Etonogestrel and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Mom...
• April 26, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT USE! The cost alone is NOT WORTH IT! It cost me my body, my mental health, nearly cost me my husband! This implant will make you gain excessive weight and NOTHING you do will ever take it off, even after removal! Your metabolism will be wrecked for life! I got the implant 6 weeks PP, and I was just 10 lbs away from my pre-baby weight. In TWO MONTHS, I gained weight PAST MY PREGNANCY WEIGHT! I weigh more now than I did NINE MONTHS PREGNANT! I have a strict diet, and I exercise at the gym 3 times a week and even more at home (after healing from birth), and NO WEIGHT HAS COME OFF! Even after removal! In addition to making you hate yourself, it gives you acne, it makes you so angry all the time, it will make your period last 8 weeks or up to A YEAR!! Mine lasted 2 whole months! I can see how this works as a birth control - it makes you so mean and ugly and fat that nobody wants to sleep with you! This was my biggest mistake in life, I regret it with every fiber of my being. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I just wanted to add my experience with Nexplanon because there are a lot of negative reviews up here that really worried me when I read them right after I got it inserted. I'm 19, and I got my implant in January 2017, got my period a week or so later for about 4 days, and haven't had it since. At first, this concerned me a little, but it's really just a signal that the hormones are working. I experienced no weight gain and no acne troubles either. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but I feel as though I can attribute my lack of side effects from getting the implant directly off of 2+ years of birth control pills. I did experience minor changes in mood a few weeks after insertion, but I have been feeling completely normal since then."

• Sto...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my first implant in November of 2012 and haven't had a period since, and I'm now on my second implant. I had a light, irregular period before, but this has completely eradicated them, and I couldn't be happier. I've had monogamous sexual partners ejaculate inside, and I've never had anything close to a pregnancy scare. This birth control is honestly the best thing that's ever happened to me. Honestly, the numbing shot is worse than the actual incision for inserting/removing and just left a small bruise. I can't tell if it's affected my mood because I am on psych meds for other reasons and was before I started Nexplanon. No weight gain or acne either. This thing is a miracle for me."

• Nat...
• May 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I received the Nexplanon implant on March 29, 2015, and yesterday marked my first full month being on Nexplanon. So far, it has not been a 'terrible' or extreme experience. I did not have intense bruising or swelling when it was put in, it didn't hurt at all, it was much like a bee sting. I have a small dot-like pink scar. I have yet to have my period in the entire month. No spotting, no intense mood swings, just one or two so far, but I can feel them coming on. Some small pimples on my face, but not severe acne. Not much weight gain, although I have lost about 3 pounds. One or two intense headaches, but Advil can fix that. So far, I would suggest Nexplanon to anyone looking for an effective, easy solution. Don't let all the other reviews scare you."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Had Nexplanon for 6 weeks in 2015. Worst decision of my life. 1st week, arm sore at insertion, became painful, and then couldn't use that arm. Shooting pain, couldn't sleep on left side, and strength gone. Awful mood swings, hair thinned, plus 15 lbs in 2 weeks, bled horribly, large clots, always tired, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and no energy. All new symptoms. Became depersonalized and felt outside of my body looking in. One minute was intense emotions: sadness or rage, then emptiness. Horrible thoughts or blankness... don't wish that on anyone. Went to the ER twice to get checked for extreme bleeding, barely left the house. The tech looked for a sac, couldn't explain my 8-9 weeks pregnant thickened uterine lining. Said it was very strange. My doctor wanted me to keep it longer, but I was falling asleep, even sitting up, worried my 3-year-old and 7-month-old would get hurt, seriously concerned for their safety. Also got some acne. Removal day, I felt better, and in 1 week almost back to normal."

• Jc9...
• June 7, 2017

For Birth Control "The Nexplanon is plain awful. I'm on my third year, a month from getting it taken out (I've been begging my doc to take it out for a year now and just got OK'd). The first year of it, my period was nuts, either no period or a month-long period, slight weight gain but nothing terrible. Second year, mood swings like crazy, weight gain, and acne. Third year has been the worst. I have no acne, constant mood swings, severe depression despite my life going well, can't stop gaining weight (130 lb before, 185 lb now), bloating, cramps are so bad I've had to miss work. I have acne on my back and face and weird hair growth. I'm growing inch-long black facial hairs on my chin, and I'm a blonde who used to have like no body hair. This birth control has made me suicidal at times."

• Sam...
• June 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I absolutely love Nexplanon. I had mine inserted at the end of January 2015, so it's been about 5 months. Yes, at first your period is gonna be all outta whack, but I haven't had a period in about two months, and I love it!!!!! I did have a little mood swings at first, but they subsided. No, I did not gain weight, and no, I did not lose my sex drive. It's even helped clear up some acne! Highly recommend this to any female wanting to stop taking the pill. It's awesome!"

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience has been horrible. I got Nexplanon 6 weeks after giving birth. I had gotten pregnant while I was on the pill, so I wanted to try something different. I've been bleeding for three and a half months straight. Severe acne and mood swings. I've been feeling really depressed for no reason. I've gained 15 pounds I can't seem to lose. And this last month, I have been having horrible flu-like symptoms. It feels like it's taking over my life. I'm getting it out this month."

• Len...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon 6 weeks after I had my daughter. I've had it about seven months now, and I absolutely love it. I know every woman responds differently, but I have had zero problems. I was breastfeeding when I got it, but I haven't been for two months now, and still no period. I'm not sure if I will end up having a period or not (it could take a few months after BF). I am actually thinner than I was pre-pregnancy, the best sex drive I've ever had, and no mood issues. I get a zit every now and again, but that's probably unrelated to the BC. Also, I previously took a few different kinds of birth control pills and always ended up with a low sex drive and depression."

• C3n...
• November 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had no mood swings, no weight gain, no acne. It has certainly prevented pregnancy. However, I have had a full period lasting more than 7 days every other week for the past 6 months. I spend almost half my month bleeding. I don't get cramps, but my periods are heavier than before. It's getting to the point where I'm thinking about getting it taken out."

• Rae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2018

For Birth Control "Without a doubt, this device is the worst thing ever. You don't realize how bad it makes you feel because it creeps up on you over time. I had the worst acne I've ever had. Besides an occasional pimple, I had never broken out. This gave me painful cystic acne that wouldn't go away. It's taken me over a year for my skin to get back to normal after getting it taken out. Sure, Implanon works... 'cause when you're on it, you never want to have sex, and most of the time are bleeding anyways."

• Rae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2018

For Birth Control "Without a doubt, this device is the worst thing ever. You don't realize how bad it makes you feel because it creeps up on you over time. I had the worst acne I've ever had. Besides an occasional pimple, I had never broken out. This gave me painful cystic acne that wouldn't go away. It's taken me over a year for my skin to get back to normal after getting it taken out. Sure, Implanon works... 'cause when you're on it, you never want to have sex, and most of the time are bleeding anyways."

• OBn...
• September 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon for 2.5 years. By far the most reliable for birth control. It was super low maintenance and convenient, the only problem was the side effects and the removal. I noticed an increase in acne within two months of use. Persistent bleeding was never a problem for me. I got a total of 5 periods, maybe throughout my whole experience, but before each one, my breasts would be sore for 2 weeks or more prior to that. I got more migraines, would randomly get dizzy or nauseated, and I had a lot more anxiety, which led to me getting involved with therapy and hospitalization. I felt like my moods were a rollercoaster. The removal was uncomfortable. They have to poke, prod, and push the rod out, I have a discolored mark that's just lingering from where the rod was (the actual shape of the rod left on my arm, with the hollow feeling crevice just there). Overall, I don’t think it was worth it in the end. It was nice while it lasted."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon in for almost two years now. I'm about to go get it out. The only positive is no periods. Now for the negatives: irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety, uncontrollable anger, weight gain, acne, oily hair, and hair loss. I'm so unhappy all the time, and I thought it was something going on in my life, but I have nothing to stress about. I'm not pleasant to be around, and I used to be the happiest and most pleasant person I know. I'm getting it removed because I feel like I'm destroying mine and my son's self-esteem. Please don't get the Nexplanon unless you are trying to screw up your life. I will never recommend this birth control to anyone."

• dhe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 23, 2016

For Birth Control "Nexplanon was overall good. I got lucky, and my periods stopped right after insertion, which was amazing. However, the implant made my almost-perfect skin significantly break out. As a birth control method, the implant was very effective, but sometimes my arm would randomly hurt around where it was placed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I have nothing but GOOD things to say about this form of birth control. I've had the implant for almost 2 years now. Traditionally, and for most of my life, I've had horrendous cramping and long, heavy cycles - it was the norm for me to not be able to get out of bed for at least one day a month if I didn't end up in the ER (useless). Other types of birth control have helped slightly, but Nexplanon was EASILY the absolute best decision of my life (no exaggeration). Absolutely no side effects that can't be attributed to something else, virtually NO cramps, acceptable amounts of acne (less than most of my life), and often NO periods at all for months at a time! I'm all but a walking poster child!"

• Ele...
• June 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon inserted about 9 months ago, Sept. 2013, and was on the pills before, which I didn't like. I bled for about a month lightly before it went away completely. Loved every minute of no periods, and it doesn't affect my sex life at all. In fact, I'm always wanting sex. Can't say anything about acne because I've always had it, and weight gain? I've gained 15 pounds, but I've always eaten a little more than usual, so I'm not 100% sure it's the birth control. Recently, though, I've had some dark brown bleeding, and I'm not sure why. It scared me into thinking I was pregnant. Once this stops and everything seems okay, I would definitely get another one in about 2 years."

• Tae...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my child April 27th, 2016. I had my Nexplanon placed at my 6-week checkup. So I've had my Nexplanon in for over a year. From the time it was placed to this day, I have been bleeding every day! I have horrible acne, migraines, mood swings, weight gain, and NO sex drive. This thing is ruining my marriage! I thought the Nexplanon was going to be amazing, not having to remember a pill every day, but in 2 days, I'm having it removed!"

• AC1...
• May 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Nexplanon for almost three months now (it was inserted Valentine's Day weekend) and I love it. I have experienced some side effects, however. I have noticed an increase in acne, but thankfully I found a new face wash that seems to keep it at bay. My hair gets slightly oilier (but I only wash it every 2-3 days anyway). I have also had some spotting. Nothing too extreme, I can get away with a single pantiliner for the day. The spotting has been on and off for the past months. It will come for a few weeks and then leave for a few weeks. No weight gain, no funny cravings, no mood swings. FYI I'm 23 years old, 120 lbs, and I exercise 5-6 days a week. Best of luck!"

• Sea...
• April 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon since the beginning of February 2016, and since then I've had uncontrollable mood swings, suicidal thoughts, breakouts that I usually never get, terrible back and hip pain. I always bleed during sex (it is never rough or something that would cause bleeding). I never stop bleeding to some degree, I get more frequent headaches. It's like I could go on and on. I was told by this point these symptoms should just be toning down and that by the 6-month mark almost all of this would be done, and it just seems to progressively get worse. I hate Nexplanon with a passion currently."

• Kri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I got this horrible torture device (Nexplanon) put in my arm about a year ago, and within a few days of having it, I started getting severely depressed, and it wasn’t like a normal depression/sadness. I started to feel like I had no emotions at all, like I was numb to the world. Had absolutely no sex drive at all. And bled (and am still bleeding) at all times. I have a constant UTI (probably from all the tampons), and I have gained about 65 pounds. My skin is covered in acne. I know everyone is different, but ladies, if you are considering this form of birth control, please think again! It not only affects you but also the people around you! My boyfriend thinks I am a completely different person ever since I got this! As far as contraception, it works great, but I’m done. I shouldn’t have gotten this removed a long time ago!"

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old and have had the Nexplanon in my arm for 2 years. The insertion itself wasn't bad, just a little sting. I didn't have any bruising, and the rod is still able to be felt in my arm. I first experienced a little acne and a little weight gain, but nothing major. Now having the rod in my arm for 2 years, I have experienced major anxiety, depression, and mood swings. As most other young adults, working part-time and going to school part-time can cause a lot of stress on a person. At first, I thought it was normal and every other person was experiencing the same stress as me. It kept getting worse. My boyfriend of 3 years began to notice my changes. I have become completely depressed. I am now looking into getting my rod removed ASAP."

• Jor...
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good thing about Nexplanon is the convenience. This birth control gave me horrible acne on my jaw, my back, and my chest. I have never struggled with back acne, but after being on this birth control, I now have scars on my back from the acne being so bad. My jaw acne is horrible. The only relief I will find is taking the implant out, which is happening very soon. I have struggled with cramps constantly and finally got a HORRIBLE period that lasted for two weeks after the first year. I have horrible mood swings and anxiety on this. I have gained 18 pounds, and I've never had a problem with weight. I don't recommend this at all. I am so happy to be going back to pills."

• Jax...
• April 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon about 6 weeks after I had my son in May 2013, and I've had a mostly positive experience with it. For the first couple of months, I had no period. The next few months, a very light period, which is great because before getting pregnant, my period was pretty heavy. Then last month, my period was about a week long and VERY heavy. I haven't had any other side effects at all. No moodiness, a little bit of weight gain, but I think that's because I stopped breastfeeding, no headaches, and no acne. I love not having to worry about birth control. This thing is great."

• Mim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted about 7 months ago. Since I had it inserted, I have been struggling with severe migraines, mood swings, acne, intermittent spotting that never really stops and can start at any time, lack of sex drive, and I have gained 12 lbs. I have not changed my eating habits, and I exercise frequently. After reading the reviews, I have now realized what is causing all these issues. I will have it removed and post another update once done. Thank you all for the reviews."