Nexplanon and Depression: 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Tre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 7, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve had Nexplanon for three years now. I’d never been on BC before getting Nexplanon, but heard really good things about it from friends. It took me months after the fact to realize, but Nexplanon triggered some of the worst depression of my life. I already have mental health issues, but three months after insertion, I became increasingly suicidal. There came a point where I made a note and had a plan. I never knew that BC could cause such massive shifts in your mood, so I never thought to take my Nexplanon out. I really regret that, and honestly, the benefits just don’t outweigh the bad parts. Aside from the depression/intrusive thoughts, my period has gotten heavier and increasingly irregular. Sometimes I’ll go months without a period, then it’ll last weeks. At the beginning, I had a period that lasted nearly a full year. I really recommend doing your research and, if you choose Nexplanon, monitor your mental health and seek help immediately if something ever feels off."

• Pam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2022

For Birth Control "So first let me explain why I chose this type of BC. I am a single mother of 4 small children and work full time while being a part-time student. My usual type of BC was the pill, but as busy as I was with all the running around my lifestyle caused, I was having trouble taking the pills. Every child I had before I was on the pill, so I decided to do something I never thought I would do before and take a different form of BC that I wouldn't have to worry about remembering to take every day. I have now had the implant for almost 4 years, and now it is causing eye problems, blurry vision, severe headaches, stomach problems, and severe fatigue, also suicidal tendencies and depression. The first year I had the headaches and nausea but was very excited because I stopped having my period, so I thought it was a great change. With my hectic and busy life, it wasn't until the 3rd year that the problems got more severe, and now the blurry vision to the point where I'm now going blind. DON'T USE THIS BC."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2022

For Birth Control "This birth control literally makes you feel like a demon has taken control of your emotions. I feel like in such a dark space myself for 2 years now and thought it was just me and who I was now. A depressed woman because I just had a baby. NO! This birth control made me have postpartum depression!! Every single night I had sleep paralysis. I stopped sleeping, therefore, the depression got worse. I’d cry every single day and night. I thought I was crazy, and I’d sleep 16 hours a night. My son would have to play around my lifeless body. If I could sue whoever made this, I would. I just got it out yesterday, and I ALREADY feel like a new person."

• 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."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I definitely agree with everyone here saying that Nexplanon has altered their moods and has affected them mentally as well. I have been on it for a year or so, and holy moly, has this been an emotional roller coaster for me. I already struggle with depression, but it has definitely increased with this and also has led to more suicidal thoughts. I don’t feel like myself, my mind is always foggy, and I constantly feel numb, wanting to push everyone away. This all couldn’t even be related to the implant, but it has for sure gotten worse ever since I got it inserted. Did I also mention the weight gain that comes with it? I know it is different for everyone and studies can’t back up this evidence, but I seriously believe it has something to do with the implant. I had lost weight easily before, but now I find myself constantly craving more food and it is harder for me to lose. This hasn’t been a good experience for me so far. I can’t wait to make an appointment to take it out ASAP."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I definitely agree with everyone here saying that Nexplanon has altered their moods and has affected them mentally as well. I have been on it for a year or so, and holy moly, has this been an emotional roller coaster for me. I already struggle with depression, but it has definitely increased with this and also has led to more suicidal thoughts. I don’t feel like myself, my mind is always foggy, and I constantly feel numb, wanting to push everyone away. This all couldn’t even be related to the implant, but it has for sure gotten worse ever since I got it inserted. Did I also mention the weight gain that comes with it? I know it is different for everyone and studies can’t back up this evidence, but I seriously believe it has something to do with the implant. I had lost weight easily before, but now I find myself constantly craving more food and it is harder for me to lose. This hasn’t been a good experience for me so far. I can’t wait to make an appointment to take it out ASAP."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2022

For Birth Control "This is my second time trying Nexplanon, and I regret it once again. It affects my daily mood and has me thinking I am insane. I literally catch myself crying every day. Most days I feel very depressed and don’t want to get out of bed. It even affects the way I feel as though I treat my 2-year-old daughter. I am grateful for my daughter, but sometimes I have no energy to be a mother. Let’s not talk about the bleeding. I think the reason I am so miserable is because I’m always BLEEDING. I try not to get excited when I’m not on my period because I know it will come back on within a day. Please avoid this birth control!!"

• 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."

• Jad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2022

For Birth Control "Exacerbated my mental health issues severely with paranoia, anxiety, depression. Heavy bleeding the majority of the time I had it in and became severely anemic and lost weight. I would never recommend this to someone with even the mildest of mental illness."

• gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2022

For Birth Control "Don't do it, I used to eat like a cow and now I can't eat anything and I can't keep anything down. I'm dizzy, tired, sad, or having a panic attack every five minutes, and I've only had it for 3 weeks!! I just wouldn't get it."

• Hor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I have always struggled with depression. A few weeks after insertion, my mental health tanked. For the next four years, I suffered with binge eating and weight gain, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and actions. I tried 10+ antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic meds, etc. Nothing helped. I began to give up on life. Realized the only thing I hadn't changed was my birth control. I decided to remove it. Three to four weeks after removal, I felt like a new person. I felt like the person I hadn't seen in years. Lost 25 lbs in the first few months. Full of energy and motivation. Great for preventing pregnancy, though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

For Birth Control "All of the other reviews are right. This drug has absolutely abhorrent mental side effects. I've never had mental health problems before, but this has caused me to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Just don't get it."

• Ok ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2022

For Birth Control "DO NOT USE THIS BIRTH CONTROL. For years of Nexplanon, I never had a period and became super depressed without knowing it. I was moody and had basically ZERO sex drive. I developed a nasty ovarian cyst, which burst and became infected, this took six months to heal. I started bleeding HEAVILY every day, nonstop, for eight months total. Not to mention, the depression and low sex drive NEVER went away. I couldn't take it anymore and had the implant removed. My doctors kept saying the depression wasn't related to Nexplanon, but once it was removed, I did a complete 180 the first week! My daily bleeding immediately stopped, my skin even cleared up within a couple of days. After a week, I actually wanted to have sex again, and now I feel SO much happier, it's unreal. I'm usually not one to make posts or reviews, but after my experience, I truly believe no woman should be on this birth control, it messes up your hormones so much. The point is, if I could rate this 0/10, I would."

• Ali...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2022

For Birth Control "DON'T GET IT. I got this put in almost a year ago (last March). It is January now. About 4 months in, I had a panic attack. Never have had a panic attack in my life. Anxiety has never been a problem for me, and all of a sudden I'm avoiding going out with friends because I feel like I'm going to have a mental break and freak out just talking to my own friends. Then I started feeling majorly depressed. Haven't felt depressed since pre-teen years (10 years ago). November comes around, and I'm having suicidal thoughts for weeks while at work. My arm is constantly itching, my periods are all over the place. I can't track them. It's great for preventing pregnancy. But mentally, I'm exhausted. I did not fully look into how this affected women until I started feeling this way, not understanding why. Then my boyfriend brought the implant up. I know now. Ha. I'm taking this out ASAP."

• 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."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I want to start by saying this was my first experience with birth control. Knowing me and how I am, I didn't think I would remember to take pills or get the injection regularly, and this also seemed more cost-efficient. I have never had too much of an issue with depression, anxiety, or mood swings. Nothing I felt I needed help with, but within the first few months of having this implant, I was having mental breakdown after mental breakdown. I would be sobbing to my now husband about how different I felt and sad, empty. There was also a MASSIVE change in my sex drive as well. We were extremely active, and it was like someone pulled the emergency brake on it. It was so hard to work through and continued to be hard. My implant expires in January of 2021, and I am so happy. I'm tired of feeling exhausted and angry 24/7. I just want to feel normal again and finally STOP bleeding because seriously, I was on my period like the entire time I had it. But hey, I'm not pregnant, right? Ugh."

• Dee...
• December 1, 2021

For Birth Control "Nexplanon is awful! Completely changed my life for the worst. Within a month, I experienced extreme anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, mood swings, crying spells, suicidal thoughts, you name it. I want my old life back! I had it removed yesterday, and now I’m having the worst panic attacks of my life. I just pray that this is just my body’s way of regulating again. Do not get the Nexplanon!"