Etonogestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nat...
• January 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon inserted on 7/19/19, and I'm scheduled to get it taken out tomorrow. Since this past Saturday, I've had severe anxiety (specifically about death). I can't sleep, I wake up with terrible thoughts, and all day at work I can't think straight. I hold my kids tight, and all I do is cry. I just keep thinking about death, and it's all I've been thinking about."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2023

For Birth Control "Got the implant a little over 2 months ago and have already made an appointment to get it removed. I, like some of the other ladies on here, did my research on sites such as Planned Parenthood, where it says anxiety/depression is a very rare side effect, but I feel that is wrong. I have never experienced this amount of anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, etc. before. I have no motivation to do the things I love anymore and feel like I have no joy in my life, which is very upsetting because I have a very loving boyfriend and a supportive family, and I just got into the college of my dreams. I feel like I have no idea who I am anymore and have never felt so worthless in my life. It’s like nothing I do means anything. I’m pushing away people I love and feel like I have no energy to mentally show up for anything. I know not everyone has the same experience, but I’m glad I found this forum because it helped me realize that this birth control is what broke me."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2021

"I got the Nexplanon birth control in May, and it’s July, and I got it out today. I didn’t feel any side effects for the first month, but I remember the day that all shifted, and I haven’t felt the same. Constantly depressed and have super bad anxiety. My brain has been telling me to push my partner away when all I want to do is be around him. Cry all the time, I have no motivation. Night terrors, and I feel like there’s no happiness around me when that’s all there is. I’ve never felt like this before and can’t wait to start feeling normal again."

• Ove...
• July 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Well, let's see. I would not recommend this to anyone. Why? You like being bipolar II? Because that is what you get. Do you like your monthly period for a month with 2 weeks of no period? Because that is what you will get. My OB/GYN lied to me. She said this was better than the pill (I was having massive mood swings as well as really bad cramps being on the pills, and I would always forget to take them) and told me that this birth control method would be the way to go. I lost my health insurance, so for almost 3 years, I had to deal with having suicidal thoughts nearly almost every day, being over-emotional, anxiety through the roof, mood swings, and a period for a month with 2 weeks off (AND NO, IT IS NOT SPOTTING). I currently just got my health insurance back, so in September (because that is when I can get in), I am getting this awful thing out of my arm. It's okay because now I am going to be more cognizant of what I put in my body. NEVER AGAIN!!! I know people are different, but nope, NEVER AGAIN!!"

• Joa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for about three years, and recently got it renewed. I've had a lot of sex, and not once did I ever get pregnant. I never gained weight while on this product, and I've eaten the same way. Really, the only issue is I get anxious a lot more easily, and my period didn't completely stop, but everybody's body reacts differently. Personally, Nexplanon is great for me, but it definitely isn't for everybody."

• Jad...
• April 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m a teen, and after I had my baby, doctors pressured me to get on Nexplanon and told me it would stop my periods, so I got the implant on January 7th, 2021. In the beginning, everything was fine. About a week after getting the implant, I started my period, and the longest it has stopped for has been 5 days. It’s now April 6, 2021. I’ve been suffering with depression, BPD, and anxiety, but ever since getting on this implant, it has skyrocketed. I’m always depressed, I get anxious all the time. I’ve been having the worst thoughts, hate my body image, and my overall mental health is the worst it’s ever been. I would never recommend this to anybody. I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. Constant mood swings, always mad, horrible acne, suicidal thoughts. I'd rather be pregnant again than to use this. Doctors should really express to people with a history of bad mental health that it will make a horrible impact on your mental health. I’m getting this removed within the next week."

• Mer...
• March 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Nexplanon for about 7 months now. I thought I would be fine because both my sisters have had it for years. The first month I started having panic attacks, it was so bad that at work I would run to my boss crying because I needed to go home. I was so scared for uni to start. I ended up going to the doctors, they didn’t understand why. I started uni in September, and I was fine for the most part. It’s now March, and I have been having anxiety pains in my chest, the back of my head, the left side of my body, and shots of pain in my elbow right under where the Nexplanon was implanted. I finally started to worry about it. I’ve dealt with it for too long, and I’m at the point it is just not worth it. I don’t want this to control me anymore. Just remember everyone is different. I am now getting it out this week or next week. I do recommend it because it did help me a lot. But if you are getting anxiety symptoms, don’t let it get worse. You should get it out."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2008

For Birth Control "I just got my Implanon implanted on Friday, after being on the Depo shot for 3 years. Very simple. The anxiety is the worst part. It took about 15 minutes to actually prep/insert. I consider myself moderately tolerant to pain and needles - the numbing part hurt a bit, but I couldn't feel him doing the implant at all, and the doctor made the comment, 'You have tough skin.' I have just a small bruise and a tiny hole - no stitches, just a bandaid and cover the same as when you donate blood."

• Vin...
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I just had this implant removed after having it in for only 3 days! The first day was not bad since I had it implanted around 6 pm. The rest of the days I had the worst anxiety. I cried for 2 days straight and even started thinking I would be better off dead than take another second in so much anxiety and depression. Please, if you already suffer from anxiety, don’t get it!! It seems to affect some women’s mental health more than others. I didn’t want to take the risk and had it removed ASAP."

• Ali...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Implanon on August 6th, 2013. Soon after, I noticed non-stop bleeding and mood swings. I cried very often and also ended a relationship. I went through depression, anxiety, and had serious headaches. I haven't quit bleeding for more than a week since I've been on it. I don't recommend it to anyone under 18."

• Jan...
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "DON'T GET NEXPLANON. It has brought me nothing but misery. I’ve experienced tremendous weight gain, acne, depression and anxiety, back and breast pain, headaches, brain fog, and fatigue. It’s been extremely hard trying to find a Planned Parenthood to remove the implant during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve been placed on a 2-week to 1-month waiting list and haven’t been contacted for almost 4 weeks now. I’ve also talked with a friend who has it too, and she’s been having the same side effects. My friend also found in her research that Nexplanon hasn’t been tested on plus-size women. And I’ve also noticed when speaking with other users of this drug that each person’s implant expiration is a couple of years off. Mine is supposed to last for 4 years, my friend's for 7, and I’ve heard 5 or 6 for others, and we all have the exact same implant. Not enough research, super crappy side effects, and too much negligence from providers. Just take the pill."

• Bou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 27, 2019

For Birth Control "LISTEN!!! & Listen CAREFULLY!! RUN! Run FAR AWAY! YES! This birth control works differently on everyone. But don’t put your life in jeopardy by chancing it!! This birth control has made my life purely awful! I got it implanted in 2016! It was fine until the 6 months! Regular monthly 4-5 day periods, minimal acne, no weight gain, NOTHING!! Then all of a sudden, I changed into a different person. NEVER in my life even knew how anxiety felt, never recalled having depression. CRAZY ABSURD THOUGHTS! Literally feel like a psychopath! Let's not mention I’ve gained 50 pounds! I feel disgusting! I have mini panic attacks! I’m pure evil to my boyfriend. I don’t even want to leave the house. I have anxiety about EVERY LITTLE THING! Nexplanon was the worst decision of my life! I’m completely done with birth control. I have it removed next month on the 11th, and Lord, I wish that day would hurry up and come!"

• Fel...
• November 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have only had the Implanon for 4 weeks and am going in today to have it removed. I chose this because it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' easier birth control. But the side effects for me have been horrendous. I have had severe anxiety, mood swings, and depression. And instead of little issues rolling right off my shoulders, it feels as though it's the end of the world. I've never struggled with this before. I've also had literal thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Also, it caused my sex drive to become pretty much non-existent. Coming from a woman who has been with the same man for 12 years and could have sex 3 times per day. I started having no sex drive and had a very dry vagina."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2019

For Birth Control "*DO NOT TRY THIS PRODUCT*!! This is my first time trying Nexplanon. It's been TWO weeks, and I am actually having it removed TODAY!! All the reviews I've read are accurate, and the side effects are immediate. I have anxiety, anger, depression, an empty feeling, want to be secluded, and that's just mental. Physically dizzy, nauseous, diarrhea, itching face, the area of insertion itches something wicked, like I'm rejecting it... sweating, chills, insomnia. Please don't take the chance without doing your homework first, and 99.99% of everyone asked that has used this thing hated it and/or bled for MANY months at a time :("

• Ssa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 15, 2020

For Birth Control "Had Nexplanon put in February 2018, by March, was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, which was put down to bereavement. By April 2018, I was in the darkest place in my mind. I had postnatal depression 14 years previously, but nothing on this scale. I was treated with citalopram for my depression till they stopped working for me in September 2019. I was then prescribed mirtazapine for my depression. It wasn't till December 19, 2019, that my GP said about the low moods caused by the Nexplanon and said about removing it, booked in for removal of the implant the following day. Had implant removed December 20, 2019, and after a few days felt like the black mist that had been present for nearly 2 years had gone. I actually felt happy and normal. The following weeks, I weaned off my antidepressants and I'm really happy and positive. I'm 100% positive that Nexplanon caused my depression and super bad thoughts."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Honestly, I thought this birth control was the best at first, told everyone I knew to get it. But now, 4 months later, I can't stand it, my emotions have been out of this world, my stress level has been higher, and I went from a happy person to hating everything. I never have gotten cramps before I got this put in, and they are the worst. The bleeding goes from heavy to light but at random times, but means to say I'm getting this removed immediately. Because I know I will go back to my normal self again."

• Aan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I got my first Nexplanon in 2016 and had it in for a little over three years. The first couple of years were great, my period stopped. Towards the end of the 3-year mark, I started getting more migraines, had two burst ovarian cysts, and was irregularly bleeding. I thought it was just because the hormone level had gone down, so I got a new Nexplanon reinserted. Two months into the new one, I lost all sex drive. Read forums like crazy and was astonished to see people feeling the exact same way. Didn’t even want to be touched. Looking back, I did have increased anxiety and hadn’t felt like myself for a while. Times when I should’ve been happy but wasn’t. If you feel like you aren’t quite feeling yourself, don’t discount it! Great for preventing pregnancy and worked for me for a while, but everyone’s body is different. Waiting to see how I feel without it before potentially getting a copper IUD."

• lis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2023

For Birth Control "Wow! If only I had known about this site beforehand! I have Nexplanon in my arm, which is overdue to be taken out. I've had it for the full 3 years. It's the first time I've tried it. I previously used oral contraceptives. I have 2 children, 8 and 16, and have just turned 37. I have suffered from mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, most of my life, on and off. Within a few days of having this implant, I turned into a different person. I felt lower than I had ever felt in my life and felt angry and frustrated all the time. It was horrendous. My family noticed the change in me, and I just felt extremely empty inside, and my only emotion was anger. I will never take this implant again. It has even put me off trying ANY IMPLANT for that matter. Be extremely cautious. I'm surprised nobody informed me of all the negative side effects regarding mental health, even a possibility, considering I had mental health issues in the first place."

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in August of 2018. Almost two years of having it, I’ve never stopped bleeding. I have stopped for about a month or two total, but the year and a half I’ve been on it, the bleeding has gotten worse. The cramps are unbearable, the smell has worsened, and the headaches are so, so, so bad. I got put on antidepressants because my anxiety skyrocketed. I plan on getting it removed ASAP. The only good thing about it is not getting pregnant, but it’s still not worth it, in my opinion. The physical and emotional toll outweighs the one pro it has."

• 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!"

• Dod...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had a very bad experience with this implant. I reacted very badly to the hormone in it. Got it put in July 2019 and just got it removed in August 2020. I kept it in for around 13 months, it's been in long enough to settle down. Unfortunately, I started experiencing mental health issues. My depression and anxiety were very debilitating to the point that it caused my heart rate to go up to 132, which was scary. I began having constant dark thoughts and lost interest in doing the things I used to enjoy, like exercise and going out. I experienced almost a lot of side effects. My periods were abnormal, they would come when they wanted. Sometimes, it would be bleeding and spotting between periods, then nothing for a couple of months. It was not worth it for me. So happy to have it gone. I couldn't deal with the side effects any longer, it started to have a big impact on my social life."

• Ria...
• January 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I used Nexplanon back in 2014 after I gave birth to my daughter. It worked great the first two years, but once I hit year 3, I was bleeding nonstop. I couldn’t handle the bleeding anymore, so I got it removed. I recently had another one put in again in August 2020 and have been bleeding ever since. Maybe one or two days off every two weeks, but it’s been constant bleeding. I’ve also noticed an increase in hair loss. I’m emptying my brush every single time I brush my hair. Literally, handfuls of hair are gone. I also noticed that I have developed major anxiety. Specifically, “death” anxiety. I’ve never been paranoid of tragedies before. It keeps my mind going at all times. I’m also gaining weight little by little, and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to lose it. I’m hoping to get it removed this week so I could see a change in my overall health. After reading other people’s feedback, I’m realizing the effects of this birth control that I didn’t even think about as listed above."

• Hol...
• February 14, 2020

For Birth Control "Please do not get Nexplanon. I just had it removed 2 days ago, feeling a bit better. Mood swings lessened. Had severe mood swings, depression, weight gain, and I ate very little carbs. Lack of energy, troubling constant thoughts, anxiety, high blood pressure. Please do not get."