Etonogestrel and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 5)

• RNi...
• July 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I am very, very, very pleased with the Implanon! I did the research before getting mine and decided that (after all, everything- including oral contraceptives- have risks) it was worth it to me. I got my Implanon in September of 2009. Insertion did hurt, they use local anesthetic (lidocaine) to numb the area first, and that's all that hurt. I didn't actually feel the insertion at all. I had an irregular bleeding cycle for about a month and a half, and since then I have had NOTHING! It is now July of 2010, and I am very pleased with the results. I don't have to worry about keeping up with a daily or monthly option, don't have a period, and I am NOT pregnant (which is, after all, the whole point). I tell anyone who will listen how great the Implanon is!"

• Yur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not get Nexplanon. I've been bleeding for 4 months at a stretch, and I have been so depressed since I got this. I wake up every day with a heavy heart and a mind, and I feel horrible all the time about my body, skin, and my life. I hate this thing."

• Meg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the rod for 12 years in total. 4 lots of 3 years. Finally getting the rod out now to give my body a rest and get ready for babies in the future. Previous to the rod, I had extremely bad period pain and heavy bleeding, to the point I would have to call in sick and lay in bed all day. With the rod, my periods sort of stopped or only came every 4 months. When it did come, it was extremely light, more like spotting. Never had any issues but always knew when it was time to get it changed because I would start to get bad periods and lots of bleeding. Once I got a new bar in, that would all stop. Would recommend, but obviously it does not suit all people."

• hai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I chose Nexplanon because I have never been able to remember the pill. After inserting Nexplanon, I bled constantly for six months. I have had Nexplanon in for a little less than two years and still bleed all the time. Every time my husband and I are intimate, I start my cycle that has been going on for two years. It is effective as a birth control, but the bleeding is annoying and gets expensive when you are always buying feminine products."

• SGo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the Implanon for 6 months now - light periods and occasional cramps - but aside from that, no bad side effects! I've even lost weight (only half a stone), so I guess it affects everyone differently! The first month was quite horrible as I was bleeding all the time! But afterwards, it was all fine."

• Tro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon implanted in November of 2013. The site was initially lumpy and swollen, but now I don't feel it. For birth control, it is amazing, but that's where my benefits end. I have been bleeding every day for the past five months. I am extremely moody and have experienced a slight weight gain. It affects my sex life, and I will be removing it if the bleeding doesn't stop in two months."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I had gotten the Nexplanon in May of this year. The day I got it, I started my period, and it lasted a week. Then, two weeks later, I started bleeding again for another week. I had my period twice a month for the first two months. Then, in August, I thought I was in the clear because I wasn't bleeding. That changed on Aug 21st, I got my period, and this time it lasted three weeks. I couldn't take the irregular bleeding, so I got the implant removed on Friday, 9/19. I only had it for four months. That was the only issue I had with it. I did find it easier to lose weight. I did start Ortho Cyclen on Sunday, so I'll see how that goes."

• 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."

• 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!!"

• Anonymous
• September 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon inserted June 30, 2014. A week or two after insertion, I had bleeding for 10-15 days, it stopped for about a month and a half, and now I'm spotting every time I'm ready to become intimate with my boyfriend or just random times. I have gained weight, and I have felt some nausea. Yes, it's very effective against pregnancy because you are constantly either spotting or bleeding unexpectedly. It's annoying, I'm getting it removed very soon. There's nothing fun about bleeding all the time. I appreciate a 4-5 day cycle now."

• 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!"

• Lla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I wish I would've read these reviews earlier. I'm relieved to know I wasn't losing my mind and that it was this drug. It all makes sense now! I've never been so depressed in my life! I was wondering what was wrong with me and why I was losing interest in life altogether. I couldn't think, I couldn't sleep and had zero energy, mood swings... I had it removed after only 7 months due to bleeding almost incessantly for 3 straight months. I guess it makes great birth control if you can never have sex, lol. I feel like it has damaged my relationship with a very special person. I would spot all the time and think it stopped, but when it came to intercourse, it was like a full-on period. We tried several times and it kept happening. I've never been more embarrassed and mortified. It was a fairly new relationship, and this drug has taken a huge part of what should have been great about it away from me. I'm so disgusted and angry that they can even sell this."

• slv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2014

For Birth Control "I have read most of these reviews, and all have had the same experience that I have had. I have not stopped bleeding since I had it put in 2 1/2 months ago. I am extremely moody and hormonal. It is effective, but all of us women should not have to be experiencing PMS symptoms on an everyday basis. I am getting this out of me very soon."

• 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."

• 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!!!!!"

• kai...
• January 19, 2015

For Birth Control "The idea of this is great. I got mine put in on July 24, 2014, and taken out Jan 19, 2015. I get sick with pill birth control and recently moved to Florida, so I got it put in. I had no bleeding for 2 months, then all of a sudden, it never stopped. I was miserable and depressed with always bleeding and never being able to be intimate. I have friends with great experiences, but this wasn't the case for me. They put me on birth control pills to help the bleeding, it helped until the pills ran out. Ultimately, after 2 months of constant bleeding, I went in to a different doctor because I'm now out of the state I got it put in, just for a consultation, and she immediately offered to take it out."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I used Nexplanon for about 10 months and got it removed. While on this method, I had bleeding for months straight with little breaks. I tried to wait it out to see if my body would eventually adjust, but my period never got itself to be on a cycle. It got to the point where it wasn't worth it because even when I did have sex, I had bleeding/spotting, so it took away my sexual confidence. It definitely was effective and did its job, but the side effects were getting in the way of my life as well as my wallet, as I was always at the store buying tampons and pads (and we know how expensive this can be). I decided to get the implant removed, which was a bit of a difficult experience as well. Nexplanon is effective but still needs improvement."

• Van...
• September 26, 2015

For Birth Control "So I got my implant on July 21st, 2015. I've been bleeding since that day. Then, this past weekend, I had a heavy flow period for two days. I was going through 4 super pads an hour. Then I started feeling dizzy, so I went to the hospital. I lost half the amount of blood you're supposed to have in your body. I had to get 5 units of blood over the period of 4 days before my blood levels were stable. I had my implant removed. I was really hoping this would work for me. I'm not trying to scare anyone, just sharing my experience. This product is not for everyone."

• 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."

• Aud...
• May 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Nexplanon for about a year and a half now. I decided to go with this form of BC because I am so forgetful that the pill was just not an option for me. This has honestly been one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had. When I first got it inserted in my arm, I noticed I had my period practically every day, and this went on for about 3 months until I went back to my gynecologist and she said it was completely normal and that it should stop. Well, it hasn't at all. Every day I have spotting, and it's gotten to the point where I have to wear a tampon every day. Every time I have sex, there is always blood everywhere. And it's hard explaining why I am always on my period to my partner, and it's made me self-conscious."

• 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?"