Nexplanon and Spotting: What Users Say

• Kai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2022

For Birth Control "The worst mistake I’ve ever made!!!!! It seems that I bleed and spot more months out of the year than having a dry day. I’ve had the implant for three years now! And I’m still suffering. The IUD was a better choice, and I regretted thinking about the pain it would have cost me inserting it, but hey?! At least I wouldn’t be suffering to this extent of constant bleeding or now becoming overweight and having difficulty losing it. Like what? Yeah, okay, I haven’t had any pregnancy accidents or surprises, but still, you know what? The constant acne, bloating, spotting, and discomfort does not compare to how well and better I was off on the IUD or pills. This implant is not for everyone. This implant is not for me either, it seems. I should have played Russian roulette with God and just gone natural or looked at other options. But no. I didn’t do my research or listen enough."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

For Birth Control "I'm currently doing this only 3 to 4 days in... I already want it out. My breasts are tender, my mood swings of suicide have been pretty bad, anxiety has been bad, and when I get up, I'm lightheaded and sore. Also, really bad chest pains. I've had these all my life, but they've grown horrible since I've been on this. I want to get it taken out already, but I'm scared my parents won't let me. I'm also scared about the chest pain. I haven't seen anyone really say anything toward that direction... does anyone know if I can get it out 3-4 days in? If so, how do I tell my parents I really don't want this due to I stay in bed all day? I feel sick while being mentally sick. This absolutely sucks, and I'd never recommend getting this. PLEASE, I DIDN'T DO MY RESEARCH. I'm still spotting, but it's too short to tell."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I had the Nexplanon implant in 2017 as I'd just gotten into a serious relationship and wanted something hassle-free. Within a matter of weeks, I was having intense pain every time I had sex and spotting that wouldn't stop (which I anticipated as my body adjusted). After 3 months, I woke up in a dream-like state feeling entirely disconnected from the world around me and emotionally numb. I went to see a (male) doctor about my experience, and he assured me it couldn't be due to the Nexplanon. Weeks went by, and I was experiencing panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and debilitating anxiety, so I booked an appointment to have it removed. I explained my symptoms in such a state to the female nurse, and she said, 'The more I hear about this thing, the more I don't like it, I no longer recommend it.' All this being said, I know women who've had the implant and loved it. Unfortunately, I hear too many stories similar to mine, and I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. Do your research, listen to your body."

• Pop...
• February 8, 2022

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrendous, have had the implant in for over a year now, and I’m finally able to get it removed this week. Trying to get the doctor's surgery to remove it has been a task, even though for the past year I’ve had constant bleeding and spotting, which is now taking its toll. I feel drained and tired, my moods are all over the place, which they have never been. I was put on the pill alongside the implant to see if the bleeding would stop, which it didn’t, it just made me feel worse: headaches, spots, bloating. I wouldn’t recommend the implant to anyone, it’s been more hassle than it’s worth."

• hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely awful - wouldn’t recommend to anyone. Nexplanon completely destroyed my mood, I became spotty and ugly, I felt like pure rubbish. Every day would randomly burst into tears and lash out at people. Not to mention I have been on my period for 22 days straight!!! How Nexplanon is legal is beyond me!!!"

• Flo...
• November 20, 2021

"I am a 46-year-old woman and I talked to my doc about birth control to stop or lessen my period. I have had Nexplanon in for 2 months and it is absolutely the worst thing ever. My first period I spotted 5 days in a row. I thought, ok, this isn't bad. On day 6 I thought I'd bleed to death, and it got worse. On day 7 I called the doc, and they said my body was adjusting and if by day 9 I had not stopped bleeding, then to call back. I waited it out. Finally, on Sat 12, it stopped. Yay. This month, again spotting 5 days and again I'm gonna bleed to death. I also had heavy clotting in between periods. So gross. I am making an appointment to have this removed, it's awful and completely not what I wanted."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I knew I would be taking a risk trying the Nexplanon implant, but I had a bit of confidence that it would work well for me because my friend highly recommended it. It was probably the worst choice I could have ever made for birth control. Like many have said, the spotting that comes as a side effect is more like a full-on flow that lasts for 2-3 weeks at a time. My personality has also changed drastically since I started this birth control. I have terrible mood swings, cry for no reason all the time, flip out about the littlest things, and generally just feel like a failure and bad about myself all the time. I just graduated college, and I’m trying to start my career. This drug has certainly made it feel impossible for me to accomplish anything. Please don’t get this!!"

• Mia...
• March 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I've taken Seasonique continuous birth control for 4 years and decided to switch to Nexplanon in hopes to stop withdrawal bleeding altogether (or at least very light bleeding). This birth control has been a nightmare. I gained 20 lbs in 3 months I was on it without any change to my eating habits (I'm currently on the keto diet to combat the weight gain, and my weight has remained stable). What's worse than the weight gain is how I'm bleeding almost every day on this birth control. Some days it will be spotting, other days it will be a full-fledged period with extreme cramping that wakes me up in the night. It feels like the bleeding NEVER ENDS. I'm afraid to wear any of my new underwear because of it. I'm counting the days of my removal (in a week - yay!) and I will be going back on the 3-month pill Seasonique as it gave me no weight gain and no spotting whatsoever (besides on inactive days)."

• Fut...
• March 23, 2021

For Birth Control "The insertion was fine and other than a little spotting here and there, I didn’t have a period. However, my mood and attitude towards life have completely shifted and have negatively affected my life and relationships. I get angry and argue with my boyfriend over the stupidest things. He always says I 'make something out of nothing,' and I didn’t usually like to be like that. I describe the feeling as being stuck in a mood that you know is irrational, but you CANNOT get out of it! Also, like others have said, any time I get into one of these arguments with my boyfriend, my first thought is 'I want to break up with you and move out.' I hate feeling that way because we’ve been together for 4 years and I am happy with him. I experienced depression, extreme anxiety, and intrusive thoughts as well. I lost motivation to complete schoolwork for my dream degree. All in all, I have an appointment today to remove the implant, and I can’t wait to start feeling better."

• 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."

• Dee...
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had the implant for over 7 months now. The first 2 months after insertion, I only experienced light spotting, although I had severe emotional mood swings that caused me to have panic attacks frequently. Since then, I’ve had prolonged heavy bleeding with very little to no breaks between bleeding every month. I had one week, 2 months ago, when the bleeding stopped, and I thought it was finally settling down, only to start bleeding again. I’ve recently been experiencing cramps and severe bloating (I’m quite slim, haven’t gained any weight, yet I look 6 months pregnant). I’ve been getting strange aches and pains all over my body and joints at nighttime - most of the time, it’s sharp elbow pain. The mood swings have been from one extreme to another, which has had an impact on my relationships with friends and family. The entire experience has been very physically and emotionally exhausting."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon implant for exactly one year, and I have experienced one year of a nonstop period. My doctor recommended that I try this form of birth control, and I should wait at least one year before removing the implant. I was told that my body might take time to adapt to the new form of BC and the new hormones. Not only have I experienced 365 days of constant spotting and random flow, but I have also experienced no sex drive. I have no desire to have sex, and before this implant, I had an extremely high sex drive that I was not complaining about. I do not recommend this form of BC, save yourself and do not waste your time with this trash."

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

For Birth Control "I’ve had the Nexplanon implant for 9 months now. I stop bleeding for like 5 days out of the month. The rest of the time I’m bleeding. Not always bad, sometimes just spotting, but still. It’s like it never ends. My depression had gotten so bad I had to be put in therapy. I never felt this bad before the implant. I never dealt with anxiety before I got it either. I did go to my doctor, and they told me symptoms would slow down after 6 months. It’s been 9 now, and I feel like they’re just getting worse. Not getting pregnant is a perk, but it’s just not worth damaging my mental health any longer."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Wouldn’t recommend. I got the implant in March 2019, and I think I have had 4 weeks of no bleeding, but the rest of the time I have been spotting and bleeding non-stop! My anxiety is through the roof 24/7, I feel on edge. I never used to be like this before I got the implant. And now I just feel like my life is a mess."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Since I got the Nexplanon implant inserted, I have experienced spotting for very long periods of time. This spotting can last anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks. I also experienced a change in the odor of my private area, sometimes it can get really bad. I had not experienced this before the implant. While having this, I also got many UTIs and yeast infections. In the span of 2 years, I have had about 10 UTIs. Again, this had never happened to me before the implant. This birth control is ineffective because the whole point is to be able to have sex without being worried about getting pregnant, but with all these side effects, it is impossible to have sex."

• lil...
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I could count on one hand the number of times my boyfriend and I had sex during the first year after the insertion of the implant. It left a giant bruise on my arm, and I bled and spotted heavily for over 9 months initially, and was in a constant state of emotional distress, everything made me either really emotional or really angry. I've gained 40 pounds since, and it's easy to put on more if I'm not careful. I'm currently 26 and have never been pregnant and thought this was a good option for my busy lifestyle, but this implant has left me with absolutely no desire for sex. I'm consistently constipated and retain water. I've been on it for about two years now, and sometimes get a monthly period or at least have PMS symptoms cramping, but no more random bleeding. The worst part of it for me is dealing with the weight gain, because it does NOT want to come off."

• KPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrendous! Had the Nexplanon implant in for less than four months, couldn’t think of anything worse, would never recommend it to anyone! Been spotting continuously since having it put in, had a constant headache/migraine to the point of feeling sick, it’s ruining my life, have zero energy, no desire to do anything. Had a consultation with my GP beforehand due to a medical condition that I have, who told me I would be perfectly fine, to find out after having it put in that I should never have had it in with the medical condition I’ve got! Two other medical professionals questioned why she’d put it in! Can’t wait to have it removed by someone else, seeing as my GP failed to get it out after 20 minutes of trying!"

• Sol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Ruined my skin. Had spotting/bleeding every time I was penetrated."

• Nat...
• March 4, 2019

For Birth Control "In a week, I will complete 2 years with Nexplanon. I have to say I thought I was delusional with the side effects I have had. I got my implant March 11, 2017. In the beginning, I was spotting for a month, and after, I barely got periods, and if I didn’t, I’d get your usual 5-7 day bleeding, very average till I reached a year and two months. I started bleeding for 3-4 weeks at a time with days in between. The cramps are painful. My periods are extremely heavy throughout the whole time. In addition, I have gained over 25 pounds since I got it inserted. My anxiety has been intense, but I not once thought it would be my implant. Now, reading these reviews, I see I’m not alone. I am calling my gyn ASAP to get this HORRIBLE thing out of my body! Initially, I was not going to comment, but these reviews helped me to learn I needed a second, third, & fourth person to tell me they felt what I have been feeling, and now I hope I can do the same for someone else. I DO NOT RECOMMEND EVER!"

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2018

For Birth Control "Nexplanon is the worst. I got it inserted about a year ago and at first experienced consistent spotting for about three months. My GYN told me that this was normal and that I should wait until six months to have it removed so that my body regulated. My periods became so irregular that I would be on my period for a month and then have nothing for two months. Worst of all was the crippling anxiety and depression I experienced from this BC. I didn't feel like myself, would have dark thoughts, panic attacks daily, and even resorted to going to therapy regularly and being placed on anti-depressants. After a year of awfulness, I'm finally getting this removed in two weeks to get my life back hopefully!"

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2018

For Birth Control "This was the most horrible thing I have done to my body. Weight gain was probably around 10-15 pounds, the acne and oil increased by 10,000 times. I cannot believe how much oil was seeping out of my pores. And lastly, I spotted for almost 1 year straight. There were probably a few times when I had no spotting. It was terrible, it would ruin my underwear and sex life, and I had to have a constant tampon in because I didn’t know when it would increase or decrease. It works as a birth control, but the side effects are not worth it at all! I understand it may be fine for some people, but I would never recommend this to anyone. It wasn’t worth the side effects, I wish I never got it. Thankful I have the Paragard IUD now."

• 201...
• November 4, 2018

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control I got, and it ruined my life. Before Nexplanon, I was healthy, no allergies, nothing. My doctor recommended it, and in the first few days, I was cramping and spotting. The cramping got worse, and the spotting turned into a month-long period. I went back after a month or so to get it removed, and my doctor told me it was normal and I needed to get used to it. I decided to wait, and I would bleed for 2-3 weeks at a time, mood swings, depressed, stomach pain 24/7, and gained 15 lbs the first 4 months. Six months later, I got it removed, but I’m still in constant pain. It’s been 4 years, and I’ve been to the ER countless times, ovarian cyst surgery, and I’m now lactose intolerant, have oral allergy syndrome, endometriosis, and chronic abdominal wall pain. I can barely eat anything without having some sort of reaction/stomach pain, and I’ve had ultrasounds, CT scans, endoscopy, H. pylori tests, and all my doctors can tell me is to “take Tylenol 3 times a day” to manage the pain."

• Dar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I absolutely hate it. I got it in Sept 2017. Got pregnant with twins Feb 2018. And starting in Feb, I was spotting every 2 weeks. No menstrual from Sept to Feb. Now it's just unpredictable menstrual and spotting."

• avs...
• October 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I tried to do a lot of research before getting this birth control implant, but apparently I didn't do enough. I would not recommend this birth control to anybody. In the weeks right after I had the Nexplanon inserted, I had the absolute worst mood swings. I was horribly irritable and depressed for absolutely no reason at all for about three weeks. I had some mild cramping and spotting all throughout my time on the Nexplanon, but nothing crazy like I've seen in other reviews. However, the deal breaker for me was the insane weight gain that I experienced. I gained 20+ pounds in less than 6 months on this birth control that would not come off even with a very healthy diet and regular exercise. I made the decision to get the implant removed, and it was the best decision I could have made. As soon as I got it out, I had dropped 5 pounds in three days. I started to feel like myself again. If you have weight issues, DO NOT get this birth control. You will regret it!"

• MSS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 6, 2018

For Birth Control "The main reason I wanted to try the Nexplanon was because of my sister. She’s going on her 6th year now and has never had a period, except for the first year. Selfish of me to think I’d get the same results, right? I’ve had it for about a year and 10 months, and I’m getting it removed in 2 weeks! The first year wasn’t too bad, no periods! Besides some spotting when I first got it in, but that was expected. Year 2? Terrible. I get 2 periods a month that last a full 7 days, and it’s heavy. Before I got the Nexplanon, my periods were not heavy at all and lasted 5 days at the most! I’ve also gained 30 pounds over the year. Yeah, it works...I’m not pregnant. But the constant periods are NOT worth it. Glad I’m getting it removed!"