate flow. After about 4 months, it began to even out to 6 days each period. Before the implant, I had cramps and severe back pain with each delightful time of the month. Before, I had no problems with my cycle, but now it is unpredictable. The implant hasn't improved the cramps and back pain, but overall, the effects of the implant are better than being pregnant. I am sexually active with one partner, and with the implant, I don't have to worry about getting pregnant."

• Hol...
• April 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my first implant inserted in November 2011. The following three years were bliss for me as my periods were exactly the same as when I was on no contraception (not heavy nor light for around 5 days). My weight and skin stayed the same and I had no pregnancy scares. Assured it was perfect for me, I got my second implant in November 2014, and it has been nothing but trouble! My periods are now heavy and irregular. Initially, it was spotting, but now I have had my period for two months straight with heavy bleeding and cramps. I'm seeing my doctor today to get answers. The only positive since my second implant is that I'm not pregnant (not that I've wanted to have sex due to the circumstances)."

• Bly...
• December 2, 2015

For Birth Control "It was great for the first year. Besides sometimes irregular periods, it really helped my period being so heavy. The bad, right around a year, I gained around 15 pounds. I started looking almost as if I was pregnant by my stomach. I would have a period for a couple of months, then not one for two or three months. My cramps became terrible, and my blood sugars were highly elevated, even taking very high doses of insulin. Also, I have high cholesterol now at age 22, not to mention the terrible mood swings and depression, along with the almost-like pregnancy cravings and ovarian cysts, which are very painful. I want it out now!!!"

• She...
• August 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for 5 years. I'm on my second insert. I weighed 150 when I first got on the implant, now I'm 195 lbs and I'm only 5'4". I'm not saying that weight loss is impossible on the implant, but it takes a lot more effort to lose weight on the Implanon. I haven't had sex in over a year, so I think it will be fine to take it out. Hopefully, it will be a lot easier for me to shake this weight. Everyone's body is different. I had a cousin on it who experienced bad periods and horrible weight loss. She immediately got off it. I haven't had a period, but I have had more yeast infections."

• ber...
• March 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon for about 2.5 years now. I LOVED it up until 6 months ago. For the first 2 years, I had no side effects, not a single period. Suddenly, I began having spontaneous and HORRID periods, extreme cramping, bloating, swelling. My OBGYN said that this is being caused by my uterine lining becoming too thin through my years of having the implant. I tried taking 2 weeks of estrogen, then 2 weeks of an antibiotic to help 'rebuild' my uterine lining. Nothing helped. I will have the implant removed next week."

• unh...
• February 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon May 2014 after my third son was born at age 20. Other birth controls did not work for me, obviously. I had light spotting at first, then a year in I had this horrible wreck of a period. It lasted three weeks, very heavy, and then another year no period until a month ago. Wham, wrecked all my clothes and undies. It's a nightmare. Cramps are very painful. My boyfriend and I have discussed other pregnancy prevention because this is just not good. I've not been able to work. I am going to wait another week or two to see if it stops."

• zoe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I decided on Implanon instead of pills. I'm horrible with remembering to take them. I got mine in '09, had it removed mid-October 2014. Implanon works amazing as a form of protection. However, I did have crazy side effects, I guess that's the cost of prevention. I instantly gained 15 pounds. I hardly ever got periods, maybe every 6-7 months, rarely had them. Went a whole year without a period, but had severe cramps. I was very hormonal, but I will say even though I had all these problems, Implanon did what it was supposed to do, and I do not regret getting it. Three months after getting it removed, I became pregnant with my first child. Every woman's body is different, so everyone's experience is going to be different."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm a 16-year-old girl, and I've had my Implanon since January 2010. At first, I really liked it because I didn't get my period again until March. The period that started mid-March didn't end until mid-April. I noticed no severe cramps or mood swings at first. I then went 3 months WITHOUT a period, with a high sex drive and feeling really happy. However, I think I was having mood swings without realizing it. After 3 months of enjoying my Implanon, a bad period came, with VERY bad cramps, constant breast tenderness, and as my boyfriend says, 'severe jerkiness,' that lasted for a month, and it has just ended. I think I'm back to liking the Implanon."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2010

For Birth Control "I received my Implanon in July 2008. The first year was all right. Now I have experienced extreme weight gain that I cannot seem to work off. I have my period all the time now, twice a month, very tired, and severe cramps. I am going to get it removed."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2012

For Birth Control "Best birth control in my opinion. I have tried several. Tiny pinch when they numbed it, little sore for a couple of days. Two weeks in, I started spotting for a month, and now it's been nine months: no cramps, weight loss, no mood swings, and I have a light period for about three days a month."

• Anonymous
• July 24, 2012

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon placed in November of 2011. Since then, I have been on my period almost non-stop. I am only 20. I had it originally because I was told I would no longer have a period, which meant no cramping. Obviously, not the case. I am extremely tired. I have also had very, very extreme mood swings, anxiety, depression, and so on. Most of which did not occur until a couple of months later. For a while, I thought I had something seriously wrong with me until I read other reviews of people having the same issue. I have always been a very happy, laid-back person. But lately, I snap on everyone from my boyfriend to family. I am having it removed."

• NMT...
• May 28, 2010

For Birth Control "I got Implanon inserted in January of 2009 after I had my son. I weighed roughly 200 lbs then. I breastfed for 7 full months and lost about 20 lbs in doing so, and I had no periods at all during that time. I am closing in on the halfway point of having this in, and I do get quite a bit of dark spotting and irregular periods now, with cramping like I used to get when I was on no birth control. I have PMDD, so my psych doctor always has me on some antidepressant. I am on Wellbutrin now and have been since October of 2009. I am now down to 148 lbs. I haven't been this thin since I was in my early 20s (I'm 33). I do walk and watch what I eat, but nothing extreme, and nothing unusual. I'm now getting sore breasts and hoping that the next 18 months go okay."

• swa...
• April 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I used to suffer from frequent migraine headaches associated with a spike in monthly estrogen levels. Implanon helped me to have fewer headaches. The doctor who performed the implant didn't really numb up the area enough because there was pain associated with the little tube going in. It didn't last that long, though, but left a pretty nasty dark red bruise for about a week and was tender for about a month. Internally, I feel great. There are no mood swings, and menstrual cramps last about a day. My sex drive is normal. The only thing that I don't like is that I almost always have the dark 'end of your period' discharge. For three weeks out of the month, I have this brown sludge, but it's worth it because I won't get pregnant for three years!"