Nexplanon and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m currently almost 35 years old. I was only on birth control pills back in high school. 15+ years of no hormones in my body, and now I remember why. I got Nexplanon in July 2021, one month after having my second son. (2 under 2). I don’t want any more children. This was a pretty good option. So I thought. 4 months in and I’m irritable, moody, sometimes filled with rage, hot flashes, night sweats. Body odor no matter how much you shower. Headaches, dizziness, sadness, low sex drive, and CONSTANT bleeding. After 4 months, I probably went two weeks total, not consecutive without bleeding. It is awful. I’m getting it out in a few days, and I hope I feel like myself again. I was a go-with-the-flow, happy, and fun-loving person. Now I’m just miserable and have a short temper. I’m removing it before the father of my children leaves me because I’m impossible to be around. It’s different for everyone, but I would never recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Birth Control "The first month or two were fine, period lightened up, had some light cramping. Then I started to develop severe anxiety and depression out of nowhere and started having panic attacks with no prior history of any of those things. I couldn't sleep because my anxiety kept my body and mind awake. I felt at a constant stress level of at least 8 at all times during the day as a baseline. Started having intrusive and suicidal thoughts, lost all joy for food, lost about maybe 20 pounds, and am now fighting to be able to eat a full plate of pasta because my stomach has shrunken from my lack of an appetite for so long. I got it removed two weeks ago. I woke up this morning for the first time in months feeling like myself again."

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon for 4 months and will be getting it removed in two days. I cannot wait. I have had the worst experience. I have 3 week-long heavy periods with huge clots, which made me anemic. I have side effects of anxiety, depression, hair loss, no sex drive. I even got pulsatile tinnitus. I am so miserable. I’ve gained so much weight. I want out. Now!!!"

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on BC since I was 15 years old for PCOS. Friends, be so, so careful with Nexplanon. I have a history of psychiatric health issues, but I have never, ever experienced depression like this before. My depression and anxiety have been well controlled for years, but Nexplanon turned my whole world upside down. The anxiety is unmanageable, and the depression is just... it's entirely overwhelming. It has completely derailed my life. Crying over everything, yes, but so much worse. Literal screaming, crying meltdowns over nothing. I've never had anger issues, but since getting Nexplanon, I explode in anger at the tiniest inconvenience and just devolve into a crying mess. It feels like my brain has been hijacked by a psychopath. Oh, and I've had period bleeding nonstop for 74 days. I've had the implant since July and I am having it removed next week."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Please do not get this contraception. It has made me massively suicidal, depressed, anxious, paranoid, irrational. I have never had these thoughts before. I’ve had it in for 40 days, and it has been the worst time in my entire life. This implant has ruined my life. I’m getting it removed today, and I can’t wait to start feeling myself again."

• Stu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2021

For Birth Control "This was a birth control form that I loved as soon as I got it in December. I told all my friends about it and told them that it was the way to go. Light periods, it was the best. All of a sudden, this past Saturday (10-ish months after getting it put in), I started feeling anxious. I would wake up in the morning, cry until about noon for no reason at all. I became depressed and felt like I was going crazy. I've never been depressed or had anxiety or anything at all, so I was extremely disturbed when this started happening. I lost my appetite and went from eating normally three meals a day to barely being able to get down one. The brain fog has been insane, I can barely focus or type notes in class or have a coherent phone conversation. I had a complete panic attack when I was out to dinner with friends for no reason at all. I started doing some research on it and saw dozens of others had the same issues. I scheduled an appointment to get it out, I just hope that it makes this better."

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I had my Nexplanon for about a year and a half, and I have super mixed feelings about it, but eventually got it removed. I liked that insertion was really easy, I didn't have anxiety/depression issues, and it was super reliable so I could have unprotected sex. However, I didn't like that I bled nonstop for months at a time. It worked great as a birth control because who wants to have sex when you're constantly bleeding? I ruined all of my underwear by constant breakthrough bleeding. I didn't know when, how much, or how long I'd bleed. After a three-month-long period, I eventually gave up and got it removed, which was a nightmare of a process. I usually think that everyone should do what's best for them, but I really don't recommend this. Almost everyone I know who tried Nexplanon had the exact same bleeding issues as I did."

• AAA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2021

For Birth Control "If you have a history of anxiety and/or depression, don’t risk it, try something without hormones if you can. I fully believe it triggered my anxiety/depression. The first month was fine, I just completely missed my period. When I finally got my period, I bled for over a month and didn’t stop until a week after I got it removed. I started having daily panic attacks (haven’t had one in years), intrusive thoughts, severe depression, and suicidal ideations. I was waking up anxious before I even got up out of bed. Almost had to go to crisis. It’s been about a month since I’ve been off of it, and I’m slowly starting to feel a little bit better. Nexplanon made the last two months an actual living nightmare for me, it was so scary. Possible increased anxiety/depression should be labeled as a warning!!"

• AAA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2021

For Birth Control "If you have a history of anxiety and/or depression, don’t risk it, try something without hormones if you can. I fully believe it triggered my anxiety/depression. The first month was fine, I just completely missed my period. When I finally got my period, I bled for over a month and didn’t stop until a week after I got it removed. I started having daily panic attacks (haven’t had one in years), intrusive thoughts, severe depression, and suicidal ideations. I was waking up anxious before I even got up out of bed. Almost had to go to crisis. It’s been about a month since I’ve been off of it, and I’m slowly starting to feel a little bit better. Nexplanon made the last two months an actual living nightmare for me, it was so scary. Possible increased anxiety/depression should be labeled as a warning!!"

• 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!!!!!"

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I tried Nexplanon despite all of the negative side effects my friends told me about because everyone is different, right? Well, I got it two months ago and will be getting it taken out this month. The day after I got it, I got my period and have been bleeding every day since! Two months of being on my period has cost me lots of money between tampons and pads and underwear! I have been extremely moody, I get random spouts of depressive episodes, and I've always had anxiety, but it amplified this for me so greatly. This is awful. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, and I will probably be going back on the pill after this."

• 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."

• Gab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the implant since December 8th of 2020. I have had headaches, nausea, extreme dizziness, and recently I have started feeling depressed and not being able to think. I am constantly sad and unhappy. I love my fiancé and daughter very much, but it’s like my brain can comprehend love, like it put love and happiness on the back burner to make room for negative intrusive thoughts. I am glad to say that I am getting this removed next week and hoping to see improvements before my wedding. My period is also very weird and crazy. I also get extreme tiredness. It may work for some people, but I don't like feeling like this, it’s a disgusting method to be because it takes over your emotional, physical, and mental."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2021

For Birth Control "The insertion of the birth control went smoothly. No swelling or bad bruising afterwards. What was bad was how it completely crippled my mental state. I got 1,000 times more depressed, anxious, suicidal. It’s at the point where I cannot control my emotions at all. I cry so much and get angry at so many things. My emotions are seriously out of control. It ruined my relationship with my boyfriend. I’ve never ever felt so bipolar in my life. As far as my periods go, they’re very irregular, I won’t have a period for a month to 2 months, and then when I do get my period, it’s kind of light and lasts 5-15 days. Sometimes I get a period twice a month. This birth control has ruined me in so many ways. I cannot wait to get it taken out. The only downside is the doctors I go to will not accept my insurance (Medicaid) unless I’m pregnant, so I have to pay $300-$500 out of pocket to get it taken out."

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

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for a little over 6 months, and all of it was extremely awful. For example, I bled every day for almost three months straight, and when I asked my gyno, they said it was normal (?!) and that it was okay. Not only that, but I was heavily depressed during this time, and it did not only affect me but my family. When I got it out, things were so much better, I am back to being usually my happy self."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2021

For Birth Control "Con: HUGE weight gain. I got Nexplanon put in right after I had my son. I had it for 15 months. The whole time I had it in, I didn't get a period at all, not even spotting. Getting it put in and taken out was easy and quick. It only burns when they give you the pain medicine around the insertion area. Pros: I didn't get pregnant, I didn't get my period, it's easy to use, and you can just forget about it. Cons: I gained a lot of weight really fast. 75 pounds. My depression and anxiety got worse. And I got mood swings. I would not suggest to anyone to use Nexplanon. On the fact alone, I believe it makes you gain weight. (I talked to other people who had the same experience)."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2021

For Birth Control "I wanted to comment on this because I think it’s just like the old Norplant I had, and the horrible symptoms are the same! I had this implanted years ago under the name Norplant. I can’t say it’s exactly the same, but it sure sounds like it. It was implanted in my arm and was supposed to last 5 years, and all I did was bleed the entire time. I was even more depressed than I already am, and I just couldn’t take it anymore and had it removed early. Looks like they may have relabeled that, and here it is again ruining lives! Stay away from these implants. It’s horrible because if it doesn’t agree with you, you’re kind of stuck. My insurance paid to have it placed but wouldn’t pay for the removal, so keep that in mind. Maybe check into that beforehand so if you have issues, you will know how you will pay to get the removal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2021

"I got the Nexplanon birth control in May, and it’s July, and I got it out today. I didn’t feel any side effects for the first month, but I remember the day that all shifted, and I haven’t felt the same. Constantly depressed and have super bad anxiety. My brain has been telling me to push my partner away when all I want to do is be around him. Cry all the time, I have no motivation. Night terrors, and I feel like there’s no happiness around me when that’s all there is. I’ve never felt like this before and can’t wait to start feeling normal again."

• 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."

• Avo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2021

For Birth Control "While on it the first year, everything was 'ok.' Then, out of the blue, I started having brain fog that wouldn’t go away. I started getting extremely moody and anxious. I also was having suicidal thoughts for no reason at all. Brain fog and depression with this implant is no joke. I was miserable until I got it removed my 3rd year on it, and immediately all those side effects vanished."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2021

For Birth Control "Got this useless thing 3 months ago before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery because of malabsorption possibilities with the pill. Let me just say that I think my husband is ready to leave me and take my daughter, too, with how absolutely unbearable I’ve become. I have two moods: withdrawn or agitated. This product is awful, and I’m having it removed tomorrow and can’t tell you how relieved I already am."

• 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."

• Ano...
• July 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon in December, and it has been awful ever since. I haven’t stopped bleeding the entire time I’ve had it, so my doctors put me on a birth control pill to regulate the bleeding. Safe to say I feel crazy. The whole reason I got the bar in the arm was so I didn’t have to take a pill! Over the past few months, I have been increasingly becoming sadder and sadder. It’s to the point I don’t even want to be here anymore. I pick stupid fights with my boyfriend and get mad over things that don’t even make sense. I am terrified he’s gonna leave me because he never knows what mood I am going to be in when he calls me. It feels like I’m self-sabotaging my entire life. I read a review on here that is posted further down, the woman described it as split personality disorder and being stuck in a mood you simply cannot escape. All of that is true. I will be scheduling my removal ASAP. The side effects aren’t worth it."

• 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."