Etonogestrel and Sexual Dysfunction: 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I currently have the Nexplanon bar in my left arm and am finding it horrible physically, mentally, and emotionally. The first month I woke every night at 4 a.m. dripping in sweat (in winter) and experienced hot flushes every day randomly. I’ve bled every day for the last 2 months and in the last 2 weeks have broken out in pimples. I feel completely disconnected to myself as a woman, my usual cycle has been replaced by constant irregular bleeding that leaves me irritable and moody. I’m finding myself questioning every thought/feeling/reaction because I no longer know when my hormones/cycle are affecting my moods, which is taking its toll on my mental health. My anxiety has never been worse. I have zero sex drive or desire to be touched, which is taking a huge toll on my relationship. I feel there’s a complete lack of caution from GPs when prescribing this product. I’m having it removed ASAP."

• Not...
• February 3, 2015

For Birth Control "First, I've spotted on and off with this birth control. Over a year of it. Second, I can't lose weight for anything. After diets, exercise, you name it I can't lose weight. I've been the same weight, maybe a few lbs more for a year. Third, I have no desire to be touched or even want to have sex. My sex drive doesn't exist. This all started when I got on this. I'm getting it removed this month. No other birth control has ever done this to me. It's not for me personally."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I thought this birth control would be the perfect fit for me since I always forgot to take the pill. I had it inserted in October 2014. Since then, I have already gained 20 pounds. Nothing about my life or the way I eat has changed, so I knew it was the Implanon. When it was first put in my arm, it was bruised for a week and very sensitive to touch. I have had very clear skin before using this and my face has begun to break out. I'm only 20, so I'm very insecure to go to the beach this summer with my face and body looking like this. Also, my sex drive has gone down tremendously, which is hurting my relationship. The only plus side is not having a period at all. I would spot here and there in the beginning, but it went away and I do not spot anymore."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in Jan 2020 after coming off Depo-Provera. I haven't had a period, which is amazing. But... I've gained 50 pounds. I get bad migraines. I'm irritable, and honestly, I think it is time to just get it removed and try a different method. I don't even have a sex drive anymore."

• 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."

• Hor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had this for about 2 and a half years now. It has really taken a toll on my life. I’m either feeling sad or mad. I have no sex drive. The weight gain is ridiculous, I gained 20 pounds since being on this birth control. Losing weight is so hard, I can work out and fast, and I only lose a pound. I didn’t have a period for the longest time, and now I randomly have my period or spotting. I can’t even track it properly because it’s a mess. Don’t get me wrong, if you can handle all of this, then this is a product for you. The birth control part of it is great."

• Fel...
• November 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have only had the Implanon for 4 weeks and am going in today to have it removed. I chose this because it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' easier birth control. But the side effects for me have been horrendous. I have had severe anxiety, mood swings, and depression. And instead of little issues rolling right off my shoulders, it feels as though it's the end of the world. I've never struggled with this before. I've also had literal thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Also, it caused my sex drive to become pretty much non-existent. Coming from a woman who has been with the same man for 12 years and could have sex 3 times per day. I started having no sex drive and had a very dry vagina."

• tha...
• November 9, 2014

For Birth Control "For birth control, it definitely works. I've had this in for a little over a year. I do get my period every month. But I feel like every other month I either get two periods, or it lasts for 3 weeks at least. I am also NEVER in the mood for sex. I'm considering getting it out sooner than the 3 recommended."

• Cie...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had my Nexplanon for over a year now, it's very effective against not getting pregnant, and that's the best part only. I have 2 periods a month, one light, one heavy. I randomly bleed, as well as cramp horribly before I start. I've had headaches, nausea, hives, nasal sinus issues, depression, mood swings, weight gain, loss of appetite, peeling skin on my face, dandruff, a rash on my arm, constantly itching, loss of sex drive, tiredness, and the list continues."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had mine since October of 2013. At first, I was super excited because it was a no-fuss birth control that would cause me migraines. After I had it implanted, I gained 30 lbs in a matter of 3 months. Although I believe some of that was stress (I'm in medical school), I continued to work out regularly and was still gaining weight. I have not had my period since I've had it, but instead, I've had bloating, mood swings, lowered sex drive, oh, and my migraines have gotten worse. Although I love how easy it is, I feel like it's taken a real toll on my body. I hate to say it, but I miss having my normal body functions, even my period!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had the Nexplanon implant for about 10-11 months. At first, I felt fine, but after a week I started to feel emotional and a little sad. And as time went on, my mood got worse. I would get mad over little things and cry a lot! Sometimes for no reason. After like 5 months, I think my body adjusted or got used to it, and now I don’t feel like myself. I also had NO sex drive and would be painful during intercourse due to lack of lubrication. The plus side is I didn’t get any acne, and I didn’t lose or gain weight. I also never got my period. Will be removing soon. Not worth it :/"

• I...
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Nexplanon for a year and a half. When I first got it, I was spotting for the first 3 months every day, but then I completely stopped having periods or any spotting after that. I didn't gain any weight, no acne, no changes in my appetite, but it made my sex drive really low, and it has caused problems in my relationship because my boyfriend thinks I'm not sexually attracted to him, but it's not that, I just don't have the same sex drive, and it's so frustrating. I also had bad mood swings, and I just feel like everything annoys me. I have never gotten angry like I do now. I notice I start to throw things or hit the walls or slam doors, which is really not like me. I also feel depressed sometimes, like I just want to do nothing. It makes me feel so tired, like it's draining my energy, and I would feel fatigue throughout the day, which makes it harder to do daily routines or even be in a good mood. I literally can't wait to take this thing off, it's not worth my health."