Implanon and Irregular Periods: What Users Say (Page 2)

• liv...
• January 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I used Implanon for 6 years and won the lottery in side effects - no periods and the first 6 weeks I actually felt euphoric! Has anyone else had that? My mood went down after that, but I felt like it stayed slightly above average for me the whole time on it. So for me, it wasn't just birth control but an antidepressant. I went off it 2 years ago as we would be OK falling pregnant now and have been really struggling with mood swings during my periods. I hate it. My friend who had major depression in her trends found the same side effects as I did - more even moods and more productive."

• 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."

• Aly...
• May 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I had Implanon put in October, and I've been on my period every day since then up until earlier this month. My doctor told me I could expect some irregular periods, but didn't think that meant I would bleed for a straight 7 months. It wasn't awful, no cramping or heavy bleeding. Just an annoyance more than anything. I've been off my period for a couple of weeks now and am hoping it stays like this for the rest of the time I'm on this."

• Mor...
• September 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I got my first Implanon at age 25 after the pill (many versions of it) failed me miserably for years in terms of side effects. I opted for Implanon because the hormones/chemicals are so different from the pill, so I was hoping for at least different side effects. Honestly, I'm very happy with the Implanon, and I've had it for 5 years now. It's done its job of preventing pregnancy perfectly. As for side effects - there are side effects to all medication containing hormones, there are simply no exceptions, your hormone levels influence your moods, weight, appearance, everything. There's no way around side effects. I've had long periods and a bit of weight gain, that's it. I can deal with that better than with a baby, so hey, I win."

• 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."

• lov...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "Got the bar in early August of 2014. Everything seemed to be okay, then my periods won't stop, I keep losing weight, and I'm so cranky. I've tried to tell my doctor, and they want to prescribe me more birth control on top of the bar to see if my periods stop. I'm so tired of this bar, so I just want it out of my body. Do not recommend this, if the pill works for you, then stay with what you trust."

• Ann...
• February 22, 2017

For Birth Control "Love, love, love it! Been using it for nearly 4 years now, no problems whatsoever apart from irregular periods, maybe consisting for a month or so, but other than that, child-free! Best contraception I've been on!"

• 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."

• mis...
• July 9, 2010

For Birth Control "I got mine implanted in December 2008, and for the most part, it was great. The irregular periods are really annoying, and I've had a slight weight gain since then, but none of this was bad enough to make me complain. And actually, I was singing Implanon's praises until this year. The mood swings I have now are ridiculous. I am the meanest, most vicious version of myself. It's a constant struggle with myself, trying to figure out why I am so angry ALL THE TIME, and why over something so stupid or small. I am the absolute worst the day before my period starts, and I'll have no idea why. Then the next day I'll get my period, and I am fine, and my mood just deteriorates daily from there, until my next period."

• Jac...
• October 11, 2015

For Birth Control "21, I got it a week after my second child because there was no way I was having another. I've had the Implanon for 15 months. I'm taking it out next week. My periods are all over the place, sometimes I have one for 2 days, sometimes I have 2 in a month for a week. I've gained so much weight, I started eating better and less. I work out for an hour every day at the gym. And not one single pound has been lost. I can't do it anymore."

• Flo...
• April 24, 2016

For Birth Control "So I got the Implanon inserted 2 years ago. In the last 2 years, I have gained about 20 kgs, lost my sex drive, my emotions have been up and down like a yo-yo-just cry, then want to punch something, then have no idea what I was even sad/angry about. I would get my period for 2 weeks, then another 3 weeks of spotting, then it finishes, then 1 week later I start PMSing again. But I didn't get pregnant! I have just had it taken out 1 year early as I can't deal with the side effects anymore. I guess there are different contraceptives that work for different people, but I must say this one didn't go well for me."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2012

For Birth Control "My experience with this birth control has been amazing. I had it done almost a year ago, it was my Valentine's Day present to myself, and other than a little weight gain, nothing exercise can't fix, and an irregular light period, I feel pretty much the same. I've never been able to remember to take the pill, and even when I was taking it properly, I still got pregnant. One year and going strong, with not even the thought of being pregnant. I see some negative reviews, but in all honesty, your health care provider should warn you upfront that it can take up to a year for your symptoms to regulate. (Mine warned me.) I highly recommend this to everyone I meet and especially to everyone reading my review."

• Age...
• July 11, 2015

For Birth Control "First couple of months, I had a longer than usual period. After about 2 months, it completely stopped, although I had light cramps and mood swings throughout the first couple of months, no weight gain. Perks of having the implant, not having to worry about missed pills (although I was never good at taking pill form birth control). No shot and yet still having periods! All around, the implant's been good to me. Would highly recommend it to anyone with an irregular period!!! Haha, good luck, ladies!"

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in September of 2009. So far, I have been very happy. I had frequent periods (every 2-3 weeks for only a couple of days) for the first 3 months. Since then, I haven't had my period and not even symptoms of it. That part has definitely been great. I did feel it made me pretty moody for the first 2-3 months, but it has tapered off. I haven't experienced any weight gain, as some have reported. I have a pretty high activity level (running about 20 miles per week) and have been eating as I normally do. The most major side effect I have is a decrease in sex drive, which is a pretty big downside, but considering I haven't experienced other side effects, I rate this form of birth control highly."

• Lel...
• July 24, 2010

For Birth Control "It's my 5th year on Implanon, so on the 2nd dose. I have irregular periods that can last up to a month or not appear for up to two months at all. I never know if I'll have any pain coming with them, from time to time, I do. During these 5 years, my dress size changed from 10 down to 8 and then from 8 up to 12 in only 1 year, around 2.5 stone in weight. All despite regular workouts and a veggie diet. I also have mood swings, and my sex drive is mostly off. For the last 2 years, my face and back are like a teenager's with constant acne-like breakouts, but I have to say the security it gave was worth it all. I could not take pills and wouldn't rely on condoms. At this stage, I can't wait to get it out, though I would consider having this again after kids."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2010

For Birth Control "I had Implanon fitted 6 years ago after an unwanted pregnancy. I've had no side effects until now. My second implant is now at an end. I only realized it was running out because in the last couple of months I've had really irregular periods, so I went to the doctor. I've got to wait a week until they can remove it and put a new one in, but the stomach cramps are now really unbearable. But I will still be having another put in since the cramps are apparently down to it running out. Also, some confusion with the medicine Modafinil. This site says it is not compatible, but both my doctor and gyno say it's okay."

• Tdm...
• April 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I received the implant in August of 2013, and I didn't have any problems with it for the first few months. Then my periods were super long (2-3 weeks sometimes), and I started gaining weight 6 months later after no diet change or change in exercise. I am now 30 pounds heavier and have been insecure about my body, which is really messing up my sex life. I will try and wait until the year is up, but if I continue gaining all this unexplained weight, I'm going back on the pill."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "My arm was sore for 3-4 months after I got it. Whenever I tried to carry my wallet against my arm, it hurt. Anything rubbing/touching my arm hurt for months. I would not recommend this. I just got mine taken out after using it for 1 year and 2 months. This pain will just teach you to suck it up and remember to take your pill each day. Normally, I don't get periods on any kind of birth control, but with this one, I got my period every 2 weeks for about 4 months. With this medication, you do retain water, so you are going to gain weight, and I felt hungry all the time. Just doesn't make sense to get cut, put a hole in your arm for birth control. I have also tried an IUD before this one, no foreign objects should be used in your body. Don't do it."

• Dis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2016

For Birth Control "My experience with this has been absolutely rubbish. It's 99.9% effective because I have been on my period for about 90% of the time. I had the implant inserted in 2014, I've had it in for 2 years, and my periods and mood swings have been dreadful. I was told by the doctors it would take about 7 months to actually settle and not to have intercourse with my partner until it had! After 7 months (I know we waited), my periods were much more irregular, and I was depressed and down for no reason. The only good thing about this is I haven't become pregnant. BUT I am going to have it out next week because I was admitted into the hospital for blood loss because of my period! I do not recommend this to any woman (or teen) who is considering the Implanon."

• kat...
• August 22, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good thing is that I am not pregnant. Had the implant for 10 months. Periods started to be irregular, very frequent, with only 1-2 weeks in between. Lasting longer and longer each time. Now, I am at over 2 weeks of my period. I still have discomfort (dull pain) where the implant is."

• kat...
• August 22, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good thing is that I am not pregnant. Had the implant for 10 months. Periods started to be irregular, very frequent, with only 1-2 weeks in between. Lasting longer and longer each time. Now, I am at over 2 weeks of my period. I still have discomfort (dull pain) where the implant is."

• kat...
• August 22, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good thing is that I am not pregnant. Had the implant for 10 months. Periods started to be irregular, very frequent, with only 1-2 weeks in between. Lasting longer and longer each time. Now, I am at over 2 weeks of my period. I still have discomfort (dull pain) where the implant is."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2010

For Birth Control "I had my Implanon put in August of 2008, and since then I've been having as many as 3 periods a month with a few days to a week break in between. I haven't had it removed sooner because I was uninsured, and it would have cost more to have it taken out. I've enjoyed the worry-free birth control, it did its job. I'm not complaining about that. I just can't stand all these periods anymore. I'm switching to Seasonique or Depo. Take a break from bleeding for a while."

• ssm...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 27 years old, mother of 2, and I've had the Implanon for a year and a half. The first week my mood swings were crazy, I was crying uncontrollably at times. When I got the implant, I was 105, never had any weight issues in my life. Now I'm hungry all the time, I never feel full or satisfied. I'm now 122 and I'm not happy about it. I wanted to wait the 3 years before removing it because it costs so much, but I'm considering taking it out very soon. Also, since being on this, I have a full 7-day period every other week, and I went to the doctor about it. All they wanted to do was put me on the low estrogen daily pill. If I was any good at taking a daily pill, I wouldn't have gotten the Implanon."

• lee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I got this as my first birth control experience at the age of 17. When I first got it, I didn't realize that all of the side effects I was having were caused by this. I gained some weight. I was moody and had zero sex drive. I also had irregular periods, which I never had before. I would bleed for a couple of days after every sexual encounter. I won't lie, I had a promiscuous year during year 3 of having this. I didn't have a single pregnancy scare. But after the first year of having Implanon, my side effects subsided. I love it. I am so glad that I have it. I had it replaced last summer and saw a few side effects from it. Just irregular periods again. But it is so worth it. A year of side effects is nothing compared to being a mom."