Etonogestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Loa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Nexplanon for 1-2 years now. When I first got it, I started bleeding extremely heavy every single day for 7 months straight, NONSTOP. My periods then went up and down from super heavy to spotting every day. Ten months in, I started having extreme, horrible pains in my lower abdomen and stomach. I was getting very bloated and having pains so bad I had to curl up in a ball. I also have extreme pain with sex. I have to stop my partner in the middle of it and got to the point where I’m terrified to have sex. Though, I rarely have a sex drive anymore and was dry or bloody anyway. Mood swings have been up and down, affecting my relationship. I now have depression, and anxiety has become worse to the point where I am on medication and my doctor suggested a therapist. I went to the ob-gyn for the stomach pain, and she said, “it’s definitely not the birth control.” I wasn't so sure. I really do not recommend Nexplanon AT ALL. Getting removed!"

• Dee...
• November 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had this Nexplanon implant just over 3 years. I have the worst anxiety ever since last year, May 2019. Anxiety attacks. I don't know if it could be this implant that caused all this? I've been to doctors, and they just said I have generalized anxiety and gave me anti-anxiety meds. But do you guys think it could be this Nexplanon implant? I am going to have it removed this week or next week. I am so tired of the anxiety and desperate to get rid of it."

• Dee...
• November 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had this Nexplanon implant just over 3 years. I have the worst anxiety ever since last year, May 2019. Anxiety attacks. I don't know if it could be this implant that caused all this? I've been to doctors, and they just said I have generalized anxiety and gave me anti-anxiety meds. But do you guys think it could be this Nexplanon implant? I am going to have it removed this week or next week. I am so tired of the anxiety and desperate to get rid of it."

• Kat...
• April 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I would never recommend Implanon (the rod) as a form of contraception to anybody. I have had mine in almost for the full 3-year term. As I was on the pill and kept forgetting to take it, I needed some form of contraception, so I came across Implanon. It all sounded well and good, but the whole time it's given me nothing but grief. I have put on 10 kg, sometimes I don't have my period for 2 months, then other times it will be every week on and off heavy bleeding. I am so lethargic and never feel like going anywhere or doing anything, and I've also been diagnosed with anxiety since being on this. The headaches are constant! I CANNOT WAIT TO GET IT OUT! WOULDN'T RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY! Especially young girls!"

• 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."

• Lee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve had the Nexplanon implant for almost a year now after I switched off from the Depo Provera shot. The first several months, I was fine. No bleeding, cramps, or mood swings. But just recently, I started spotting, and I noticed my anxiety has gotten worse with it, and I can hardly sleep at night. It’s to the point where I feel like I need to go to the emergency room every day now. My chest feels like it’s vibrating, my hands sometimes get numb, I get these weird pulsating feelings all around my head. I went to the doctor and they all tell me it’s just anxiety, which I already know, and they just prescribe me pills that do absolutely nothing. I’m at the point where I want to cut this implant out of me. Hopefully when I get it out, I’ll feel back to normal again."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I received the implant in December 2012 because I had problems remembering to take a pill every day, and my doctor thought it would be good for me since I did well on the shot at one point. The first 4-5 months were a little rough. I had my period for a few days, it would go away and suddenly be back 5 days later. I just never knew when it would hit, but it was always at least fairly light and manageable. After that 4-5 months, my period completely stopped. I did get it a couple of times, but I knew it was from stress I put on my body that caused it (new diet, suddenly working out, extremely stressful work week...). I love it. I just got a second one put in and am going through the adjustment once again, but it's not nearly as bad as the first time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

For Birth Control "All of the other reviews are right. This drug has absolutely abhorrent mental side effects. I've never had mental health problems before, but this has caused me to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Just don't get it."

• Smc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I've had the Nexplanon implant in for almost 4 years. Had my second implant fitted last May, but I'm having it removed today. I have always been a happy-go-lucky person with a positive outlook on life, but it has literally sucked the life out of me. I now suffer from severe anxiety (daily) and have had depression. I am tired all the time and lack motivation due to this. I'm a shadow of my former self. After reading other people's reviews, I've realized the implant is causing my symptoms. I wouldn't recommend the implant to anyone, it drained me from the person I was. Hopefully, I will feel much better in a few days after having it removed. AVOID!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2022

For Birth Control "Had the Nexplanon inserted in December 2021. Nexplanon was approved in Canada in early 2021, I believe. I’ve tried various birth controls - different pills, the shot, the ring, & the patch. All of them worked well for me, but I wanted something long-term that I could forget about. So I decided to opt for Nexplanon as it is less invasive compared to IUD. The first few months were fine, no side effects, period stopped, and occasionally had spotting. Around May, I got sick and didn’t think it was related to the implant, so I had various testing done, which all came back normal. I did notice a significant difference in my energy levels and moods after being sick, but thought I was just recovering from that event. Then, 2 weeks ago, I became very emotional for no apparent reason, was crying almost every day for 2 weeks. With this, I also started experiencing severe anxiety, to the point where I felt like I was going to have panic attacks. Thankfully, I was able to get it removed yesterday!"

• Ban...
• July 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I would rate this with a negative number if I could. I got the implant in October of 2015. I loved it the first month, then everybody noticed my attitude changed for the worse. Along with that, I have anxiety, which I never had before, depression, and sometimes it feels like a panic attack. All of a sudden, I will get this intense feeling of sadness and burst into tears, for NO REASON! My memory is terrible now, I feel like I forget everything. After several breakups with my boyfriend, he stayed with me, but the mood swings are killing us. I just made my appointment to get it removed. I can't wait for the old me to be back!"

• Fir...
• October 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon inserted at the beginning of September of last year (2018), a little over a year now. The only good thing I have experienced is that I haven't gotten pregnant and that I have only gotten my period about 2 or 3 times and without any menstrual cramps. I experienced spotting every day for the first month, but after that I got a period every few months, my last period being in May (it is now October). I have gained 35 pounds since getting the implant, and prior to that, I was actually losing weight without effort. It now feels impossible to lose any weight. I have terrible mood swings, worsening depression, panic and anxiety attacks, and am an emotional wreck quite often. I am very irritable, angry, and extremely fatigued. My sex drive absolutely disappeared, and my poor boyfriend has had to put up with all my moods because of this little stick in my arm! Not to mention it has caused me to have an increased heart rate, which is very dangerous. I'm planning to get it removed ASAP!"

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I should have listened to my body at first! My side effects from Nexplanon: depression, anxiety, and prolonged cycle for almost 2 years! I finally got it out, and my hormones went crazy. I had hair loss, chest pain. My heart rate is high, and I now have blood pressure issues! Don't get it."

• ebb...
• January 25, 2010

For Birth Control "Where do I start? I'm 22 years old, and I had Implanon inserted in the middle of July 2009. Insertion was painless, but side effects are unbearable. I've gained 50 lbs and counting, constant bleeding ever since I got it; severe anxiety/depression and mood swings. No sex drive, increased vaginal discharge, acne... did I mention I've been bleeding for 6 months! I want to switch to Yaz, but I smoke."

• 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."

• Ava...
• August 12, 2019

For Birth Control "At first, I loved Nexplanon! I lost weight (which I hear is rare) and didn’t see any bad side effects. Man, did that change. My appetite was so bad that I could barely stomach a meal a day; I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks! This was NOTHING compared to what followed. My period came at 2 weeks after insertion and stayed for 4 weeks until removal. I became extremely moody, irritable, and insecure-my anxiety was crippling; I found myself sobbing over issues created in my head. I felt so sad about my life to the point where I had suicidal thoughts. (I have a very beautiful life and normally I’m happy with where I am.) I struggled with anxiety and depression years before, but even at its worst, it was never this bad! Finally, I had it removed and I got Paraguard (the copper IUD instead). I really wish I took the bad reviews more seriously. PLEASE do your research, and if you have ever struggled with mental health, PLEASE examine all your other birth control options!"

• Ani...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control for almost 3 years now (August 23rd will be 3 years), and I mean yeah, it does good on preventing you from getting pregnant, but the periods are just not okay. On Implanon, I would normally get my period about every 2/3 months, and when I did, it was HEAVY and lasted for about 2 weeks with seriously painful cramps. It made me gain a lot of weight in the beginning, but these past couple of months, I’ve been losing weight like crazy. I used to always hang out with my friends, but lately, I’ve pushed a lot of people away and have gotten really bad anxiety and don’t feel like myself. I’ve also been having body twitches the past 4 months, and I’ve had 4 periods since the 11th of June, and I don’t feel okay. There’s so much more to say, but the maximum is 1000 words, but please take my word and do not get this. It’s so bad for your body and mental health, I really wish I knew this before getting it."

• Kka...
• March 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon about a year and a half ago, and I cannot wait until I get it removed. I get frequent migraines, I am having problems fighting depression and major anxiety. I have acne all over my face, my shoulders, my back, and it's even started on my stomach area. I have my period for about 3 weeks every month, and it's not just spotting; it is extremely heavy, and I have cramps constantly. My sleeping habits are way out of whack; it's either I want to sleep all day or not at all. My appetite has skyrocketed, and I feel like I can never get enough to eat, and yet I've lost a TON of weight since getting it. I have absolutely no sex drive whatsoever. I would never in a million years recommend this to anyone. I hope this gave some insight."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2019

For Birth Control "Original comment from 2019-06-20: 'I got Nexplanon implanted about 2 months ago, and so far I’m having a lot of issues with it. I have depression but am on medication to manage it, and as soon as I got the bar, my depression came back, and I couldn’t go through a day without crying. I haven’t really ever struggled with anxiety, but for some reason, I’m always anxious now. All in all, I’m going to give it another month and see if the side effects improve.' Update today 2019-07-13: waited another month, and in that month, my anxiety (that I never had before this bc) got so much worse, and I constantly have panic attacks now. Like legitimate panic attacks, so I FINALLY got it removed today, and I couldn’t be happier. This stupid thing has given me so many more problems than it’s worth, and I hope this anxiety, depression, and panic attacks go away now that I have it out! I would STRONGLY advise you to be careful or avoid this birth control altogether if you have a history of depression or anxiety."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon for about 12 weeks and am going to have it removed next week. Although a good form of contraception for preventing babies, I have found it made me moody, anxious, and at times downright depressed. Also sometimes aggressive, and my libido dwindled to nothing (rather defeats the object). My poor young boys think an alien has inhabited their mummy's body, and they are the final reason I am having it taken out. I have been irritable beyond belief with them and never was before this went in. My husband wants his wife back, my kids want their mum back, and I want my life back. It works for some people. It has not worked for me."

• Ang...
• February 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon 6 weeks after having my youngest in November. I got it removed that following June. The whole time I had it, I gained an insane amount of weight due to being hungry ALL the time. I had horrid migraines almost every day. It was a great week if I had 1 or 2 days migraine-free. My mood swings were horrible. My depression and anxiety were the worst they had ever been. Since August or September of 2018, I have not had a normal period. I bleed extremely heavily the first few days, have a day or two with no bleeding, then start bleeding again. Then the bleeding multiple times a month started. I'm not talking 1 normal period then some spotting. Nope, I'm talking 2 or 3 normal periods a month. I told my doctor about it, and she said it's my body getting back into balance. But almost 2 years later, still trying to get back in balance?"

• ffs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve had this Nexplanon in for about two weeks, and it’s been horrible. I’m a very laid-back, happy, energetic person, but a few days after I got this inserted, it has caused severe anxiety (for no reason), with low motivation and insane mood swings, and it’s only gotten worse. I can’t stand it—I thought I was losing my mind until I read all of these similar reviews. Getting it taken out next week, but would literally take it out myself if I had to."

• Imd...
• July 29, 2017

For Birth Control "Okay, so Nexplanon is useful in the sense that you're safe from pregnancy, etc. But what it's done to me mentally is not pleasant in the slightest. I go through two-week periods of feeling completely myself and then suddenly drop into these phases of chronic anxiety and exhaustion. I have intrusive thoughts that do not help my anxiety in the slightest, and I just feel so isolated from everyone. My mom had told me that I'm not myself anymore, and that's just the hardest thing to hear because I've noticed it too. I'm usually energetic, enthusiastic, and bubbly, but during these periods, I have no motivation. I'm getting it out in a few days, I just need to be myself again. I hate feeling like this and cannot cope any longer."

• Bad...
• September 6, 2017

For Birth Control "Had 3 Implanon implants and currently have Nexplanon in. I loved the Implanon, no real side effects, regular periods, and I managed to lose 4 st whilst on them. But the Nexplanon is another matter: brain fog, hair thinning, anxiety, depression, non-existent sex drive. I can't even bear for my husband to touch me, sore boobs to the point that it makes me cry. Now weight gain, since I had it put in May 16, I have gained 2.5 stone. I have an active job and eat healthily, no matter what I do, my weight keeps jumping up at 7 lb at a time, and I cannot shift it. I cannot wait to get it out. Please, ladies, do not have this implant!!!"

• Shy...
• May 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Nexplanon caused me side effects of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and really dark thoughts. I’ve been an outgoing, highly motivated, social butterfly before Nexplanon, and then on this birth control for 2 years and 3 months, I am this different person. I’m planning on getting it removed as I have no drive in life. I’ve confined myself to the house, won’t answer friends' or family’s phone calls or texts. Just going to the store gives me anxiety. I’ll wait in the car for 30 minutes before even getting out of the car. I don’t go out in the day. I don’t do my hair or makeup anymore. I only eat at night, and it’s usually takeout or junk. I sleep all the time. At work, people have noticed a change in me, asking me if I’m okay or if everything is alright at home. I don’t want to do anything interactive with my kids, and my boyfriend thinks I’m a mental nutcase. Today, May 10th, my birthday, I cried. Haven’t hit not one goal these past 2 years. I feel useless, my friends think I’m avoiding them because I’m hiding. Do not get Nexplanon. It’s not worth these horrible changes to your life!"