Implanon and Headaches: What Users Say

• Eri...
• March 21, 2010

For Birth Control "I LOVE my Implanon. Insertion was quick and pain-free. The bruising only lasted a week or two. I had one week of very, very light spotting, and a few headaches. Tylenol fixed the headaches. I haven't had that problem in a month or so. I breastfeed and did not notice any change in my supply. No weight gain or appetite side effects, either. In fact, I am starting to lose my baby weight now. I would definitely get this birth control again!!! I will have it removed and replaced with another Implanon when this one runs out. Remember, almost all of the reviews are negative because the only people that want to write about it are the ones who don't like it. There's lots of people who love it, too."

• 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!"

• ANI...
• September 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon in my arm for over 2 years now, and only within the last 2 months have I come to realize that all these things I have been experiencing: lack of concentration, constantly hungry (especially for sweet things), acting like a pit bull on crack with the mood swings, breast tenderness, backache, itchy, irritable scalp, gripping pains, feeling anxious and crying for no reason, headaches, erratic periods (e.g., none for 3 months, then 2 heavy in one month, followed by spotting on and off for 3 weeks), and the worst thing for me: WEIGHT GAIN! I have put on about 2 stone and I was always good at dieting, but not this time, IT WILL NOT SHIFT! It was not until recently when my headaches got worse that I started to dig on Google, and I feel so stupid that I didn't do my research on this horrible thing! Yes, it stops you from getting pregnant, but is it worth it? Definitely NOT!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Ies...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon since February 2013. The first day I had nausea, but the doctor told me that would be expected. I was on Depo before this. My first period was 3 days, and my next period was 2 weeks long. My side effects are cramps, headaches, depression, and sore breasts. I like the fact I haven't gotten pregnant, but the bleeding part drives me crazy. If the periods didn't come often and the side effects weren't so significant, I would love this, but periods are the negative."

• Sec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Honestly, it's not worth it. Was on it years ago for almost the whole 3 years, went from 65 kg to 96 kg. I just got another back in 2 weeks ago after successfully losing 23 kg. In the time of having it back in, I'm almost 4 kg up ALREADY!! I crave food all day, every day, I literally cannot stop eating. It's all I want to do. I'm constantly tired, have headaches, and feel depressed because of all these symptoms. I'm so upset about my weight gain and so scared it's just going to get worse. I'm having it taken out tomorrow."

• Kat...
• April 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I would never recommend Implanon (the rod) as a form of contraception to anybody. I have had mine in almost for the full 3-year term. As I was on the pill and kept forgetting to take it, I needed some form of contraception, so I came across Implanon. It all sounded well and good, but the whole time it's given me nothing but grief. I have put on 10 kg, sometimes I don't have my period for 2 months, then other times it will be every week on and off heavy bleeding. I am so lethargic and never feel like going anywhere or doing anything, and I've also been diagnosed with anxiety since being on this. The headaches are constant! I CANNOT WAIT TO GET IT OUT! WOULDN'T RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY! Especially young girls!"

• Ano...
• April 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and I got the Implanon towards the end of last year. My experience has been very positive so far. For the first two months, I had a week or two of random spotting, with very light periods maybe once a month for 2-3 days. Now I barely have a period at all, and it completely got rid of my awful cramps! I do get headaches occasionally, however, they are easy to fix with painkillers. Otherwise, I have had no side effects, and I've actually lost some weight (however, I attribute it more to lifestyle). It's also a big plus not having to remember to take a pill every day. Remember that Implanon experiences vary for different people, however, for me, it worked out perfectly, and I would highly recommend it :)"

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2009

For Birth Control "The only reason I give this a one is because it is effective. However, I have constant headaches, acne, mood swings, weight gain (over 40 lbs!), and the most important thing is absolutely no sex drive!"

• Ano...
• March 14, 2014

For Birth Control "It works, didn't get pregnant for the full 3 years, however, I had some mood swings from hell, headaches, anxiety, depression, dryness, and little to no sex drive. I didn't gain a lot of weight (maybe a couple of pounds). However, everyone is different, so side effects can be different."

• Num...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 13, 2017

For Birth Control "Had this implanted in 2015. At first, it was working well. I had my periods regularly and no weight gain or mood swings. After a few months, I stopped having my period and had all sorts of mood issues. I would be extremely fatigued, and I had extreme anxiety at night, whether eating or no sleep at night. I did exercise and diet, but still had a lot of obsessive cravings all the time. I complained about it to the doctor, who suggested I drink water or ice (did not work), and told me to exercise, which I did (did not work). I gained a lot of weight from 110 to 201. If I tried a strict diet, I would have severe headaches where three pills wouldn't work at all. Sometimes, I felt numbness in my arms and legs, they said it was normal. Now I totally feel depressed and unhealthy."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this implant for about a year. I absolutely hate it. I weighed 120 after having my baby. I was so small, my doctor told me I would only gain about 5 pounds. I am now at 199. I've tried losing weight, that doesn't work. My acne is out of this world. I barely get a period, and when I do, it lasts for like a day and a half! This implant is causing my body so many problems. I have headaches all the time. My breasts hurt. My back hurts. And it's so difficult trying to lose weight on this, it makes me eat unusually. I eat all day. It keeps you baby-free, and I don't want to get it removed, but it comes with so many side effects that your doctor doesn't really tell you about!"

• Gue...
• May 27, 2010

For Birth Control "I had my Implanon inserted in October 2009 and had it removed today. At first, I was very happy, felt great, it healed super fast and easy. The skin around it did itch a whole lot. No rash, just incredibly itchy skin! The itching started about 2 weeks after the procedure when the original bruise went away and lasted for another 2 weeks. I was thinking I was allergic to it and almost had it removed, but the itching stopped just as suddenly as it started. I still had my periods, but they were irregular and not very heavy. I did gain 8 lb, not a big deal. Now, the reason I had it removed is I became SUPER emotional, always unhappy for no reason, often tired, had headaches, lost sex drive, and it just kept getting worse."

• Cas...
• July 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I was writing this wonderful, very wordy review on this when I discovered that I have a word limit. Dang. In a nutshell: I've never had so many problems with a BC. Significant weight gain, headaches, nausea, fatigue/insomnia, no periods for months and then weeks of bleeding. The worst is the change in my mood. DEPRESSION. I couldn't no longer trust my instincts. Everyone noticed a change in my attitude. It may be a convenience to just pop a rod in your arm, but it is NOT WORTH IT. I am telling you, stay away. I cannot wait to have mine removed."

• CJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted 3 years ago. The first 6 months was okay, thereafter, I started getting terrible headaches. Breast tenderness where I could hardly lift my arms. Constant periods... having literally 3 days a month period free. For the last 6 months, I have been waking up with night sweats. I started at 72 kg and now weigh 58 kg. No appetite. No sex drive. Worst decision I have ever made regarding contraception. I can't stand feeling like crap anymore. I am taking it out on Saturday."

• Ver...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon in for 8 months, and after the first three weeks of getting it, I got an extremely heavy period, and it didn't stop for 7 months. I also started getting more headaches and nausea always! And I'm constantly tired! It's gotten that bad, I'm getting it taken out this week."

• viv...
• April 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had this since Jan 4th, 2017. It's been almost four months, I've had two periods that have lasted me three weeks. That is the only downside. I've been on many other birth controls, this is the only one that I have not had any major depression on. I feel completely normal. I've lost 20 pounds since, it's been easier to lose weight as I work out! I've now recently developed some really bad headaches here and there, I'm not sure if it's from the implant or something in my life. I recommend, procedure very easy and fast!"

• hea...
• October 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon since February 2012, and I hate it. The first six months were okay, I only had two periods on it, not got pregnant, but I've gained a lot of weight, more than I did when I gave birth. Before birth, I was 156, now I'm 198. I get bad headaches and stomach aches. My back always hurts, and I always feel tired. I get dizzy a lot, and it scares me having our little girl while I'm driving. It has caused me to faint one time at home while my husband was there. I just want my energy back so I can do the things I want to with our little girl, who is almost two. I haven't lost my sex drive, but my husband's job is one week on, one week off, so I guess it's hard to tell. I just want to feel normal and happy again. I'm tired of the mood swings and depression also."

• Bri...
• July 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for 3 months! The first month, I was bleeding for 3 weeks, then, after the 3 weeks, I had brown discharge for a week! Well, everything went away for a week, then I was bleeding again for another 2 weeks! Now, in the 3rd month, I am just angry all the time. I'm depressed, like for no reason, I want to cry. I never want to eat, ever, which is not normal for me. I don't want to have sex, ever, which isn't normal. My head hurts all day! My face is breaking out so bad. I'm getting this out Monday. I'll never use birth control. I'm not going to put this stuff in my body ever again, no form of birth control! I've never felt so sick in my life. It's really affecting my daily life and not good for my relationship with my husband- just overall, the worst birth control ever."

• Lal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Got Implanon in December and had it removed a couple of weeks ago. I'm back on the pill, and my hormones are still fluctuating, so I'm waiting until I'm normal again. HORRIBLE side effects. Do not recommend!! I had it in for about 5 months and got my period twice on it (more like spotting for a week). It gave me insane acne on my face and back, terrible breast pain and swelling, the most extreme mood swings, increased my depression and anxiety x1000, gave me headaches at first, and completely wiped out my sex drive. Had pretty much every side effect except weight gain and never-ending spotting. Removal was horrible, it took 2 incisions to remove the stick from hell!!! PROS: never had to maintain birth control (like pills, NuvaRing) and not pregnant."

• Pip...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had this since 2002 and had an okay experience, but recently, I got diagnosed with high blood pressure 214/115 (normal 120/70) when I was in with a nasty headache. Thinking back, I've had headaches on and off for about 3 years, and now I'm connecting the two, so please beware and check with your doctor! I'm sorry to say that I will remove it to see if it changes."

• Pil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I had this removed yesterday morning, and within 24 hours, my sex drive kicked back in again. Funny that. This thing works effectively as birth control because you probably won't want your partner to touch you. Yep, here are 10 things I won't miss by having a stick owned by one of the world's largest pharmaceutical corporations in my arm: 1. Headaches. 2. Bleeding. Every. Day. 3. No normal period. See point 2. 4. No sex drive. 5. Weight gain. 6. Mood swings that made me feel insane. 7. Sensitivity to the stupidest things. 8. Lower bone density and higher risk of osteoporosis. See 2007 study. 9. Uncharted, unknown long-term effects. 10. Having a stick that might break through my skin when grabbed accidentally. Satisfaction: never again."

• mam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I was put on Implanon in September 2011 after delivering my second daughter in July 2011. I did not have a period for several months after getting it, besides a few days of spotting here and there. Within one month of getting Implanon, I started getting serious headaches, and in February, I began passing out randomly. I had low blood pressure, low heart rate, and was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri. I had to get a lumbar puncture to relieve the pressure. A few days later, I had to get a blood patch because I got a spinal headache. I ended up needing a second lumbar puncture in August 2012. In November 2012, I was also diagnosed with PCOS, which caused acne, hair growth, painful periods, and infertility. I was told that Implanon caused these."

• nin...
• January 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I've never done anything like this, but I decided to share my story. I was on Implanon birth control for two and a half years. I got it put in three weeks after my daughter was born. I weighed 155 at the time. I tried everything to lose weight, I ate healthy and worked out daily, from doing Zumba workout videos to running two miles a day. I just couldn't lose weight. My periods were awful, I would be on mine for at least 14 days out of the month, every month. I also had really bad headaches at least twice a month, and the mood swings were horrible, I just wasn't myself. So I finally got the implant taken out a week ago today, and I feel so much better. I have lost ten pounds without working out or changing what I eat."