Implanon and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon fitted in Sep 2018. Like any new medications, I knew my body would need to adapt. In the first month, I noticed changes in moods, tenderness of breasts, period changes, and confusion. My first period on the Implanon was jelly-like and very unnatural and strange. Everything started to go downhill afterward, both physically and emotionally. I allowed myself 6 months before I got it removed, and I sincerely feel that I should have gotten it removed sooner. I did make two appointments prior to get it removed, and I canceled. Physically, I ended up with a skin outbreak on my face, neck, and tummy. I was grinding my teeth in my sleep and biting my tongue. Emotionally, I was irritated, confused, moody, depressed, and severely anxious."

• Lay...
• November 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the implant for three months and then had it removed. I became very emotional, overly sensitive, and very depressed. I initially did not recognize that this was being caused by the implant, but as soon as I did, I made the appointment to have it removed. I felt significantly better within a few days. I know everyone is different, so I am not writing this to deter anyone from getting it, but rather to share my experience."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for one year, and I'm getting it taken out next week, can't wait! It is really great for birth control, was free to get, and I didn't get a period for the whole year... but the side effects are not worth it! I have gained 15 kgs! (I always used to be skinny.) I get headaches and body pains almost every day. Oh, and the mood... I get anxiety and depression so badly this past year. I went from a fit, skinny, happy, normal 22-year-old... and now I am chubby, miserable, and sore every day. Do not get this."

• pla...
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Avoid this if you can. I had my son in April and lost all of my baby weight and then some within the first month postpartum. At my 6-week ppd appointment, I decided to get the implant due to ease and effectiveness. Insertion was easy, and I was really looking forward to getting intimate again with my husband. Unfortunately, though, two weeks later, my sex drive was gone, I was having anger outbursts daily, and I fell into a deep depression. I began getting acne and gained 20 lbs rapidly. I realized that it had to be my birth control, so I had it removed. Two weeks later, I can safely say that my sanity, relationship, and body are all finally healing. Sex drive is rockin', I can smile, my energy is back, and I've lost 6 lbs!"

• Eri...
• December 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I got it inserted in the middle of March 2016 and got it taken out in November 2016. I didn't get periods at first, and if I did, they were very light. Then, four months later, I got the worst periods I've ever had. Usually, before the birth control, I could help my back pain and cramps with ibuprofen, ibuprofen didn't even help at all when I got on birth control. May is when I realized I started gaining a lot of weight. My eating habits didn't change, neither did my working out. I kept gaining and gaining. By the time I got it taken out, I weighed 135 pounds. I weighed 118 before I got it in! I also got super depressed and anxious, and no one believed the birth control was doing it. Seriously, I felt 100 times better when I got it out, and I already lost 7 pounds having it out."

• Cha...
• September 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for a little over a year. It's been pure hell. I have gained 60 pounds, and nothing I do helps me lose weight. My depression is extremely bad from the hormones. (I had depression before, but it's 10 times worse). For the first four months, I was bleeding, with a 2-3 day break from bleeding. My periods are now about 9 days long. I have irregular periods, so it goes from period with 3 weeks off to period with one week off. It's just all over the place, with extremely painful cramps. I'm getting it removed tomorrow, thank God. I'm terrified of hormonal birth control now, this being my first one that releases hormones. While I have had a horrible experience, I hope that others do not. It might work for you, it might not."

• Vit...
• November 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I am on my second round of Implanon. I had the first one inserted in October 2007 and had the second one put in yesterday afternoon. My boyfriend and I absolutely love this birth control. I haven't ever had mood swings, weight gain, or depression. I have my periods regularly, and all in all, I very much love this form of birth control. Since I have gotten mine, my three sisters have followed suit, and none of them have any side effects either. Before I originally got the first one, I did tons of research and discovered that Implanon is a better form of birth control than getting your tubes tied, at 1 in 15,000 women getting pregnant when using Implanon, whereas having your tubes tied is a 1 in 12,000 chance of getting pregnant. I absolutely love it!"

• Bub...
• July 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I had Implanon for 11 months. I loved it at first! After 5 months of no period, I was beginning to worry. Then, as I started to get headaches and mood swings, I worried more! I called my doctor, only to find she thought it was 'normal.' My 6th month, I went into depression, and instead of making me gain weight, I had been gradually losing it. I lost a total of 19.6 pounds, which placed me underweight. I couldn't gain weight no matter how hard I tried. When the 10th month rolled around, I finally started my period...only to find it wouldn't stop! At the beginning of the 11th month, I had it removed. I am not rating this. I am only sharing my experience, which may vary for everyone...as you can see. It may work for some, but beware of side effects!"

• Cal...
• January 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon for 3 years. I never had weight gain, mood swings, or pain, but at the end of the 3 years, for a few months, I did get severe acne, depression, and weight gain. The two and a half years without periods or the worry if I could get pregnant is worth the few months of acne and weight gain."

• gb2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I would honestly not recommend this to my worst enemy! I was on the implant for just under 12 months, the first 5 months or so were absolutely fine. After that, I started feeling exhausted and depressed every day. I never would want to go anywhere or do anything - my family and I were so worried about my health and if I had any serious conditions. I got blood tests, etc., and had several visits to the doctors. Never once did my doctor say it could be the Implanon! I got this taken out, and after about a month, I started feeling back to my happy, motivated, and energetic self again! Please do not try this, it's just not worth it."

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I give it a six because you don't have to worry about it, and it's good for three years, quick and painless procedure, not getting pregnant, it's pretty beneficial for a person with a hectic lifestyle. However, I instantly became depressed more than usual. I can tell I've lost some energy, but nothing drastic. I haven't gained that much weight, but I also haven't been on it more than a few months. I've also been constantly spotting, which doesn't bother me that much because it doesn't get everywhere. I just coexist with the mild blood, I would probably recommend this to another female but just warn her about the crappy mood swings."

• Akd...
• April 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 23 and got my first Implanon in 2009. The first 6 months were hell! I was really depressed and took some time to get out of it. I'm now on my 3rd, as the second was faulty, and I love it. No periods at all. I've lost 25 kg. Not one scare within that time. The start is a little rocky, but now I say it's worth it."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I don't know what's worse: the bleeding for 6 months straight, or the horrible depression, anxiety, and mood swings. I thought I was crazy, luckily, my friend and I both got it together and experienced the exact same side effects. So, we both knew it was the Implanon. The worst mental breakdown of my life. My hormones finally leveled out, and I feel like myself again! It took 7 months of mood swings and bleeding nonstop. But I'm starting to feel normal again. I haven't removed it because they keep telling me once your hormones stabilize, I'll be fine, so I toughed it out. And I feel 100% better. I just hope it stays this way."

• Unl...
• June 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I got the bar in late last year. I since put on 10 kg in 6 months and had major mood swings. I got all the pregnancy symptoms other than a belly. I only just got it out about 2 weeks ago, and I lost 3 kg in one week. But now my body is messed up and isn't coping well. I didn't get my period the whole duration, and it still hasn't come. I cannot control my mood swings. About a month before I got it out, I was experiencing anxiety and depression. The bar impacts everyone individually, but my experience was really bad. My hormones are still trying to adjust. Over. It."

• Liz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control is awful. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression after having started this birth control. It made my periods completely stop, which may be fine for some, but it made me have side effects of pregnancy, such as nausea, crying, and mood swings. I couldn’t keep up with myself. It definitely did its job as birth control. No kids for the 3 years I had it. (Took it out and put a new one in), but the side effects were enough to make me remove it. I will never again use it!"

• nen...
• August 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I thought having birth control was a good move considering I already have a son and I'm in college and go to school, but now I wish I would have gotten this thing removed a while ago. I used to experience nausea and back pain. Now I just have headaches, dizziness, extremely long menstrual cycles, the cycle has lasted almost a whole 3 years. No sex drive, mood swings/depression, hair loss, and I get so tired that I feel like I've been run over, and acne. All of which are side effects, and I feel so alone with it. I will never try to force my body to accept something it doesn't like again. This has damaged my relationship with my man in more ways than one."

• Bri...
• June 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had this thing in me for a year and seven months. All it has done is make my depression and anxiety worse and cause really bad mood swings. I didn't have a period until recently, and I'm having severe cramps. Thankfully, I go to get it taken out soon. I'm just gonna switch to the pill. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone."

• Sar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been using Implanon birth control for 6 years and have had the sudden realization that my bar was the cause of the endless medical visits, the chronic pain, the heavy bleeding that leaves me in tears, the now formed diverticulosis in my bowels, and the mood swings that have now put me in major depression and anxiety. This bar has literally taken my will to live, I’m chronically fatigued, disconnected from the world. The extreme mental symptoms are only recent, yet have been the most intense symptoms I’ve ever felt. I've developed psychosis, derealization, OCD, and have been set on dark thoughts. I've never been one to be upset, angry, or fatigued even on bad days, yet now I need a psychologist and have multiple techniques just to get through the day. Yes, every woman is different, but over time the effects will settle in after every new bar you get in. Remember, every bar is also different, and it could be the one to make you regret ever getting it."

• gig...
• April 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon inserted in November 07, and it was great at first, very easy to insert, and in fact, had no period for the next 7 months. The first year was pretty good, a little weight gain and mood swings, but not bad. That is until last November of 2008. I started having severe stomach pains along with back and leg pain, had these episodes last 3-4 days and are so severe I felt I was in labor all over. I have had migraines, leg and arm pains, severe mood swings, depression, my periods are so out of control, I wear a pad every day just in case. I have had to go to the emergency room 3 times in the past 4 months. I had insurance when I had it put in, and now I don't, so I am in the process of acquiring it to get this thing removed."

• sky...
• September 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the implant put in a year ago. Everything was fine that day, my boyfriend and I were joking around, having an awesome day. A few days after that, he says something in me clicked. I was lost, depressed, had no sex drive at all, I would pick fights, was even suicidal. Nothing in my life had changed. My hair started thinning. I had long, luscious, beautiful hair. Had to chop it off. Had it removed only after a month. I couldn't take it anymore. After a year now of having it out, my mood has elevated, sex drive not so much, and my hair is still pretty thin. This was a terrible experience. I will no longer be a lab rat for these companies pumping artificial hormones into my body."

• Ms ...
• October 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Actually, I had my Implanon inserted last August or September of 2018. At first, it was good, but in the second month after the insertion, I felt so irritable. I didn't have my period and so on. For 8 months, I didn't have menstruation or even spotting. I felt depressed, I was moody, I was always in a bad temper. And I gained weight, that sucks!! So after 8 months, I decided to have my implant removed, I removed it in April 2019. Now I feel great. It took 2 hours to remove the implant because it was hard to take it out or to remove because it was stuck in the deep part of my skin or fat, they had to find and dig it out."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I had this implant for 2 years. Now, the thing I noticed about myself was that I gained a lot of weight, and I would have the worst depression phases. I have acne, and I'm always tired some days. I feel so dizzy or nervous, and my period has been going on for months. I also have no sex drive at all. It's a mess, hoping to get this thing taken out soon."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had the implant about 2 years. It took me about 3 months of mood swings, then I stabilized out. My periods and cramps aren't too crazy, I've gained some weight, but I'm not too sure if it has anything to do with this. The one reason why I am considering getting it removed sooner is because I've lost interest in a lot of things, but my sex drive is completely gone. I've had a pretty healthy sex life. But the past year and a half, I believed that something was wrong with me. After reading reviews, it settles me knowing that this is a common thing that happens. I miss being intimate. I'm a completely different person, and I hope I get back to normal after the removal. Worth a shot though, not pregnant!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon for 9 months. It was awful. I experienced breakthrough bleeding between periods. It caused terrible mood swings and depressive episodes even though I was taking antidepressants. It got rid of my sex drive, and it has never really recovered 3 years later. I gained almost 10 kilograms. After I got it removed, my periods became very irregular. I get my period every 2 to 4 months now and have, as a result, developed PCOS. I am not feeling good as now I have fertility issues because of this. I would not recommend."

• ell...
• August 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I really wanted this method to work, as I have not had much luck with other types of contraception. Although at first I put on weight and have a fairly constant period. I have now had it in for about 1 year, and the periods have settled down. But I have noticed that I feel slightly, or sometimes very depressed before my period. This is not something I suffered with before, at least not to the same extent. It took me a while to realize that it could be the implant causing this, and now that I have, I really just want it taken out. Has anyone else had a similar experience?"