Implanon and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• jus...
• August 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I honestly LOVE Implanon! I am a worrywart and not worrying with the monthly pregnancy scare has been fabulous. I have mood swings (but I've always been hormonal). I almost chickened out after reading online reviews, but I'm glad I didn't. No weight gain. No acne. Slight bleeding. Highly recommended by me."

• Ava...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I am new to the Implanon. I just had it inserted a few days ago. So far, so good. I've had mood swings, but that's because I am a woman. What really concerned me was the reviews. These ladies are telling horrible stories about their experience with the Implanon. What they don't seem to understand is that every birth control affects every woman differently. I wanted to make this post to let the ladies who aren't sure about the Implanon because of some other stuff they've seen online not to let that make your decision for you. The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor, not go off of someone else's review."

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Beware and do extensive research on Implanon before you get it. If you’ve found this forum, I’m proud of you. Doctors and first initial 'Implanon' Google searches do not yield all side effects. After I had the Implanon inserted, I had intense mood swings of immense sadness and unnecessary anger towards loved ones. After 3 months, the mood swings settled down to constant depression and anxiety. It took me 8 months to connect the dots of side effects to Implanon: the 10 kg weight gain, the mental illness, the COMPLETE AND UTTER LOSS OF LIBIDO, and loss of any natural lubrication ('getting wet') on the odd chance that I did want to have sex with my fiancé. This was huge for me and caused a lot of insecurity because my body simply wouldn’t respond to sexual advances, even things that usually always turn me on. I feel numb most days. Last week I went to my GP to get it removed, she said no. She wouldn’t remove it because I’m a 20-year-old. I’m going back in today to demand it be removed."

• Lil...
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had 2 implants, the first one was fine. I would get my period maybe 3 times a year and very light, so once I removed it, I got a new one. It has been a little more than 2 years. I have gained 5 kg, I exercise a lot, started doing 16 hours fasting, and stopped eating meat. Even after all this, I haven’t lost any weight. But then comes the worst part. Since I got the new one, I have my period all the time, sometimes for 3 to 4 weeks straight. For the past 5 months, my boyfriend and friends have been warning me about my mood swings. For the past 4 months, I feel horrible anxiety, something I never had before. Now, after my long period, I have sad thoughts coming into my mind out of nowhere. I cry over nothing, and I just don’t understand where this sadness is coming from. Once I started researching about it, I read so many comments of similar situations and decided I’m getting it removed next week. I do not recommend this, the depression that puts you in and no one tells you about it!"

• Bea...
• February 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon implant for about a month now, and not long after I got it, I have read reviews that really scared me because a lot of people had bad side effects such as non-stop bleeding and mood swings, etc. About 2 weeks after I got the implant, I had a period for about 4 days, and then I was spotting for a week after that, and then it stopped, and so far I haven't had anything. I love the fact that I don't have to take a pill every day, and when I was on the pill, I forgot to take it a lot. Luckily, I didn't get pregnant. I love this thing and recommend it to anyone who asks. Hopefully, everything stays the way it is, but so far so good. The insertion was painless, so if you want good birth control, Implanon is the way to go."

• Kdu...
• October 27, 2009

For Birth Control "It's been almost a year since I got it, and I haven't gone a full week without bleeding. I have gained 15 lbs in 7 months, very depressed, moody, bad cramps, headaches, muscle aches, weakness, digestive problems. The list goes on. I thought it was all in my head, so I'm glad I found these reviews because I am now going to get it removed!"

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon since March 2008, and the main side effects that I have are periods that are long-lasting, from 10 to 21 days, no libido/sex drive, and mood swings. My partner complains because I'm frequently on my period, which can be very frustrating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon for about 5 months now, and it's great! I only spot for about a day or two each month, and that's it. I have actually lost weight since then as well. Nothing has really changed with me since I got it. No mood swings or acne."

• Ali...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Implanon on August 6th, 2013. Soon after, I noticed non-stop bleeding and mood swings. I cried very often and also ended a relationship. I went through depression, anxiety, and had serious headaches. I haven't quit bleeding for more than a week since I've been on it. I don't recommend it to anyone under 18."

• Fel...
• November 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have only had the Implanon for 4 weeks and am going in today to have it removed. I chose this because it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' easier birth control. But the side effects for me have been horrendous. I have had severe anxiety, mood swings, and depression. And instead of little issues rolling right off my shoulders, it feels as though it's the end of the world. I've never struggled with this before. I've also had literal thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Also, it caused my sex drive to become pretty much non-existent. Coming from a woman who has been with the same man for 12 years and could have sex 3 times per day. I started having no sex drive and had a very dry vagina."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon fitted in May this year. From having it fitted, I think I bled for nearly 9 weeks. I have put on a stone in weight and have suffered really bad mood swings, feeling sometimes like I'm going mad. I felt tired all the time with no energy. I was really snappy with my children and my other half all the time. I am normally a really laid-back sort of person, but this changed me into a nutter."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Honestly, I thought this birth control was the best at first, told everyone I knew to get it. But now, 4 months later, I can't stand it, my emotions have been out of this world, my stress level has been higher, and I went from a happy person to hating everything. I never have gotten cramps before I got this put in, and they are the worst. The bleeding goes from heavy to light but at random times, but means to say I'm getting this removed immediately. Because I know I will go back to my normal self again."

• mpv...
• October 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I absolutely love it! I've had it for 2 years, only got my period once a few weeks after I got the Implanon, and never got a period again. No mood swings, gained a little weight, but I don't think it all has to do with the Implanon. No side effects at all. It all depends on how your body reacts to it. I was reading some reviews where they have been bleeding forever. If that would have been me, I would have removed it already."

• Hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2015

For Birth Control "So far, I love the Implanon! I read so many horror stories before getting it inserted that I was so scared. I'm 21 and have horrible periods normally. I had to stop taking the pill as I gained 8 kgs, my breasts were so tender all the time, and I was so emotional and teary. I honestly thought the Implanon would do the same to me, but so far, NO periods, NO weight gain (in fact, I've lost weight). Great sex drive, my mood is the same as always! Really happy! Don't let all the negative stories affect you, everyone's body works so differently!"

• ANI...
• September 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon in my arm for over 2 years now, and only within the last 2 months have I come to realize that all these things I have been experiencing: lack of concentration, constantly hungry (especially for sweet things), acting like a pit bull on crack with the mood swings, breast tenderness, backache, itchy, irritable scalp, gripping pains, feeling anxious and crying for no reason, headaches, erratic periods (e.g., none for 3 months, then 2 heavy in one month, followed by spotting on and off for 3 weeks), and the worst thing for me: WEIGHT GAIN! I have put on about 2 stone and I was always good at dieting, but not this time, IT WILL NOT SHIFT! It was not until recently when my headaches got worse that I started to dig on Google, and I feel so stupid that I didn't do my research on this horrible thing! Yes, it stops you from getting pregnant, but is it worth it? Definitely NOT!"

• SFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had my Implanon since May 30th, 2013. I have not stopped bleeding since I got it. I have crazy mood swings, I get extremely depressed, crave junk food, my sex drive is way down, I get horrible headaches, and abdominal pain."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had mine since October of 2013. At first, I was super excited because it was a no-fuss birth control that would cause me migraines. After I had it implanted, I gained 30 lbs in a matter of 3 months. Although I believe some of that was stress (I'm in medical school), I continued to work out regularly and was still gaining weight. I have not had my period since I've had it, but instead, I've had bloating, mood swings, lowered sex drive, oh, and my migraines have gotten worse. Although I love how easy it is, I feel like it's taken a real toll on my body. I hate to say it, but I miss having my normal body functions, even my period!"

• Kat...
• October 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon for two years now, personally, it is more hassle than it is worth. My periods are heavy and long-lasting, sometimes for over a month. There is often a tiny break between one period ending and the next starting, which is knackering. Every few months, it will disappear altogether, which is a godsend. When it returns, my emotions/mood swings are extreme."

• khe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon for over a year, and the side effects have been going on for that long. My hair is falling out, I have the worst anxiety and mood swings, and have gained over 30 lbs since on it. No amount of exercise and diet can help. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to have it removed because of the side effects."

• 4ba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I have the Implanon, and I'm seriously thinking about removing it. The birth control part works, but what I've been going through to prevent pregnancy is awful. My mood swings are often and more stressful than before. I'm never in the mood to have sex, I could go without it forever, is how I feel. I get the inflammation issue down there as well. My periods are sporadic and heavy or light, but never consistent. I also haven't been able to lose my baby weight since I've been on this. The other times I was able to shed the weight, no problem. I miss the Patch!"

• Sch...
• September 2, 2016

For Birth Control "What everyone needs to realize is that everyone's body is different and reacts differently. You have to see what's best for you!!! You may react differently than the next person. I was on the shot for 8 months and gained 20 pounds and fell into a terrible depression. I've switched and have been on the implant for 8 months now and have dropped 10 pounds! No depression! I'm actually happy! No mood swings. I'm very satisfied so far with the results. So my advice, find what fits you and your body. You may have to try a couple until you find a fit. But don't go off of how other people's bodies reacted."

• nik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on for almost six years. I've had it replaced once. This upcoming October, I'll probably have it replaced again. For me, the first one, my periods were random. No period for 3 months, then spotting for one month. After having it replaced the second time, it's been less period all around, light spotting. Again, considering it again in October, just wanted to see the effects others have had. No weight gain or acne for me. I have a slight temper already, so wouldn't have noticed mood swings."

• Nik...
• June 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had this since March of 2010, and at first, it was great. I had a period maybe every other month, sometimes they would last for a week or a little longer, sometimes they would be shorter. Now, after 2 years, I've been bleeding for about a month, and it is heavy. No pregnancies, but I feel like I am. I've had crazy mood swings, sometimes I'm super hungry, and sometimes I can't eat, and I feel like I'm always tired. Thinking about taking it out."

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I had Implanon placed back in 2010 for 3 years, later found out it was extended to 5 years. I didn't notice any side effects right away. My sex drive was normal, skin normal, everything was fine. I noticed a major change after 4 years. I started getting depressed, angry for no reason, 0 patience. As time went on, I started becoming a really mean person, uninterested in everything. I would eat and snack constantly. I didn't want to go anywhere or see people because I just didn't care to converse or act like I cared what was happening in their life. My sex drive was low. My health started being affected too, I suffered from severe migraines, nausea, mood swings. I went to the doctor, had MRIs done, and nothing came from it. I was 'fine.' I didn't even think to associate my birth control with it. I started getting educated, read reviews, and saw that I was not alone. It is now removed, and I am slowly becoming the woman my family deserves. I would 100% not recommend this birth control. I hope this helps someone."

• ypa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I gave it a 2 because I never got pregnant on it. After much research, I decided Implanon was my best bet since I wouldn't have insurance anymore. The first couple of months were good until I got a period that never ended. After 2 months of bleeding, I got on birth control pills to regulate my period. I was good for 2 months, then started the bleeding again. I basically had my period for 3-4 weeks, then spotted for 2, and if I was lucky, had 2 weeks period-free. I gained about 20 pounds in the first 3 months, which I could not lose no matter what I did. Mood swings were awful, at one point, I was depressed. My skin got bumpy. Finally, I got insurance to take it out."