Nexplanon and Spotting: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon rod put in last May. I had spotting for about 3 months, complete loss of sex drive, insane irritability and mood swings, and gained 30 pounds. I am a very healthy eater and exercise regularly. I got my implant taken out yesterday, thank goodness. Absolutely hated my experience."

• cla...
• December 19, 2015

For Birth Control "When I first got Nexplanon inserted, I was greeted with spotting and random periods. Which I was okay with (they do warn you about this before you get it inserted). After about almost a year of having it in, I started bleeding non-stop. Heavy bleeding with large clots. To the point where I was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where I was told my hemoglobin and hematocrit were extremely low due to my heavy periods. I was admitted and had 6 blood transfusions while I was there. After I was discharged, I immediately went to my OB to get it removed. I'm still suffering from the side effects of this horrible birth control. I recommend sticking to the pills. This birth control is horrible for me."

• Ext...
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Nexplanon for a month and a half. I have experienced spotting throughout the whole time. But no other side effects. My boyfriend and I recently got a surprise that I am pregnant! This was such a shock considering that I have birth control. So it is definitely a major fail. Either my boyfriend has super sperm or I have a uterus made out of steel, but this was definitely not a great choice for me :("

• Ali...
• November 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Nexplanon implant because I needed something very reliable. I loved the idea of not having to take a pill every day but quickly changed my mind after getting it. I got it on Sept. 18, 2015, and it is now Nov. 19. These last two months have been terrible. Right after getting it, I got a bad yeast infection. Then, once I got rid of that, I started the period from hell on Oct. 8 that is still going. It started very heavy, with terrible cramping, and then went back and forth between light spotting and mild bleeding but still hasn't stopped completely. Now I have stitches in my arm where the implant used to be. I would not recommend this birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I thought this birth control would be great since I am a 22-year-old college student and am on a very inconsistent daily schedule. I have had the implant for 10 months now, and at first, I had the typical occasional spotting, which wasn't a big deal, but then in a 3-month span, I had 7 full-blown periods. Now my periods have slowed down, but when I do get one, I have it for almost 2 weeks and am usually very sick the day before I start. I have been having the worst mood swings. I am tired constantly even with 8 hours of sleep. I never had acne before, and now I get cystic acne, which is painful. I really was terrified of this birth control when one of my friends got ovarian cysts from it. Needless to say, I am having it removed in 19 days and counting."

• Bla...
• September 21, 2015

For Birth Control "Do not get this form of birth control! Had mine inserted around the end of April, missed my period for 2 weeks, then bled heavily for a month and spotted ever since. Some days were heavier than others. I have gone through so many panty liners. I actually missed my normal period while I was on it. Sex was embarrassing, and my mood was horrible, felt depressed and anxious all the time. Had mine removed 5 months later."

• gyp...
• September 15, 2015

"I have had Nexplanon since June 2015. I absolutely hate it. It was fine for the first month and has been way better than the depo, however, every time I eat, I'm bloated to the point where I look pregnant. I also am tired all the time. Like, literally, I have lost all motivation and have been able to sleep for 15 hours straight, wake up, and still take a nap. Constantly forcing myself to stay awake. I have only had spotting, which lasted about a good 2 weeks, which wasn't bad. Also, has caused a lot of anxiety and depression."

• Per...
• September 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon since Oct. 2014. I loved it at first - I was so excited that I could be on a birth control that I didn't have to worry about taking daily and also make my period lighter, shorter, or even nonexistent. I was very concerned when my gyno said that it could cause some spotting but very rare. I definitely should have done more research because based on all these reviews, it just shows that everyone has a problem with their periods being more existent than ever before. I have my period for 8 days on and then 8 days off. Literally every other week. I've also gained at least 5-10 lbs of weight. I've been 10x more moody. My face has never broken out like this before (it's awful), pimples in places I've never had."

• Bec...
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "So I've had this since the end of January 2015, it's now almost September. I've literally had 2 periods, however, the spotting hasn't stopped yet. I'm not pregnant, but that's because I can't have sex. The doctor keeps telling me it's normal, but my man and I are so frustrated sexually and emotionally. Thinking of having it removed. My doctor assured me that it would stop my period and spotting, but it's been nothing but hell...."

• mml...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had this implant in for a little over a year now, and it was the worst decision I have made regarding birth control. After I had it put in, my body acted the same way before the implant. After about 3 months, I had gained 10 pounds after not gaining any weight at all before the procedure. Now I have unpredictable periods that can last from 3 days to 3 weeks with almost no break in between. There can be heavy bleeding at times or just some spotting. I waited to see if the side effects would become less of a problem over time, like the doctor said, but they have not, so I will be getting Nexplanon removed."

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I was so excited because everyone said it was so good. But now it's been 6 months. At first, it was awesome. But now I have gained weight, and even when I don't eat or only eat salads and eat healthy, I can't lose weight. And lately, I'm extremely irritable, and my depression has gotten much worse than before. Now my menstrual cycle lasts up to ten days, and this month it stopped for 2 weeks, and I started spotting again. And I've always had bad cramps during my menstrual cycle, but now it's all the time and twice as bad sometimes. I used to recommend this, but now I don't anymore. I'm going to make an appointment to have it removed this coming week."

• mys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2014

For Birth Control "Spotting for two weeks, then a period for a week, followed by a couple of days of spotting, then two weeks later it starts all over again. I was told to wait six months before I have it taken out. They told me my period could go away completely, my body just has to get used to it. My sex life is suffering!"

• All...
• May 22, 2014

For Birth Control "It was terrible. I have had Nexplanon for 1 year (June 6, 2013 - Scheduled removal appointment May 27, 2014). For the first 4 months, I got my period very heavy for about a week and would spot every day after my period until the next month. After that stage, I would have a period for about 2 weeks and wouldn't spot for about 2 weeks. It has been this way forever, and I don't know why I gave this birth control so long to ruin my sex life. I broke out on the sides of my face, which is hormonal acne. I do not recommend anyone get this BC. Stick to condoms and the pill."

• AHa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2021

For Birth Control "I liked how effective Nexplanon is, and how you could just “forget about it” for 3 years, but pretty much immediately after getting it, my boobs got so persistently sore and bumpy that my doctor was even concerned and sent me for a mammogram (I was only 21 at the time). Everything was fine, but it was a side effect of the Nexplanon. On top of that, I was spotting for the full year I had it. It was like a constant period. I had to wear at least a panty liner, if not more, for leak protection every single day until I had it taken out. I wished I could’ve left it for the full 3 years, but it just wasn’t worth it."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm on my second Nexplanon, placed in last year. I developed thinning hair, severe breast tenderness with PMSing. My periods were far and few between, spotting and occasionally a period for 2 days, or I won't bleed at all for 2/3 months. My skin got a lot drier from being greasy and developed dandruff and a halt in my hair growth and fallout at the top of my head/widening hair part. My mood with depression and anxiety increased. I developed lower back pain and acne in places I never broke out before. This was all gradual with being on Nexplanon for almost 4 years. I was thinking it was work/stress related. I'm getting my second one removed and going cold turkey on birth control. Don't recommend. Listen to your body."

• Sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Nexplanon inserted into my arm in August 2017, and I was fine for a few months, no side effects, no periods. Then about 3 months in, I started spotting daily. I tried to wait it out. In January 2018, I started to get an uncomfortable feeling in my groin, like something was out of place. In March 2018, I got it removed and was told that my estrogen levels were low. I think it has to do with the Nexplanon, but my doctor thinks otherwise. I want a normal uterus again, not the dry itching and burning I experience on a daily basis from the low estrogen."

• 011...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 24, 2019

For Birth Control "Worst birth control I have ever had. For those of you looking for a simple method, please turn the other way. After getting the Nexplanon, my sex drive was little to none, and even when I was in the mood, I could never be 'fully there.' My emotional and mental health severely deteriorated, and it began affecting my job and my personal life. I nearly lost my relationship due to the fact that I could not control my emotions and my anger. I would never wish any of this upon anyone. I also spotted continuously throughout the 1st year, nearly every other week and sometimes every day (gross brown and stringy). I couldn't stand it anymore, and I finally managed to force my gynecologist to remove it - they will literally try to convince you not to remove it or tell you appointments are months out."

• Sad...
• July 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Like many of the negative reviews, I loved it at first - painless insertion, no nausea, practically no periods. After 6-9 months is when I started noticing mood changes, loss of sex drive, paranoia, exhaustion, teenage mood swings, constant spotting followed by no periods for months, crying for no reason, but they were so gradual that it was hard to pinpoint the problem. I read reviews and decided I would give it 6 more months while documenting every day of period, spotting after sex, emotions, energy, etc., and it was ruining my life. I took it out three days ago, and my period instantly came back, and I’ve been a depressed monster, crying for seemingly nothing. Two stars because I never got pregnant and for the first three years my weight decreased to a stable 115. However, the mood swings, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, lack of sex drive, and how those symptoms all affected my personal relationships - NOT WORTH IT!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm getting the Nexplanon removed tomorrow. I have PCOS and have month-long periods when I get them, but I would take that over the continual spotting and discharge. I've never had to deal with acne until I got this implant. I've also gotten to really experience what continual PMS feels like because I'm constantly moody and exhausted. I've had no sex drive whatsoever. I switched to this from the mini pill because I had continual breakthrough bleeding and was hoping that this would allow for better regulation. Boy, was I disappointed. The only reason I gave this a 2 was because I didn't get pregnant."

• Mar...
• May 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Been spotting/bleeding for 1.5 years. Painless insertion but jarring bruising. It hurt afterward for a night or two; extensive bruising was triggering because of past abuse. Most nights, I have to clean very dark spots from undies. Go through tampons like crazy. Too light to use a cup, but can be heavy randomly. Unpredictable PMS. Gained a 'pooch' in front abdomen - makes me look 2 months pregnant. Feel bloated after eating always. Not depressed/suicidal, but so angry and teenage hormonal moody. 0 sex drive. I don't know if it prevents pregnancy; haven't had sex with my boyfriend since I got it. (I know.) Got off anxiety meds 6 months ago, no reason to NOT have libido. Now don't get turned on or want sex. I'm lethargic and never want to do anything. I'm getting migraines a lot; I thought it was from neck pain, but no idea. I'm calling my OBGYN tomorrow to remove. The Copper IUD was the best birth control I've ever had, but it expelled it after 7 years, then expelled the replacement. Now I might just use condoms, which I hate."

• Lca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I was only able to stand Nexplanon for two and a half months. One week after the implant, I got my period as scheduled. It was a much heavier period than normal and about three days longer than normal. The heavy flow stopped after about six days, then it was light bleeding for another three, and then it was just constant spotting. For an entire two months, I was bleeding. On top of that, Nexplanon made me horribly emotionally unstable. I was severely depressed, easily set off, and cried at a moment's notice. I definitely did not feel like myself. I know doctors recommend giving your body three to six months, but the depressive thoughts and constant bleeding, personally, were not worth it to me. Two days after having it removed, the bleeding stopped and I felt my emotions finally leveling off."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2019

For Birth Control "At first, I loved the Nexplanon. But after having it in for about 4 months, my periods got longer, and the time between them got shorter. I currently have it for a month straight and only get a week or two break before having it for a month again. There have even been a few times where I have had spotting in the week or two before having it for a month. My mood swings are really bad. When having my period, my cramps are really bad, and the bleeding is heavy. It gets a 10/10 for stopping pregnancy."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the implant put in right after my second child was born. So he arrived September 18, 2018, September 20, 2018, it was put in. Since being home, it is now February 17, 2019, I have not had one day without spotting or bleeding. I'll get a heavy period twice a month, lasting 3 to 4 days. And then it'll stop and become spotting. But there hasn't been not one day that I haven't bleed. Still have the implant in, but definitely reconsidering it to be taken out. I do not recommend it. The bleeding is super heavy and starts out of nowhere, never at the same time or day."

• Zoa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m now onto my second implant. The first one worked great and had no troubles apart from the odd spotting a few months in, stopped my period completely, which was great. I got my second implant inserted in July 2018, and since then I’ve had on-and-off headaches that don’t clear up with any medicine and can last up to two weeks at a time! I still don’t have my period, but my headaches are becoming unbearable! Not sure if it’s from this???"

• Lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I had this form of birth control for about 9 months before it became intolerable. I was spotting for about 6 months, my gyno prescribed menstrual pills that were supposed to regulate my cycle, and nothing changed. Getting the Nexplanon removed was painless, and I felt more healthy just days after removal. It's very unfortunate because this form of contraception has such a high effectiveness, but it is NOT worth the trouble. I'm now on the pill, and my cycles are more regular, mood swings are less common, and acne is contained. I do not recommend Nexplanon. It has a very narrow range of people that it works with."