Nexplanon and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• g19...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2023

For Birth Control "I am totally appalled by the lack of information regarding the side effects of this implant that is given to women before having it put in. The nurse I spoke to said nothing about negative effects besides the fact that it may interfere with my periods. It was simply made to sound like the best thing ever. Within a year, I had gained so much weight that I would be out of breath just walking down the road. After 2 years, the weight gain was so bad my GP put me on tablets for fluid retention. I didn't realize until last month, after coming across a TV show by chance about the lack of proper information provided to women regarding contraception, that the implant was to blame. After suffering from anorexia all my life, I am now obese!! And as for mood? I am in tears over everything, back on anxiety medication and antidepressants, as I have suffered from blood clots. I should not have been given it in the first place! BAN IT!"

• 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."

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2023

For Birth Control "Do NOT get it!!! I got the Nexplanon inserted a year ago, and I'm getting it removed next week. It has been the worst experience, both physically and especially mentally. I gained 10 pounds and am constantly bloated, and I am someone who is a very healthy eater and regularly exercises. My skin also plummeted, and I now have painful acne. I am also bleeding CONSTANTLY!! I'll go for 3 weeks bleeding and 1 week not bleeding. Finally, my mental health has completely spiraled!! I have constant mood swings and waves of anger that have been completely ruining what are supposed to be special moments. I have zero control over my emotions and reactions, as if my brain and body are separate! I'll be telling myself I'm angry and crying over nothing, but I physically cannot get out of the terrible mood I am now somehow in. I am not myself anymore, and you are not alone if you feel this way with Nexplanon. I cannot wait to get this mood-controlling parasite of an implant out!!"

• Scr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2023

For Birth Control "I gained 23 pounds in less than 3 or 4 months. I developed a complex ovarian cyst that burst and sent me to the ER. I am experiencing cystic acne galore, horrible mood swings, and loss of energy. Do not recommend."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I had my expired Nexplanon in my arm for more than 2 years ago, and ever since I have not gotten pregnant. Now I always have my period, low sex drive, pain in my chest and back, and I am always having serious headaches all the time. I also have breast discharge, dizziness, weight gain, bloating, and also smelly urine. I hope this effect will not affect me in the future. The fact that this Nexplanon had been out to me, it is not advisable."

• 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."

• pug...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2022

For Birth Control "I had a horrible experience even from the insertion when the nurse punctured me, but the implant remained in the device, leading to a second puncture that left a bigger scar. After 6 months of weight gain, fatigue, and bleeding, I asked my doctor to take it out, but she convinced me it just “needed time to adjust.” I let it poison my body for another 6 months. I gained a total of 40 lbs, never stopped bleeding, and developed fatty liver and osteoarthritis even with exercise. When it was removed by a different clinic, the doctor told me it had been embedded in my muscle. I feel a lot better now that it’s been out for two years. I lost the weight I had gained (now my body looks different from the stretched skin). Still dealing with a slight hormone imbalance, complications from fatty liver, and osteoporosis. Most upset about how much they pushed it on me and lied when I asked if it would cause weight gain and other health issues. They want money, so do your own research."

• 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."

• Sto...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2021

For Birth Control "The first few times I had Nexplanon were fine. I had six years of no periods and practically no negative symptoms (other than weight gain). About a year after my third implant, I developed debilitating symptoms (fatigue, weakness, brain fog, horrible anxiety, panic attacks, and more) that led me to a dozen specialists to try to determine what was wrong with me. I had never had any of these symptoms before, and the anxiety/panic attacks were especially alarming. I even wound up in the ER a few times. Countless tests and scans led nowhere. As a last-ditch effort, I got my implant removed on August 31st, and I completely changed my diet, started exercising every day despite the fatigue, meditated multiple times a day, and started taking multivitamins and magnesium. The two weeks after removal were a nightmare. I then had five good weeks where I felt almost normal. Then I got my first period and was hit with everything all over again. Please do not use this horrible BC."

• Tif...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Nexplanon literally changed my life for the worse. I was on it for an entire year because I couldn't do the full however many years it is. I got it when I was 17 years old and took it out when I was 18. After about 3 months, I experienced horrible mood swings, acne, and weight gain. I was bloated, and no matter if I worked out, I would still gain weight. I'm 5'0, and I used to be 137 when I got it in, and when I took it out, I was 155. It is hard to lose the weight after one year. It made my depression worse and was the reason I was so suicidal. I wouldn't want my worst enemy to get it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Really don’t feel this is for me; I’m 42, gave birth 5.5 months ago and have been using it for 3 months, but despite various health practitioners trying to talk me into giving it ‘more time,’ I’ve decided today to get it removed. Over the past 3 months, I’ve put on more weight than during pregnancy, have had ridiculous mood swings, distressing thoughts, night sweats, headaches, odd ‘pressure’ around my womb, unbelievable acne that I haven’t experienced in 25 years, and the insertion site still throbs at times. But most concerning has been the past 48 hours when the ache has increased. I’ve had visual disturbances, chest pains, and now they’re doing checks for a pulmonary embolism. At 42, other than some mental health issues, I’ve never had any health concerns. I have the implant, and I’ve got all these ailments within the same 3 months of insertion. It also concerns me how hard it is to find ‘reviews’ of Nexplanon online (other than here) from actual users."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2021

For Birth Control "Con: HUGE weight gain. I got Nexplanon put in right after I had my son. I had it for 15 months. The whole time I had it in, I didn't get a period at all, not even spotting. Getting it put in and taken out was easy and quick. It only burns when they give you the pain medicine around the insertion area. Pros: I didn't get pregnant, I didn't get my period, it's easy to use, and you can just forget about it. Cons: I gained a lot of weight really fast. 75 pounds. My depression and anxiety got worse. And I got mood swings. I would not suggest to anyone to use Nexplanon. On the fact alone, I believe it makes you gain weight. (I talked to other people who had the same experience)."

• Aut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Severe depression, anxiety, and meltdowns, bouts of crying, started losing joy in the small things, bleeding for weeks, then nothing, and heavy bleeding again. I have always been a happy person until about 2 months in when I started feeling snappy, angry. My blood pressure was very high, and it made me want to eat CONSTANTLY. I've gained 40 lbs in the 7 months, no sex drive. It's been 2 months since we've been intimate. No rational thoughts in my head, and I'm constantly irritated, exhausted. Horrible acne, and I can feel my uterus pulsing constantly, periods are random, painful, heavy. I've developed panic attacks and have had 4 major ones since Dec 2020. I hardly have any happy thoughts. This implant has taken every bit of me and turned it into something I don't recognize. I can't even enjoy being a mom, and that is the ultimate reason I've chosen to get it removed. I had it removed today. I don't recommend this BC, even though everyone is different."

• Cap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I would recommend using goat skin as birth control before I’d ever recommend using Nexplanon. I’ve had it for two and a half years and finally got it taken out today. It’s caused me severe PMS cramps, severe pain during/after intercourse, depression, weight gain, and bloating."

• cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon inserted a little over 3 months ago, and I just scheduled an appointment to have it removed. They say you should give it a full 3 months for it to fully adjust to your body and to see how you will react. My side effects started out slow but progressively got worse and more noticeable. My whole life, I've had perfectly clear skin, and now I have cystic acne all over my chin that will not go away. I've gained 10 lbs since having it inserted, with no change to my diet or activity levels. I constantly feel depressed and have very low energy, and for the past 2 months, sex has been extremely painful. The cons greatly outweigh the pros, in my opinion, when it comes to Nexplanon, and that is why I would strongly recommend not getting it!"

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I would not recommend. Has pretty much ruined my life. My periods have been going on for weeks, up to months long, along with brown, bloody, and liquidy discharge. I’ve had horrible mental health, including suicidal thoughts, worsened depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. I’ve had mood swings and gained around 5 lbs even on a healthy diet and exercise every day. My 'you know what' has had a horrible smell. I’ve tried everything from medication, figuring out my pH level, wearing cotton panties, to taking showers often, and still, there is a very bad odor, especially from my discharge and period blood. The cramps are debilitating, and I couldn’t even walk. The application area has ached ever since I got it, and I’ve had migraines constantly. If your body is sensitive to extreme hormonal changes, you have depression or any mental illness, or sensitive in general, I would not recommend this. It has been the worst experience of my life, getting it removed soon."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2021

For Birth Control "Worst type of birth control. I got it in August and had 5 months straight of my period, then my period became on and off. I gained 20 pounds, and I don’t even eat."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible! I got the Nexplanon 2 weeks after having my daughter in April 2020, and it is now April 2021, and since giving birth, I have not stopped bleeding. In a year, I have maybe not been bleeding a total of 3 weeks. And in between bleeding, there has not been a let-up in the cramping, bloating, and extreme fatigue. I have gained weight since giving birth (I do not overeat or eat extremely unhealthy), and I am a pretty active person. I have also broken out worse than a teen, and I’m 30 years old. I am constantly either very irritable or just numb, I have zero libido, I have anxiety, and just overall unhappy! I do not recommend this to ANYONE. I have an appointment today to talk to my doctor about removal."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2021

For Birth Control "Once I got the implant, I was told by my doctor, after she had put it in, that I probably should have done the birth control injections before getting this done and that someone should have told me that (so that was a fun way to start). Then, for the next two years, I gained a hundred pounds and was thrown into deep depression. I tried everything to alleviate my emotional pain, and the only thing that helped was getting this terrible thing out of my arm. Do not recommend unless maybe you got the birth control injections first, as I think maybe too many hormones were put in my body at once."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I used Nexplanon about 2.5 months before having it removed. I did not take the potential side effects seriously enough. My side effects were all physical at first. About a week after getting it inserted, I started a heavy period (lasted 15 days), and I started getting bad dizzy spells. I decided to wait and see if I would level out, but more side effects came. I started gaining weight while having no appetite, I couldn't sleep at all, despite extreme fatigue. I've had debilitating cramps. My next period was heavy, lasted 11 days, and was 10 days late. The dizzy spells increased, and I started feeling really achy and nauseated. Even my hands ached to the point it hurt to close them. I've had trouble caring for my kids. I started to feel so ill that I got scared that something else was wrong and that I was dying. I feel hopeful now that it is gone, and I hope I start feeling better really soon."

• Man...
• March 29, 2021

"DON'T DO IT, SIS! I went on Nexplanon about 2 years ago, and these have been my side effects: 1. Unrelenting cystic acne. 2. Extremely long periods - sometimes up to a month. 3. Extreme anxiety and depression - THIS WAS THE WORST - I suddenly felt suicidal. I tried very hard to fight this on my own. I deleted all my social media accounts, limited phone time, was deliberate about music and TV, and spent time with people who I felt were good for me. No matter what, I would cry. Everything would trigger me - books, TV shows, compliments, EVERYTHING. I was always sad, I would look in the mirror and just start crying. Meditation didn't work, my positive affirmations didn't work, going vegan didn't work, avoiding alcohol and coffee didn't work, getting dressed up, or doing things I loved didn't work. The only thing that worked was taking it out. I have had it out for two weeks now. I still have the acne and some of the weight gain, but suddenly I can cope. Don't do it, sis!"

• Joj...
• March 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Don't do it. This thing should come with a health warning. I have had the implant for 6 months and have bled every day since I got it, not even light bleeding that you could live with, heavy bleeding. My mood has changed, I am normally a very positive, easy-going person. Since having this inserted, I spend most of my days crying, getting angry-I am not an angry person-and feeling suicidal, and that is scary. It has got to the point where my two kids are even asking, 'Are you okay today, mummy? Why are you crying, mummy?' I have spent days just sitting, crying, or extremely anxious. I have contacted medical services to get it removed and have been put on a waiting list. Also, I have put on over 20 lbs, considering that I haven’t been overeating, and no matter what I do, weight does not shift. My advice would be to stay clear, the implant is purely awful and just not worth it."