Etonogestrel and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on birth control for as long as I could remember. I’ve tried the pill, the depo shot, and the patches. I got Nexplanon inserted three years ago mainly because I didn’t want to remember having to take a pill or set up a doctor's appointment for the injection. The first year was fine, but after that, my whole life turned upside down. I didn’t relate it to the birth control, but I’ve had severe depression and anxiety, which I’ve never experienced in my life until Nexplanon. This needs to be taken off the market. I’m a very mean person on it, and I get my period for weeks at a time. I’m always crying and being irrational, not to mention the horrible acne this thing puts out. Worst experience of my entire life. I can’t even begin to explain the emotional rollercoaster this type of birth control has put me through."

• Kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2021

For Birth Control "Nexplanon is not worth the mental toll it takes on your daily life. I'm willing to cut it out of my own arm at this point. I'm constantly pushing away my loved ones every night. I have had more mood swings and suicidal thoughts than my entire life and I have a good partner, promoted to my dream job and none of those things matter anymore. The joys in life are gone. It's like having split personalities with this product. The one I got four years ago was great and I would only cry at stupid things. This time around I can't stand to be alive. Don't do it. Find another way there is something wrong with this product."

• Jan...
• September 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had my Nexplanon implant in for 1.5 years and I had it removed on the 20th of August 2020. Three days later, the nightmare kicks in! Can someone tell me when this will end? Note: 0 history of mental health problems (current nightmare = severe anxiety, sometimes panic attacks, high heart rate, dizziness, dream-like state of mind, confusion, frustration, irritation, mood swings, lack of control. Not myself whatsoever! I asked the male doctor, and he informed me, as well as the lady doctor who removed it, that this was not related to the implant removal. I think the removal has caused a serious hormonal imbalance in my body. Can anyone relate? If so, please leave a message/comment. I am 34 years old and it’s scary, so if there are any young girls or ladies out there, you're not alone! Take care, my fellow soldiers. Xx"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experiences. I have had the Nexplanon implant in for 5 weeks now, and I am having it removed in two days. I feel like I am going crazy. I have never suffered much with anxiety, but over the past few weeks I’ve been crying non-stop and having very dark thoughts that I am sick and dying. The anxiety is causing me to be very sad and emotional and worry about everything. Reading all of your stories gives me hope that everything. I am not going mad and that the hormones will balance out once removed. Thank you."

• Ste...
• March 29, 2021

For Birth Control "It’s been less than four months since I got Nexplanon inserted, and I want to get it taken out. It’s done its job in preventing pregnancy, however, it has negatively impacted me both physically and mentally. I have been bleeding nonstop since I got it put in, and this has resulted in a lot of inconvenience in my life as I am always bleeding. Having already been used to tampons, my fear of getting a bacterial infection or toxic shock syndrome has increased to the point that I switched back to pads. I can’t continue like this. The first month, I was having terrible mood swings and pushing my boyfriend away. It went away for a little bit, but I have started feeling uncontrollably sad, worthless, and unhappy again. I don’t think keeping it in any longer is worth it, to be honest. It’s sad, but I’m writing this right after I finished crying for the night because I feel so sad. If you suffer from some form of anxiety and depression already, your mental state may be further negatively impacted."

• jus...
• August 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I honestly LOVE Implanon! I am a worrywart and not worrying with the monthly pregnancy scare has been fabulous. I have mood swings (but I've always been hormonal). I almost chickened out after reading online reviews, but I'm glad I didn't. No weight gain. No acne. Slight bleeding. Highly recommended by me."

• Amo...
• January 24, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience with Nexplanon was horrible and would like to share my experience, although everyone is different and what doesn't work for me might work for you or vice versa. I had the Nexplanon placed 3 months after giving birth. Before that I was happy, high sex drive (always have had high sex drive), regular periods, and overall very long life. After Nexplanon, I had non-stop bleeding, severe headaches, severe dizziness, severe lightheadedness, extreme fatigue, and severe mood swings. I felt like I was going downhill because I felt sick all the time and extreme sadness and depression. I had it removed because I no longer felt like myself and felt like I was making bad memories on what should be my most precious moments with my family."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2014

For Birth Control "Probably one of the worst decisions I have made in my adult life. I have always had great skin, and on this medication, it exploded with both random dryness and severe acne. My emotions were a roller coaster (more than just normal girl stuff). My sex drive plummeted. Constant spotting. Yeah, it prevented me from getting pregnant, probably because I was always on my period. All in all, bad experience."

• 282...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2020

For Birth Control "The worst experience of my entire life!! I have always struggled with anxiety a little, but I have always been on some kind of contraception since an early age due to acne, and looking back, I don’t think the hormones ever really helped my anxiety. But this time last year, I was so happy, the happiest I had ever been. I then got the implant, and the nightmare of side effects started. • extremely emotional • thrush • extreme acne/oily hair • low libido • EXTREME anxiety • awful intrusive thoughts • weight gain • my arm where the implant is itches constantly. I never write reviews, but I don’t want anyone to feel how I have for the past 10 months."

• Lay...
• August 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon. I thought it would help. It was great at first, then two days after I got it, my vision was going crazy, I got dizzy, and I had a lot of mood swings. And I looked up some of these side effects, they are crazy. I think this birth control needs to be looked into more and maybe have fewer side effects. If it works for you, great, but if it doesn’t, please take it out. It’s not worth having it in your arm if you feel miserable. And I know every woman is different, but please be aware."

• Ava...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I am new to the Implanon. I just had it inserted a few days ago. So far, so good. I've had mood swings, but that's because I am a woman. What really concerned me was the reviews. These ladies are telling horrible stories about their experience with the Implanon. What they don't seem to understand is that every birth control affects every woman differently. I wanted to make this post to let the ladies who aren't sure about the Implanon because of some other stuff they've seen online not to let that make your decision for you. The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor, not go off of someone else's review."

• Lex...
• February 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I had it removed less than a week ago. I never thought twice about my mood while on it (I thought it was just how I was or have always been) until my relationship started getting rocky due to my anxiety, obsessiveness, and easy triggering over the most minor inconveniences. It was hard for me to have a good day even when I tried. I had emotional breakdowns every day, and my period lasted forever, blood clots, and spotting in between every cycle. But at least I knew I wasn’t getting pregnant. Since it was removed, it literally feels as if dark clouds were lifted from above me. It’s crazy to think how many good moments I’ve missed out on or ruined due to my mood swings the past 2 years. No more obsessive thoughts or anxiety or unjustified rage, and no depression. It’s great birth control. I just wish the mood swings and depression that come along with it are not a thing. I’m happy to know that now I’m not an angry, raging female, just a female that was dealing with all of its negative side effects."

• Lex...
• February 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I had it removed less than a week ago. I never thought twice about my mood while on it (I thought it was just how I was or have always been) until my relationship started getting rocky due to my anxiety, obsessiveness, and easy triggering over the most minor inconveniences. It was hard for me to have a good day even when I tried. I had emotional breakdowns every day, and my period lasted forever, blood clots, and spotting in between every cycle. But at least I knew I wasn’t getting pregnant. Since it was removed, it literally feels as if dark clouds were lifted from above me. It’s crazy to think how many good moments I’ve missed out on or ruined due to my mood swings the past 2 years. No more obsessive thoughts or anxiety or unjustified rage, and no depression. It’s great birth control. I just wish the mood swings and depression that come along with it are not a thing. I’m happy to know that now I’m not an angry, raging female, just a female that was dealing with all of its negative side effects."

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Beware and do extensive research on Implanon before you get it. If you’ve found this forum, I’m proud of you. Doctors and first initial 'Implanon' Google searches do not yield all side effects. After I had the Implanon inserted, I had intense mood swings of immense sadness and unnecessary anger towards loved ones. After 3 months, the mood swings settled down to constant depression and anxiety. It took me 8 months to connect the dots of side effects to Implanon: the 10 kg weight gain, the mental illness, the COMPLETE AND UTTER LOSS OF LIBIDO, and loss of any natural lubrication ('getting wet') on the odd chance that I did want to have sex with my fiancé. This was huge for me and caused a lot of insecurity because my body simply wouldn’t respond to sexual advances, even things that usually always turn me on. I feel numb most days. Last week I went to my GP to get it removed, she said no. She wouldn’t remove it because I’m a 20-year-old. I’m going back in today to demand it be removed."

• Lil...
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had 2 implants, the first one was fine. I would get my period maybe 3 times a year and very light, so once I removed it, I got a new one. It has been a little more than 2 years. I have gained 5 kg, I exercise a lot, started doing 16 hours fasting, and stopped eating meat. Even after all this, I haven’t lost any weight. But then comes the worst part. Since I got the new one, I have my period all the time, sometimes for 3 to 4 weeks straight. For the past 5 months, my boyfriend and friends have been warning me about my mood swings. For the past 4 months, I feel horrible anxiety, something I never had before. Now, after my long period, I have sad thoughts coming into my mind out of nowhere. I cry over nothing, and I just don’t understand where this sadness is coming from. Once I started researching about it, I read so many comments of similar situations and decided I’m getting it removed next week. I do not recommend this, the depression that puts you in and no one tells you about it!"

• Bea...
• February 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon implant for about a month now, and not long after I got it, I have read reviews that really scared me because a lot of people had bad side effects such as non-stop bleeding and mood swings, etc. About 2 weeks after I got the implant, I had a period for about 4 days, and then I was spotting for a week after that, and then it stopped, and so far I haven't had anything. I love the fact that I don't have to take a pill every day, and when I was on the pill, I forgot to take it a lot. Luckily, I didn't get pregnant. I love this thing and recommend it to anyone who asks. Hopefully, everything stays the way it is, but so far so good. The insertion was painless, so if you want good birth control, Implanon is the way to go."

• Joj...
• March 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Don't do it. This thing should come with a health warning. I have had the implant for 6 months and have bled every day since I got it, not even light bleeding that you could live with, heavy bleeding. My mood has changed, I am normally a very positive, easy-going person. Since having this inserted, I spend most of my days crying, getting angry-I am not an angry person-and feeling suicidal, and that is scary. It has got to the point where my two kids are even asking, 'Are you okay today, mummy? Why are you crying, mummy?' I have spent days just sitting, crying, or extremely anxious. I have contacted medical services to get it removed and have been put on a waiting list. Also, I have put on over 20 lbs, considering that I haven’t been overeating, and no matter what I do, weight does not shift. My advice would be to stay clear, the implant is purely awful and just not worth it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Moh...
• March 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for 4 months. It has been effective in preventing pregnancy, and not having to take a pill is convenient. But that's where the pros end. A couple of weeks after having it inserted, my mood swings were off the chart. I was snapping at everyone for the littlest things. I've never had a problem with depression in the 23 years I've been alive and have been depressed since I started this birth control. On top of that, my sex drive is gone. I was crazy, head over heels in love with my husband up until I started this prescription. Now I can hardly stand to have him kiss me, I'm so turned off. And it's not him, it's definitely the Nexplanon. Definitely getting it removed."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon since March 2008, and the main side effects that I have are periods that are long-lasting, from 10 to 21 days, no libido/sex drive, and mood swings. My partner complains because I'm frequently on my period, which can be very frustrating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon for about 5 months now, and it's great! I only spot for about a day or two each month, and that's it. I have actually lost weight since then as well. Nothing has really changed with me since I got it. No mood swings or acne."

• Jad...
• April 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m a teen, and after I had my baby, doctors pressured me to get on Nexplanon and told me it would stop my periods, so I got the implant on January 7th, 2021. In the beginning, everything was fine. About a week after getting the implant, I started my period, and the longest it has stopped for has been 5 days. It’s now April 6, 2021. I’ve been suffering with depression, BPD, and anxiety, but ever since getting on this implant, it has skyrocketed. I’m always depressed, I get anxious all the time. I’ve been having the worst thoughts, hate my body image, and my overall mental health is the worst it’s ever been. I would never recommend this to anybody. I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. Constant mood swings, always mad, horrible acne, suicidal thoughts. I'd rather be pregnant again than to use this. Doctors should really express to people with a history of bad mental health that it will make a horrible impact on your mental health. I’m getting this removed within the next week."