Etonogestrel and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• TCI...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Nexplanon = the worst mistake of my life. I had it inserted in July 2014, removed in April 2015, and I'm still dealing with the side effects today - I'm now being treated for painful cysts and debilitating cramps, and I'm convinced this drug caused them. Side effects included: prolonged/heavy periods (lasting 3-4 weeks), anemia (due to periods), recurrent yeast infections (due to periods), painful vaginal fissures (due to yeast infections), lack of sex drive, constant bloating, rapid weight gain, increased appetite, acne, irritability, extreme mood swings, anxiety, and depression (honestly, who wouldn't be depressed). If you are at all sensitive to hormonal birth control, I do not recommend this drug."

• Kat...
• August 20, 2017

For Birth Control "After reading reviews for this, I was afraid to try Nexplanon. But, as another helpful reviewer stated, try looking up your current birth control, and you will also find some horror stories. I switched from the pill (Reclipsen), and I have had nothing but a great experience!! The insertion was absolutely painless, but my arm was sore (soreness similar to vaccination pain in arm) after for about 3 days with some bruising. Once inserted, I never again got my period. I have lost weight but kept it in the good spots ;) I have no problems with headaches, moodiness, dryness, increased acne, etc. Most importantly, it is doing its job as BC!!"

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I had my Nexplanon put in February of 2013. I had normal periods from Feb-April and then nothing until July. Then it lasted about 10 days, which is long for me. I didn't have a period or any spotting at all until now in March 2014. It's been about a week now, so I'm curious to see how long it will last. I've gained about 5-8 pounds, but it could be other environmental factors. My acne has flared up during this period, but I've never had great skin, and it's not worse than normal. I like Nexplanon quite a bit, the rod never bothers me, and it's very convenient to not have to take a pill."

• Lex...
• May 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I was nervous about getting the Nexplanon due to the reviews on this site. I was worried about mental illness, weight gain, and acne. About a year ago, I spoke with my doctor and decided to give it a try. The process was painless, a small needle prick, but I did have some extreme bruising during the healing process. At first, I gained a little weight and had some acne, but I got into working out and washing my face more, and both subsided. I never once had mood swings or depression symptoms. Everyone reacts differently to each medication and method. Take into account everyone’s experiences, but make sure to speak with your doctor. I am very grateful I had the conversation with her and got the implant, one of the best decisions I have made."

• aba...
• March 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I love Nexplanon. I got it in November of 2013. They made sure to numb my arm, so insertion was painless. My arm was sore for about a day, but no worse than a harsh workout. I did have mood swings in the first few weeks, but nothing out of control. Then I had my period for about 4 weeks, which I'm told is normal. Since then, I've only had a few days of spotting and nothing else. I'm on a nutritionist-guided weight loss plan and have managed to lose 40 lbs. So far, while on Nexplanon, so no problems with weight gain. I get the occasional acne here and there, but again, nothing too bad. Overall, I rate Nexplanon high, and it's so great to no longer have the responsibility of taking a pill every day."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon for 2 and a half years now. I can't wait to get it out, and I will never get it again. The main reason is I have gained a LOT of weight with this, and also I feel it is the cause of my acne/mood swings. My periods have now stopped completely, besides the odd month of spotting. Spotting that may last about 2 weeks, then stop for one week, then come back for another week. It definitely does a great job as acting as a contraceptive. Handy for people who don't want to take the pill every day."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm one of the 5% that experience all the VERY bad side effects that no one mentioned when I got the implant. I used it for 8 months after the birth of my son. It was removed 6 months ago, and now I'm having to see an endocrinologist due to the continuing hormone imbalance Implanon caused. I lost hair, gained 50 pounds, acne, facial hair, mood swings, fatigue, slept most of the time, no libido, just plain MISERABLE. Not to mention I missed out on enjoying my son's 1st year of life."

• Tm0...
• June 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I had it implanted in October of 2013. I didn't have a period at all for the first year, and then the week of the one-year mark, I got one. Totally normal, about 5 days, just like my periods before getting pregnant. From then (Oct 2014 to now, June of 2015), I've had a period about every 3-4 months. They are totally normal or very light. That part has been GREAT! The negative side effects I've seen have been some breakouts on my face, mild mood swings, and irritability. But it hasn't ever gotten bad enough to make me want to get it removed. I have sex regularly, and it has done its job. No babies. And I also started losing weight after being on it. I would say this is a great choice if you don't want to worry about taking a pill every day!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I wish I would have never gotten this birth control implant. I got it in April 2018, so almost a year ago. My first two months, I felt like I was pregnant: bloated, fatigued, moody, horrible acne, which I didn't have before the implant. I had normal periods, and then month three, my period went away. I loved the implant 4-6 months into it. Then I started noticing I am extremely prone to vaginal infections now. I've had vaginitis 4 times. I have extreme anxiety and depression. I cannot get myself out of bed most days and have no interest in things I enjoyed before I got the implant. I used to work out 5 days a week, and I can't make myself go anymore. I cry a lot for no reason and worry about things other people wouldn't. I had to seek help from a therapist. I have an appointment to get the implant removed. I will not recommend this birth control to anyone! Please read reviews before a year of your life has been altered like mine. It's not worth it."

• Gsa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I got this birth control twice, and let me tell you... SWITCH YOUR BIRTH CONTROL AFTER THE FIRST TIME. First time was in 2012-2015; first time experience was great, no period, no cramps, weight gain, or weird pains, I couldn't even feel it. I developed horrible acne, but I got it under control, and I got crazy off-the-wall mood swings that I didn't realize I developed. 100% effective with me, times where I should have gotten pregnant, it never happened, not even a scare. Second time has been absolutely horrible. Mood swings went crazy, I got depression and anger issues, irregular periods that would come and go whenever it pleased, shortest one lasted about a week and a half. Needless to say, I got it removed, not even a year into it."

• Cla...
• October 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I got my Nexplanon inserted about 5 months ago. I stayed on my birth control pill for a month after to help my body adjust, and everything was going fine. I had 2 normal periods and, up until about a month ago, everything was running smoothly. My mom and boyfriend have noticed a big change in my attitude, noting that I'm becoming more 'bitchy.' Can't say I disagree with this, as I can tell I get more annoyed and on edge about literally everything. Not only have I been having attitude issues, but my acne is out of control right now. I've been on my period for 4 weeks now, and my acne continues to get worse. I believe I've also gained about 10 pounds since I got the birth control and am having a hard time losing it. Planning on getting it removed."

• M A...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 20, and I got Nexplanon 8 months ago. The first 6 months, I bled constantly (although it was light, it was still a huge pain in the ass), but I stuck it out because my GP said it would take 4-6 months for my body to fully adjust. I've gained about 30 lbs. I have terrible mood swings, I get angry very easily, and I also have a very low sex drive, so my relationship is suffering. Since the initial 4-6 month period, I've had terrible acne, which I've never suffered from before, and I've had discharge and regular spotting. At least it has been effective, since the weight gain, low sex drive, and acne have pretty much made me never want to have sex again, but I cannot wait to get it taken out of my arm... although I hear that's the worst bit!!"

• Dag...
• July 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve had Implanon and then Nexplanon back to back. I had the first one 6 weeks after having my son back in 2011. With Implanon, I bled constantly for the whole 3 years. I’d have 3 weeks on, 1 week off on my “period,” and gained like 30 lbs. I got the Nexplanon inserted in Dec 2015. Within 3-4 months, I had gained 30-35 lbs. I kept it in because I was dead set on not getting pregnant, and after all, it works great on that. Over the next couple of years, I didn’t have not one period, which was great. But along with that came the 0 sex drive, headaches, acne, and continued weight gain. Overall, I’ve gained 65 lbs while on Nexplanon. No diet changes whatsoever. I finally got it removed 2 days ago, and my body is in turmoil. I’m having the worst anxiety I’ve ever experienced, and I honestly can’t wait for my hormones to even themselves out. Overall, Nexplanon does what it’s meant to do, but each person needs to decide for themselves if the side effects are worth it."

• Tir...
• February 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had the implant since May 2015, and a month after I gave birth to my 4th baby, I bled for 2 months straight with spotting for the 3rd month. I've gained 40 lbs, and no matter what I do, it won't come off. I've been exercising for 2 months now and eating clean, and not even 1 lb off. I get moody, I have face and neck acne, which I have never had, not even as a teen. I'm always sluggish with no motivation for anything. I don't feel myself 50% of the time. I get nausea at night and feel dizzy like crazy. The only positive is that I'm not pregnant. Just made my appointment for it to come out. Yaaayy, can't wait to feel myself and lose this weight ASAP. So not too good for me."

• Sha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the Nexplanon since May of 2012. I have not had one single period, no depression, no acne, no more headaches than before. (I have always had migraines). I haven’t gained any weight. I really haven’t experienced anything negative. In the first year or so of having it, I did kind of have pregnancy symptoms. Enough that I questioned if I could be pregnant and would take a test, but never a pregnancy, and after that year or so, that stopped. I honestly think it was just my body adjusting to the hormonal changes. I have an older teenager who has recently become sexually active and also has excessive heavy bleeding during her menstrual cycle. I have her an appointment the first week of December to have her a Nexplanon implant. I have no hesitations. I adore this miracle drug!!!!!"

• Cry...
• July 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I regret trying this method of birth control. I would give it negative stars if I could. I tried it for a year, and in that time, I gained 20 pounds, was left with acne scars, continuously had acne on my face and back, periods would last up to three weeks, I would go months without a period, major mood swings; including crying for no reason, being mad for no reason, feeling depressed, etc. I'm not exaggerating any of this; it was horrible, and I'm glad to have it out. The only thing I liked was not having to take something every morning, but I would rather do that now than have to deal with those side effects again."

• Cry...
• July 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I regret trying this method of birth control. I would give it negative stars if I could. I tried it for a year, and in that time, I gained 20 pounds, was left with acne scars, continuously had acne on my face and back, periods would last up to three weeks, I would go months without a period, major mood swings; including crying for no reason, being mad for no reason, feeling depressed, etc. I'm not exaggerating any of this; it was horrible, and I'm glad to have it out. The only thing I liked was not having to take something every morning, but I would rather do that now than have to deal with those side effects again."

• MsS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2016

For Birth Control "Getting Nexplanon in and out was the easy part - really didn't hurt much more than a shot in the arm. I had mine put in this past February during my period. Once my period stopped, I spotted for about 3 weeks, nothing terrible. Then the rest of it hit. Mood swings worse than when I was pregnant, crying over little things, angry, just not me. Also felt like constant PMS - bloating, sore breasts, backache. Gained about 10 pounds. Also had worse acne than when I was a teen. The frequent headaches (migraines sometimes) were annoying. I had Nexplanon out 3 days now. I feel so much better and calmer. No headaches and no PMS."

• Mis...
• August 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon inserted in September 2009, 2 1/2 months after my son was born. Before insertion, I had a sex drive, good skin, lost all my weight from my pregnancy, and wasn't angry or impatient all the time. I didn't have a period until December that lasted 5 days. My next cycle was at the end of January and was heavy until March. I have had a period either every month for 14 days straight or every other week with 7 days of bleeding. I like the idea of no pill, but this has got to stop. My OB has put me on the pill to stop my bleeding, but I have taken the pill every day for the last 5 months. And I still have it every other week. I have bad acne, moodiness, and gained 30 pounds. My marriage is probably suffering because I have no sex drive. It's time to get it out!"

• 05d...
• May 19, 2015

For Birth Control "Okay, so I got my birth control in July of 2013! The first week I had a cold as a side effect! After that, everything was going smooth! I got really light periods for a few months, and then it eventually went away! I weighed 127 when I got on the BC! After the first year, I was 144! And I am currently 161! This birth control has literally ruined my life! I was always very small with a fast metabolism! I play sports and work out, but the weight kept coming in! No matter how much I exercised or ate healthy! I began to notice cellulite on my stomach and legs! THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE BIRTH CONTROL! I can't shake the weight! My arms have increased in size! Other effects (acne, mood swings, depression, laziness)."

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I was switched to this about 6 months ago by my Gyno because Ortho has estrogen, and that wasn't good with my migraines and the side effects I have with those. My period was really horrible the first few months. It would last for weeks on end. I have not had a period in 2 months, which is great! The downside is I am always tired, I have mood swings, and acne."

• mis...
• July 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I've always had irregular periods since I started at 13. I've also always had very heavy periods lasting around 5-7 days. I tried the birth control pill for 3 months about 2 years ago and wasn't able to take it regularly, so after about 9 months of being off of birth control, I was ready to try something a little more low maintenance! I had my Nexplanon inserted a year ago and was aware of the possible side effects, but I didn't expect to experience so many! Ever since I got the implant, I have had even HEAVIER periods lasting a solid 7-10 days each on average. I even had a period that lasted 21 days straight of heavy bleeding. In the last 5 months, I've had these heavy, 7-10 day periods 2-3 times a month. I've also gained nearly 20 lbs since getting it. My acne is worse, I've had mood swings, and I now have back/butt acne which I didn't have before. I just made an appointment to get the implant removed, and I'm so excited. Please be prepared to experience symptoms if you choose the Nexplanon."

• Kar...
• November 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I got it inserted in October 2014, no periods since. The only downfall is now would be the time of my second period, and I have horrible acne! Other than the acne, no other side effects, I can deal with the acne if it's only once a month."

• Sma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I had read a lot of bad reviews about Implanon, so I got the patch and had a bad experience with it: weight gain + feeling bloated ALL the time. Knowing I couldn't trust myself with a daily pill, I tried the implant. After 6 months, I've had a great experience so far with some minor setbacks. No weight gain, no acne, best of all no bloating! (I don't really work out much but eat generally healthy.) However, my periods have been sort of crazy - I get a regular (pretty light) period every month, but sometimes it lasts longer than I anticipate. When I was off BC, my periods were like 4 days tops. This month my period lasted for 4 weeks!! It's an annoyance, but not a terrible issue. Every BODY is different - the only way to know is if you try it."