Nexplanon and Cramps: What Users Say

• It...
• September 11, 2022

For Birth Control "So I’ve been on the pill since I was 17, and now I’m 32. I’ve always switched different types of birth control and finally decided to try something different, and OMG, biggest mistake of my life. My first cycle was normal! Then the second cycle, I bled straight for over 70 days, it was miserable! I was having nonstop cramps, and I was so depressed! I decided I was not going to push through anymore and took it out, and thank God! I finally stopped bleeding! Never again."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve had the implant for over a year now, I’ve never had an issue with it until now. I’ve had two heavy periods in the last month, they have been so painful and heavy it made me poorly. This year hasn’t been the best as it is, but I’m definitely not myself. I’m more aggressive, so emotional, intrusive thoughts. I knew it was the implant causing the issues with my periods, but I’ve only just sat down with my mom and finally had an open conversation and connected the dots. I’m ringing the clinic tomorrow and having it taken out. It’s not worth what I’m going through, I’m experiencing all these beautiful things in life that I should be enjoying, and I’m not. IT'S COMING OUT."

• Cic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2022

For Birth Control "Nexplanon was the only birth control that fit my needs and lifestyle, so I ignored the terrible side effects for a long time, but they're awful. The good: I only get my period about once every 3 months, and it's been extremely effective at preventing pregnancy. Ease of use is great--they implant it, and I don't have to think about it again for a few years. But the cons: for context, I used to have a very manageable period. 4 days on average with little to no cramping and zero PMS symptoms. Now, about once every 3 months, my depression (which might be related to the implant) reaches an extreme where I have no will to continue on. Then, like clockwork, my period arrives. It lasts 2 weeks minimum, and while it is fairly light most days, I have cramping every single day. After my period finally ends, which is very unpredictable, my emotions become more manageable, though I'm still fairly depressed and anxious, which was never as big an issue before. I've also gained a lot of weight."

• Run...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2021

For Birth Control "After 8 months of pleading with my doctor to remove it, I had it removed by someone else. It was about 3 months before I started feeling like myself again, but the divorce proceedings were already underway, and after the abuse he suffered, my ex-husband had no interest in reconciliation. I have no memory to this day of the crazy things I had done while on this. Switched to copper IUD. Period cramps were horrible with it, but I had my own mind and that was worth the discomfort. After years of therapy to help me regain control of my life, I was able to remarry, and I have never gone back to hormonal birth control. Anything is better than this. Abstinence is better than this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2021

For Birth Control "This is a nightmare!!! I had a friend who had the implant at the time I was pregnant, and I was doing research about what contraceptive I could use after having my son. She shared her experience about how this implant worked wonders, she had no periods, no cramps, it worked great for her. So I thought I would give it a try. It was the worst decision I have ever made in my 32 years of living. I had my son, and then in January, went and had the implant inserted in April. I bled for 15 days after already bleeding on month's end after my C-section. Then I went two months without bleeding. After those 15 days, I was so happy to have no bleeding for those 2 months. Then, on July 16th, I started bleeding, and I bled until August 31st. I believe I would have still been bleeding had I not called the doctor to prescribe me something to stop the bleeding. I was losing my mind every day going to use the bathroom, wipe, and find blood. For 3 months, I was so irritated. I only had two weeks of relief and started back bleeding on September 16th, still bleeding 11 days in."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I started with Nexplanon immediately after giving birth to my son. It was already enough that I was super emotional throughout my pregnancy, but to continue being so emotional while having this implant was too much. There were times I felt depressed, cried so much even for the littlest things! The feeling of depression really did it for me because I have been on oral BC and never experienced that. At first, I thought it was just the postpartum, but 7 months later, no more postpartum and still the same feelings. The cramps are ridiculous, I bled for 7 months straight (spotting) after having it put in, I have my menstrual now and it’s going on 2 weeks of torture. I guess everyone has different experiences, but mine wasn’t pleasant with this one."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2021

For Birth Control "My experience on Nexplanon was very similar to some of the others on here. I have always struggled with mild depression and anxiety, but within months of getting Nexplanon I was severely depressed and angry almost all the time. I was literally suffering while using this product. I have tried multiple other forms of hormonal birth control and never experienced anything like this. On top of the mental illness, I also was bleeding constantly for the first two months, my gyno put me on the pill on top of the Nexplanon for a few weeks to stop the bleeding. It also made my cramps much, much worse. It was literally the worst point in my life. I got it removed after six months because the side effects I experienced outweighed the benefits. I had some friends that have tried it and it worked for them just fine, but I definitely would not recommend it if you have a history of mental illness and painful periods."

• gho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I got on Nexplanon for the first time (and my first time being on BC in general) in March 2021. It's now August 2021, and I am bleeding for months on end. I drank a bunch of water to see if that would help stop it, and it did for only about a month before the bleeding kicked up again. It's mostly spotting, but some days I get cramps with actual bleeding happening, and I'm incredibly frustrated that I have to waste so much money on pads. I feel absolutely disgusting bleeding so much. I wish the official website for this wretched thing would give you a lot more information than is provided. I feel disgusting with this. I get weird pains in my inner thigh that I had never gotten before Nexplanon, and that worries me. Also, my boobs hurt so bad. All of this is very annoying and frustrating, and I want to rip my entire arm off. I'd rather deal with painful and heavy periods than this again. Just don't get it. Please, save yourself the trouble and just get the pill."

• Ohh...
• June 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I recently got on this birth control after using it for the second time. The first time I was bleeding for 6 months straight, nonstop. I had it removed and tried different methods. The last method was pills, but I was never good at taking pills, so I tried Nexplanon again. This time around, it is horrible. I’ve been on it since May 12, 2021, and it’s now June 10, 2021. I’m a single mother of 4 kids, and this is the worst feeling that I have ever experienced. I would not recommend it, especially if you suffer from anxiety already. I was thinking the most unthinkable thoughts, and controlling them was the worst part because you can’t get out of your own head! I felt trapped in my thoughts, couldn’t sleep, back pain, cramps, night sweats, cold then hot, shaking, nervousness, bathroom issues, dizziness, couldn’t eat, fatigue, crying, panic attacks, feeling lost, no energy. I couldn’t even find myself to talk to my kids-sad, scared, worried, sore throat like I’m sick, chest pain, it’s not worth losing your mental stability."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the implant removed after 5 months. I have bled constantly for the last 4 months, with on-and-off heavy bleeding every single day, painful cramps, and passing clots on and off. I had the implant put in to try to treat my very heavy periods and severe anemia. I started to feel really exhausted in the last few weeks and decided to have it removed. The doctor mentioned the bleeding has a good chance of settling down at the 6-month mark, but I didn't see that happening for me. I was just so exhausted, and it defeated the purpose for me."

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I would not recommend. Has pretty much ruined my life. My periods have been going on for weeks, up to months long, along with brown, bloody, and liquidy discharge. I’ve had horrible mental health, including suicidal thoughts, worsened depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. I’ve had mood swings and gained around 5 lbs even on a healthy diet and exercise every day. My 'you know what' has had a horrible smell. I’ve tried everything from medication, figuring out my pH level, wearing cotton panties, to taking showers often, and still, there is a very bad odor, especially from my discharge and period blood. The cramps are debilitating, and I couldn’t even walk. The application area has ached ever since I got it, and I’ve had migraines constantly. If your body is sensitive to extreme hormonal changes, you have depression or any mental illness, or sensitive in general, I would not recommend this. It has been the worst experience of my life, getting it removed soon."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible! I got the Nexplanon 2 weeks after having my daughter in April 2020, and it is now April 2021, and since giving birth, I have not stopped bleeding. In a year, I have maybe not been bleeding a total of 3 weeks. And in between bleeding, there has not been a let-up in the cramping, bloating, and extreme fatigue. I have gained weight since giving birth (I do not overeat or eat extremely unhealthy), and I am a pretty active person. I have also broken out worse than a teen, and I’m 30 years old. I am constantly either very irritable or just numb, I have zero libido, I have anxiety, and just overall unhappy! I do not recommend this to ANYONE. I have an appointment today to talk to my doctor about removal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I used Nexplanon about 2.5 months before having it removed. I did not take the potential side effects seriously enough. My side effects were all physical at first. About a week after getting it inserted, I started a heavy period (lasted 15 days), and I started getting bad dizzy spells. I decided to wait and see if I would level out, but more side effects came. I started gaining weight while having no appetite, I couldn't sleep at all, despite extreme fatigue. I've had debilitating cramps. My next period was heavy, lasted 11 days, and was 10 days late. The dizzy spells increased, and I started feeling really achy and nauseated. Even my hands ached to the point it hurt to close them. I've had trouble caring for my kids. I started to feel so ill that I got scared that something else was wrong and that I was dying. I feel hopeful now that it is gone, and I hope I start feeling better really soon."

• Mia...
• March 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I've taken Seasonique continuous birth control for 4 years and decided to switch to Nexplanon in hopes to stop withdrawal bleeding altogether (or at least very light bleeding). This birth control has been a nightmare. I gained 20 lbs in 3 months I was on it without any change to my eating habits (I'm currently on the keto diet to combat the weight gain, and my weight has remained stable). What's worse than the weight gain is how I'm bleeding almost every day on this birth control. Some days it will be spotting, other days it will be a full-fledged period with extreme cramping that wakes me up in the night. It feels like the bleeding NEVER ENDS. I'm afraid to wear any of my new underwear because of it. I'm counting the days of my removal (in a week - yay!) and I will be going back on the 3-month pill Seasonique as it gave me no weight gain and no spotting whatsoever (besides on inactive days)."

• jay...
• March 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I started getting terrible side effects. Ridiculous mood swings, rage, social anxiety (I'm usually a social butterfly), depression, suicidal thoughts. I got a period/bleeding/spotting for 30 days straight, constantly exhausted, fatigued, lost my sex drive, very constipated and bloated, nausea. Because of the way I was reacting, I at times thought I was pregnant, so add in constant pregnancy scares. Hair was shedding like crazy. I have now fallen out of love with my boyfriend, I am unsure if this relationship will survive. He has been nothing but absolutely supportive and caring, but I've tried to break up with him at least 6 times in the last 2 months. I got the implant out after 3 months and now am on nothing. Everyone is different, trust your body and gut. Nothing says 'effective birth control' better than being super gassy, bloated and constantly cramping from not being able to poop around your new significant other, lol – can't get pregnant if you don't want to have sex, lol."

• Vvv...
• March 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon 3/4 months ago, and I haven’t enjoyed my experience with it. It’s nice not having to worry about taking a pill, but I’m gonna get it removed because all the side effects I’ve experienced aren’t worth it. My sex drive is gone, I get headaches all the time, I’ve been having brown discharge from the second week I’ve had it, my breasts are sore a lot of the time, I get random cramps, and I’ve been experiencing wild mood swings. I’m sure some people have positive experiences with it, but that’s just not me, and I wouldn’t recommend it, just get the coil if you don’t want to take a pill and you have a choice."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

For Birth Control "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 have 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 constant fatigue. I gained 20 lbs 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."

• Dee...
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had the implant for over 7 months now. The first 2 months after insertion, I only experienced light spotting, although I had severe emotional mood swings that caused me to have panic attacks frequently. Since then, I’ve had prolonged heavy bleeding with very little to no breaks between bleeding every month. I had one week, 2 months ago, when the bleeding stopped, and I thought it was finally settling down, only to start bleeding again. I’ve recently been experiencing cramps and severe bloating (I’m quite slim, haven’t gained any weight, yet I look 6 months pregnant). I’ve been getting strange aches and pains all over my body and joints at nighttime - most of the time, it’s sharp elbow pain. The mood swings have been from one extreme to another, which has had an impact on my relationships with friends and family. The entire experience has been very physically and emotionally exhausting."

• 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..."

• 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."

• 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."

• han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had the Nexplanon for a year now. Before I got it, I had ridiculous cramps, my periods were irregular and long, bleeding through supers within the hour. After being on it for a year, I have 2-3 periods every month, ranging from 8-5 days. My cramps are the same, if not worse. I have become even more depressed than before. If you struggle with mental health, do some serious thinking about whether you should be getting this... DON’T DO IT!!! This has ruined my mental health and made me extremely depressed. I'm getting this thing out ASAP."

• 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."

• Kyr...
• November 4, 2019

For Birth Control "When I first got Nexplanon, it was great, stopped my cramping, slowed my period, and even helped my acne. But after the first 3 months of me having it, I started to get more acne than before, weight gain... and I mean a lot, worse cramps, and got the worst feelings about myself. I was thinking to myself, “maybe it needs more time.” No. Now, 6 months later, I’m still getting bad cramps, my period is heavy and not easy to deal with, lasts for 2 months, and I’m still gaining weight while looking like a mountain range formed on my face. To top it all off, after 7 months of having the implant, I found out I was pregnant for a couple of weeks (not doing it ONE job), so I consulted the doctor a week later, and he said that I had a miscarriage, which was really hard to hear. So I would not recommend this. If you’re a mother worried about her daughter, and she is interested in this, have her read this. No one should be put through this sort of physical and emotional pain ever."

• Joj...
• October 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon implant at my 6-week check-up after having my son. I don't want to have to remember to take the pill, so it seemed perfect. A week after having it, I started having to go to the hospital for cramping that was so bad I couldn't help it with a high dose of ibuprofen or Tylenol. I went to the hospital for pain meds several times. I randomly get depressed because of the crippling pain it causes me. I don't sleep at night because of the pain, and it's hard for me to take care of my son because it causes me nausea and extreme diarrhea. I've had it for about 2 months, and I'm getting it removed this Friday, and I'm beyond excited to be back to normal!!!! I would not recommend this medicine."