Nexplanon and Acne: What Users Say

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2023

For Birth Control "Do NOT get it!!! I got the Nexplanon inserted a year ago, and I'm getting it removed next week. It has been the worst experience, both physically and especially mentally. I gained 10 pounds and am constantly bloated, and I am someone who is a very healthy eater and regularly exercises. My skin also plummeted, and I now have painful acne. I am also bleeding CONSTANTLY!! I'll go for 3 weeks bleeding and 1 week not bleeding. Finally, my mental health has completely spiraled!! I have constant mood swings and waves of anger that have been completely ruining what are supposed to be special moments. I have zero control over my emotions and reactions, as if my brain and body are separate! I'll be telling myself I'm angry and crying over nothing, but I physically cannot get out of the terrible mood I am now somehow in. I am not myself anymore, and you are not alone if you feel this way with Nexplanon. I cannot wait to get this mood-controlling parasite of an implant out!!"

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2023

For Birth Control "Sure, I didn’t get pregnant, but experienced absolutely horrendous side effects. I was on it for a year and a half. My face looked like a pepperoni pizza, and I had six-week-long heavy periods. I wish I was making this up. I had horrible cystic acne, so bad to the point one time the whole left side of my face swelled up. Beware!"

• Scr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2023

For Birth Control "I gained 23 pounds in less than 3 or 4 months. I developed a complex ovarian cyst that burst and sent me to the ER. I am experiencing cystic acne galore, horrible mood swings, and loss of energy. Do not recommend."

• rjj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2023

For Birth Control "That made me bleed for four months nonstop. It gave me constant acne, and I took ibuprofen for a week, it didn't stop it. I took the mini pill for a while, then stopped taking it to see what happened. My period got heavier than normal. I went on it because my period was already heavy. I'll stick to the pill."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2022

For Birth Control "Nexplanon is a very effective form of birth control, and it was so nice not having to remember to take a pill every day. BUT... it came with awful side effects! The first year was just okay for me. It gave me terrible acne and periods that would last about 15 days. It also made me super hungry, and it was harder for me to maintain my weight, but it was tolerable. EXACTLY one year after getting it placed, the horrible anxiety and intrusive thoughts started. It was completely debilitating. The pill did this to me as well, but not nearly as severe. I was diagnosed with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder at a young age, but it has always been very minor and tolerable unless I'm on birth control. Because of my pre-existing conditions, I suppose I could be more 'at risk' for a negative reaction to hormonal birth control, but I have seen plenty of reviews stating similar side effects to mine, and these women said they had no previous history of any anxiety disorder. Not worth it!"

• Kai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2022

For Birth Control "The worst mistake I’ve ever made!!!!! It seems that I bleed and spot more months out of the year than having a dry day. I’ve had the implant for three years now! And I’m still suffering. The IUD was a better choice, and I regretted thinking about the pain it would have cost me inserting it, but hey?! At least I wouldn’t be suffering to this extent of constant bleeding or now becoming overweight and having difficulty losing it. Like what? Yeah, okay, I haven’t had any pregnancy accidents or surprises, but still, you know what? The constant acne, bloating, spotting, and discomfort does not compare to how well and better I was off on the IUD or pills. This implant is not for everyone. This implant is not for me either, it seems. I should have played Russian roulette with God and just gone natural or looked at other options. But no. I didn’t do my research or listen enough."

• KAM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2022

For Birth Control "I am desperate to get this implant out. It has given me anxiety, loss of sex drive, mood changes, dizziness. I have also gotten acne from it and gained 3 stone in weight. My doctor persuaded me to keep it in last time I tried having it taken out, so I have had it in for 2.5 years. I have an appointment for it to be taken out tomorrow. Never again!"

• ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Nexplanon was probably one of the worst forms of birth control I've ever had. It had given me so many problems I never knew I had. I have never had a history of mental health issues, but the implant made me severely depressed, and I found myself having suicidal tendencies. I would wake up every day not feeling like myself and could only link it to the implant as I have never had anything like this before. I had clear skin before and then started to develop bad chin acne. Although I was aware beforehand that this was a side effect, it made me feel more depressed and insecure. Sex felt a lot less pleasurable than normal. I'd say the only remotely good thing about the implant was that it made my periods stop completely, but I would much rather have a painful, heavy period than all of these issues. It's definitely one of those forms of birth control that is a hit or miss, but it wasn't for me, and I'd never go back on it."

• ag3...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 29, 2021

For Birth Control "If you have PCOS or struggle with acne, do not get Nexplanon. Just a couple of weeks after I got it, I started to get painful cystic acne on my chin and lower face area. I had dealt with that because of PCOS, but it was one to two at a time, and now it’s a constant cycle. As soon as one goes away, there are three more, and I now have redness and acne scars covering the lower half of my face. My confidence is completely gone. I go to a dermatologist and take care of my skin much more than the average person, but it seems to do nothing. I only wear makeup once a week and take it off before bed, and every time I wake up with more deep cystic spots. So I can’t even cover it."

• ag3...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 29, 2021

For Birth Control "If you have PCOS or struggle with acne, do not get Nexplanon. Just a couple of weeks after I got it, I started to get painful cystic acne on my chin and lower face area. I had dealt with that because of PCOS, but it was one to two at a time, and now it’s a constant cycle. As soon as one goes away, there are three more, and I now have redness and acne scars covering the lower half of my face. My confidence is completely gone. I go to a dermatologist and take care of my skin much more than the average person, but it seems to do nothing. I only wear makeup once a week and take it off before bed, and every time I wake up with more deep cystic spots. So I can’t even cover it."

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

For Birth Control "This birth control was definitely not for me at all. I had to get it removed after 6 months. When I first got the Nexplanon, I had very long periods. I got my period for two whole months, normal to light period, and I got vaginal irritation and a yeast infection from using menstrual products every day. That wasn’t really the reason why I stopped using N. The main reason why I stopped using N is because it gave me terrible acne. About a week after I got the birth control, my face was nothing but grease and an ugly pimple pumpkin! I feel pimples growing on my face daily. I’ve never had acne that refills with pus and acne that hurts! After 6 months, I couldn’t take it anymore. Two weeks after N removal, my skin quickly cleared up. Now, I have to recover from all these acne scars on my cheeks and face. N was not for me no matter how much I tried to be patient with it. Maybe it will improve for me, or maybe not. That was my experience."

• Tif...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Nexplanon literally changed my life for the worse. I was on it for an entire year because I couldn't do the full however many years it is. I got it when I was 17 years old and took it out when I was 18. After about 3 months, I experienced horrible mood swings, acne, and weight gain. I was bloated, and no matter if I worked out, I would still gain weight. I'm 5'0, and I used to be 137 when I got it in, and when I took it out, I was 155. It is hard to lose the weight after one year. It made my depression worse and was the reason I was so suicidal. I wouldn't want my worst enemy to get it."

• Tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely do not recommend this birth control. My skin was always perfect, but about 6 months after getting the implant put in, I began breaking out, and it got out of control. I had incredibly painful and cystic acne that I am still working on clearing 5 months after getting it taken out. Nothing seemed to work, everything I tried just made the acne worse. I felt horrible, and I would have my period for months straight, then not have it for a few more months. Worst birth control I have EVER been on."

• Tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely do not recommend this birth control. My skin was always perfect, but about 6 months after getting the implant put in, I began breaking out, and it got out of control. I had incredibly painful and cystic acne that I am still working on clearing 5 months after getting it taken out. Nothing seemed to work, everything I tried just made the acne worse. I felt horrible, and I would have my period for months straight, then not have it for a few more months. Worst birth control I have EVER been on."

• Mai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2021

For Birth Control "This is my second term of Nexplanon. The first 3 years I was on it, it went smoothly. I didn’t have any issues at all. But this go around, it’s been so bad!! And I’m getting it removed in 5 days. I have extreme acne, and this is the first time I’ve had it like this ever! No matter what I do, it won’t go away. I’m at my heaviest, 220 lbs, I feel so disgusting! I’ve changed my diet, and I exercise, but still can’t lose any weight! I have crazy mood swings, I’m always depressed and mad. I have no motivation to do anything. I’m always tired. I didn’t even know I had anxiety until now. I have bad migraines every single day. I bleed for about 27 days at a time, heavily at that. And my period is unpredictable. This birth control is a nightmare!!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Really don’t feel this is for me; I’m 42, gave birth 5.5 months ago and have been using it for 3 months, but despite various health practitioners trying to talk me into giving it ‘more time,’ I’ve decided today to get it removed. Over the past 3 months, I’ve put on more weight than during pregnancy, have had ridiculous mood swings, distressing thoughts, night sweats, headaches, odd ‘pressure’ around my womb, unbelievable acne that I haven’t experienced in 25 years, and the insertion site still throbs at times. But most concerning has been the past 48 hours when the ache has increased. I’ve had visual disturbances, chest pains, and now they’re doing checks for a pulmonary embolism. At 42, other than some mental health issues, I’ve never had any health concerns. I have the implant, and I’ve got all these ailments within the same 3 months of insertion. It also concerns me how hard it is to find ‘reviews’ of Nexplanon online (other than here) from actual users."

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2021

For 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 doctor's 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, not to mention the horrible acne this thing puts out. Worst experience of my entire life. I can’t even begin to explain the emotional rollercoaster this type of birth control has put me through."

• COn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Nexplanon for 5 years. Getting it removed in a week. My twin sister started taking it and had immediate effects on her mood. Turns out I had the same reaction but never related it to the birth control. I had severe anxiety and depression not too long after it was put in. I highly suggest that you do not use this. I also have bad acne. Not sure if it is related, but looking at the other comments, it probably doesn't help. I cannot wait to get it removed."

• Aut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Severe depression, anxiety, and meltdowns, bouts of crying, started losing joy in the small things, bleeding for weeks, then nothing, and heavy bleeding again. I have always been a happy person until about 2 months in when I started feeling snappy, angry. My blood pressure was very high, and it made me want to eat CONSTANTLY. I've gained 40 lbs in the 7 months, no sex drive. It's been 2 months since we've been intimate. No rational thoughts in my head, and I'm constantly irritated, exhausted. Horrible acne, and I can feel my uterus pulsing constantly, periods are random, painful, heavy. I've developed panic attacks and have had 4 major ones since Dec 2020. I hardly have any happy thoughts. This implant has taken every bit of me and turned it into something I don't recognize. I can't even enjoy being a mom, and that is the ultimate reason I've chosen to get it removed. I had it removed today. I don't recommend this BC, even though everyone is different."

• cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon inserted a little over 3 months ago, and I just scheduled an appointment to have it removed. They say you should give it a full 3 months for it to fully adjust to your body and to see how you will react. My side effects started out slow but progressively got worse and more noticeable. My whole life, I've had perfectly clear skin, and now I have cystic acne all over my chin that will not go away. I've gained 10 lbs since having it inserted, with no change to my diet or activity levels. I constantly feel depressed and have very low energy, and for the past 2 months, sex has been extremely painful. The cons greatly outweigh the pros, in my opinion, when it comes to Nexplanon, and that is why I would strongly recommend not getting it!"

• Jad...
• April 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m a teen, and after I had my baby, doctors pressured me to get on Nexplanon and told me it would stop my periods, so I got the implant on January 7th, 2021. In the beginning, everything was fine. About a week after getting the implant, I started my period, and the longest it has stopped for has been 5 days. It’s now April 6, 2021. I’ve been suffering with depression, BPD, and anxiety, but ever since getting on this implant, it has skyrocketed. I’m always depressed, I get anxious all the time. I’ve been having the worst thoughts, hate my body image, and my overall mental health is the worst it’s ever been. I would never recommend this to anybody. I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. Constant mood swings, always mad, horrible acne, suicidal thoughts. I'd rather be pregnant again than to use this. Doctors should really express to people with a history of bad mental health that it will make a horrible impact on your mental health. I’m getting this removed within the next week."

• Jel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Okay, so I came off all contraception. I lost 3 stone, my skin cleared up, my confidence, and mental health got better. Then I had the implant in. My weight loss plateaued, then started going back on. I gained another stone despite exercise, calorie deficit, etc. I have chest pain, bloating, stomach cramps all around my stomach, not just period cramps, acne, back acne. I'm suicidal often, anxious, my hair started to fall out, headaches. I just feel miserable constantly, and there is always an organ that hurts. This thing shouldn't be available to women, it's awful. I absolutely do NOT recommend at all. I've got an appointment for it to be removed tomorrow. I cannot wait, I'm paranoid I've got a serious illness all the time and it's not actually an illness, it's just side effects from this implant. Please don't get it, it's ruined my health and mental health."

• Jel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Okay, so I came off all contraception. I lost 3 stone, my skin cleared up, my confidence, and mental health got better. Then I had the implant in. My weight loss plateaued, then started going back on. I gained another stone despite exercise, calorie deficit, etc. I have chest pain, bloating, stomach cramps all around my stomach, not just period cramps, acne, back acne. I'm suicidal often, anxious, my hair started to fall out, headaches. I just feel miserable constantly, and there is always an organ that hurts. This thing shouldn't be available to women, it's awful. I absolutely do NOT recommend at all. I've got an appointment for it to be removed tomorrow. I cannot wait, I'm paranoid I've got a serious illness all the time and it's not actually an illness, it's just side effects from this implant. Please don't get it, it's ruined my health and mental health."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I went on Nexplanon in August of 2020. Prior to Nexplanon, I had a fairly normal sex drive and didn't have to “work myself up” for very long at all prior to sex. Once on the implant, my sex drive skyrocketed, then... disappeared. I got acne worse than I did during puberty-and all over my body this time. I got it removed four months later and have been on Drospirenone since, but my sex drive never recovered. I can’t lubricate or even get in the mood down there much at all. I’m 19 and I feel like I’ve gone through menopause."

• Tis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I hate this implant. I told by female GP (!) that not getting it would result in potentially harming an unborn child, so I got it in. Almost three years later, my whole body is destroyed, I bled pretty much constantly since August 2020 and lost over five stone. Emotionally, I was on the brink of a meltdown every two hours. Back pain, skin disorders, and a lovely black hair neckline. Acne for the first time ever! I think this thing needs investigated because it has messed up my body, my relationships with some family members (they kindly told me I was mental) and almost ended my relationship. Thankfully, I got it out and am starting to recover from severe anemia. My back is still destroyed. I'm not a happy bunny."