Etonogestrel and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "My daughter had the Nexplanon implanted about a year and a half ago, although I told her I thought it was a bad idea. It has not been studied in women under the age of 18. After about the first 2 months, I saw the light in my daughter's eyes go out. She had horrible cramps, breakthrough bleeding lasting weeks, and severe mood swings and depression. On Friday, January 31st, at 8 pm, my daughter was taken to the local ER for suicidal thoughts. After 36 hours of awfulness, she was admitted to a psychiatric care facility and put under suicide watch. The doctor that gave her this implant did NOT educate her on the side effects it can cause, especially the mental side effects. She will be discharged in a few days and has an appointment to have it removed immediately. Do NOT get this form of birth control! Especially if you have ever been diagnosed with any type of ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, etc. I’m grateful she saw that something was not right and sought help before I lost her."

• csm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon fitted in February, so have had it for about three months now. At first, I had little desire for sex and had irregular bleeding. Since they have both cleared up, I've actually lost weight and my breasts have grown. I sometimes get a little spotting but never a full-blown period, and overall, I think it's a brilliant method of contraception. It's quite surprising to see so many bad reviews! Hopefully, I won't develop any more side effects."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Nexplanon since January 9th, and so it's been a little over 2 months since I've gotten it inserted. I was nervous about getting it inserted, but the whole process is a breeze, so if you are considering it, don't worry about that! For 2 months, I bled almost every day, but it wasn't bad. As time went on, it was less and less. I've read other reviews where they said they bleed every day and was horrified about that happening to me, but it was hardly noticeable. Sex-wise, I haven't gotten pregnant, and this is the only form of protection my boyfriend and I use. Also, I didn't get any acne, but for the first month, I would get nauseous easily after doing cardio or even after having 1 alcoholic beverage. But that has gotten a lot better."

• Jtr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for 4 months, and I don't regret it. I was scared by the negative reviews, but I got it anyway. My experience has been so positive. Insertion was quick and painless, other than the lidocaine shot, which stings momentarily. I had been on my normal flow period (day 3) when I got the implant. Bleeding stopped completely within 3 hours. I spotted lightly for about 2 weeks straight beginning 8 days after insertion, but then it went away, and I've had zero bleeding since then. I lost 30 lbs almost effortlessly since getting the implant. The first 10 lbs came off in the first week without dieting. I had to work a little for the rest, but I think Nexplanon actually helped balance my pre-existing body chemistry problems and made it easier."

• Whe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2019

For Birth Control "In reading the comments, many have experienced abnormal bleeding and other symptoms. I highly suggest getting frequent check-ups with your doctor. My daughter (30s) got the implant 2 years ago. Seemed ok the first year, had no periods, then occasional periods. Then this year, very heavy, clotting bleeding started, often. Plus back pain, dizziness, and headaches. Doctors thought kidney stones because of the back pain. Then they thought possible urinary tract infection because urinating became painful. Then the bleeding and symptoms got worse. This week, 11/22/19, my daughter has been diagnosed with cancer!!! Possibly cervical/uterus. We’re waiting on further tests. I don’t know if it’s related to this medication, but I want to tell anyone who is experiencing side effects with bleeding to go to the doctor and keep getting checked, and insist they do a thorough checkup."

• Whe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2019

For Birth Control "In reading the comments, many have experienced abnormal bleeding and other symptoms. I highly suggest getting frequent check-ups with your doctor. My daughter (30s) got the implant 2 years ago. Seemed ok the first year, had no periods, then occasional periods. Then this year, very heavy, clotting bleeding started, often. Plus back pain, dizziness, and headaches. Doctors thought kidney stones because of the back pain. Then they thought possible urinary tract infection because urinating became painful. Then the bleeding and symptoms got worse. This week, 11/22/19, my daughter has been diagnosed with cancer!!! Possibly cervical/uterus. We’re waiting on further tests. I don’t know if it’s related to this medication, but I want to tell anyone who is experiencing side effects with bleeding to go to the doctor and keep getting checked, and insist they do a thorough checkup."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon fitted in May this year. From having it fitted, I think I bled for nearly 9 weeks. I have put on a stone in weight and have suffered really bad mood swings, feeling sometimes like I'm going mad. I felt tired all the time with no energy. I was really snappy with my children and my other half all the time. I am normally a really laid-back sort of person, but this changed me into a nutter."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Nexplanon for about a year now. I bled constantly the first 9 months, along with acne and horrible cramps. Hot flashes as well. Now my period just doesn't come at all, yet I still get the horrible cramps often. I have no sex drive, and I feel like my hair/face is always greasy. I haven't gained any weight, which is the only plus."

• 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."

• 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!!"

• Mon...
• January 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon about 3 months ago. I'm gonna break down my list of issues. I have been bleeding/spotting ever since then, total change in my hair texture (bad), acne which I have always had clear skin, always feeling down, weight gain, weak, and no energy whatsoever. I have done everything but the Depo Provera shot. I guess I just gotta take my chances. Wish I didn't have to take it out, but I can't deal with ALL the side effects. Hope this helps anyone."

• man...
• July 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I got this put in roughly 7 months ago, and honestly, I've had no problems at all. I was, like many, nervous because of all the horror stories I heard about bleeding and moodiness and decreased sex drive, but decided to try it. I have had no prolonged bleeding, I get a 3-4 day long period once a month. I am not moody at all, which is great, because the pill made me crazy. And I haven't noticed a significant difference in my sex drive, though it has decreased a little - my boyfriend and I have had no problems. I'm glad my body reacted positively to this, because it is a very efficient method of birth control. I truly recommend at least trying it to see how your body reacts, and be sure to remember to give it some time to settle in."

• 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."

• 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."

• Pis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I got my Nexplanon put in on August 5, 2020. The first month, my cycle lasted a week. The second month, I didn’t have a period at all. Currently, I have light spotting for almost 2 weeks. My sex drive is still the same, the main reason why I don't like it is the irregular bleeding. My moods haven’t changed, and I haven’t been feeling depressed. Sometimes my arm feels weird where the insert is. The only side effect that I have so far is irregular bleeding, which is my dislike. I am going to keep it in a little longer to see if the irregular bleeding changes. Nexplanon is effective. My advice is, if you suffer from anxiety or depression, DO NOT GET it. I see more people with depression/anxiety having negative side effects with their mental health. Other than that, I love it."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I had gotten the Nexplanon in February 2020, the first 2 months I had gotten 2 periods. One was normal for my body (about 4 days long), then the next month I had light bleeding for about 23 days. My doctor had told me this would be normal due to the change in hormones. At the beginning of this month, October 2020, my breasts had become extremely sore. A couple of days later, these extreme drop-to-the-floor cramps. I had gotten my period for exactly 8 days, now, three days later, I'm having these extreme cramps again. Also, around May, I had completely lost my sex drive, and I still struggle with it. Sex has become extremely painful since."

• SFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had my Implanon since May 30th, 2013. I have not stopped bleeding since I got it. I have crazy mood swings, I get extremely depressed, crave junk food, my sex drive is way down, I get horrible headaches, and abdominal pain."

• MP0...
• December 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in October of 2014. Since getting it, I have not had a period. No spotting or bleeding, periods just stopped. It's great! No random breakouts on my face and no weight gain from it. Definitely the best option if taking a pill is hard for someone. I never could remember to take my pill, this was the best option. The insertion was much better than I thought, and it's been great ever since."

• Ton...
• August 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I have gotten Nexplanon birth control in January of this year, and the whole time I have had it, I have been bleeding non-stop. I may see 2-3 days of blood-free after it comes right back and interferes with my sex life with my husband. I have passed out while out with my 8-month-old daughter due to it spiking my heart rate. I have black moments where if I’m alone, I will pass out. I already had depression from losing my 9-month-old twins last year, and it made it worse. I have committed a suicidal attempt 2 months ago while I have this drug in me. I am awaiting a date for removal. I don’t recommend this drug due to all the side effects that come along with it. I thought it would be great due to me being extremely fertile, however, my body is not accepting the drugs like most. It rarely accepts any form of birth control."

• Emm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I would just like to tell people my story of having the Implanon and the side effects I have experienced during this time. I got my first implant 7 years ago. My experiences with the implant have been awful! And this is the reason I would like to give people an idea of what it can do to your body to hopefully help people deciding whether the implant is for them or if people are experiencing symptoms like the ones I had, then it is most likely due to the implant and the doctors really don't have a clue, as I was told by my GP on several occasions, 'No, it will not be the implant that is causing this,' when in reality I knew it was. When I had it removed, it confirmed that I was right. So here is my story.. With the implant, I gained so much weight, which I have been unable to lose. I bled heavily during sex, and when I say heavily, I mean it went everywhere!! And this was on every occasion during intercourse, and when I explained to my GP, in her head, there was no way it was the implant! And this was when I was not bleeding, which wasn't very often. This really does affect your life, your sex life, and your relationships. I bled almost all the time without a break, which makes you feel so uncomfortable and self-conscious. I never had clean knickers!! I know, not nice. My hormones have been everywhere since I got the implant, also depression, anxiety, etc. Pain during intercourse was a big issue while on the implant. I had so much pain that sometimes I could not have sex with my partner. Sometimes I would not lubricate myself, which was also another symptom. GP did not help with this either, apart from offering me lubricant!! If I was not bleeding, I had dark brown discharge. Until having the implant removed, I cannot remember the last time I wore white knickers. There is so much more, but these are the main symptoms I have experienced more recently. I had my implant removed on 6/11/17, and when having it removed, I was intimidated by the nurse who was removing it, she was very rude!! Anyway, I stopped bleeding straight away. I started my period on 10/11/17, which lasted 4-5 days. I have never bled since, not even a spot!! My partner and I can finally enjoy intercourse without the worry about me bleeding or being sore. I can even wear WHITE knickers now, and they stay WHITE!!!! IT'S AMAZING!! I have never felt so happy! I was starting to doubt my body while on the implant. I thought, my body isn't normal, there's something wrong with me. At one point, I thought I had cervical cancer due to the bleeding during sex. My whole life has changed since having the implant removed, I feel so much better and back to normal, whatever normal is.. I really hope that by sharing my experience, if I can even help one person, I will be happy☺️. Thank you for reading, and if anyone would like to write to me regarding this, feel free to do so. Thank you."

• Aub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I recently had the implant put in and would like to share my first thoughts; I plan to do an update in 3-6 months. The initial pain of having the implant inserted was mild - I would rate it even less painful than a shot. Your arm will be sore for a few days, and there will be bruising, but nothing to get excited about. It has now been 2 weeks, and I can't even tell that it is there except when I feel for the implant on purpose. My doctor warned of immediate and persistent bleeding/spotting, but I haven't experienced that so far. I've been losing weight for the past few months (on purpose) and haven't noticed a difference since the implant. No major issues with acne. Everybody is different, but don't let the negative reviews scare you!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for about 7 months now. For the first few weeks, I dealt with some anxiety issues, and for the first few months, I had irregular bleeding, but everything seemed to pretty much level out after that until I started having all kinds of other symptoms about a month ago. Sore breasts, cramping, and headaches, to name a few. I took a couple of pregnancy tests, and they were both positive..."

• yok...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I have a really good experience with Nexplanon. After insertion, my arm was sore for about a week, after that, I could go back to my gym and daily routine. It doesn't bother me at all. No migraines, no weight gain, no skin problems. My mood is the same, maybe even better, I'm not as moody as before. I had some irregular bleeding about a month ago, but it was very little. After a month, I don't have a period (hallelujah) and no bleeding at all. The only disadvantage I found is my libido. I noticed my sex drive changed quite significantly. I really recommend it!"