Nexplanon and Spotting: What Users Say (Page 5)

• k02...
• June 30, 2013

For Birth Control "Started April 2012. I love how I never have to worry about it. I am a bit scared when I eventually have to pass the two-year mark, though. I hated it for the first six months, I had spotting and very heavy periods. It would go to spotting for three to six weeks and a very heavy, crampy, seven to fourteen-day-long period. After six months, I have gotten my period twice. I love it. Even though I rarely get my period, sometimes I get emotional mood swings. Drastically different than before. Sometimes I would freak out about the smallest things and cry, yell, and then cry again. Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours to get over it, sometimes a couple of days."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2019

For Birth Control "When I first got the Nexplanon, I was very emotional, had major headaches, and horrible acne like never before. I went through a deep depression with non-stop outbursts. Although it did help my painful periods, I constantly bled non-stop for about 7 months. The good thing is I don’t have periods anymore, but I still spot every now and then. I’ve now had it for almost 2 years and am thinking about removing it because I’ve gained 30 pounds even with working out and trying to cut down on eating too much. I also have cramps out of nowhere every blue moon, but the headaches and fatigue have been going on ever since. I probably wouldn’t recommend this to anyone."

• 319...
• July 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I have only been on it for a month, and I have already gained 10 pounds. I've been the same weight for the past three years, and this is the only thing I am doing differently. I am always spotting, and if I'm not spotting, it's because I am having a 10-day period with the worst cramps known to man. I have never had acne ever, and now I'm breaking out like crazy. With the weight gain, constant spotting/period, and acne, it's safe to say I'm super moody, self-conscious, and going nuts because of it. I'm getting it removed tomorrow morning."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2017

For Birth Control "It's been 4 months since I had it put in, and maybe I should have read these reviews before having it done. The bleeding is driving me insane!! I got it at my 6-week check-up and had no issues until 2 weeks after it was put in. I spotted for a week, then started a full-blown period that lasted 10 days. Then nothing! Then I started spotting very mildly on August 2nd, it is now August 19th, and the bleeding is becoming heavier. It is more of an annoyance than anything else, and I am highly considering having it removed. I did gain about 12 pounds, but that went away. My sex drive didn't change at all, but this spotting makes things a little more difficult. I was looking forward to not having a period, but what I'm dealing with is making me bitchy!!"

• GM1...
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been freaking out recently because I just don't understand what's going on down there or inside my body. I didn't have a period for about 6 months, but then early this year I experienced some random spotting. The following month I had a full-blown period, but then pinky-brown spotting that didn't stop for months. I was in and out of the doctors, insisting that there was something up, but I had several blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound, and all was clear other than one harmless cyst on my ovary, which the technician said most women have month by month but never know. I get brown spotting for about a week after my period every month and pain after orgasming. I can only assume this is the implant now as all tests show nothing..."

• GaT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had the Nexplanon for a month now. I was on my cycle when I was implanted-it stopped the same day. I have noticed it's made me a little more emotional, but I haven't had any issues with acne or weight gain. The problem I'm having is that I've been spotting/on a very light cycle for about a week and a half. My panties are ruined if I don't wear a liner. I'm trying to wait it out because it hasn't been a full-blown cycle, but I'm not feeling this spotting/light cycle either. My co-worker has it and says my body just has to catch up. We'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

• Sha...
• January 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had this birth control for a year and a half, and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. When I first got it, my arm bruised really badly, which was expected. I had problems with acne in the beginning, but for my first time ever using hormonal birth control, and having really acne-prone skin, that was expected. I also did gain a little weight (like 5 pounds), but it was probably due to a stressful lifestyle and not-so-healthy eating choices. And the best thing, I haven't gotten my period since before I got this. Every now and then, I get slight cramping like I am going to get my period, but I never actually get it, just slight spotting every 6 months or so for about a day, but that is it."

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon inserted 6 weeks after I had our son in 2015. This has been the first birth control I have ever used, recommended by a friend of mine, and my doctor agreed it was great as well. It is now Fall 2017, and no complaints from me! I have not had a period in nearly two years. Very effective, we have never used any other protection besides this after the recommended wait before we got to boogying again. My son is still our only child so far, if that tells you something (lol). No cramps, spotting, or acne. I did gain weight, but I was a stay-at-home mom for a while when my son was an infant, and I had bad eating habits, so I'm not entirely sure Nexplanon is to blame. I have BCBS insurance that covered the entire cost."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm one of the lucky ones. I've had the Nexplanon for 3 months with no side effects. It's effective, and I love it. Initially, right after injection, my hair got a little oily, and I felt very fatigued, but that went away after a few days (I'm assuming that's because the hormones are most intense in the beginning). I had it inserted at the end of my period. My period has been very regular, coming in once a month. I did have a little spotting, each time about a week before my period for a few days. But it would stop, I'd have a bit of a break, and then I would have a period for 2-3 days. No weight gain. My mood is fine. No increase in acne. However, I tend to react well to hormonal birth control (no side effects with the pill or Plan B)."

• 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."

• Tan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2021

For Birth Control "Definitely does prevent pregnancy. I’ll give it 10/10 in that. I had it for about 2 years, and then my periods started becoming longer and longer over time, like months of spotting or full-on bleeding. It definitely affected me and my boyfriend's sex life. Within weeks after I removed it, I’ve had regular 5-day periods. Didn’t work for me, but may work for others."

• Fat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I was recommended the Nexplanon after I was told I could no longer take the pill due to my history of blood clots. At first, I thought, 'Yay, I can just have it in my arm and forget about it!' Man, was I wrong! My insertion was in August 2015. I weighed 184 lbs after having my daughter, and I weigh 226 now. I had constant mood swings, feelings of depression, brain fog, constant fatigue, super bad acne, and I spotted ALL the time. I don't recommend this to anyone. I never had acne like this before now. I have always struggled with my weight, but I was so fatigued all the time I had no motivation to get up and exercise. I ate pretty healthy, but it didn't matter. Just getting up and going to work was a struggle. I just had it removed today!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had this since mid-March, and I absolutely hate it. I'm going to get it removed this week. The side effects are horrible. I have extreme nausea every day (especially when I get up in the morning) and randomly multiple times throughout the day. It's hard for me to go to school and do normal things because I feel so sick. I've been spotting/had my period for the last 3 months, and I don't think it's stopping anytime soon. I've recently started to get back and stomach cramps every day also, which is horrible! Who wants to bleed for months straight and have bad cramps?! Definitely keeps you from getting pregnant, considering you can't have sex because of constant bleeding. I would never suggest this to anyone!"

• Lun...
• March 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I found this form of birth control to be effective and extremely helpful for the busy individual who (despite best intentions of setting alarms and reminders) just may be too busy to remember to take a pill every day or go to the doctor for a monthly shot. The first four months, I did experience varied mood swings and my anxiety rose a bit. Additionally, the first six months, my bleeding was at random. Neither the mood swings nor the bleeding/spotting was uncontrollable or over the top, however. These two side effects were warranted and expected, and with the partnership of my doctor, I stayed the course of allowing my body the time to get used to this little white implant. Overall, wonderful. Very satisfied."

• 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."

• Swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I got the implant in July 2016, right as my husband and I were getting married. Since the day I got it put in, I have been on my period. Some days it is light spotting, other days it is super heavy, but there is always something. I also have no sex drive whatsoever, have been super emotional, and have become depressive at work, not caring enough to do what I need to do. I'm constantly tired and sleep on the couch more than I do anything else."

• Lon...
• October 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I love Nexplanon. I've had it for four months now, and I was extremely worried because I don't take very well to birth control. I've tried about three different kinds, and they all gave me horrible side effects. So I thought I would get the nonstop bleeding like they say 70% of women get. But I didn't. I got headaches for the first month and no period for two months. The last two months, it's been just light spotting off and on for about 3-4 days, which is the length of my normal period. I don't get any warnings that my period is coming anymore. No cramps, no sore breasts. Nothing. I do get food cravings more often every day, and I have an increased appetite and a tiny scar at the insertion site, but that's all."

• Sav...
• February 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I love my Nexplanon implant! It took some time for my body to regulate itself. My doctor put me on birth control pills for the first three months because my period would not stop, and I was regularly spotting. The pills helped to regulate my cycle, and now I rarely have a period. It took close to a year before the spotting officially stopped, but it's never been super inconvenient and isn't frequent. I just had to give it time. Overall, my experience has been extremely positive."

• JJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I am on my 4th implant, and absolutely love it. I had spotting every 6 months or so with the first 2 implants, but absolutely nothing on the last 2. No side effects on mood, skin issues, or weight. My sister tried it, though, and it was definitely not good for her skin, periods, or mood, and she had to have it removed. It’s sad reading some of these reviews that it doesn’t work well for everyone, as I can't imagine not having it at all."

• 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."

• Kaw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the Nexplanon in for about a year. I didn't like it at first because after I gave birth, I got it inserted about a couple of weeks after. Obviously, I still had my period, so when I got it in, I had heavy bleeding every day for about a month. I always felt like I was pregnant because I had symptoms like nausea, bloating, mood swings, and my breasts swelled up. I talked to my doctor, and she gave me pills to control my estrogen, and that helped within 3 days. After that, it was smooth sailing. Within the year, I had spotting twice that lasted about a week. I felt normal again, and for me, it was awesome. I did, however, get it removed a couple of days ago only because my husband and I are planning on getting pregnant. I will use Nexplanon again!"

• Lil...
• June 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Nexplanon for about 2 years now, and I absolutely love it! The first 3 months after getting it, I did spot a lot (which sucked because I was newly married at the time). And it did leave a nasty bruise for a few weeks. But after those 3 months, I stopped spotting, and I have not had a period or 'PMS' since, and it is amazing."

• mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I've noticed a lot of bad reviews, so I figured I'd share my experience. I had my first implant placed in March 2013 after my second child. Directly after the placement, I had a constant period for almost two months. After that, I had no period and spotting occurred a few times a year. Not enough to be bothered with by any means. I recently just had it removed a few days ago, at the removal, I decided to immediately have it replaced. The replacement went in the same incision it was removed from. There was no pain with either the removal or insertion. Minor tenderness now a day later. I just wanted to let you know this birth control is very effective and is worth it."

• Mom...
• March 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Literally, almost crying as I write this - I only had Nexplanon birth control in for 2 months. My second week, I noticed severe mood swings but thought I had to “get used to it.” For the past two months, I have flown between crying for 2 1/2 hours because “my dog loves me so much” & almost going across a desk at my kids' principal, wanting to pop their heads off their shoulders. This isn’t me. I have always been an upbeat, positive person, but this birth control made me someone I’m not. And of course, I haven’t stopped spotting. My husband said this birth control definitely works - I won’t even let him touch me, so obviously can’t get pregnant. I had it removed two hours ago. Doctor says scar tissue had already formed around it & had to cut it out - in only two months! I’ve tried all forms of birth control, but I will never, ever use or recommend this one to anyone."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Nexplanon has been good to me. I've been on it for almost 2 years. When I first got it, I spotted for about a month and a half, and then I completely stopped getting a period since then. Also, the first couple of months, I was very moody. I have lost some weight. But other than that, I love it, and my sex life is great, and I haven't had any pregnancy scares."