Etonogestrel and Cramps: What Users Say

• Hap...
• November 29, 2010

For Birth Control "I have read reviews below and noticed most people find those with low rating helpful. We should all remember that this is a birth control method and goes against nature. There will definitely be side effects, and there is nothing that works the same for everyone. We all have different experiences and would like to write some more about the good things. I had mine inserted in March this year and cannot be happier. I have used the pill and the IUD before. While on the pill, I got pregnant. I decided to use the IUD afterward. Took it out because I would bleed heavily for 2 weeks every month. With Implanon, I have not had my periods, no weight gain. Got some cramping and low libido, but I can live with it. Oh, and I am not pregnant. Give it a try."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in Aug 2018. Honestly, the worst birth control experience I’ve had. I have month-long periods (with only 3 weeks in between cycles), complete with cramping, bloating, and irritability for the entire duration. My anxiety and depression have skyrocketed, along with suicidal thoughts. I get severe migraines now (never had in the past), my sex drive is completely gone, and I’ve been getting horrible acne on my face and back (also didn’t have in the past). I feel constant fatigue. I gained 20 lbs in the first 6 months of having it and can’t seem to lose the weight no matter how hard I try. And on top of all, recently I’ve started getting shooting pain around the site of my implant, and my whole arm feels numb and weak when that happens. I’m getting it removed in 2 weeks because I cannot continue with all of these side effects."

• Dod...
• June 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon implant nearly 3 years after having my son. Initially, I noticed that I started experiencing headaches, period pains but without the periods, and I thought I could bear this. I liked the idea of not having any periods for the whole 2 years, but as soon as I started to bleed, I noticed it was irregular. I didn't like this at all and sometimes noticed some blood clots. I remember at one point I had to go to the hospital for breathlessness, tiredness, and had never experienced this before. I have noticed I continue to get chest pains, and I have had muscle aches all over my body almost every day. I have also had panic attacks too. I have also gained weight, and I don't easily do. It's due to be removed in 2 months, but I am scared to get it removed because of fear of contracting Covid-19. Lately, I have become bloated, have pain in my left lower abdomen, and my breasts are sore. I have no idea how I can get this removed without risking my health. I want it out!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had the Nexplanon for about two years now. The insertion process for me was very comfortable and simple (only a little pinch and then some pressure). My period stopped completely, and I got slight bleeding every once in a while (not even enough to wear anything). Although I have been slowly gaining weight over the past two years. When the implant was inserted, I weighed around 150 pounds, I am now up to 180 with little to no lifestyle changes. My appetite is crazy, and once I start eating, I don’t want to stop. Recently, my back acne has had an extreme flare-up which doesn’t make sense to my normal skin. During the summer, I typically clear up due to the sun, but since I’m on my last year of Nexplanon, my acne is out of control. I rarely get period pains, but on occasion, there are cramps. I want to get it removed, but the coronavirus makes me nervous."

• Kdu...
• October 27, 2009

For Birth Control "It's been almost a year since I got it, and I haven't gone a full week without bleeding. I have gained 15 lbs in 7 months, very depressed, moody, bad cramps, headaches, muscle aches, weakness, digestive problems. The list goes on. I thought it was all in my head, so I'm glad I found these reviews because I am now going to get it removed!"

• 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."

• xoD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2014

For Birth Control "Got it in the beginning of the year. Everything was good for about a month. Then I started bleeding constantly. Haven't had a break from bleeding for about 2 months now. Spent almost as much money for pads/tampons as I did for the out-of-pocket money for the implant. Hot and cold flashes are terrible. Still have period cramps. Only thing it's done good for is preventing pregnancy, and it hasn't made me gain weight. Definitely getting it taken out, though, just so the bleeding will stop and everything will go back to normal."

• 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!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I got this in July. I started my regular period when I got it inserted, and my period escalated to soaking through a pad every 10 minutes. I took birth control pills to fix this. I bled for 2 months straight like a normal period. Now I always am spotting, some days heavy flow. I usually always feel crampy now. I gained 10 pounds within two weeks of having this, all in my stomach. I always have migraines. I get more pimples and am always tired. I randomly get sad and angry for no reason. Also, my sex drive has been slowly but surely diminishing. I am keeping it only because it's keeping me baby-free."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2020

For Birth Control "After using the Nexplanon for almost a year (October 2019 - September 2020), I can say that overall I did not have many side effect symptoms other than bleeding for weeks at a time. It was frustrating to wake up every morning and see that I was still bleeding. Not only that, but the time between my periods was only 2-3 weeks. I never had a normal period on the Nexplanon and my friend who also had the implant felt the same, she bled for a year straight while my cycle would be 24 days at the least. It was very irregular within those days as well, some days would be heavy, some would be light, some days I would be bloated and have cramps, and some I would have headaches and back pain. It was all very unpredictable. After having my period for 36 days straight twice in a row, I decided my frustration was unbearable. I had to take out my Nexplanon. Though it was a very effective form of birth control, I could not take the periods any longer."

• 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."

• Dee...
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had the implant for over 7 months now. The first 2 months after insertion, I only experienced light spotting, although I had severe emotional mood swings that caused me to have panic attacks frequently. Since then, I’ve had prolonged heavy bleeding with very little to no breaks between bleeding every month. I had one week, 2 months ago, when the bleeding stopped, and I thought it was finally settling down, only to start bleeding again. I’ve recently been experiencing cramps and severe bloating (I’m quite slim, haven’t gained any weight, yet I look 6 months pregnant). I’ve been getting strange aches and pains all over my body and joints at nighttime - most of the time, it’s sharp elbow pain. The mood swings have been from one extreme to another, which has had an impact on my relationships with friends and family. The entire experience has been very physically and emotionally exhausting."

• Kam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2016

For Birth Control "You have to understand that when you look at review pages like this before/right after getting the implant in, worry the negative reviews will outweigh the positive simply because when you have a bad experience, you want to warn others, and most people enjoying life with Nexplanon don't return to the review page that terrified them when they first got the implant. I saw this very page and worried I would have a bad time on the implant, boy, was I wrong! No period for 6 months and then a light one on the 7th with period pain on only one day of that period. The implantation site is still there if you look, but no pain or discomfort. Definitely better than the pill that I was on prior for period pain. Talk to your doctor and make your own choice! GL"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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..."

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I chose to change from Yaz to Nexplanon because I wanted something new and easy. I had normal cycles until I started the implant. I bled for 30 days, then stopped for about a week. My ovaries hurt, my breasts hurt, I have gained about 15 pounds in 2 months, constant headaches, and absolutely no sex drive. Even cuddling and knowing what he wants next is dreadful. Do not get it. I want this out. Obviously, it does its job with no babies because you bleed too often."

• jay...
• March 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I started getting terrible side effects. Ridiculous mood swings, rage, social anxiety (I'm usually a social butterfly), depression, suicidal thoughts. I got a period/bleeding/spotting for 30 days straight, constantly exhausted, fatigued, lost my sex drive, very constipated and bloated, nausea. Because of the way I was reacting, I at times thought I was pregnant, so add in constant pregnancy scares. Hair was shedding like crazy. I have now fallen out of love with my boyfriend, I am unsure if this relationship will survive. He has been nothing but absolutely supportive and caring, but I've tried to break up with him at least 6 times in the last 2 months. I got the implant out after 3 months and now am on nothing. Everyone is different, trust your body and gut. Nothing says 'effective birth control' better than being super gassy, bloated and constantly cramping from not being able to poop around your new significant other, lol – can't get pregnant if you don't want to have sex, lol."

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

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon inserted at my 6-week checkup after having my daughter in July 2014. I have experienced 20 lb weight gain since, severe cramps, depression, nonexistent libido, and nausea. Definitely works as birth control, but isn't worth the side effects."

• Mor...
• December 19, 2015

For Birth Control "Okay, so I got the implant for two reasons: I was terrible at remembering to take birth control, and my menstrual cycle every month used to be awful (heavy bleeding, terrible cramps, vomiting, and headaches). I absolutely love Implanon. My monthly symptoms stopped, and I only bled three times this past year for only a few days. I can't speak highly enough of this! It stopped my mood swings caused by hormones, and this past year has been amazing. I was so worried about getting it because there are some bad reviews of this. I was worried about weight gain, mood swings, and breakouts because I used to have severe acne. I did not experience any of those symptoms."

• Hea...
• January 2, 2015

For Birth Control "The first few months I loved it! Then I started bleeding for weeks, then it would stop for a few days and come right back. I always have cramps and feel bloated. I have gained 25 lbs! Now I have to be double birth controlled."

• one...
• August 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I love the Implanon! I have been on it for almost 2 yrs. I get it out in Dec 2015. So far, I like it because I always forget to take the pill or get my shot for Depo. I decided to try it, and I love it. I did gain weight, about 60 lbs, but it's not the birth control. It was stress with home, work, and family. I won't get my period for months, then one day I get it. I would have it for like 2 weeks. I had it with everything like cramps, mood swings, and a heavy flow."

• Pre...
• July 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the implant for about 3 months now. It's worked since clearly I am not pregnant, lol. That being said, I've only had 1 period since I've had it, and it lasted about a week and a half. Before I got that period, I had the worst cramps I've ever had. My other side effects were right after I got it, I had heartburn for about 2 weeks, and I was nauseous at night for a couple of days. But I powered through that, and I have been completely normal now except no periods. I'm very happy I made the choice to get this implant. Side note: I'm not a doctor, and I don't know this for sure, but I've kind of noticed from the many reviews I read that the majority of women who have had bad side effects are women who have had a baby and then got the implant."