Implanon and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Dan...
• December 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon in 2012, a few months after giving birth to my son. When inserted, my entire upper arm bruised, and I could barely move it. It took 2 months for the bruising to go away. I gained 40 lbs and barely ate anything. I never wanted sex, my hair was falling out, my back and my head hurt. When I would stand, I would become dizzy. Pretty much you name it, I had it! I finally decided in January of 2013 that enough was enough and made an appointment to have it removed. While at the doctor, I received an annual check-up, and guess what? I was pregnant! Completely pointless 'birth control' and the worst 11 months of my life!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I was unfortunate enough to get a lot of side effects from the implant. For a month, I had terrible headaches, a constant (almost 5 weeks!) light period, fever and chills, my arm was incredibly tender, and I just felt depressed and anxious all the time. Yes, I know that it can take a little while for the body to adjust to the hormones, but it was just too much for me, and I had it removed 5 weeks after putting it in. The doctor who removed it said that it was inserted way too deep and may have been impacting a nerve, causing my pain. Within an hour of having it removed, I felt lighter and happier than I have in weeks, and my headache and fever have disappeared. I'm not saying that everyone should boycott this method, but definitely be prepared for some awful side effects."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2015

For Birth Control "Implanon does exactly what it is supposed to do (prevent you from becoming pregnant). But I have found that I am experiencing many symptoms in 6 months of having it: depression, weight gain (15 lbs), no period, PMS all the time, headaches, and lowered sex drive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2012

For Birth Control "I was very nervous after hearing all the horror stories, but decided to try it anyway. The procedure takes about 5-10 minutes, it's very quick. The most uncomfortable part is the numbing medication because it burns, but it's quick. They use an introducer to place the Implanon under your skin, and it's over. I had a bruise in the area, and I also experienced slight nausea and dizziness after insertion, which ended in a headache, but the next day I was fine. My arm was sore for a bit after, but it's manageable. Since insertion on June 19th of this year, I've had no period or spotting of any kind, but keep in mind every woman's body is different."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 8, 2012

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted Feb. 15, 2011. Now it's a little hard to compare to some experiences because I was on Depo before the insertion, but the only side effects that I have had are the occasional breast tenderness. I believe that the Depo is now finally out of my system, so now I have periods, but they are on the lighter side (lasting about 4-5 days), and I may get a small headache on the first day of the period. Other than that, I have no mood swings, no fatigue, no weight gain, no hot flashes, and my sex drive is completely fine, in fact, if not better! When I was having this put in, I did not feel a thing (except the small prick of the needle). I couldn't even feel the doctor's hands on my arm! I recommend this birth control."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I got Implanon in March 2008 after having my first baby! I didn't start my period again until about 14 months after (probably more of a baby thing than an Implanon thing). Since I started my period again, I go through phases...a couple of months of heavy, heavy bleeding...and a couple of little or no bleeding. I have not experienced any weight gain-- in fact, quite the opposite. I constantly eat anything I want to, have no exercise plan (aside from chasing my crazy daughter around!), and keep losing weight. I haven't experienced any vaginal dryness or mood swings (other than what's normal...I've never been all that stable). Some headaches, a little lower sex drive, and NO MORE BABIES! Overall, though, I'm very pleased with Implanon."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I have 5 children and am 42 years old. My partner has had a vasectomy. I've never had a regular period and have no interest in getting one now. So, I do not want a period. After my son was born 6 years ago, I went on the Mirena IUD. No period was awesome and lasted 5 years. Last year I changed to the Implanon. I have had no period and of course no pregnancy. But, in the past 6 months, I have gained 20 lbs! My hair and skin are extremely oily. Acne is horrible. And I fear I've had many of the other symptoms and just never thought Implanon could be a reason for moods, headaches, sore breasts, extreme weight gain, and acne. I think it's time to remove, but I don't want a period."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for 3 1/2 months and am very pleased with it. Since it was inserted, I’ve experienced slight spotting, but have never had to use anything more than a panty liner. There have been a few negative side effects (heartburn, some headaches, and slight pain at the insertion site), but the ease of not having to take a pill every day far outweighs those slight annoyances. Originally, I was scared to try Implanon because I had read a lot of negative reviews. In the end, I am happy I chose it and would definitely recommend it to others."

• dol...
• November 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon going on two years now. While it did do the job of protecting against pregnancy and for the first year it was great not having periods, since then I have begun to dislike it a lot. I have at least 3 mild periods a month. I have noticed that I am losing a lot of hair. I have headaches at least two times a week, so I have decided to have it taken out, and even though Medicaid paid to have it put in, they will not pay to have it removed, so it will cost me 300 dollars to have it taken out."

• lac...
• April 17, 2012

For Birth Control "Pros: You can forget about it for 3 years. It works. Even though it made me hungry, I didn't put on weight. It didn't make my skin break out. Cons: Irregular periods, periods sometimes lasted for 2-3 weeks (spotting in the last one), headaches, mood swings."

• eco...
• May 29, 2011

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for about a year and a half. I have to say that this is the worst birth control that I have personally used. After reading some reviews below, now I know it is in fact the birth control. I have had severe mood swings, I gained 110 pounds in the year I've had it. I've also had hair loss and headaches. This will be coming out within a few weeks, and I can't wait."

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2011

For Birth Control "I've had the implant for a year now, and the only good thing about it is that I'm not pregnant! Severe stomach cramps, headaches, discharge, no sex drive, and I need to take the pill every day anyway, so I don't bleed constantly! Not to mention my skin is awful. I'm moody, and I'm always dizzy. It just seems like I've become really unhealthy all over ever since I got it done. Wish I was one of those lucky people who get no reactions and don't get periods, but unfortunately, Implanon does not agree with me."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2009

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon for about 3 months. It was very sore for about a week after insertion. It has also moved almost the full length towards my elbow, so I'm going to get it checked. I have not had a period since I got it inserted. I have ups and downs with mood swings. The first month was the worst. Since then, I will randomly get upset or mad and have recently been breaking out a lot, which is not normal for me. I also have had bad headaches. It is very convenient, but there are a lot of side effects. I am going to put up with it and see if they improve after 6 months. I prefer the patch, which I had no side effects, but it was more expensive."

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2010

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for about a year and have had nothing but problems. I have bled every day since I got it, and when I asked the doctor about it, he told me there's nothing he can do. I get headaches all the time, which I never got before. I'm going to get it out!"

• Mrs...
• July 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I got Implanon because my best friend recommended it to me because she had no problems with it. Me, on the other hand, had all the problems in the world. Some days I would just be crying and couldn't understand why, or I had really bad back pains. I had frequent headaches and no appetite. I also bled almost every day I had it. I felt like I was on my cycle for 3 weeks and off for 1 week. It was crazy. Don't use my rating to decide if you are going to use it because everyone is different."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon put in June of 2010. I started out weighing 150, and I rapidly gained weight, putting me up to 210 lbs. I haven't gained any more weight after those first few months, but I am certainly not able to lose any of it. I have bad headaches, moody, no energy. I dislike it and will be getting it removed on the 2-year anniversary of getting it in."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2011

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon inserted in September 2011. So far, so good, the only side effects I have had are headaches and cravings. I have not gained any weight because I work out at least three times a week. I was on my period when it was inserted, so far, no period yet. I did cramp as though it was trying to come. I'm a 43-year-old woman and tired of periods."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2011

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon in October 2009, three weeks after giving birth to my second son. At first, I did get anxiety pretty bad, but it went away quickly. My periods pretty much stopped. Every once in a while, I will get a normal period. But for the last month and a half, I have been having horrible headaches, no sex drive, mood swings, but worst of all, I have been having random pains all over my body. My doctor says it's neurological. I have had an MRI, ultrasound, and all kinds of blood work."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my arm implant in June 2015, and it was awesome because it did its job well. I had heavy bleeding for 2 weeks after, terrible headaches, and mood swings, and I noticed some weight was packing in. Around October 2015, I stopped having my period altogether, it was wonderful, but I had gained 15 pounds. The amount of weight gain (25 pounds in total) made me choose to get it removed ASAP."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon since March of 2010. I have terrible headaches EVERY DAY, severe mood swings, no patience, no sex drive. I love the fact that I am having no periods, but it is ruining everything. I want to have it removed, but I am afraid I will get pregnant, but I know it's the best thing to do because I am driving everyone away from me."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I got Implanon in May last year. It's March now. Since then, I've had periods every 7 to 14 days. It's weird. I do not like Implanon and am getting it taken out finally. I also have acne, mood swings, and bloating all the time because I'm constantly on my period. My sex drive has also gone way down, most likely because I have chronic headaches all the time. However, that may be for a different reason, but it is one of the side effects. The nice thing about it is you don't have to worry about getting pregnant or taking pills every day, but I can't tolerate something that affects my body so much. Some people like it, however. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked for me, so I am getting an IUD which doesn't have any hormones."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I thought I was going crazy! I chose Implanon after the birth of my second child because I was unsure if we wanted more children, and this would give us some time to decide. It was also one of the only types of birth control I could use and still breast-feed. I bled for 7 weeks straight, and then it changed to 3 out of 4 weeks a month. It has now been 20 months since I got it, and I am fed up with the bleeding. I have horrible rage and depression, headaches, bad skin, and weight gain. I work out most days of the week and even completed a triathlon, but still can't seem to lose any weight! My marriage has taken a hit from all of this, and I am anxious to have Implanon removed!"

• Kel...
• January 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I bled 24/7 the entire time I had my Implanon. I gained 17 pounds in 6 months. Developed cystic acne, mood swings, cramps and constant headaches, and severe depression. If you don't handle pregnancy hormones well, then don't get this form of birth control."

• Lub...
• August 29, 2011

For Birth Control "I have Implanon for about 5 months, no bleeding, only spotting. I had my period only once. I don't have any mood swings, I am more relaxed, no PMS. Sometimes light headache, but it goes away in a few minutes. It doesn't cost me any trouble and saves on pads (usually used a whole package of heavy ones and half a package of light ones). So far, no problem."