User Reviews for Nexplanon to treat Birth Control

"I’ve been on birth control for as long as I could remember. I’ve tried the pill the depo shot and the patches. I got nexplanon inserted three years ago mainly because I didn’t want to remember having to take a pill or set up a doctors appointment for the injection. The first year was fine but after that my whole life turned upside down. I didn’t relate it to the birth control but I’ve had severe depression and anxiety, which I’ve never experienced in my life until nexplanon. This needs to be taken off the market. I’m a very mean person on it and I get my period for weeks at a time. I’m always crying and being irrational and not to mention the horrible acne this thing puts out. Worse experience of my entire life. I can’t even begin to explain the emotional rollercoaster this type of birth control has put me through"

"Nexplanon is not worth the mental toll it takes on your daily life. I’m willing to cut it out of my own arm at this point. I’m constantly pushing away my loved ones every night. I have had more mood swings and suicidal thoughts than my entire life and I have a good partner, promoted to my dream job and none of those things matter anymore. The joys in life are gone. It’s like having split personalities with this product. The one I got four years ago was great and I would only cry at stupid things. This time around I can’t stand to be alive. Don’t do it. Find another way there is something wrong with this product."

"I have had my nexplanon implant in for 1.5 years and I had it Removed 20th Aug 2020. X 3 days later the nightmare kicks in!!! Can someone tell me when this will end? ... note: 0 historic mental health problems (current nightmare = severe anxiety ! Sometimes panic attacks! High heart rate! Dizziness! Dream like state of mind, confusion, frustration, irritation, mood swings, lack of control. NOT MYSELF whatsoever! Asked Dr (male) he informed me as well as the Dr who removed it (lady) is that this was not related to the implant removal. I think the removal has caused a serious hormonal imbalance in my body. Can anyone relate? If so please leave a message/comment. I am 34 years old and it’s scary so if there are any young girls / ladies out there your not alone! Take care my fellow soldiers. Xx"

"So for those of you who wanted this implant because Vanessa huges smiled on tv and didn’t do your research about birth control please listen. This form of BC has no estrogen in it, it benefits people who are prone to or have… heavy bleeding cycle, endometriosis, HTN. This is a progesterone example which is a class of steroids and also synthetic to the natural progesterone you make in your body. So if you are having mood swings or other mental health problems seek therapy and talk to your healthcare provider. You may need to be on a combination pill instead of this rx. Also for anyone who is reading this that is new to BC most BC messes with your mental health because you’re trying to manipulate your natural hormones sooooo…… speak with a professional instead of google ok"

"The insertion was fine and other than a little spotting here and there I didn’t have a period. However my mood and attitude towards life has completely shifted and has negatively affected my life and relationships. I get angry and argue with my boyfriend over the stupidest things. He always says I “make something out of nothing” and I didn’t usually like to be like that. I describe the feeling as being stuck in a mood that you know is irrational but you CANNOT get out of it!! Also like others have said, any time I get into one of these arguments with my boyfriend my first thought is “I want to break up with you and move out”. I hate feeling that way because we’ve been together 4 years and I am happy with him. I experienced depression, extreme anxiety, and intrusive thoughts as well. I lost motivation to complete schoolwork for my dream degree. All in all I have an appointment today to remove the implant and I can’t wait to start feeling better."

"After reading dozens of these reviews, I thought it might help someone if I added my Nexplanon experiences. I'm 26, have no children, and I've tried other forms of birth control like the pill and an IUD (Mirena). I had Nexplanon inserted years ago and left it in for the full 3 years. Fast-forward to now, I'm on my second insert, it's expiring, and I plan to get another. My first Nexplanon inserts stopped my period completely. Like, not a drop of blood for 3 years. My debilitating cramps almost completely went away. No weight gain. Honestly, the only thing I might have experienced was moodiness (like anger) - but I had a lot going on in my life at the time and I'm 99% sure Nexplanon wasn't the cause. Nexplanon insert #2, I've gradually started getting a very light, regular period again, but that's it - no other side effects whatsoever. Everyone's different, but my Nexplanon experience has been extremely positive. IUD, not so much. Hope this helps someone."

"I had the Nexplanon removed just over a week ago and I can already feel myself becoming myself again, I struggled awfully with a depressed mood and intrusive thoughts and they are definitely going (slowly but surely) I don’t feel as anxious, my boobs don’t hurt, I haven’t had headaches, my arm doesn’t itch, I’m not constantly tired, my sex drive is coming back. It’s crazy how much it has made a difference but if anyone is going through a similar thing, don’t worry :) Also the removal was absolutely fine, it was a little painful with the anaesthetic but it was over in about 30 seconds!! I hope this helps"

"Nexplanon is a NIGHTMARE! By far the worst contraception I have ever had, I never leave reviews but I would not want anyone to go through what I have with the implant. I have been on contraception since a young age due to acne (the pill) and I think this has always affected my anxiety but since being on the implant my anxiety has gone through the roof it’s unbearable. I’m constantly tired, constantly anxious, battling trying to get out of a constant low mood, it’s honestly horrible as well as dealing with horrible negative and intrusive thoughts!! It’s a great way of not getting pregnant but it’s not worth it at all, it’s a constant battle to try and feel and remember what your old self was like! I’ve had no bleeding but I would rather have a period every week than have these side effects!"

"Hi ladies , I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experiences . I have had the Nexplanon implant in for 5 weeks now and I am having it removed in two days. I feel like I am going crazy. I have never suffered much with anxiety but over the past few weeks I’ve been crying non stop and having very dark thoughts that I am sick and dying. The anxiety is causing me to be very sad and emotional and worry about everything . Reading all of your stories gives me hope that everything I am not going mad and that the hormones will balance out once removed. Thank you"

"It’s been less than four months since I got nexplanon inserted and I want to get it taken out. It’s done its job in preventing pregnancy, however it has negatively impacted me both physically and mentally. I have been bleeding nonstop since I got it put in and this has resulted in a lot of inconvenience in my life as I am always bleeding, and having already been used to tampons my fear of getting a bacterial infection or toxic shock syndrome has increased to the point I switched back to pads. I can’t continue like this. The first month I was having terrible mood swings and pushing my boyfriend away. It went away for a little put I have started feeling uncontrollably sad, worthless, and unhappy again. I don’t think keeping it in any longer is worth it tbh :( it’s sad but I’m writing this right after I finished crying for the night because I feel so sad). If you suffer from some form of anxiety and depression already, your mental state may be further negatively impacted."

"I’ve had nexplanon in the past a couple times and it was literally the best birth control ever invented.... HOWEVER after having my first child I needed to go back on birth control and of course nexplanon was my first choice. I had it in for a few months and everything was normal but then I started to experience some anxiety. I just assumed it was like everyday life. I ended up removing the birth control because I now have extreme anxiety and panic attacks along with depression!!! It has completely ruined my life. It’s hard to do everyday things and even take care of my baby. I spend a lot of time in bed and that’s not the type of person I am. Hoping after the hormones are gone out of my body that I will start to feel better. Anyone felt better after the removal?"

"I wanted to choose this type of birth control because I knew so many people who had it. My experience with Nexplanon was amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. I did not even notice it was there. I lost weight, my skin has never been better and I have been so happy! I was super nervous to get this because online everyone says how “sucky” it is but it’s because they gains weight - so you have to watch what you eat. Hahah of course people who enjoy the Nexplanon are not going to get on these forums as often because they just keep going on with their life. Fifteen of my friends have Nexplanon and we all love it so much! If you are thinking about doing it, do it! The insert process is SO simple. You may get a little bruised, but not bad!"

"I was really excited to start a new birth control method because a mother of 2, being really sexually active with my partner. I’m simply not ready for another kid. I got the nexplanon back in December of 2019, its been a little less than 3 months and I am having constant suicidal thoughts, I catch myself having an anxiety attack while working and it’d make me go home to sleep it off. I thought it was just me overthinking about all my problems, but in reality, I have never had these feelings and thoughts in the past. I catch myself wanting to cry every single day, Not wanting to do anything but stay home and sleep, I literally told my partner “I don’t think I’m ok, I am going crazy. I feel like I am about to lose my breath and my heart races at the same time”. I have lost so much weight, my anxiety and depression have gotten so bad that I am having dark thoughts.... I’ve always been an uplifting, goofy person. I will be making an appointment to get this removed ASAP!"

"Getting Nexplanon was the WORST decision I have ever made. Decided to trust the research I did- which was all from the drug company and Planned Parenthood. When I first got it I was severely bruised for two weeks, my whole arm was swollen and painful, and the whole time I had it it would poke inside my arm which was very uncomfortable and I was always scared it had moved. I was so anxious that I had to stop intaking caffeine, I would cry all the time for no reason and I was so depressed I wanted to die. I gained like 30 pounds over the course of six months, because the places I'd researched said that weight gain was not considered a real side effect. When I finally got this abomination out, it took MONTHS to get back to normal and for my hormones to settle again. This is NOT worth it, I am begging you please don't get this and read forums with people's real experiences if you do decide to do so!! Extreme weight gain is a very common side effect! I felt like I lost control, it was horrible."

"Don't get Nexplanon put in.. It's pretty effective at not getting me pregnant... because I'm not having sex.... because I'm on my period CONSTANTLY. I've always had 7 day long periods, and now I'm bleeding HEAVILY for months at a time. I only go a month and a half tops without my period and then BAM. I'm bleeding for another 2 months. I am on my period more than I am NOT on my period. The money that I have spent on feminine products.. I don't even want to talk about it. I thought it would regulate itself after a year or so, but my periods just kept getting L O N G E R. I feel at this point I'm immortal. No living creature can sit there and bleed for months on end and still be alive. I could feed a small vampire clan and they would never even have to bite me."

"I wanna start by saying people usually only write these reviews if they are unhappy. Your body could react differently you just never know until you try it. I used Nexplanon for about 3 months. Almost immediately I would get these waves of nauseousness and I would feel like I needed to throw up, and diarrhea at the same time. My entire body would severely sweat and my heart would beat like crazy. Later, I found out it was actually just a panic attack. Anyway, these nausea waves lasted a good 2 weeks, and then completely stopped. And everything was great. No period. No nausea, no depression. Absolutely nothing and I was very happy. Then.. just about 2 weeks ago my anxiety has become so bad that I literally can not leave my house. The nausea is back, I have crying spells and I seriously just feel HORRIBLE mentally. Prior to this, I do have a long history with mental illness, but never like this. I’m removing it tomorrow for my own health."

"PLEASE READ: Many of my friends recommended Nexplanon to me. I thought this was a wonderful idea, as I was very inconsistent on the pill (I was inconsistent). I am nearly three months into having Nexplanon, and I want to rip it out. The irregular bleeding is very light, and not an issue. Instead, it's the emotional stress. I am usually a happy-go-lucky person, and I am now so beyond depressed, can't fall asleep at night because I am profusely crying. I try to sleep throughout the day because of how sad I am, I just want to shut my mind off. My eyes are so puffy from crying. I felt borderline suicidal. I have had to start seeing a therapist, have NEVER felt this awful, depressed, guilty, paranoid, and sad in my entire life. I have no motivation. I can't get out of bed. I have even completely lost my appetite, and I throw up my food. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING. And nobody warned me about these side-affects. I would never recommend this to anyone. I plan on getting it out ASAP."

"Nexplanon completely uprooted my life. Although I never gained weight (I actually lost 20lbs) I experienced the most intense anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts of my entire life. Every single day I would wake up in a panic attack, and falling asleep was nearly impossible. My brain would never turn off, and the intrusive thoughts would cause me to break down in tears daily. My hair started falling out and thinning. I would get irrational fears that would consume me to the point of never leaving my house and trying to spend all of my time sleeping to avoid reality. I’m getting it removed in 9 days, and I really hope this stops. I nearly took my own life because of this implant, it made all of the vibrancy drain from my life- I even had to break up with my romantic partner because I just couldn’t energetically show up for the relationship due to the depression and anxiety."

"I just want to say thank you to all the ladies who shared their experiences with nexplanon on here. I actually got my prescription, and made an appointment with my doctor to get the nexplanon inserted in two days time. Deep down though, I felt uneasy about the whole thing. I thought that the feeling would go away, but as my appointment date got closer, the uneasiness grew stronger. I thought I'd do some further research for a peace of mind, and then I found this forum, and I am so glad I did! I have suffered (still do) from anxiety and depression for most of my life, and having read that so many womens mental health declined further after getting on the nexplanon, was just the confirmation I needed. I also read that some women didn't have any negative side effects and that's awesome, BUT it's not a risk I am willing to take. Thanks heaps ladies, I'll be cancelling my appointment today!"

"My experience with Nexplanon was horrible and would like to share my experience, although everyone is different and what doesn't work for me might work for you or vice versa. I had the Nexplanon placed 3 months after giving birth. Before that I was happy, high sex drive (always have had high sex drive), regular periods, and overall very long life. After Nexplanon I had non stop bleeding, severe headaches, severe dizziness, severe lightheadedness, extreme fatigue and severe mood swings. I felt like I was going downhill because I felt sick all the time and extreme sadness and depression. I had it removed because I no longer felt like myself and felt like I was making bad memories on what should be my most precious moments with my family."

"Probably one of the worst decisions I have made in my adult life. I have always had great skin and on this medication it exploded with both random dryness and severe acne. My emotions were a roller coaster (more than just normal girl stuff). My sex drive plummeted. Constant spotting. Yeah It prevented me from getting pregnant probably because I was always on my period. All in all bad experience."

"I’ve had the Nexplanon for pretty much two years and it’s just now caused me really bad anxiety, panic attacks , chest pain, I was really weak and I’ve never been like that in my life.! Just got it removed today. I will never advice anyone to get this."

"I got nexplanon in Aug 2018. Honestly the worst birth control experience I’ve had. I have month long periods (with only 3 weeks in between cycles), complete with cramping, bloating and irritability for the entire duration. My anxiety and depression has skyrocketed, along with suicidal thoughts. I get severe migraines now (never had in the past), my sex drive is completely gone, and I’ve been getting horrible acne on my face and back (also didn’t have in the past). I feel a constant fatigue. I gained 20lbs in the first 6 months of having it, and can’t seem to lose the weight no matter how hard I try. And on top of all - recently I’ve started getting shooting pain around the site of my implant, and my whole arm feels numb and weak when that happens. I’m getting it removed in 2 weeks because I cannot continue with all of these side effects."

"I got this inserted 3 years ago, my arm hurt for one day with no bruising, and then I literally forgot about it for the remaining time. No periods ever, and never once pregnant. No weight gain. Most convenient form of birth control ever used, but it may just be the way my body has reacted. Got it reinserted for the next 3 years and got some bruising, but not too bad."

"I currently have the Nexplanon bar in my left arm and am finding it horrible physically, mentally and emotionally. The first month I woke every night at 4am dripping in sweat (in winter) and experienced hot flushes everyday randomly. I’ve bled everyday for the last 2 months and in the last 2 weeks have broken out in pimples. I feel completely disconnected to myself as a woman, my usual cycle has been replaced by constant irregular bleeding that leaves me irritable and moody. I’m finding myself questioning every thought/feeling/reaction because I no longer know when my hormones/cycle are effecting my moods which is taking its toll on my mental health. My anxiety has never been worse. I have zero sex drive or desire to be touched, which is taking a huge toll on my relationship. I feel there’s a complete lack of caution from GP’s when prescribing this product. I’m having it removed ASAP."