Nexplanon and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Had Nexplanon for 6 weeks in 2015. Worst decision of my life. 1st week, arm sore at insertion, became painful, and then couldn't use that arm. Shooting pain, couldn't sleep on left side, and strength gone. Awful mood swings, hair thinned, plus 15 lbs in 2 weeks, bled horribly, large clots, always tired, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and no energy. All new symptoms. Became depersonalized and felt outside of my body looking in. One minute was intense emotions: sadness or rage, then emptiness. Horrible thoughts or blankness... don't wish that on anyone. Went to the ER twice to get checked for extreme bleeding, barely left the house. The tech looked for a sac, couldn't explain my 8-9 weeks pregnant thickened uterine lining. Said it was very strange. My doctor wanted me to keep it longer, but I was falling asleep, even sitting up, worried my 3-year-old and 7-month-old would get hurt, seriously concerned for their safety. Also got some acne. Removal day, I felt better, and in 1 week almost back to normal."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Had Nexplanon for 6 weeks in 2015. Worst decision of my life. 1st week, arm sore at insertion, became painful, and then couldn't use that arm. Shooting pain, couldn't sleep on left side, and strength gone. Awful mood swings, hair thinned, plus 15 lbs in 2 weeks, bled horribly, large clots, always tired, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and no energy. All new symptoms. Became depersonalized and felt outside of my body looking in. One minute was intense emotions: sadness or rage, then emptiness. Horrible thoughts or blankness... don't wish that on anyone. Went to the ER twice to get checked for extreme bleeding, barely left the house. The tech looked for a sac, couldn't explain my 8-9 weeks pregnant thickened uterine lining. Said it was very strange. My doctor wanted me to keep it longer, but I was falling asleep, even sitting up, worried my 3-year-old and 7-month-old would get hurt, seriously concerned for their safety. Also got some acne. Removal day, I felt better, and in 1 week almost back to normal."

• Ell...
• January 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I was very hesitant about birth control and couldn’t decide which form would be best for me. I put it off for years. I struggle with acne, occasional persistent pimples here and there, and wanted to make sure that the birth control I chose wouldn’t worsen it. My physician assured me that it wouldn’t make it worse, my periods would be light if I even got them, and weight gain was not common. I’ve had the implant for only 5 weeks, and I’ve made an appointment to get it removed next week. I have not stopped bleeding since I got it inserted, and I have had the worst acne I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never had body acne, and I have 10-15 pimples on each shoulder. Hormonal acne on my chin, jawline, and cheeks, just awful. I’ve been the same weight from sophomore year of high school until junior year of college. I don’t gain weight, but I have gained FIFTEEN POUNDS in 5 weeks while even eating healthier. I’ve been bloated constantly."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control is the worst birth control I’ve ever tried. I developed tics for a short time, more anxiety and depression, mood swings, hair loss, extremely dry skin, deep muscle pain, RLS, high blood pressure, high heart rate, heart palpitations, fatigue, obsessive-compulsive thoughts and tendencies (I convinced myself that if I ate, I would have a panic attack/restless leg episode. I ate one chicken strip per day for 2 months and lost 30 lbs, this is only one example, there are plenty more.) and the one I expected, constant bleeding for 4 months. I do not recommend this birth control if you have anxiety or depression. If you suddenly develop RLS and can’t find anything about it on the internet, there are resources to help. Look for the Southern California RLS Support Group. Just look up Restless Leg Syndrome, then post about your experience. So many people will help you."

• Dee...
• December 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve never written a review for any medication, but I felt the need to warn other women about this birth control. I got my implant in Oct 2020, and Dec 15, I’m getting it removed. It’s been an absolute nightmare. It doesn’t come with cramps, but it’s sometimes extremely heavy and other times very light. At this point, I have no idea when it’s coming, as it literally comes every 2 or 3 days, sometimes lasting for 2 weeks. The longest one was about 16 days, which was extremely heavy. I have also been feeling depressed. I get panic attacks from the sun going down because my mood drastically declines when it gets dark. I have never experienced any of these symptoms and don’t have a history of any kind of mental health illnesses. I am afraid to be home alone due to the intrusive thoughts I’ve been having, and everyone around me has noticed I haven’t been myself. Please take caution and research this method thoroughly before getting it implanted. Wish you all health and happiness."

• Dee...
• December 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve never written a review for any medication, but I felt the need to warn other women about this birth control. I got my implant in Oct 2020, and Dec 15, I’m getting it removed. It’s been an absolute nightmare. It doesn’t come with cramps, but it’s sometimes extremely heavy and other times very light. At this point, I have no idea when it’s coming, as it literally comes every 2 or 3 days, sometimes lasting for 2 weeks. The longest one was about 16 days, which was extremely heavy. I have also been feeling depressed. I get panic attacks from the sun going down because my mood drastically declines when it gets dark. I have never experienced any of these symptoms and don’t have a history of any kind of mental health illnesses. I am afraid to be home alone due to the intrusive thoughts I’ve been having, and everyone around me has noticed I haven’t been myself. Please take caution and research this method thoroughly before getting it implanted. Wish you all health and happiness."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2020

For Birth Control "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 4 a.m. dripping in sweat (in winter) and experienced hot flushes every day randomly. I’ve bled every day 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 affecting 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 GPs when prescribing this product. I’m having it removed ASAP."

• Ton...
• August 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I have gotten Nexplanon birth control in January of this year, and the whole time I have had it, I have been bleeding non-stop. I may see 2-3 days of blood-free after it comes right back and interferes with my sex life with my husband. I have passed out while out with my 8-month-old daughter due to it spiking my heart rate. I have black moments where if I’m alone, I will pass out. I already had depression from losing my 9-month-old twins last year, and it made it worse. I have committed a suicidal attempt 2 months ago while I have this drug in me. I am awaiting a date for removal. I don’t recommend this drug due to all the side effects that come along with it. I thought it would be great due to me being extremely fertile, however, my body is not accepting the drugs like most. It rarely accepts any form of birth control."

• Sha...
• June 4, 2020

For Birth Control "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 effects. I would never recommend this to anyone. I plan on getting it out ASAP."

• Per...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Do not put your bodies through this, ladies. It might sound good, but it made me bleed nonstop for 4 months long. It’s horrible. I gained 20 lbs. It increased my appetite. I just feel hungry all the time and never satisfied. I have had it for 10 months. Can’t wait to have it removed and have my natural cycles back. The side effects are not worth it. I also felt depressed all the time on Nexplanon, and it gives me random hot flushes and headaches. I’ve noticed I break out in acne since having it."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Don't get Nexplanon put in. It's pretty effective at not getting me pregnant because I'm not having sex, as 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 longer. 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."

• 608...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m 19, and I got the Nexplanon implant on 3/7/19. I have been bleeding NONSTOP since then. Whether it’s huge blood clots, brown discharge, or light pink watery discharge, it has been nonstop. I’m always tired, even when I get a good amount of sleep. My acne is worse than it’s ever been. I could deal with the fatigue and acne if I could actually have pleasurable sex where I didn’t have to worry about disappointing my partner or getting blood on the sheets (I’m in a serious relationship). So many pairs of underwear have been ruined, and so much money spent on tampons since I have had to use one EVERY DAY. I tried giving it a year to get my body used to it, but we don’t work well together. Never got pregnant, though! I recommend trying it out and seeing if it works for you, but it definitely does not work for me! Only giving it a 1 because I didn’t get pregnant!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for about 7 months now. For the first few weeks, I dealt with some anxiety issues, and for the first few months, I had irregular bleeding, but everything seemed to pretty much level out after that until I started having all kinds of other symptoms about a month ago. Sore breasts, cramping, and headaches, to name a few. I took a couple of pregnancy tests, and they were both positive..."

• Ang...
• February 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon 6 weeks after having my youngest in November. I got it removed that following June. The whole time I had it, I gained an insane amount of weight due to being hungry ALL the time. I had horrid migraines almost every day. It was a great week if I had 1 or 2 days migraine-free. My mood swings were horrible. My depression and anxiety were the worst they had ever been. Since August or September of 2018, I have not had a normal period. I bleed extremely heavily the first few days, have a day or two with no bleeding, then start bleeding again. Then the bleeding multiple times a month started. I'm not talking 1 normal period then some spotting. Nope, I'm talking 2 or 3 normal periods a month. I told my doctor about it, and she said it's my body getting back into balance. But almost 2 years later, still trying to get back in balance?"

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "My daughter had the Nexplanon implanted about a year and a half ago, although I told her I thought it was a bad idea. It has not been studied in women under the age of 18. After about the first 2 months, I saw the light in my daughter's eyes go out. She had horrible cramps, breakthrough bleeding lasting weeks, and severe mood swings and depression. On Friday, January 31st, at 8 pm, my daughter was taken to the local ER for suicidal thoughts. After 36 hours of awfulness, she was admitted to a psychiatric care facility and put under suicide watch. The doctor that gave her this implant did NOT educate her on the side effects it can cause, especially the mental side effects. She will be discharged in a few days and has an appointment to have it removed immediately. Do NOT get this form of birth control! Especially if you have ever been diagnosed with any type of ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, etc. I’m grateful she saw that something was not right and sought help before I lost her."

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2020

For Birth Control "When I had the Nexplanon implant, which was for a little over a year, I bled the ENTIRE time. It also caused my body extreme hormone issues to the degree that my body literally stopped creating the hormone cortisol. This caused me to get SEVERE acne for 3 years because I had no idea what was wrong with me. Thankfully, a holistic doctor figured out what was wrong with me, and I started taking low doses of cortisol to fix the issue. DO NOT PUT THIS IN YOUR BODY, IT IS POISON."

• Can...
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "The Nexplanon was absolutely not worth it. I did not gain weight, and it keeps you from getting pregnant, but after 2 months my sex drive is GONE. I can’t even get wet no matter how hard I try. My mood is TERRIBLE! I get so angry, and I wanna cry over anything. I’m annoyed at everything. I used to be so happy, and after a year of having this in my arm, it’s ruined who I used to be. Most of all, it has made me bleed every day for a year straight and doesn’t hide my cramps anymore. I’m allergic to panty liners now, I’ve worn them so much. It burns “down there,” and sex hurts. They tried to put me on pills as well, and it worked for a bit and brought my mood back around, but it’s no longer working. They’re making me try 3 pills in one day to fix this. Not worth it anymore."

• bug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Birth Control "It's awful. I got it in August and haven't stopped bleeding since. It's now the end of January. It's caused depression and anxiety. Do not recommend."

• I...
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the implant January 15th, 2019. The first couple of months were fine, insertion was a breeze, no periods for the first couple of months. Out of nowhere, I started bleeding with maybe a three-day break in between. It would range from spotting to very heavy bleeding. I also have anxiety and depression, my seasonal depression being the worst. My doctor put me on the same antidepressants I’ve used for years, and I started feeling extremely suicidal. I thought it was because we were trying medication for my ADHD for the first time in years. But I’m convinced it’s this dangerously stupid thing in my arm. I have zero sex drive, I feel like I hate everything around me, everything and everyone annoys me or frustrates me, I’m exhausted all the time, zero motivation, very little feelings of my usual bubbly, happy self. I so can’t wait to get this thing out. If I could give a negative amount of stars, I would. This will be taken out no later than the end of February."

• Sir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. I have gained ten pounds so far, literally half of my hair has fallen out, I've been bleeding since I got it put in 6 months ago, it pinches my arm fat when I rest my arm downward, and it has made me insane, like I feel pregnant and hormonal and crying and angry, irrational, just crazy."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2020

For Birth Control "My experience with Nexplanon was absolutely awful. I never stopped bleeding. I was warned you would have a heavy flow, but then it would clear up. Mine just never stopped. I would have been willing to stick it out longer to see if the bleeding would stop if it also didn’t give me the WORST acne in my entire life. Horrific cystic acne popped up just 2 weeks after I had it put in, and it never cleared up. This acne was worse than anything I ever had as a teenager. Horrific acne coupled with bleeding that never ended... I got that thing removed as soon as my insurance would allow it (3 months). I’m now back on a daily pill, and after 1 month, I’m finally going back to normal. I’ll take a monthly period over that experience any day!"

• Sda...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Inserted December 2018. The first 3 months were good, I got normal periods. The next 3 months they started getting lighter and only lasting a couple of days. That was the end of my happiness. I normally get my period at the end of the month, so I got my normal June period. Then, not even a week after it was over, I got it again. And it's been like that ever since. I bleed for 2 weeks, maybe get 3 days where I can have sex with my (thankfully) patient boyfriend, but then it just starts right back up. And they aren't normal. I'm surprised I haven't passed out from blood loss, that's how heavy my periods are now. And the mood swings just add to my experience. I'm fine one minute, then the next I'm a raging psycho. Like I said, thank god my boyfriend is patient and understanding. I don't know how he puts up with it. Needless to say, it's coming out tomorrow. It was one of those 'good in theory, bad in execution' moments for me, and I'm ready to be normal again."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Probably the worst birth control I ever had in my life. I got the implant June 2018. Removal November 2019. I have no idea how I kept my sanity. I would bleed for 2-4 weeks and get maybe a week of no bleeding if I was lucky. It wasn't uncommon to be down in the dumps, physically or emotionally. With it gone, I feel a million times better."

• Nay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Nexplanon is the absolute worst. I was on it for literally just one year, and the whole time, I bled heavily. They put me on BC pills to regulate it, but that’s no fun to know that my body wasn’t functioning properly. I was bleeding during sex and all. I suffered from vaginal dryness, and after 6 months of having it removed, my body still hasn’t been back to normal. I’m still dry down there, and I don’t know what to do!!! The only good thing was that it prevented pregnancy, no acne, and I lost 40 lbs."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the Nexplanon for 2 years now and let's just say I wouldn't advise anyone to get this. I first got it because with my period I always tend to have very bad cramps with vomiting as well. So I got on Nexplanon to try to help stop my menstrual pains and vomiting. The pains stopped, but not the bleeding, I would be on my cycle for 3 weeks, it would go off for 5-7 days and return. By July this year, I started cramping again, which wasn't normal. In September, I felt like I was in labor. I was rushed to the hospital, and they told me I had a 3.2 cm cyst on my right ovary. I truly believe Nexplanon caused this. So next Friday, I am about to have it taken out and try Mirena, hopefully, it makes my life a little easier."