Implanon and Irregular Periods: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

For Birth Control "I've had it in for about half a year. I've noticed immense cramping and backache, fatigue, and moodiness. I've also had extreme irregular periods, where I won't have my period for a couple of months, and when I get it, it's 2 weeks long or sometimes more. Although I've experienced many more side effects than it seems most women have, I don't think they are enough to have it removed, and I still recommend it."

• Lin...
• August 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I've had the implant since July 2010. The insertion was very easy and painless, except for the lidocaine, it stung a bit. I really like that I don't have to take a pill every day. I don't like that I may go 2 months without a period, but will then bleed for 2 straight months! My periods are erratic and go on for a long time. I'm debating on getting it taken out. Who wants to bleed for months at a time?"

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I chose Implanon because I was advised it was low hormone, so the side effects would be minimal. Plus, it's entirely low maintenance, I could get it and forget all about it. However, in the first month alone, I gained 20 pounds, that despite healthy eating and exercise would not disappear. No problems at first besides that. Then about a year after I had it, my periods started lasting two weeks at a time, then it stopped for a couple of months, then I started getting them twice a month. My arm goes numb all the time as well. I liked the concept of it, but the side effects are just ridiculous."

• bba...
• December 3, 2011

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon since May of 2009. I liked it at first, no problems. But it is now 2 and a half years later, my periods usually last 3-4 weeks, heavy, then I am off for about 2 weeks. It is awful! Along with heavy, long periods, I have gained 30 lbs. Even before having my son, I was on a very healthy diet and exercised 5 days a week, if not more. Sadly enough, I can't get the weight to budge! I think the Implanon just is not right for me, so I am going to take my chances with the pill!"

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I was very worried about implantation because I am terrified of needles, but it was relatively quick and painless. In the beginning, I did have irregular periods, but they were light, and that did not last long at all, now I haven't gotten my period in about 6 months. I don't have to worry about remembering anything. I am very pleased with my decision."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2012

For Birth Control "Insertion left my arm bruised for about a week, nothing terrible. There is a small scar at the insertion site. I've had Implanon for just over a year now. The first month or so, I experienced low libido, but luckily for me, that issue went away. I have my period about once every 6-8 weeks, it's irregular, but there is much less blood than before I had it in. Sometimes I bleed for only 3-4 days, other times it is 7-8 days, but either way, it's no big deal, and I haven't experienced any substantial changes in my skin or my weight. I highly recommend trying this method of birth control. Nothing works for everybody, but if Implanon works for you, it's much more convenient than pills."

• Cas...
• February 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I have had my Implanon for 3 years and need to get it removed in a few days. I love it. I had no periods for about 1 1/2 years, then one every 4 months for a year. The downside is now it's closer to one week-long period with a week-long break in between. It's been really frequent for the last month or so. I am about 175 lbs though, and I don't know if the tapering off would be so obvious in someone with less body mass or even more muscle mass. I am thinking about getting a new one anyway, or perhaps taking a shot or two of Depo before getting a new Implanon inserted."

• Hea...
• March 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my Implanon inserted September 17, 2012. Before that, I had a baby June 30, 2012. So I'm not so sure as to if I have gained weight from this product or from having a baby or even if it's from one or the other and I'm just overweight. Anyways, I had it removed in February this year, 2015. I have to say this is a great form of birth control. Never got pregnant on it. That was the whole purpose of having it inserted. The reason I decided to have it extracted is due to possible weight gain, mood swings, no period at all, and I did have a lower sex drive. Since I had it removed, my mood swings got better, I have more of a sex drive, which I didn't think it was decreasing, and I didn't start my period till after I had my Paragard inserted."

• Iri...
• September 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my first Implanon inserted in September 2010, my period didn't come for about two years and then I noticed when I would get stressed it would start. After this, any change in my hormonal system and I took my period. I got it removed and another one inserted in August 2013, this time I noticed my periods got more regular and lasted longer. In July 2014, I had my period for 4.5 weeks. This was really awful. My bar never moved from where it was inserted, I knew it was there and couldn't really hold anything under that arm. The first 3 years I went up and down in weight like a yo-yo. My body has changed as I've grown up, but I have put on 2 stone/28 pounds/13 kg. Extremely hard to lose weight! Got it removed today!"

• Ehl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years old, and I got the implant about a month and a half ago, almost two months ago. So far, I've had a little bit of random acne appearing on my face, and I've been feeling a bit bloated. My only concern is the way it makes your period irregular. For example, I normally get my period for 4-5 days, but today is day 7 or 8, and that's kind of concerning."

• Mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this for 3 years. Yes, immediately after there is bruising and numbness... I mean the doctor did just numb your arm and stick something in it. The first few months I didn’t have a period, then I feel like it all caught up to me. I had a period for almost 3 months, it would vary between being heavy and just spotting. After that, I was almost on a normal cycle except for longer periods. My cramps have gotten better since being on this birth control, but I have gained weight. I have gone from 125 to 155, granted, in this time, I began working in the food industry, which causes anyone to gain weight. I really haven’t had problems with this birth control except for prolonged periods and not wanting to touch my arm because of being able to feel the stick. I recommend this birth control."

• Inq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been using Implanon for the past 9 months, but I'm getting it removed ASAP. I've been struggling with migraines with aura since childhood, and the mini pill is the only thing that helps. Implanon made my migraines unbearable and unresponsive to ibuprofen, which worked pre-insertion. I'd feel nauseous and be knocked out for days due to that. I've also put on 4 kg so far and have definitely lost my sex drive. I've been feeling fatigued and would regularly have prolonged periods. It's great when it works, and it sucks when it doesn't. It appears it is not working for me."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2012

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon in since I was 16. I've had 2 and am just about due for my third. That's right, for 6 years I've had irregular periods ever since, no cramps and no headaches, but different experiences with sex drive with both implants. The first one my partner and I would have sex all the time, but since my second one, not so much. Actually, I don't want it at all. Only worry now is because I've had it in for so long, can I still get pregnant without it."

• Emi...
• September 18, 2013

For Birth Control "There is no weight gain on this, this is not the type of medication that has those side effects. My periods got crazy and irregular, but that isn't a problem, they warned me in advance they would be like that. I personally loved it, it lasts a long time, and you don't have to do anything to care for it."

• Kyl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Implanon from May 2013 until September 2014! I have been off of the birth control for a year. I miscarried on Feb 11 and September 18, 2015! I believe my two miscarriages are caused by this evil birth control... I have a 2-year-old and had no problems conceiving or carrying him... I don't suggest this birth control. I beg you not to get it. I am 20 years, soon to be 21... I now have to go to the doctor to see why my miscarriages happened, which is very heartbreaking for me. I gained weight, was moody (like evil moody), I had a period for like a whole month and swear that was a miscarriage too."

• Mel...
• June 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I had a horrible time with Implanon. Emotional as hell, periods all over the place, appetite gone, libido gone - everything got so much better the moment I removed it."

• Bre...
• September 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I love the Implanon. I have had it for 3 years, and it is very effective. The only problem I had was the long periods that ranged from 7 to 10 days."

• Ase...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I have had my period for 9 weeks straight."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I feel bloated, constant cramps, tired all the time, and gained 15 pounds. I have only had it for 4 months, always heavy bleeding, periods are irregular. I feel depressed and am getting it taken out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2023

For Birth Control "At first, I was worried will I get acne, have long periods, and lose hair. It's been a year now with no side effects. My periods stopped, but I don't mind. When 3 years are up, I will get it again."