Implanon and Irregular Periods: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Fed...
• November 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon about 4 years ago, and at first I thought it was great. The pill was giving me serious migraines, so that's why I made the switch. For those four years, I had the most irregular periods (some lasting months at a time, and then not having one at all for 3 months). I kept thinking it would get better, but it didn't. Weight gain was another noticeable problem. Gained 40 lbs. I didn't blame the Implanon until I started doing research and noticed that was a top complaint amongst women who used it. Mind you, I tried to lose weight by dieting and exercise, and I kept gaining. So I made an appointment to get it taken out. Back on a low-dose pill and feel SO much better. No headaches and down 6 lbs in a little over a month!"

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2009

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in January of '08. I have had such a terrible experience with it. For the last year and a half, I have had my period for a total of roughly 8 months (that's a combined total, not a constant total). I chose Implanon because I was terrible at remembering to take my pills on time. I do have to add, though, I am very jealous of those women who are having a wonderful experience with it!"

• Anonymous
• June 29, 2010

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon implant put in October 2009 and have felt it has been the best choice for me. My period is irregular, I never know when I'm going to get it. But so far, that is the worst part I have experienced. My weight has stayed steady and I have had no pregnancy scares. Since my period has become irregular and sometimes spaced out by 5-6 weeks, I will sometimes take a pregnancy test to make sure it is indeed working. So far, so good, thumbs up from me."

• 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."

• knp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I had severe mood swings while on this medication. My periods were heavy, irregular, my cramps were painful. It was truly an awful experience. I had it in for the full three years, and although it did its job of preventing pregnancy, since I've been off it for three months, I have never felt better. I lost the 20 pounds I gained on this medicine."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2017

For Birth Control "Great for not getting pregnant; however, awful for cramping and irregular periods, sometimes lasting for a month. Also, I have had it for a year and have gained 60 lbs. I plan on switching. I am always very emotional on it too. Do not recommend."

• Are...
• September 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in March 2008, about 6 weeks after my son's birth. - periods are very infrequent (I skip 3-6 months at a time) - periods last 4-6 weeks (as opposed to my normal 4-6 days) - weight gain (I weigh as much today as the day I walked into the hospital to deliver my son!) - mood swings (I'm nearly as emotional as during pregnancy) - dizziness (I get lightheaded/dizzy quite often). I loved the convenience, but the side effects have become too much for me. I'm getting it removed this week."

• 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."

• Fra...
• March 29, 2011

For Birth Control "I just got my Implanon removed today, and I instantly felt better (maybe it's mental), but I had the worst experience with this birth control. I stopped getting the Depo shot after 2 years because it causes bone thinning and switched to Implanon. The insertion wasn't too bad. I had irregular periods at first, and then I started getting really heavy periods that would last me 2-3 weeks. I ended up keeping it in for a year and a half because I thought it would start becoming more regular. I didn't experience weight gain, although I was very depressed and moody, no sex drive, which contradicts the point of having birth control! Also, since I was bleeding all the time, I was always tired. I feel so much better now switching back to the shot."

• bod...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I have had this in for about 2.5 years. It works in that I have not gotten pregnant. I have a very light period for 1-2 weeks every month or so. Sometimes 6 weeks in between 'periods,' sometimes only 2 weeks. It's very unpredictable, can ruin a lot of 'underclothes.' Also, I cannot get back to my pre-birth control weight. I used to weigh an athletic 145 with a diet of whatever I felt like eating and exercise 4 days a week. Maybe it's age, but now 2.5 years later, I can exercise 6 days a week for twice as long, and watch what I eat and am stuck at 154."

• Sav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon for about a year, it's nice that I don't have to worry about getting pregnant or worry about taking birth control every day. But my side effects are bad, I get my period sometimes two times a month, it's random, so I don't know when I'm going to have it. Also, I have gained 20 pounds since I started on it. I'm thinking about removing it!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve just had my 4th Implanon put in and never had any major issues with it. Each one has been different with regards to periods, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I’m 41 and a smoker, so the pill isn’t an option for me. I also never wanted or had children, so this is extra convenient for me. For me, the pros outweigh the cons (irregular bleeding/no period). Insertion and removal aren’t painful. The first 3, I bruised badly, but the 4th one, no bruising at all. I’d recommend it 100%, but be patient, don’t give up at the first sign of irregular bleeding."

• mis...
• October 15, 2009

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon put in about 6 weeks after my son was born. I was going to try the Mirena, but my cervix was too small and the nurse couldn't insert it. So, she came back with an alternative-the Implanon. To be honest, I wasn't really into the idea of having something in my arm, but I knew I probably would miss pills again...so I had it inserted. That was April 2008. 18 months later, I'm liking it better than I did a year ago. Those first 8 months were awful. I picked up a few pounds, which I didn't mind because I've always been super skinny, but the unpredictable cycles were awful. My periods had always been light and short, but with the Implanon, they became MUCH heavier and longer! It's convenient, but it has its ups and downs!"

• Mel...
• November 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in March of 2008 after my friend had it inserted and said it was fine. The only problem I have had was irregular periods, they were very irregular. Sometimes they were short, and I called it spotting, but then I would spot for about 1-2 weeks. But then it would go away for a month and come back. I think a lot of it was stress. Since July of this year, I sort of started new with my life. I have had two periods since July (it is November), and they were both short and more of a heavy spotting. But it's been a lot better. Overall, I am happy with it, and in 2011 I will get a new one inserted, unless they come out with something better!"

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I am coming up on having the Implanon for a year. I really love it, but it wasn't always the case. For the first 8 months, I had missed periods and just weeks of discharge or bleeding. But after the 8th month, I haven't had my period since. I didn't get any scarring from the injection, and it healed pretty quickly. I haven't had any real mood changes, depression, like I would get while I was on the pill. My only real issue was that my face broke out a lot worse than it was before I started Implanon. But now I don't get my period anymore, I found a face wash that works great, and I haven't gotten pregnant, so I'm happy with my experience."

• Ker...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2015

For Birth Control "Had mine for a year, did gain half a stone after having it inserted but later lost it and more with a healthy diet. Have irregular periods which can last for 2 weeks, being either heavy or light, always spotting, got bad skin, but most of all started growing facial hair, which my nurse said is an uncommon side effect but can happen! I'm getting it out and going on the patch. Overall, I did like it, the only side effect that bothered me is the facial hair, so I have to get it out! (Implant was free as I'm from the UK)"

• mol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This worked well as I did not get pregnant. However, I got my period every 2 to 3 weeks and it would last for about 2 weeks. Also, pre-Implanon I was about 120, by the time I took it out (3 years), I was up to 155. I took it out, and the weight just fell off."

• Sar...
• October 1, 2015

For Birth Control "Advantage: it does its job, you don't have to worry about taking pills or getting pregnant. Disadvantage for me: I started getting a lot of spots and gained 10 kg. I haven't changed my diet, however, I actually exercise more than I used to, although the weight doesn't seem to come off and only increases. I got the implant in October 2014 and weighed 55 kg, now, a year later, I weigh 65 kg. As I said, it does its job but can cause you to experience some side effects. Getting it taken out in a week due to weight gain and breakouts. Periods were irregular and hardly any blood, which was fine with me."

• Con...
• October 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I started the implant in May 2015, and it is one of the best choices I have ever made. I understand that it is different for everyone, however, my experience has been great. It has stopped all period pains, and for the past 2 months, it has completely stopped any bleeding. I had no side effects such as headaches or irregular periods. Getting it injected isn't too painful, and the bruising doesn't last long. I would recommend it to anyone, and it also means that you don't have to remember to take the pill or use condoms. It's great for some people, so don't get too worried, and just see if it works for you. If it does not, it can be taken out immediately."

• Amj...
• October 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon since August 2013 and had it removed yesterday at my GP. I have put on a ridiculous amount of weight, used to be a size 6. Since having it inserted, I am now a 12. I couldn't cope with the irregular periods, and they would last for two weeks. And then the premenstrual symptoms, I would have them for about three weeks before my period, which was horrible. I would cry all the time or be extremely moody. Glad I have had it taken out."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I started the Implanon in 2013 when my son turned one. I gained weight and had terrible breakouts. That's definitely not the worst. From the moment I got it until about three weeks after removal, I had no period. So up until about six months ago, I had irregular periods. They came two to three times a month, on top of constant yeast infections and discharge. I was checked for any STDs to be on the safe side. Considering I have been with one person for nearly two years, I knew it would come out negative. It was just my hormones going crazy. Now I am almost two years off of it and still not ovulating or having regular periods. My significant other and I have been trying to conceive for a year now, and it's caused us problems."

• Hol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my first Implanon in January 2012 because I wanted an effective long-term birth control that I didn't have to remember to take. The initial three years left me with a great experience of regular periods and no side effects. It was perfect for me, and with no desire to have children at this stage, in January 2015, I had another inserted. Almost instantly, my periods became heavy and irregular. I went back to the doctor weeks later and was assured it was the same contraceptive as before and just a side effect. I bled for another three weeks, went back and was prescribed a month of the pill Zoelly, which stopped my period. Subsequently, I had six months of irregular bleeds, with the final straw being a heavy period lasting three months. I had it removed and now I'm on the pill Levlen."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I am a mother of 5, and this is the second time round using the Implanon. The first time was much like this time round: no period, weight gain from 75 kg to 120 kg, mood swings, migraines. I'm sure I had the whole package, but in saying that, ladies... you should always read the information 'inside the pack.' It tells you what you might experience, and it's pretty much what everyone is stating. You may or might not get it. You won't truly know until you try it for yourself."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I really wish I had a better experience with this! It was the best choice for me, and I did a lot of research. The only good thing it does is prevent pregnancy. I gained weight, my moods are crazy, and I wasn't very nice before, so definitely not good. I get random cramps and either a long period or none at all, NO SEX DRIVE! Not good. Headaches and fatigue. I want it out."

• rub...
• April 20, 2011

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for about ten months now, and it's definitely working for me. At first, my period was very irregular, then it stabilized, but with two small periods a month rather than one big one, which was a bit annoying but didn't last long. Now, after ten months, I have a normal period, no unexplained weight gain, and no skin problems. All in all, definitely worth it, and so much cheaper over a longer period of time."