Nexplanon and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Run...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2019

"I have been on this method of birth control (Nexplanon) for 3 weeks now, and it has caused problems with my mental health. Since I’m considered to be in the peri-menopausal stage, my options for other methods of birth control are limited. I am bipolar and have PMDD. The method to this madness was to elevate my severe PMS. I have been in a downward spiral with my depression. I cry almost every day and feel a sense of hopelessness. I feel worse being on this and plan on having it removed. I have not had any cycles or spotting. I am now getting acne! If any women out there suffer with mental health illness, run! This should be taken off the market. Yes, I disclosed my mental health in great detail to this doctor, yet they made it seem a good choice for me. My mistake is not reading the reviews prior to getting this inserted."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Nexplanon for a year now. I don’t ever have a period, which is nice, but with that came severe depression, anxiety, HORRIBLE weight gain, mood swings, acne, and fatigue. I am planning on getting it out next month. I do not recommend this to anyone."

• Thi...
• September 5, 2019

For Birth Control "A few days after having the Nexplanon implant put in, I found myself having catastrophic meltdowns over nothing, like the ones I had when I was a kid. My anxiety was so bad I would have full-on panic attacks prior to going to work. This also made me have serious thoughts about my sanity. I do have a history of anxiety and depression, but I have been stable for many years until I had the implant. I was a prisoner of these hormones, making me mentally unstable. It had also given me the worst acne that I haven't seen since I was in my early teens. I also had zero sex drive with that implant. It has ruined so many aspects of my life for the past two months, I couldn't wait to see if my hormones would even out. I knew I had to get it removed immediately. It's been a couple of weeks since I got it taken out and had the hormone-free IUD put in. I could already tell after a few weeks that I am becoming more mentally stable. My acne has also gotten a lot better too."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had this in for 3 months, and I’ve been on my period for a month straight before! I got really nauseous to the point where I couldn't even eat normally. I also gained weight, and my acne was really bad. I just took it out 4 days ago, and I’m still on my period! And my appetite is still not back to normal, and my acne is still there."

• Hex...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in June 2017 after my doctor said I couldn’t take birth control that had estrogen. The pros and cons of my experience: [+] Estrogen-free, a local anesthetic, I didn’t feel a thing when I got it. [+] Painless (Gnarly bruises!) Within a few weeks, my period stopped and I haven’t had it since. [+] Period-free [–] Acne: Shortly after getting the implant, acne began to pop up on my face, neck, chest, and back. I had decent skin, but now I was covered in the worst acne I could imagine. I waited, assuming it would subside, but it didn’t. I told my doctor to take it out. She prescribed lotion to be applied 2x a day, along with a pill called Spironolactone to try fighting it from inside and out. It cleared a little but left acne scars. 2 years later, I know I can have it removed, but there are so few options without estrogen."

• Kri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I got this horrible torture device (Nexplanon) put in my arm about a year ago, and within a few days of having it, I started getting severely depressed, and it wasn’t like a normal depression/sadness. I started to feel like I had no emotions at all, like I was numb to the world. Had absolutely no sex drive at all. And bled (and am still bleeding) at all times. I have a constant UTI (probably from all the tampons), and I have gained about 65 pounds. My skin is covered in acne. I know everyone is different, but ladies, if you are considering this form of birth control, please think again! It not only affects you but also the people around you! My boyfriend thinks I am a completely different person ever since I got this! As far as contraception, it works great, but I’m done. I shouldn’t have gotten this removed a long time ago!"

• Oli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Absolutely the worst! On Nexplanon, I gained SO much weight, had painful periods, cystic acne, mood swings, anger, bloating, and just overall miserable!!! Do not get it!!!"

• Lys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for about 2 months now. I decided to get it because I would always forget to take my birth control pills. I had no side effects on the pills, so I figured I would be fine with the implant. BOY, WAS I WRONG... I have been constantly bleeding for 2 months and have been wearing tampons every day since I got this thing. My acne has worsened, and I have become so depressed. I'm usually a very happy and outgoing person, but since Nexplanon, my mood is always low, and I have no motivation to do anything. The depression is so bad, and the mood swings make me so irritable and angry, and I will cry at nothing for hours. I'm getting this removed soon and DO NOT GET IT, and if you do and it affects you like this, GET IT TAKEN OUT!"

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Horrible experience! Nexplanon gave me the worst acne I've ever had. I completely missed my periods, but I had the worst PMS ever. I was very moody, hungrier than usual, and very tired. Additionally, it hurts!"

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on it for a month today. I have an appointment tomorrow to have it removed. I have been bleeding non-stop for 12 days, and today I passed 2 huge blood clots, and that's never happened to me before! Headaches, numbness, and pain in my legs, pain when urinating. My anxiety has gotten worse, my depression has returned. My acne has also gotten worse. I have awful nightmares and trouble sleeping. I get bad stomach aches. My sex drive is gone. I'm so angry about all of this, and I can't wait to have this implant out so I can start feeling better! I'm tired of being so tired and moody and fatigued. Do not get this implant. Not worth it at all!!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2019

For Birth Control "11:05 pm. I’m scrolling through this thread in tears. Depressed. Confused. I’m 6 months with this Nexplanon implant, and it was the worst mistake of my life next to dropping out of college. I had been bleeding every 3 weeks, and I would have a break of about 2 days. My flows would be as heavy as my heart would feel. This was going on for 5 months. I can’t stop eating. I’m always sad. I got acne on my cheeks and my neck. I’ve gained weight (20 pounds). I resent men, my gynecologist, and myself for getting this. My doctor has advised me to stick it all out, and that is what I am doing. But during the after hours, I find myself browsing YouTube, trying to find an instructive video on how to take this lord-forsaken device out of my arm because I’ve had enough. Truthfully, everyone is different. My friend's experience was the complete opposite. But this was not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2019

For Birth Control "10/10 not getting pregnant, and I didn't have an issue with bleeding. HOWEVER... my face blew up with painful acne. Never had an acne issue, but since getting the implant, I'm too embarrassed to even talk to people at work. Constantly depressed, never want to get out. Since taking out the implant about 2 1/2 days ago, I've never felt happier (yes, in such little time). Maybe because I got this damn thing out! I didn't look at reviews before I got the implant, and I wish I would have since I relate to all of these reviews."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I had this inserted a couple of months ago because I figured it was an easy 3-year thing that I didn't have to remember to take daily. I have been reading all of the comments below, and I am having ALL of these symptoms, and it SUCKS. Immediate horrible cramps, eventually no period (which makes me anxious not having one), I can't STOP eating, I have gained 11 pounds so far since only inserting it 2 months ago. I always feel down, unmotivated, wanting to stay in bed, and I have NEVER been this person. My skin on my chin and around my mouth is ALWAYS dry, burning, and has zits. I am a person that hasn't had any acne issues in my 36 years of living. Bottom line, do NOT get this birth control."

• hmr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Nexplanon ruined my life. 9 weeks of heavy bleeding when I had it inserted; about 1 month after getting it, I started to experience extreme fatigue, acne, nausea and complete loss of appetite, heart palpitations and shortness of breath, massive hair loss, severe depression (feeling hopeless and borderline suicidal) and anxiety/paranoia. Anemia due to the bleeding. Not to mention my relationship suffered because we weren't able to have sex for months. I ended up in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack or stroke due to the symptoms. Do not put this in your body."

• non...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Holy moly, did this birth control cause acne. SEVERE CYSTIC ACNE. I am currently on a 6-month course of Accutane because of how harmful these hormones were to my skin. I had deep, PAINFUL cystic bumps all over my face, neck, and back starting 2 months into Nexplanon, and they only got worse. I had the device removed after 11 months because I couldn't stand it any longer. The longevity of the device and the less frequent periods were the only positives. I definitely would not recommend."

• non...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Holy moly, did this birth control cause acne. SEVERE CYSTIC ACNE. I am currently on a 6-month course of Accutane because of how harmful these hormones were to my skin. I had deep, PAINFUL cystic bumps all over my face, neck, and back starting 2 months into Nexplanon, and they only got worse. I had the device removed after 11 months because I couldn't stand it any longer. The longevity of the device and the less frequent periods were the only positives. I definitely would not recommend."

• Fuz...
• January 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had a horrible experience. I developed horrible body acne that has left scars, and I spotted constantly. After over a year, my period stopped. No other side effects that I could tell. (Looking back, my mood was VERY ERRATIC.) After 2 years, my period came back with a vengeance (my mood was waaaaay better). When I went back at the 3-year mark to have it removed, my doctor told me, 'Oh, it does that. When you get the new one, it'll disappear again.' So I thought, okay, well, I'll have it put in, and if it doesn't control my period better, I'll get it out. Here we are. Month 4 of the 2nd Nexplanon. Not only are my periods much, much worse, I have been on a terrible heavy period for 3 weeks (think 5 maxi pads or more a day plus blood clots). 2 months ago, my doc put me on birth control pills as well to help with my period. On top of not reducing my period or stopping it, it KILLED my sex drive (pills). I'm scheduling to get it removed ASAP. Oh, and the acne came back. I'm in my late 20s."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2018

For Birth Control "This was the most horrible thing I have done to my body. Weight gain was probably around 10-15 pounds, the acne and oil increased by 10,000 times. I cannot believe how much oil was seeping out of my pores. And lastly, I spotted for almost 1 year straight. There were probably a few times when I had no spotting. It was terrible, it would ruin my underwear and sex life, and I had to have a constant tampon in because I didn’t know when it would increase or decrease. It works as a birth control, but the side effects are not worth it at all! I understand it may be fine for some people, but I would never recommend this to anyone. It wasn’t worth the side effects, I wish I never got it. Thankful I have the Paragard IUD now."

• Ran...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2018

For Birth Control "Have almost had the implant for a year and have not been off my period since a week after getting the implant. Always lethargic because of it, my skin has been breaking out like mad, I have no appetite but gain major weight no matter what I do. Oh, it's very effective birth control given the fact that some of us have never-ending periods and no sex drive. Doctors will give BC pills to regulate the bleeding and hormones, but the whole point of getting the Nexplanon was to not have to worry about missing a pill and an appointment for the BC shot, etc. Getting it removed soon and hoping my body goes back to normal as quickly as possible."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I would not suggest this to anyone. I got this in Feb of 2018, I’m currently on it, however, the weight gain is just insane. I’m in the Army, so working out, eating healthy, and staying in shape is a must, so not sure where or how the weight got to me since I’ve been in the Army longer than I have had the birth control, and my weight has never had a huge change. When I got it placed in my arm, I weighed 115 pounds, now I weigh 141 pounds. I’ve had such a horrible experience. My first month was amazing, no period, nothing... although after that, I got my period since then, till this day I’m still on my period. My doctor said it’ll be gone after six months because my body will adjust, but it didn’t happen. I’m getting it removed tomorrow and plan to start the pill form again. The side effects are something that will happen with this birth control: weight gain, acne, headaches, etc. I would never recommend this."

• Hai...
• September 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Where do I even begin? I can't even sleep tonight because I am so, so, so excited to get this stupid thing out of my arm. It's been awful the whole 10 months till I cried to my husband, begging to have it removed. I gained at least 10 lbs with it, the periods are extremely aggressive, and they come out of nowhere. Last several days, and then it comes back the next week for several days, and then comes back the following 2 weeks. It was awful. The acne. Oh, the horror. The acne is no joke. I've never, ever had acne until this awful rod. It's unbelievable how horrible it has been for me. I have been depressed and very moody because of it. It's just such an awful BC. I beg of you, do not get it."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "Over the past year, my PMS has been worse than it’s ever been, cramping, nausea, flu-like symptoms, mood swings affecting my marriage, my period flow was worse. I went to the OB-GYN because I thought I was premenopausal. Doc said I’m not and suggested Nexplanon to help my PMS. The implant hurt once in. After 5 days, I got pimples, food cravings, and was so bloated. The implant was painful, uncomfortable. I wanted it out. I went to the doc to get it removed, and after 1/2 hour of trying, she couldn’t find it in my arm. I ended up having surgery yesterday to remove it. I never write reviews and read a lot before I decided to do the Nexplanon. I was told I could try it and if I didn’t like it, that “it will be easy to take it right out.” I know everyone is different with pain and side effects. Just make sure you think it through and decide what the best choice is for you. It’s not like I died from this or anything :) Two tiny scars I have and a review to write."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I cannot wait to have this implant removed! I have had it for a little over a year now, but three months in, I had to start taking the pill to offset all of the terrible things that it was doing to my body... acne, nonstop bleeding, weight gain, etc. Over the last six months, I have developed awful depression, anxiety, and have had terrible mood swings. I never had any of these symptoms before, and I literally have NO reason to have them as I live a great life and am surrounded by great people all of the time. So there cannot be any other explanation aside from these horrific hormones. I will be having it taken out tomorrow and haven't ever been more excited about something being cut out of me."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2018

For Birth Control "Since I have gotten Nexplanon, I have noticed I have such oily skin and hair, as well as acne. I have had a period almost the whole entire time since I got it, and now I’m experiencing hair loss. I’m getting it removed. Some people aren’t good candidates for this type of birth control."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2018

For Birth Control "Horrible bruising and pain right after surgery; doc got sloppy. Bruising went away after a month and a half, but was painful within my skin for the entire time I had it. Bleeding from a week after I got it, for 3 and a half months. Never stopped bleeding a single moment for 3 and a half months. Caused terrible acne and mood swings. Would cry over silly things or become enraged over nothing. When I got it removed, it cost around $200 with insurance, and stopped bleeding immediately. The risks of having it migrate and the side effect symptoms do not outweigh the pros. Taking the pill once a day at a time that works is much cheaper, safer, and better for the mind."