Etonogestrel and Spotting: What Users Say

• Fut...
• March 23, 2021

For Birth Control "The insertion was fine and other than a little spotting here and there, I didn’t have a period. However, my mood and attitude towards life have completely shifted and have negatively affected my life and relationships. I get angry and argue with my boyfriend over the stupidest things. He always says I 'make something out of nothing,' and I didn’t usually like to be like that. I describe the feeling as being stuck in a mood that you know is irrational, but you CANNOT get out of it! Also, like others have said, any time I get into one of these arguments with my boyfriend, my first thought is 'I want to break up with you and move out.' I hate feeling that way because we’ve been together for 4 years and I am happy with him. I experienced depression, extreme anxiety, and intrusive thoughts as well. I lost motivation to complete schoolwork for my dream degree. All in all, I have an appointment today to remove the implant, and I can’t wait to start feeling better."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm posting after reading all the negative side effects of Implanon. I had Implanon inserted over a month ago and have not had any terrible side effects. I had light spotting the second week. I noticed food cravings but it is nothing unbearable. Before starting Implanon, I had begun weight watchers and an exercise routine. I've been sticking with it and have continued to lose weight while on Implanon. The insertion process was not a big deal either, the lidocaine pinched, but after that, the only feeling was pressure during insertion. Slight bruising and tenderness after, but only for a few days. I hope this post reaches out to someone because I almost backed out last minute due to all of the negative posts on this product."

• 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."

• Eri...
• March 21, 2010

For Birth Control "I LOVE my Implanon. Insertion was quick and pain-free. The bruising only lasted a week or two. I had one week of very, very light spotting, and a few headaches. Tylenol fixed the headaches. I haven't had that problem in a month or so. I breastfeed and did not notice any change in my supply. No weight gain or appetite side effects, either. In fact, I am starting to lose my baby weight now. I would definitely get this birth control again!!! I will have it removed and replaced with another Implanon when this one runs out. Remember, almost all of the reviews are negative because the only people that want to write about it are the ones who don't like it. There's lots of people who love it, too."

• 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."

• lkj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about 6 months and I love it! It's helping me balance my weight. I lost 10 pounds on it! I have constant spotting with it, but it's not heavy, and it doesn't leave anything on my underwear at all, so that's pretty cool. 10/10 recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2012

For Birth Control "It is amazing! I have tried the Pill and an IUD, both were horrible. I went to my midwife and asked her what are the best options, she recommended the Nexplanon. I was currently on my monthly cycle, which was fine. They cleaned my arm, numbed the area before insertion with a little bit of medication, then inserted the Nexplanon! VERY quick and easy, also no pain! I had a nasty bruise for 1 1/2 weeks, but that's all. I finished my cycle, had a week of no bleeding, then I had slight spotting for almost a month. Afterwards, no random bleeding, no fatigue, no depression, NO nasty side effects at all!! It has helped a lot with my painful cycles and lightened them up greatly. Overall, I would highly recommend this method of birth control."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "I have had this birth control since July of 2014, so I've had it for about 7 months now and I recommend it to everyone! I only spotted for a couple of days after getting it, and then my period had stopped altogether. I had no problems since then, and I even lost 5 pounds! 100% effective for preventing pregnancies also. I love it!"

• klo...
• March 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my Nexplanon 11/21/14, and my nonstop bleeding started in January and hasn't stopped since. First, it was heavy for one week, then light, then heavy for two weeks, now it's just spotting, and I think it's about to go off, but I can never be sure... just ready for it to go off because I'm tired of buying pads."

• bub...
• February 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this for about 2 years, I barely get any periods, mostly just spotting. No weight gain, you don't have to think about it but every other three years, and it just goes in your arm. I think it's the best birth control out there for now. I think it is perfect for me, but everyone's body will react differently."

• sun...
• November 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon twice -- the first time was great, no issues. The second was fine until the last year of the implant's life -- I was spotting every single day for about 3-4 months. My mood spiraled into a very, very dark place with intrusive thoughts quickly, and my breasts hurt constantly. I decided I was going to have the implant removed after consulting my doctor and friends, who were worried about my health. However, I was dealing with an eating disorder when the implant was inserted, and years later when it was removed, I was at a much healthier weight. They could not get it out on the first go because it had moved slightly and was under more tissue than when it was implanted. Finally, it was removed two weeks later, and I began to feel better one to two weeks after that. I think that the implant is a good option for some people, but beware that your body can change and just begin to react badly to it, especially when the implant is nearing the end of its life."

• Wor...
• January 11, 2025

For Birth Control "I had almost continuous spotting for the first 3 months. Bit of a pain to deal with, but worth it, since... After about 3 months, it stopped. It's been over a year now, and no additional spotting or periods. Also, no pregnancies, which was/is the main goal. Absolutely worth getting, for me."

• 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."

• csm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I had Nexplanon fitted in February, so have had it for about three months now. At first, I had little desire for sex and had irregular bleeding. Since they have both cleared up, I've actually lost weight and my breasts have grown. I sometimes get a little spotting but never a full-blown period, and overall, I think it's a brilliant method of contraception. It's quite surprising to see so many bad reviews! Hopefully, I won't develop any more side effects."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2016

For Birth Control "First off, THIS BIRTH CONTROL AFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY! I originally went to this site after I booked my appointment for insertion just to get a feel for what I was in for. I only saw horribly negative things. My own experience has been fine. Everything that you expect to happen on birth control does. My emotions got the best of me, but they leveled out. I had spurts of acne, but having the correct soap for your face makes all the difference. My period has been off, lots of spotting, but it's really nothing that isn't manageable. My sex drive is better than ever. And I haven't gained any weight. The insertion process is quick and painless. I'm also not pregnant! Seriously, try it for yourself, every body is different."

• 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."

• Mon...
• January 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon about 3 months ago. I'm gonna break down my list of issues. I have been bleeding/spotting ever since then, total change in my hair texture (bad), acne which I have always had clear skin, always feeling down, weight gain, weak, and no energy whatsoever. I have done everything but the Depo Provera shot. I guess I just gotta take my chances. Wish I didn't have to take it out, but I can't deal with ALL the side effects. Hope this helps anyone."

• Dod...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had a very bad experience with this implant. I reacted very badly to the hormone in it. Got it put in July 2019 and just got it removed in August 2020. I kept it in for around 13 months, it's been in long enough to settle down. Unfortunately, I started experiencing mental health issues. My depression and anxiety were very debilitating to the point that it caused my heart rate to go up to 132, which was scary. I began having constant dark thoughts and lost interest in doing the things I used to enjoy, like exercise and going out. I experienced almost a lot of side effects. My periods were abnormal, they would come when they wanted. Sometimes, it would be bleeding and spotting between periods, then nothing for a couple of months. It was not worth it for me. So happy to have it gone. I couldn't deal with the side effects any longer, it started to have a big impact on my social life."

• MP0...
• December 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in October of 2014. Since getting it, I have not had a period. No spotting or bleeding, periods just stopped. It's great! No random breakouts on my face and no weight gain from it. Definitely the best option if taking a pill is hard for someone. I never could remember to take my pill, this was the best option. The insertion was much better than I thought, and it's been great ever since."

• Aub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I recently had the implant put in and would like to share my first thoughts; I plan to do an update in 3-6 months. The initial pain of having the implant inserted was mild - I would rate it even less painful than a shot. Your arm will be sore for a few days, and there will be bruising, but nothing to get excited about. It has now been 2 weeks, and I can't even tell that it is there except when I feel for the implant on purpose. My doctor warned of immediate and persistent bleeding/spotting, but I haven't experienced that so far. I've been losing weight for the past few months (on purpose) and haven't noticed a difference since the implant. No major issues with acne. Everybody is different, but don't let the negative reviews scare you!"

• Han...
• November 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I got the Nexplanon inserted on October 3rd, 2014. Insertion was much easier than I thought it would be. Only bad part is I'm allergic to adhesive, so I broke out bad where the bandaid was and still have some scarring from that. I had been on the pill for 2 1/2 years, and taking it every day was a hassle to remember. The first day I had the Nexplanon, my hormones went CRAZY. But after that, everything was fine. Super happy no weight gain (if anything, I lost weight), my mood swings have almost stopped, and I'm not pregnant. I just started spotting a few days ago. Very light. Not enough for a tampon, just a small pad. I noticed I have been slightly more emotional, but nothing compared to how it used to be while bleeding. So far, so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I had spotting for about 2-3 months, and my breasts were ridiculously tender and hurt. But after that, I had no more spotting and haven't had a period since. I also have not gained any weight (actually lost 10 lbs). Have occasional acne, but nothing severe or long-lasting. Overall, worth it to me. However, spotting in the beginning."

• la ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2014

For Birth Control "As far as effectiveness, I went through 3 years, no babies! Lots of spotting, sometimes long periods, maybe 10 days, no mood swings, no depression! Nothing much really! A few breakouts every now and then, but mine expired, and because my husband and I agreed, we just got a new one in! VERY EFFECTIVE AND I LOVE IT. MY COUSIN ALSO HAS IT, AND SHE LOVES IT MORE THAN I DO because she has NO side effects at all."

• 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."