Implanon and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• sha...
• November 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I got mine put in in January of '08. I got pretty heavy periods for about 6 months after. I haven't used a tampon since, mini pads work just fine. I get it roughly every 8 weeks. Sometimes if it goes too long, I have taken a pregnancy test to make sure - all negative. I really don't like people making negative comments when they had it in less than a week. It's not instantaneous, you have to give your body time to adjust. The Implanon itself doesn't hurt, it hasn't pained me since the first few days. I have had NONE of these symptoms, any weight gain was from unhealthy eating habits. I do not bleed constantly, not stressed, crazy, or depressed."

• Mic...
• December 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Implanon for a year now. There are some goods and bads to using it. The good things are you don't bleed every month, and you don't have to worry about getting pregnant. The bads are you have less sex desire, feel stressed, increased appetite, and my biggest problem is weight gain. I have gained 20 lbs so far."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I thought this birth control would be the perfect fit for me since I always forgot to take the pill. I had it inserted in October 2014. Since then, I have already gained 20 pounds. Nothing about my life or the way I eat has changed, so I knew it was the Implanon. When it was first put in my arm, it was bruised for a week and very sensitive to touch. I have had very clear skin before using this and my face has begun to break out. I'm only 20, so I'm very insecure to go to the beach this summer with my face and body looking like this. Also, my sex drive has gone down tremendously, which is hurting my relationship. The only plus side is not having a period at all. I would spot here and there in the beginning, but it went away and I do not spot anymore."

• kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I love the Implanon, 100% effective. I get no periods. The only downside is that in the 2 years I've been using it, I gained at least 45 pounds, which sucks because I tried everything to lose the weight, but nothing seems to work for me. I have my appointment for removal on the 31st of December."

• 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."

• 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!"

• bub...
• February 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this for about 2 years, I barely get any periods, mostly just spotting. No weight gain, you don't have to think about it but every other three years, and it just goes in your arm. I think it's the best birth control out there for now. I think it is perfect for me, but everyone's body will react differently."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I would just like to tell people my story of having the Implanon and the side effects I have experienced during this time. I got my first implant 7 years ago. My experiences with the implant have been awful! And this is the reason I would like to give people an idea of what it can do to your body to hopefully help people deciding whether the implant is for them or if people are experiencing symptoms like the ones I had, then it is most likely due to the implant and the doctors really don't have a clue, as I was told by my GP on several occasions, 'No, it will not be the implant that is causing this,' when in reality I knew it was. When I had it removed, it confirmed that I was right. So here is my story.. With the implant, I gained so much weight, which I have been unable to lose. I bled heavily during sex, and when I say heavily, I mean it went everywhere!! And this was on every occasion during intercourse, and when I explained to my GP, in her head, there was no way it was the implant! And this was when I was not bleeding, which wasn't very often. This really does affect your life, your sex life, and your relationships. I bled almost all the time without a break, which makes you feel so uncomfortable and self-conscious. I never had clean knickers!! I know, not nice. My hormones have been everywhere since I got the implant, also depression, anxiety, etc. Pain during intercourse was a big issue while on the implant. I had so much pain that sometimes I could not have sex with my partner. Sometimes I would not lubricate myself, which was also another symptom. GP did not help with this either, apart from offering me lubricant!! If I was not bleeding, I had dark brown discharge. Until having the implant removed, I cannot remember the last time I wore white knickers. There is so much more, but these are the main symptoms I have experienced more recently. I had my implant removed on 6/11/17, and when having it removed, I was intimidated by the nurse who was removing it, she was very rude!! Anyway, I stopped bleeding straight away. I started my period on 10/11/17, which lasted 4-5 days. I have never bled since, not even a spot!! My partner and I can finally enjoy intercourse without the worry about me bleeding or being sore. I can even wear WHITE knickers now, and they stay WHITE!!!! IT'S AMAZING!! I have never felt so happy! I was starting to doubt my body while on the implant. I thought, my body isn't normal, there's something wrong with me. At one point, I thought I had cervical cancer due to the bleeding during sex. My whole life has changed since having the implant removed, I feel so much better and back to normal, whatever normal is.. I really hope that by sharing my experience, if I can even help one person, I will be happy☺️. Thank you for reading, and if anyone would like to write to me regarding this, feel free to do so. Thank you."

• Arm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon going on 3 years in September. I have been having unprotected intercourse for just as long and no babies for me. My periods are beginning to regulate, before I had it, they were sporadic. I have had no weight gain or other issues for that matter. Overall, this form of birth control is my favorite and very worth it."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I am 22, and I have been on since I was 21. I haven't had a period since I have been on, which is fine, but my sex drive is out the window. Haven't had sex with my boyfriend in 6 weeks, and we live together. I'm just not in the mood AT ALL. Also, I notice I have been dry, and that has never been the case. Also, a lot of weight gain, and no matter how much I exercise, it won't come off. I also feel like my feet keep growing. It's perfect for effectiveness, but it's the price you pay, so to each its own. Different bodies react in different ways, so my story may not be yours."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon late 2009, now December 2010, I'm debating if I want it removed. I thought this was going to be nice. A friend of mine warned me the worst was yet to come. A few months after getting it put in, I experienced weight gain. I'm still dealing with this unexplainable fatigue, and I've acquired a thyroid issue, as well as the nonstop bleeding, almost no sex drive, and I'm only 21. I don't know how much longer I can deal with feeling a wreck, but I have not been pregnant, and that's the only thing keeping me on this birth control."

• 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."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. It's the only one that has really worked for me. I did gain some weight, but nothing a gym can't fix. I got the implant inserted in March 2014, it's now October 2014, and I haven't had a period for 6 months. Nothing. No light bleeding, no spotting. It's wonderful! I say go for it."

• Sea...
• January 8, 2014

For Birth Control "The good: Implanon was 100% effective and very convenient. The bad: It killed my desire for sex completely. I gained 30 pounds within two months. I have a history of migraines, usually getting them every couple of months, but during the last six months of having Implanon, I was getting them twice a week, with bizarre symptoms. My migraines would make me feel like my face and entire left side of my body was numb. I would forget words, I would have trouble forming sentences. Sometimes it felt like I was totally disconnected from my body and that my head was caving in. My doctor sent me to get an MRI, but nothing was wrong, and they diagnosed 'complex' migraine. Had Implanon removed two months later, and the weird migraines stopped."

• 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."

• Mor...
• December 19, 2015

For Birth Control "Okay, so I got the implant for two reasons: I was terrible at remembering to take birth control, and my menstrual cycle every month used to be awful (heavy bleeding, terrible cramps, vomiting, and headaches). I absolutely love Implanon. My monthly symptoms stopped, and I only bled three times this past year for only a few days. I can't speak highly enough of this! It stopped my mood swings caused by hormones, and this past year has been amazing. I was so worried about getting it because there are some bad reviews of this. I was worried about weight gain, mood swings, and breakouts because I used to have severe acne. I did not experience any of those symptoms."

• Hyd...
• November 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon in May 2011 after my son was born. I didn't have a period for a month after that like normal. Then the spontaneous bleeding began (like I expected, the doctor told me it would happen), but then 2 months passed, then 3, then 6! With almost constant bleeding, I called my doctor, and she said to give it 6 more months, and at the year mark, my periods would stop altogether. That day came and went, but the problem continued. Along with that, I have had a nonexistent sex drive, severe weight gain, acne, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, and hair loss, getting it out in 2 hours!"

• Lad...
• October 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the arm implant in March 2017, and it's been nothing but a nightmare. I have gained so much weight, I started to retain water, and I have been spotting for the last month. My sex drive is usually insane, but with the birth control, I lost my sex drive, and my skin took a toll. I don't recommend this birth control."

• Syd...
• April 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I am getting this removed as soon as possible. I have only had it in for a few weeks now, but I just cannot handle what it is doing to me. I am having massive anxiety and depression. It's literally driving me nuts. As I read other women's reviews, I see other side effects such as weight gain and nonstop bleeding, and I know that's something I do not want to experience either."