Nexplanon and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2023

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon 3 months postpartum because I had heard horror stories of IUDs, and I'm terrible at taking the pill every day. My cousin had just got hers and said she liked it, so I went with it. Worst. Idea. Ever. The injection site was painful and bruised for 2 weeks. I could barely move my arm, and the implant gets caught on the underwire in my bra with certain movements. I've had constant bleeding for weeks on end, and I used to hardly have periods before. 3 days tops. The worst of it, though, is the anger, rage, aggression, depression, and anxiety I feel now. I thought I was going crazy. I snap at the smallest things. I can rationalize in my head that I'm being ridiculous but physically can't fight the feelings, chest pains, and aggression over things. It's getting removed tomorrow. It's not worth it. I can't live like this anymore."

• g19...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2023

For Birth Control "I am totally appalled by the lack of information regarding the side effects of this implant that is given to women before having it put in. The nurse I spoke to said nothing about negative effects besides the fact that it may interfere with my periods. It was simply made to sound like the best thing ever. Within a year, I had gained so much weight that I would be out of breath just walking down the road. After 2 years, the weight gain was so bad my GP put me on tablets for fluid retention. I didn't realize until last month, after coming across a TV show by chance about the lack of proper information provided to women regarding contraception, that the implant was to blame. After suffering from anorexia all my life, I am now obese!! And as for mood? I am in tears over everything, back on anxiety medication and antidepressants, as I have suffered from blood clots. I should not have been given it in the first place! BAN IT!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2023

For Birth Control "I was 19 years old when I had my implant put in, it sounded like the perfect option - leave in for 3 years and I don’t have to worry about contraception. Around 2-4 weeks after having it put in, I had really bad anxiety, though I had other things going on at the time, so I put all the anxiety down to the stress that was going on at the time. It turns out that it was the implant causing me to have panic attacks and crying all the time, I felt disconnected from friends and family and was in a constant state of anxiety. I could have been told the best news, like really good feedback on college, but still felt down. I went to get the implant removed, and I was told by a nurse that the implant wasn’t causing it and that it doesn’t make me anxious and refused to take it out. I also kept on getting physically ill. It turned out that I’m allergic to the implant, and only then did they remove it. The anxiety symptoms took a while to go away, but I started to feel better not long after it was removed. I would not recommend this contraception."

• No...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2023

For Birth Control "Nexplanon has ruined my life! I have spent endless days trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with me. I had an abortion in college, and a few years later, I was faced with the same decision. I refused to leave Planned Parenthood without birth control and took the easiest option, never thinking about it again. First of all, my doctor told me it would last for five years, so I literally didn't think about it during that time. Over those years, I have gained at least 50 pounds. I attributed it to getting older and poor health habits, even though my habits remained the same. When the five years were up, I went to have it replaced and randomly decided to read about it. That's when I realized that this stupid drug is the reason for my weight gain, increased anxiety, and depression, among a few other things. I freaked out and had the new implant removed within two months. Since then, I have had frequent suicidal thoughts, and I am extremely miserable."

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2023

For Birth Control "I am not sure how I spent a year with this implant in my arm and did not connect it to the very high anxiety, very low mood, and high heart rate I was experiencing. It was the near-constant bleeding that switched on 8 months in that nearly drove me over the edge with constant dehydration, lethargy, dizziness, and irritability. 5 days after having it out and replaced by the Depo injection, I feel worlds better. Negative mental health and anxiety are not a rare side effect, and the packaging needs to be changed to reflect this. Also, 1 in 5 patients in my registered practice are now reported to have near-constant bleeding with only 1 week off, according to my GP. If more knew that, I bet they wouldn’t consider this option, as it destroys your everyday life and well-being. If this is your experience, get it out and try another method."

• lis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2023

For Birth Control "Wow! If only I had known about this site beforehand! I have Nexplanon in my arm, which is overdue to be taken out. I've had it for the full 3 years. It's the first time I've tried it. I previously used oral contraceptives. I have 2 children, 8 and 16, and have just turned 37. I have suffered from mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, most of my life, on and off. Within a few days of having this implant, I turned into a different person. I felt lower than I had ever felt in my life and felt angry and frustrated all the time. It was horrendous. My family noticed the change in me, and I just felt extremely empty inside, and my only emotion was anger. I will never take this implant again. It has even put me off trying ANY IMPLANT for that matter. Be extremely cautious. I'm surprised nobody informed me of all the negative side effects regarding mental health, even a possibility, considering I had mental health issues in the first place."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2023

For Birth Control "Got the implant a little over 2 months ago and have already made an appointment to get it removed. I, like some of the other ladies on here, did my research on sites such as Planned Parenthood, where it says anxiety/depression is a very rare side effect, but I feel that is wrong. I have never experienced this amount of anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, etc. before. I have no motivation to do the things I love anymore and feel like I have no joy in my life, which is very upsetting because I have a very loving boyfriend and a supportive family, and I just got into the college of my dreams. I feel like I have no idea who I am anymore and have never felt so worthless in my life. It’s like nothing I do means anything. I’m pushing away people I love and feel like I have no energy to mentally show up for anything. I know not everyone has the same experience, but I’m glad I found this forum because it helped me realize that this birth control is what broke me."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2023

For Birth Control "If you have any kind of anxiety or depression, avoid this at all costs. I had it inserted, and I was perfectly fine for the first week. After this, I woke up in a panic attack. I had the worst anxiety and panic I had ever felt for 2 weeks! My GP had no space to take it out, I had to go and pay privately £250 to get it out of my body as soon as possible. Within a week of taking it out, I returned to normal. It was absolutely horrific. I have now chosen to go for a non-hormonal copper coil. All my mental health ladies, steer clear. If I could rate it 0, I would."

• Swi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 23, 2023

For Birth Control "After being on Nexplanon for two years, I began experiencing severe anxiety, paranoia, and obsessive thoughts about a year ago. It has been an incredibly difficult experience, and I couldn't understand what was happening to me. I had intense nightmares, a fast heart rate, and uncontrollable panic attacks. Prior to this, I had never experienced any mental health issues, which made it all the more terrifying. Additionally, I experienced constant bleeding and irregular periods, sometimes bleeding for months on end or having a period twice a month. The pain was excruciating and caused me to cry and vomit. Furthermore, I developed multiple cysts. After randomly researching the effects of Nexplanon, I stumbled upon numerous reviews that described precisely what I had gone through. It was a relief to learn that I wasn't alone, and I immediately scheduled an appointment to have the implant removed. I advise against getting this implant, as it's not worth the damage it can cause."

• des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2022

For Birth Control "I can't stress enough how hard the last four months have been since the implant insertion. Mood swings, sadness, fear, no sex drive, sex is literally an irritable experience, no sleep, constantly tired, can't make me leave the house, thrush, constant bleeding, over a stone weight gain. I am having it removed tomorrow, I wish I could have ripped it out myself earlier. My life is so miserable that the lively, happy, active person feels like I have been imagining her. I wish someone had told me this earlier. I feel doctors and nurses are aware of these problems and yet still using and offering it. Don't do it, not sure how I will go back to my old weight and life, but God help."

• 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!"

• Juj...
• October 12, 2022

For Birth Control "WOW... must read if interested in Nexplanon. I’ve had Nexplanon for about 3-4 months now, and in those months, I have been searching for answers from friends, family, within myself, and I even got a therapist. I have never in my entire 20 years of living felt this corrupted in my life. I have excruciating anxiety. My mind will not stop thinking about the worst possibilities. At first, I wasn’t even taking Nexplanon into consideration on why I was feeling this way because I thought it was a stage in my life. When it got to a point I couldn’t even recognize myself, and I even had loss of appetite, and I would question my existence, I knew it was beyond that. I started doing research and came upon these reviews, and when I tell you it was the most relieving moment of my life knowing it wasn’t me. Lol I wasn’t 'crazy.' Getting Nexplanon was one of the worst decisions of my life. This product should not be on the market. I would rather be pregnant than live with this feeling."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2022

For Birth Control "Had the Nexplanon inserted in December 2021. Nexplanon was approved in Canada in early 2021, I believe. I’ve tried various birth controls - different pills, the shot, the ring, & the patch. All of them worked well for me, but I wanted something long-term that I could forget about. So I decided to opt for Nexplanon as it is less invasive compared to IUD. The first few months were fine, no side effects, period stopped, and occasionally had spotting. Around May, I got sick and didn’t think it was related to the implant, so I had various testing done, which all came back normal. I did notice a significant difference in my energy levels and moods after being sick, but thought I was just recovering from that event. Then, 2 weeks ago, I became very emotional for no apparent reason, was crying almost every day for 2 weeks. With this, I also started experiencing severe anxiety, to the point where I felt like I was going to have panic attacks. Thankfully, I was able to get it removed yesterday!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2022

For Birth Control "I got this implant a few weeks ago, and after 3 days, I experienced a serious mood swing, which then became an underlying depressed mood. For the next few weeks, my anxiety got so bad I could barely eat. My mood swings became absolutely crazy, and I became suicidal. I have had problems with anxiety in the past, but this made it a million times worse. I cry about everything, I am scared to be alone with my thoughts, I can barely recognize myself. I have been so rude to everyone around me and pushed everyone away. It has interfered with my relationships, mainly with my partner. I quickly decided that I did not want to keep it in any longer, and I got it out. I only had it in for around 3 weeks, and I felt its impact on my mental health. I hope that removing it will improve my mental health and I'll be myself soon. I forgot to say that I was constantly bleeding too, why would I want to be permanently bleeding while on birth control? I don't recommend the implant at all."

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2022

For Birth Control "My daughter was a freshman athlete in college, and like many of you, was in a relationship that was going well, school was going well, and life seemed to be going well. After 2 weeks of getting Nexplanon, I started noticing her complaining about her boyfriend. I thought it was because they were on Christmas break and away from each other, and then she went back to school and her tone of voice changed towards me, she was complaining about her boyfriend constantly, her conversations were not rational. She would call and yell at me and hang up. Since she and I were very close, these were new acts. My husband said it's college and to ignore it, but I knew something was not right. She now had anxiety, wasn't sleeping, and was losing it. I researched and found this site that saved her. She removed it, I don't think she would be here today if she didn't. She said those 5 months were a fog."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

For Birth Control "I'm currently doing this only 3 to 4 days in... I already want it out. My breasts are tender, my mood swings of suicide have been pretty bad, anxiety has been bad, and when I get up, I'm lightheaded and sore. Also, really bad chest pains. I've had these all my life, but they've grown horrible since I've been on this. I want to get it taken out already, but I'm scared my parents won't let me. I'm also scared about the chest pain. I haven't seen anyone really say anything toward that direction... does anyone know if I can get it out 3-4 days in? If so, how do I tell my parents I really don't want this due to I stay in bed all day? I feel sick while being mentally sick. This absolutely sucks, and I'd never recommend getting this. PLEASE, I DIDN'T DO MY RESEARCH. I'm still spotting, but it's too short to tell."

• Km9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2022

For Birth Control "Constant bleeding, awful anxiety and depression, high blood pressure, low blood sugar, and palpitations."

• 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!"

• A R...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon for 6 months because a friend recommended it. I got it taken out four days ago. I struggle a little with anxiety and depression, but they skyrocketed on Nexplanon. I had several bouts of crying that were so severe, I collapsed on my kitchen floor. One night, I was crying so hard for so many hours, I thought that I would have to go to the hospital for psychiatric help. I struggled terribly with intrusive, obsessive thoughts. I was paranoid that my boyfriend was cheating on me or talking to other women, and I couldn't get the thoughts out of my mind. (He's not doing any of those things, and he's a good man whom I trust completely.) I just became obsessed and paranoid about various 'stories' that my mind was telling me. I was irritable, anxious, and miserable. My sex drive was okay, certainly less than normal, but the vaginal dryness was surprising too. I can't wait until more forms of male birth control are approved because these methods for women are not helpful."

• Jos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in 2020 at some point. I have always had anxiety, but never this bad. It gets to the point where I feel like I'm going to pass out or as if nothing is real. My hair will not grow. I am so moody, and I start fights 24/7 with my fiancé. At first, everything was fine, but after a couple of years, I am ready to rip this out of my arm. I have an appointment in a couple of days to get it out. Getting this was the worst decision ever, and I don't recommend this to anyone. I have mood swings, fast heartbeats, feeling like nothing is real, headaches, tired tummy aches, it is terrible. DO NOT GET ON THIS."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2022

For Birth Control "Okay, so I got Nexplanon back in November of 2021. Was tired of the pills, I couldn’t remember to take them. December was fine, I didn’t get my period, was happy. (I only got my period once, light spotting for 3 days.) January was when symptoms started. I would have nausea after eating. I would have extreme anxiety over studying (which is usually normal, but not extreme), this was heightened anxiety. February came, and BAM! My symptoms got worse: anxiety attacks about my health and a fixation on getting chronically ill. The paranoia around my health was absurd. Finally pieced it together when I went to a doctor who recognized my symptoms, validated my feelings, and reassured me. She fast-tracked me to get this birth control out of me! I’m getting it out in 7 days and I’m literally counting the days. I only lasted 4 months. So please don’t get this birth control, the mental health issues are not worth it."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2022

For Birth Control "Okay, so I got Nexplanon back in November of 2021. Was tired of the pills, I couldn’t remember to take them. December was fine, I didn’t get my period, was happy. (I only got my period once, light spotting for 3 days.) January was when symptoms started. I would have nausea after eating. I would have extreme anxiety over studying (which is usually normal, but not extreme), this was heightened anxiety. February came, and BAM! My symptoms got worse: anxiety attacks about my health and a fixation on getting chronically ill. The paranoia around my health was absurd. Finally pieced it together when I went to a doctor who recognized my symptoms, validated my feelings, and reassured me. She fast-tracked me to get this birth control out of me! I’m getting it out in 7 days and I’m literally counting the days. I only lasted 4 months. So please don’t get this birth control, the mental health issues are not worth it."

• Lan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2022

For Birth Control "Let me start off by saying: Nexplanon ruined my life. Before I got the implant in my arm, I was active, happy, confident, energetic, skinny. I used to go to the gym 5 days a week and was very active. I have had this thing in my arm for about a year now, and I have gained 30+ pounds. I hold myself to a very high standard when it comes to my appearance and my health. When I look in the mirror, I don't recognize myself-and the worst part is, I cannot do anything about it because Nexplanon has drained me of any motivation I have to get out of bed, let alone work out or be active. I cannot even convince myself to go for a walk. I haven't been to the gym in months, and it used to be my favorite place Monday-Friday. Not only has it compromised my health and my appearance, it has totally destroyed my mental health. Because of Nexplanon, I have had extreme anxiety, to the point of pushing my loved ones away. It ruined my life. Getting it removed in 2 weeks, and I couldn't be happier."

• Kho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2022

For Birth Control "This is like a psychiatric drug that will ruin your whole day or until you have this implant on. I can’t explain the trauma that I suffered with this thing on. I had it for less than 2 months. The first month I had no symptoms and no period. I started to bleed in the 2nd month, and that’s when I started to have panic attacks and anxiety. I ended up in the ER twice, thinking I was having a heart attack. I felt my chest burning, I felt my heart rate increasing and beating so fast that I could hear it. I felt like I had some disease and that I would die soon. I was constantly living in fear. I didn’t even want to do anything. I felt like something was happening to my body. I couldn’t even look after my kids or smile or talk to anyone. This is a nightmare. Please don’t get it. There are plenty of other options. I got it removed today, and I started to feel myself again. I am still getting scared, but it’s lessening now."

• Tem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 2, 2022

For Birth Control "Nexplanon caused me to have crawling sensations on my scalp and all over my body. I had anxiety and got really nervous staying at home by myself. Talk about irritability, goosebumps, chills, and waking up in the middle of the night constantly. My hair fell out at the top. I thought I was going crazy, and I never thought it could be the implant. I had the implant in for over a year, and I experienced the weird sensations for close to a year. I did everything I could, from acupuncture to vitamins to starting HRT. On a hunch, I asked my doctor to remove it, and everything stopped. This is horrible, and no one should ever have to go through this."