Etonogestrel and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Fly...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon since 2011, and I actually like it a lot. Prior to Nexplanon, I had very irregular periods (sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time) and extremely bad cramps, which required me to take prescription pain medication. Now, I have a period maybe 3-4 times a year, extremely light (I can wear a panty liner the entire time) and slight cramping on day 1. I haven't experienced any weight gain. I will say that my emotions are affected by the Nexplanon - when I am sad, I can get extremely sad, cry a lot, and stay in the slumps until I realize it, and not to mention, I can get very upset and go from 1 to 100 in like 10 seconds, as opposed to being on a more even keel prior to Nexplanon. But overall, I really enjoy it, and I have an appointment for my 3rd implant this week. :-)"

• Fly...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon since 2011, and I actually like it a lot. Prior to Nexplanon, I had very irregular periods (sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time) and extremely bad cramps, which required me to take prescription pain medication. Now, I have a period maybe 3-4 times a year, extremely light (I can wear a panty liner the entire time) and slight cramping on day 1. I haven't experienced any weight gain. I will say that my emotions are affected by the Nexplanon - when I am sad, I can get extremely sad, cry a lot, and stay in the slumps until I realize it, and not to mention, I can get very upset and go from 1 to 100 in like 10 seconds, as opposed to being on a more even keel prior to Nexplanon. But overall, I really enjoy it, and I have an appointment for my 3rd implant this week. :-)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I was 16 when I got Nexplanon, and I right away felt like I was a different person. I was angry, I hated life, and my depression was through the roof. My periods the first 3 years were pretty regular, but the periods always would last for 2 weeks+ and tremendously painful cramps. When I turned 18, it was time to get a new one, again, I felt the same symptoms but about 30 times worse. I never changed my eating habits and gained a little over 30 lbs, and the weight is impossible to shave off. Sex drive is a no, and my periods are consistently going with extreme flow and horrible cramps. My anxiety is at an all-time high, depression is even worse than before, I’m overall just not the same bubbly girl I was. My body’s always in pain, and not to mention, not till recently, I started blood clotting consistently for 2 weeks at a time and then switch back to a heavy flow, and I barely get 2 days between periods. I will not be choosing to ever use this birth control again. I recommend you don’t either, more harm than good."

• Cam...
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had the Nexplanon since October 2015, and I absolutely love it. There seem to be far more horror stories than good experiences, but it has been great for me. I have only bled for about a week, this was the week after having it implanted. I have occasional spotting, but it is very, very light. I can't blame mood swings on the Nexplanon because I have had bipolar the entirety of my life. I used to have terrible cramps monthly, and now I have none. I did gain about 4 pounds, but I barely noticed. I have not been hungrier since getting it, and I've been a lot happier. I have had a much better sex life with my boyfriend since getting it, and I hope this continues. I think this method of birth control is different for every person."

• On...
• March 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I got my Nexplanon implant on Feb. 28th. Began a cycle about a week later. This cycle was different than my typical cycle, for I no longer had cramping or migraines. However, the cycle lasted for 9 days. After a few days of no bleeding, another cycle started. The second cycle lasted 5 days. Then I had an additional few days off, only to start a third cycle. When does this end? When does it regulate itself? This cannot be healthy to bleed for approximately 3 weeks every month. This is the complete inverse of what it should be. While I appreciate no cramps or migraines, I do not appreciate spending so much money on tampons and underwear. Getting frustrated and contemplating removal."

• Me7...
• April 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I love it. I only have to worry about it once every 3 years. I only get my period every 3 to 4 months with minimal cramping, although it is a heavy flow. My period only lasts 4-5 days. I haven't gained weight. I can't think of a single thing 'wrong' with it."

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2020

For Birth Control "My experience with Nexplanon has been very good (2.5 years now)! My periods stopped completely once the implant was placed. The only time I get my period is following a particularly stressful/anxious month. The implant does seem to amplify some of my PMS symptoms right before those few periods I do get. Breast tenderness is off the charts, abdominal cramping, fatigue. Other than those few times per year I do get a period, the only other consistent side effect has been maybe 10 lbs of weight gain/difficulty losing weight. But that has been pretty easy to live/cope with."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2025

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch, pills, and Nexplanon. The patch caused skin irritation and moved around a lot. Pills make me feel crazy. And Nexplanon made me bleed every day after the three-month mark. I kept my Nexplanon for a year and a half, hoping it would level out and become normal eventually, but nothing changed. Some days it was heavy bleeding, others it was light, but not light enough to leave the house without some sort of underwear protection. Cons: bleeding every day. Cramps. Pros: I felt truly happy. My libido was high, I became confident in my body, and my attitude was usually pretty optimistic. However, these pros, unfortunately, did not outweigh the cons. Bleeding every day doesn’t allow you to feel comfortable ever again. There was no true definition of when my period was or wasn’t happening, nothing was consistent. If I was lucky enough to get even a week without bleeding, I knew it would come right back all hot and heavy, ready to take over my life."

• Nex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2017

For Birth Control "Everyone reacts to BC differently. Switched to Nexplanon after being on a combination pill for a year. Switched because I was bad at taking the pill on time every day, and I had some side effects that I didn't like. No complaints since! Eventually, my periods became more irregular and stopped. Had my first period in a few months a few weeks ago and some spotting recently. Cramps seem worse, but nothing unbearable. No other side effects noticed really. Sometimes my arm hurts where it's inserted, but it's not a huge deal. Works great! I love it! If I stay on BC after the 3 years, I'll probably get Nexplanon again."

• sel...
• May 4, 2017

For Birth Control "So I got the Nexplanon inserted in April 2016. It's May 2017... so a little more than a year. Over the first 6 months, I was really happy about it. I didn't have a period, no worries about getting pregnant. It all seemed really good. These past 6 months, however, I have been bleeding off and on every two weeks. Sometimes I would even cramp like on a regular period. I have noticed mood changes but didn't think anything of it until I felt like I couldn't get out of this state of sadness. Now I'm starting to think it's the Nexplanon because there's no reason for me to feel this way. Also, my sex drive feels down, which is really unfortunate for my partner and me. It just depends on the person, but this is starting to make me reconsider switching."

• Ari...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2020

For Birth Control "Honestly, Nexplanon is different for everyone, I am sure. I got mine back in May 2019, and I was doing just fine for the first couple of months! No periods and no cramps. Fast forward a couple of months later, and I started getting canker sores in my mouth each time before my period and IBS. I also started having my period again and MAJOR cramps, my sex drive plummeted completely. Very bad acne breakouts and had 2 panic attacks, and ever since, I feel like I had anxiety and had to cut back on caffeine. I never had these issues before, so I’m convinced that the implant caused the root of these problems. I’ll give it a 3 because no pregnancy! I just wouldn’t recommend this to anyone with existing mental health issues. Unfortunately, it was not for me, getting it removed tomorrow and maybe trying the pill."

• Miz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the implant inserted in mid-March of 2015 and have had slightly delayed periods. Nothing too bad, but I'm used to having my period on time every month. Before, I would always have a pretty heavy flow and horrible cramps, but since I got the implant, I've had little to no cramping and fairly light periods. The only problem is that normally I'd have my period for 4-5 days, and since the implant, I'll easily go 7-10 days. I noticed some spotting on June 16th and assumed I was having a light period since the color was the off brownish color you'd usually have towards the end of your cycle. I have now had this for 22 days, and I just started experiencing cramps and a heavier reddish flow. Has anyone else had a similar issue?"

• Del...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2016

For Birth Control "When I first got it, I loved it, but now I hate it. I have been bleeding non-stop for roughly seven months. I am so emotional, I'm so moody that I'm unpredictable. I am easily pissed off, and I can't control any of it. I cry over simple things. The cramps are unbearable, it feels like a knife to my stomach. I do not recommend at all."

• Kei...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "If there was an option for zero stars out of ten, it would receive zero. I got this put in my arm about a year and a half ago, and since then, I have put on right around 100 lbs. I never get a period but have the worst cramps I've ever had in my life around every 3 months. I've never had acne, and now I can't get rid of it no matter how much medication I use. I am overly emotional and have the worst mood swings. My best advice: STAY AWAY FROM IMPLANON."

• Jaz...
• July 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I am not sure which implant I got, but I am sure it is the Nexplanon. I got this May 2015. I had a period for at least 2-3 months straight. I have gone from weighing 150 to 220 pounds. I have experienced major mood swings, feeling really low about life, horrible cramps, and headaches all the time. I still have irregular periods. Sometimes I bleed for 2 weeks or more straight, or I bleed for 4 days, stop for a day, and continue bleeding. Sometimes I don't even have a period. Everyone's body is different and reacts to birth control differently, but I recommend you not get the implant. I had an awful experience with it. I get it taken out in 7 days and I am looking forward to it. I have talked to others, and they have had an awful experience with it as well."

• Sno...
• May 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm a 22-year-old black female. I have this BC. I had my insertion July 1, 2015, so I'm almost to my 1-year mark. I would give it a 10, but the pain of insertion and the length of my period stop that. I was crying and squirming on the bed because they numbed not a large enough area, and the damn woman was moving it around in my arm. UGH. But my mood is great, except when I PMS or have my own problems, no weight gain or loss. More like weight retention. I've been at 113 for a year. My periods are progressively light, minimal cramping, but just last 9 days >:( but I get one every 45-60 days. After I got it at the end of July, I didn't have a period until the end of September, which was scary. But I'm used to it. No hair loss, acne, etc. I love this!"

• Cal...
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I got this inserted in April. Going on 5 months now. I have had period, after period, after period, and they last about 2 weeks. No sex drive, headaches, acne, mood swings like no other. I'm tired of feeling sick to my stomach day in and day out. How am I supposed to care for my 7-year-old while going through this? All my doctor told me is it's not regulated yet, give it 4-6 months. 4-6 MONTHS? I get cramps, but not the normal period cramping. It's down lower and hurts like hell. I wanted this to work out, but I'm not going to go through this for 3 years."

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon inserted 6 weeks after I had our son in 2015. This has been the first birth control I have ever used, recommended by a friend of mine, and my doctor agreed it was great as well. It is now Fall 2017, and no complaints from me! I have not had a period in nearly two years. Very effective, we have never used any other protection besides this after the recommended wait before we got to boogying again. My son is still our only child so far, if that tells you something (lol). No cramps, spotting, or acne. I did gain weight, but I was a stay-at-home mom for a while when my son was an infant, and I had bad eating habits, so I'm not entirely sure Nexplanon is to blame. I have BCBS insurance that covered the entire cost."

• Dam...
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I had Implanon put in February 2016, and it's now November 2017. The first month on it, my period was pretty normal. After that, it was non-stop spotting for a while. Then it stopped a little after a year of having it, but shortly after that, my periods have been going on every single day, and they are even heavier now! My period has gotten so heavy and painful, and it never stops. I'm losing my mind because of this birth control, and I honestly can't wait to get it taken out."

• Can...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2016

For Birth Control "What a nightmare. I have had bleeding nearly nonstop since insertion 2 years ago. Give it time for your body to adjust, after 6 months, I was told. Then give it a year. Finally, I had a gynecologist agree to remove it. It has been effective as birth control considering I have only had a handful of weeks out of two years I have not been bleeding. And I'm not talking spotting, I'm talking period-like bleeding with cramps. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone and don't even know why it's been approved."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2016

"I got the Nexplanon implant because my periods would come with extreme cramps that put me down for 4-5 days. I would sleep all the time and couldn't help but cry because I was in so much pain. So, my OB suggested a birth control, and I heard really bad things about the Depo shot, so I didn't want that, and I hadn't heard anything bad about the implant. So I went with it rather than the shot. I had the implant for three months. In the time that I had it, I had nothing but horrific migraines, cramping, and I bled for 3 weeks, stopped for 6 days, and now I've been bleeding for 30 days. I've had a headache since 2-1-16. I am an emotional wreck. I cry at the stupidest things and I get upset over nothing. I highly recommend not getting this implant."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2016

"I got the Nexplanon implant because my periods would come with extreme cramps that put me down for 4-5 days. I would sleep all the time and couldn't help but cry because I was in so much pain. So, my OB suggested a birth control, and I heard really bad things about the Depo shot, so I didn't want that, and I hadn't heard anything bad about the implant. So I went with it rather than the shot. I had the implant for three months. In the time that I had it, I had nothing but horrific migraines, cramping, and I bled for 3 weeks, stopped for 6 days, and now I've been bleeding for 30 days. I've had a headache since 2-1-16. I am an emotional wreck. I cry at the stupidest things and I get upset over nothing. I highly recommend not getting this implant."

• CJL...
• August 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I've tried two other birth control methods before Nexplanon, which didn't work for me. I've been on Nexplanon now for six months. Insertion: The insertion process was easy, quick, and painless, although I was left with a sizable bruise that I had to explain away to acquaintances and coworkers. Period: I got the injection on day two of my period and haven't had a period or any spotting since, which is awesome. Even better? No cramps! Acne: I have mild acne and haven't seen a change for better or worse. Libido: My libido decreased when I first got on Nexplanon, but it's now back up to its original level, unlike when I was on pills. I had an increase in headaches for the first month, but now there are no other side effects to report."

• LGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2017

For Birth Control "My two friends got the Nexplanon implant one month before I did, and they had no complaints, so I decided to get it as well (Jan 17). Now it is April 17, and I could not be happier with it. The three of us (all 20 years old) all got our periods once (which were slightly heavier than usual), and since then, our periods have disappeared!!! We have had no side effects, cramping, or depression, which we experienced while on the pill. I have recommended this to so many friends - not having your period is amazing."

• Tam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I first got the implant when it was called Implanon from 02/2012-02/2015. That experience was great. Hardly any periods. Did gain weight, but I didn't really care because I have horrible, long, painful periods. Anyway, I got it replaced, and my OB-GYN told me that Nexplanon was the new name and 'a little different.' My periods came back and with a vengeance. I have constant weeks of excruciating cramping with maybe 2-day breaks in between. It drives my boyfriend insane, of course. I'm debating on taking it out, but it has kept me from getting pregnant. Literally the ONLY perk."