Implanon and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• dms...
• September 8, 2009

For Birth Control "I'm 25 years old, I got my Implanon inserted 02/08/2008, it's been 19 months. When I first got it, there was a lot of bleeding, I didn't like it. My periods were like clockwork before insertion, but when I got the Implanon, it was out of whack. But I guess my body had to get used to this new foreign body inside of me. It's different for everyone. I'm not having the problem with weight gain or hair loss, but I do get headaches and my breasts are sore sometimes. I like it because I'm not worried about contraception. But like I say, it's different for everyone, my periods are normal now. I'm dealing with the side effects better than another kid."

• 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!"

• Swh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had the implant for a little over a year now. I'll have to say it is very reliable for preventing pregnancy. It's much easier than the pill, in my opinion. Honestly, when I first got it, I bled for about 8 months straight. It was lighter, but still a hassle. I was determined to keep it in. After about a year, I stopped bleeding. Now I only get 4-5 light periods every other month. If you're willing to wait it out, I definitely would. It took my body a while to get used to it, and now it's doing great! I barely get headaches and cramps (only a little cramps to indicate my period was coming). No weight gain either! Definitely worth it."

• gra...
• September 7, 2009

For Birth Control "I had Implanon fitted on the 1st of July this year after having my first baby in February, and it has been nothing but bother for me! I can feel it at all times, even when I'm not moving my arm. It is so uncomfortable, and I have bled heavily every day since having it in! So up to now, there has been no point in having it, as we can't have sex if I'm bleeding. I have also had headaches, which I NEVER suffer from usually, but, unlike many others, I have not gained weight. I have actually lost weight since having it in, making me clinically underweight, which is another reason for the removal. I am getting it removed tomorrow afternoon."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I am so happy that I got this! I was nervous at first and had a list of questions for my doctor. They numbed my arm, and it burned for maybe 5 seconds. Insertion of the actual Implanon was completely painless. I never got the bruise that the doctor warned me about and that I have read is normal. No pain other than the first couple of days and no spotting. I had it put in the week after my period, and I haven't had one since. No cramping or PMS either! I had a couple of headaches for the first day or so. I would highly recommend it to anyone who can't remember to take a pill every day!"

• 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."

• epr...
• November 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for almost 3 years. The first year was awesome, no side effects that I can think of. Now I've experienced everything from headaches to dizziness to weight gain. I've tried everything to lose the weight but can't. And my moodiness is through the roof. I'm sure that some people have no side effects, but I did. I'm making an appointment to get it removed."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2010

For Birth Control "Very irregular periods, I can't remember the last time I was not on it. It has been almost a year. Bad mood swings, no sex drive, acne everywhere, lots of abnormal discharge, headaches, lower back pain, tired all the time. The arm I got the implant in always hurts, whether it's cold outside or not. It is always sore, also weight gain, mood swings pretty bad over little things, emotional all the time. I have had nothing but a bad experience."

• Fou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2015

For Birth Control "Have now had mine in for nearly 3 years. It had caused me to have weight gain, tiredness, and bad acne, including cystic acne, which I never had before. I have now 6 months before I'm meant to have it replaced, but I have been having periods, comes for 4 days then 1 day or 2 days. I had had no bleeding until recently, and now it's 2-3 times a month, causing me to feel sick with bad headaches. Getting mine removed Monday."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I've had the implant in for nearly 3 months and hate it. I am constantly bleeding, some days are heavier than others. I've always got a headache. I want to eat all the time, and the mood swings are terrible, so getting it removed. I just want to feel normal again."

• Ash...
• June 2, 2015

For Birth Control "Read this before you put this thing! I have been bleeding heavy since I got this implant, it has been 8 months now. I hate that. I can't go to a swimming pool, I can't have comfortable sexual relations with my boyfriend. It's hell. Plus headaches, crying for no reason, and gaining weight! The doctor said just the opposite: I wouldn't have my period anymore after 3 months, beautiful skin, and blah blah blah. I was stopped at international airports because machines accused I had something in my arm. Always embarrassing to explain it's just a birth control. Worst experience ever! So many options for birth control, why did I put this? Why??????"

• Bek...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2015

For Birth Control "So I got the implant put in February 2015 due to getting into a serious relationship. At first, it was fine, my monthly (sorry, TMI) was coming every month, yes, give or take a couple of days. Then in August was when I had it last. For 2 months, no period at all. I started to get paranoid, thinking I might be pregnant or the other medication I am on made it ineffective. But when I woke up this morning, at first, I felt the same symptoms with the nausea and lightheadedness. My stomach feels hard to touch. Then suddenly my monthly came back after 2 months. Now I'm not sure if this is because of the implant or if there's something going on with my body. All I know is that this implant is causing me a lot of headaches, as I never know when my monthly will show."

• Sss...
• October 8, 2015

For Birth Control "Ok, so mind me, I was only had the implant for a little over a month before I couldn't deal with the side effects anymore. Horrible headaches, acne, fatigue, and atrocious mood swings! One second I would get furious at something ridiculous, and the next, I could cry because I felt bad for getting so mad! Anyway, obviously, the doctors told me to wait it out, eventually, in about 6 months or so, my hormones would settle. I didn't have time to HOPE that these symptoms would go away, as I had boot camp in 4 months, and I couldn't go being a crazed, hormonal mess! Every woman is different. My family has a past of being sensitive to permanent/strong hormones such as the bar. If you know you are sensitive as well, I would NOT recommend getting this."

• Elo...
• November 4, 2015

For Birth Control "At first, when I got the implant in, I loved it, but after giving it the full 3 years, I have got it taken out and am so glad. I had constant mood swings, weight gain, constantly on my period, terrible headaches, and awful cramp. I would constantly think it would get better and give it chance after chance, but it just kept getting worse. It made me into a completely different person. I got my implant taken out today and already feel calmer and happier. Wouldn't recommend it at all."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2010

For Birth Control "I absolutely love my Implanon! I had my daughter in August 2008 and had Implanon inserted in October 2008. I have had a few headaches but no weight gain or NO PERIODS! That's the absolute best part! The only bad thing about it is my sex drive is GONE! I am a single parent, so not that it matters too much. Although one day I may eventually want to have sex... it's not a big deal at this moment. Once it's taken out, I will have another put in! Thanks, Implanon!"

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2009

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for almost 4 months now. I have every PMS side effect there is to have. I have crazy mood swings, cramps, and I am very irritable. Body aches and migraines, headaches every day. Crying spells and pain in my arm where it was inserted."

• Ext...
• November 12, 2009

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for about 9 months, and at first, I thought it was the greatest thing in the world. But about 4 months in, I started bleeding twice a month for about 3-4 days, extreme fatigue, terrible headaches, moody, weight gain of about 15 lbs (same eating habits as before). Used to be 120 lb, now I'm 135 lb. I think it's time for something new!"

• lov...
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Implanon since Jan 2011, and for the first 6 months, it was great. I didn't have a cycle or any side effects, but then things went downhill. I have had back pains, headaches, my cycle is unpredictable, I bleed from 5-14 days and have gained a tremendous amount of weight. I've been bleeding so much to the point where my blood count has been low, and my doctor has had to give me a pill form to take with Implanon to slow the bleeding. The only positive thing is that I haven't gotten pregnant. I get this removed Jan 2014 and can't wait. I'll probably go back to Depo."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon since November. I was on my period when it was inserted, and I've pretty much been bleeding nonstop since. On most days, it's just moderate spotting, however, it does get quite annoying. Despite this minor inconvenience and a few slight headaches, I really don't have any major complaints. Overall, I am very satisfied."

• xti...
• July 30, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had my Implanon in for 3 years, and I am getting it removed next Wednesday. I didn't get pregnant the past 3 years, so it did its job. I did, however, gain 50 lbs in the first 3 months of having it and have kept the weight on this whole time. Hopefully, after its removal, I will be able to lose some weight. I've also had more headaches since the implant (3-4 a week), but I haven't had a period or any random bleeding these past 3 years."

• NC9...
• December 4, 2017

For Birth Control "First month I didn’t get my period. Second month there has been non-stop bleeding. I can't stand it, and on top of that, the headaches are almost unbearable. I am constantly tired and don't have any energy! Looking to get it removed soon."