Nexplanon and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2014

For Birth Control "Probably one of the worst decisions I have made in my adult life. I have always had great skin, and on this medication, it exploded with both random dryness and severe acne. My emotions were a roller coaster (more than just normal girl stuff). My sex drive plummeted. Constant spotting. Yeah, it prevented me from getting pregnant, probably because I was always on my period. All in all, bad experience."

• 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."

• 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 I feel completely disconnected to myself as a woman, my usual cycle has been replaced by constant irregular bleeding that leaves me irritable and moody.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."

• Not...
• February 3, 2015

For Birth Control "First, I've spotted on and off with this birth control. Over a year of it. Second, I can't lose weight for anything. After diets, exercise, you name it I can't lose weight. I've been the same weight, maybe a few lbs more for a year. Third, I have no desire to be touched or even want to have sex. My sex drive doesn't exist. This all started when I got on this. I'm getting it removed this month. No other birth control has ever done this to me. It's not for me personally."

• 282...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2020

For Birth Control "The worst experience of my entire life!! I have always struggled with anxiety a little, but I have always been on some kind of contraception since an early age due to acne, and looking back, I don’t think the hormones ever really helped my anxiety. But this time last year, I was so happy, the happiest I had ever been. I then got the implant, and the nightmare of side effects started. • extremely emotional • thrush • extreme acne/oily hair • low libido • EXTREME anxiety • awful intrusive thoughts • weight gain • my arm where the implant is itches constantly. I never write reviews, but I don’t want anyone to feel how I have for the past 10 months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I got this in July. I started my regular period when I got it inserted, and my period escalated to soaking through a pad every 10 minutes. I took birth control pills to fix this. I bled for 2 months straight like a normal period. Now I always am spotting, some days heavy flow. I usually always feel crampy now. I gained 10 pounds within two weeks of having this, all in my stomach. I always have migraines. I get more pimples and am always tired. I randomly get sad and angry for no reason. Also, my sex drive has been slowly but surely diminishing. I am keeping it only because it's keeping me baby-free."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in Jan 2020 after coming off Depo-Provera. I haven't had a period, which is amazing. But... I've gained 50 pounds. I get bad migraines. I'm irritable, and honestly, I think it is time to just get it removed and try a different method. I don't even have a sex drive anymore."

• Moh...
• March 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for 4 months. It has been effective in preventing pregnancy, and not having to take a pill is convenient. But that's where the pros end. A couple of weeks after having it inserted, my mood swings were off the chart. I was snapping at everyone for the littlest things. I've never had a problem with depression in the 23 years I've been alive and have been depressed since I started this birth control. On top of that, my sex drive is gone. I was crazy, head over heels in love with my husband up until I started this prescription. Now I can hardly stand to have him kiss me, I'm so turned off. And it's not him, it's definitely the Nexplanon. Definitely getting it removed."

• Hor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had this for about 2 and a half years now. It has really taken a toll on my life. I’m either feeling sad or mad. I have no sex drive. The weight gain is ridiculous, I gained 20 pounds since being on this birth control. Losing weight is so hard, I can work out and fast, and I only lose a pound. I didn’t have a period for the longest time, and now I randomly have my period or spotting. I can’t even track it properly because it’s a mess. Don’t get me wrong, if you can handle all of this, then this is a product for you. The birth control part of it is great."

• Cie...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had my Nexplanon for over a year now, it's very effective against not getting pregnant, and that's the best part only. I have 2 periods a month, one light, one heavy. I randomly bleed, as well as cramp horribly before I start. I've had headaches, nausea, hives, nasal sinus issues, depression, mood swings, weight gain, loss of appetite, peeling skin on my face, dandruff, a rash on my arm, constantly itching, loss of sex drive, tiredness, and the list continues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Nexplanon for about a year now. I bled constantly the first 9 months, along with acne and horrible cramps. Hot flashes as well. Now my period just doesn't come at all, yet I still get the horrible cramps often. I have no sex drive, and I feel like my hair/face is always greasy. I haven't gained any weight, which is the only plus."

• Aan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I got my first Nexplanon in 2016 and had it in for a little over three years. The first couple of years were great, my period stopped. Towards the end of the 3-year mark, I started getting more migraines, had two burst ovarian cysts, and was irregularly bleeding. I thought it was just because the hormone level had gone down, so I got a new Nexplanon reinserted. Two months into the new one, I lost all sex drive. Read forums like crazy and was astonished to see people feeling the exact same way. Didn’t even want to be touched. Looking back, I did have increased anxiety and hadn’t felt like myself for a while. Times when I should’ve been happy but wasn’t. If you feel like you aren’t quite feeling yourself, don’t discount it! Great for preventing pregnancy and worked for me for a while, but everyone’s body is different. Waiting to see how I feel without it before potentially getting a copper IUD."

• man...
• July 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I got this put in roughly 7 months ago, and honestly, I've had no problems at all. I was, like many, nervous because of all the horror stories I heard about bleeding and moodiness and decreased sex drive, but decided to try it. I have had no prolonged bleeding, I get a 3-4 day long period once a month. I am not moody at all, which is great, because the pill made me crazy. And I haven't noticed a significant difference in my sex drive, though it has decreased a little - my boyfriend and I have had no problems. I'm glad my body reacted positively to this, because it is a very efficient method of birth control. I truly recommend at least trying it to see how your body reacts, and be sure to remember to give it some time to settle in."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I had gotten the Nexplanon in February 2020, the first 2 months I had gotten 2 periods. One was normal for my body (about 4 days long), then the next month I had light bleeding for about 23 days. My doctor had told me this would be normal due to the change in hormones. At the beginning of this month, October 2020, my breasts had become extremely sore. A couple of days later, these extreme drop-to-the-floor cramps. I had gotten my period for exactly 8 days, now, three days later, I'm having these extreme cramps again. Also, around May, I had completely lost my sex drive, and I still struggle with it. Sex has become extremely painful since."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I had gotten the Nexplanon in February 2020, the first 2 months I had gotten 2 periods. One was normal for my body (about 4 days long), then the next month I had light bleeding for about 23 days. My doctor had told me this would be normal due to the change in hormones. At the beginning of this month, October 2020, my breasts had become extremely sore. A couple of days later, these extreme drop-to-the-floor cramps. I had gotten my period for exactly 8 days, now, three days later, I'm having these extreme cramps again. Also, around May, I had completely lost my sex drive, and I still struggle with it. Sex has become extremely painful since."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had the Nexplanon implant for about 10-11 months. At first, I felt fine, but after a week I started to feel emotional and a little sad. And as time went on, my mood got worse. I would get mad over little things and cry a lot! Sometimes for no reason. After like 5 months, I think my body adjusted or got used to it, and now I don’t feel like myself. I also had NO sex drive and would be painful during intercourse due to lack of lubrication. The plus side is I didn’t get any acne, and I didn’t lose or gain weight. I also never got my period. Will be removing soon. Not worth it :/"

• I...
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Nexplanon for a year and a half. When I first got it, I was spotting for the first 3 months every day, but then I completely stopped having periods or any spotting after that. I didn't gain any weight, no acne, no changes in my appetite, but it made my sex drive really low, and it has caused problems in my relationship because my boyfriend thinks I'm not sexually attracted to him, but it's not that, I just don't have the same sex drive, and it's so frustrating. I also had bad mood swings, and I just feel like everything annoys me. I have never gotten angry like I do now. I notice I start to throw things or hit the walls or slam doors, which is really not like me. I also feel depressed sometimes, like I just want to do nothing. It makes me feel so tired, like it's draining my energy, and I would feel fatigue throughout the day, which makes it harder to do daily routines or even be in a good mood. I literally can't wait to take this thing off, it's not worth my health."

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I chose to change from Yaz to Nexplanon because I wanted something new and easy. I had normal cycles until I started the implant. I bled for 30 days, then stopped for about a week. My ovaries hurt, my breasts hurt, I have gained about 15 pounds in 2 months, constant headaches, and absolutely no sex drive. Even cuddling and knowing what he wants next is dreadful. Do not get it. I want this out. Obviously, it does its job with no babies because you bleed too often."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for 5 months, and it's just great. No periods, no babies. My sex drive is down a little, and I've put on a few pounds, but it's worth it to have no periods. I took my last month of pills at the beginning to transition, and I think that helped - I had a very brief period one month in, but haven't seen it since."

• bab...
• April 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in August of 2014. All around it's effective. My only issues are with occasional nausea, increased appetite, weight gain, and horrible headaches. I am a little worried about the fact that I have zero libido and no desire to be intimate with my husband. I can deal with the rest, but that's a little nerve-wracking. And it's really annoying because he reminds me of it every day. Anyone else have this problem?"

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I went on Nexplanon for maybe 6 months. I didn’t bleed at all, but I had zero sex drive and was severely depressed to the point of having harmful thoughts. I have had it removed for nearly 6 months now, and my hormones still haven’t settled. I get regular infections since, and I get depressed once a month for a few days."

• vbc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon inserted at my 6-week checkup after having my daughter in July 2014. I have experienced 20 lb weight gain since, severe cramps, depression, nonexistent libido, and nausea. Definitely works as birth control, but isn't worth the side effects."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."