Etonogestrel and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• nik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on for almost six years. I've had it replaced once. This upcoming October, I'll probably have it replaced again. For me, the first one, my periods were random. No period for 3 months, then spotting for one month. After having it replaced the second time, it's been less period all around, light spotting. Again, considering it again in October, just wanted to see the effects others have had. No weight gain or acne for me. I have a slight temper already, so wouldn't have noticed mood swings."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. It's the only one that has really worked for me. I did gain some weight, but nothing a gym can't fix. I got the implant inserted in March 2014, it's now October 2014, and I haven't had a period for 6 months. Nothing. No light bleeding, no spotting. It's wonderful! I say go for it."

• Cra...
• January 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I've had Nexplanon for over a year now, and honestly, it is the worst mistake I've made. Before I got it, I had my mental health under control, including losing over 120 lbs (this is going to be important later in the story). So I decided to get birth control (my periods were making me very sick). Well, ever since I got it implanted, my mental health has gone downhill drastically. I have gained ALL of my weight back, the arm that it's in aches, and my anxiety is so bad that I can't even go to the doctor to get it out. 10/10 do NOT recommend."

• sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 17 years old. I had the Nexplanon inserted 1 year ago. I was getting the Depo shots for 2 years before I got the implant because I had very heavy and long periods. I got sick of going in every month for a shot, so I figured getting the implant that lasts 3 years would be perfect, and I wouldn't have to worry about getting pregnant. I haven't had a period since I got the implant, no spotting or any bleeding at all. I didn't gain any weight from it. It's not common for people to gain weight from it. But if you do eat healthy and exercise, you should be fine."

• Sea...
• January 8, 2014

For Birth Control "The good: Implanon was 100% effective and very convenient. The bad: It killed my desire for sex completely. I gained 30 pounds within two months. I have a history of migraines, usually getting them every couple of months, but during the last six months of having Implanon, I was getting them twice a week, with bizarre symptoms. My migraines would make me feel like my face and entire left side of my body was numb. I would forget words, I would have trouble forming sentences. Sometimes it felt like I was totally disconnected from my body and that my head was caving in. My doctor sent me to get an MRI, but nothing was wrong, and they diagnosed 'complex' migraine. Had Implanon removed two months later, and the weird migraines stopped."

• ypa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I gave it a 2 because I never got pregnant on it. After much research, I decided Implanon was my best bet since I wouldn't have insurance anymore. The first couple of months were good until I got a period that never ended. After 2 months of bleeding, I got on birth control pills to regulate my period. I was good for 2 months, then started the bleeding again. I basically had my period for 3-4 weeks, then spotted for 2, and if I was lucky, had 2 weeks period-free. I gained about 20 pounds in the first 3 months, which I could not lose no matter what I did. Mood swings were awful, at one point, I was depressed. My skin got bumpy. Finally, I got insurance to take it out."

• Rea...
• September 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Very good in preventing pregnancy. I have had Nexplanon for 18 months. However, it is TERRIBLE for me. I have since gained 40 pounds, all within the first 6 months. I was a size 9 when I got this, now I am about a 12. I am having it removed in two weeks. Mind you, I had a really nice body, and now I am pushing the scale at 199 lbs! I have learned my lesson!"

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis, so the Nexplanon for pain management was great. I only had 4 periods in the 3 years I had it. But it caused me to gain 50 pounds despite me being healthier than I’ve ever been. My acne got worse, my depression and anxiety were awful, and I got horrible migraines. I stuck with it because it was the only BC that didn’t make me violently ill every month, but I’m so happy I got it taken out."

• 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."

• Jle...
• February 18, 2020

For Birth Control "On Nexplanon from 12.17.2014 to 2.17.2020. The first two years I just didn't have a period. Before the third year, I had depression and anxiety, but I chalked it up to a stressful job and more responsibilities. With the second implant, my period came back full force, massive clots and pain. I was told that's what to expect when you haven't had a period in three years. My career path changed to a much less stressful environment. I really enjoyed my job a lot, but my anxiety grew worse and my depression almost had me convinced I was possibly bipolar. All in all, I have gained 80 pounds in the five years and three months I've had it. That could be because of my depression and lack of energy. I'm more than ready to take this thing out of my arm and hope for the best. I'm not saying the Nexplanon is the wrong way to go. It never failed me once, but I think the symptoms need to be taken more seriously, and I personally feel the longer you're on it, the worse it gets."

• des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2022

For Birth Control "I can't stress enough how hard the last four months have been since the implant insertion. Mood swings, sadness, fear, no sex drive, sex is literally an irritable experience, no sleep, constantly tired, can't make me leave the house, thrush, constant bleeding, over a stone weight gain. I am having it removed tomorrow, I wish I could have ripped it out myself earlier. My life is so miserable that the lively, happy, active person feels like I have been imagining her. I wish someone had told me this earlier. I feel doctors and nurses are aware of these problems and yet still using and offering it. Don't do it, not sure how I will go back to my old weight and life, but God help."

• 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."

• Hyd...
• November 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon in May 2011 after my son was born. I didn't have a period for a month after that like normal. Then the spontaneous bleeding began (like I expected, the doctor told me it would happen), but then 2 months passed, then 3, then 6! With almost constant bleeding, I called my doctor, and she said to give it 6 more months, and at the year mark, my periods would stop altogether. That day came and went, but the problem continued. Along with that, I have had a nonexistent sex drive, severe weight gain, acne, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, and hair loss, getting it out in 2 hours!"

• Mol...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Honestly, I feel like a lot of these reviews are unfair, but to be fair, it’s all about personal experience. During the time on this, I have had very limited periods - amazing due to the severe PMDD symptoms I would experience on any pill. Yes, during the last year of your implant, you will most likely experience hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, acne, and irregular periods due to the level of hormones tapering off and the nature of the drug. But the two years of pure hormonally regulated bliss is totally worth it. Also, once I started experiencing this, my gyno offered to replace it early, which has completely remedied any issue I have had with the medication. I have experienced stability in mood, weight, and hormonal acne, and I have not purchased feminine products in six years. Give it a shot and your body time to adjust, you won’t regret it."

• Lad...
• October 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the arm implant in March 2017, and it's been nothing but a nightmare. I have gained so much weight, I started to retain water, and I have been spotting for the last month. My sex drive is usually insane, but with the birth control, I lost my sex drive, and my skin took a toll. I don't recommend this birth control."

• Syd...
• April 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I am getting this removed as soon as possible. I have only had it in for a few weeks now, but I just cannot handle what it is doing to me. I am having massive anxiety and depression. It's literally driving me nuts. As I read other women's reviews, I see other side effects such as weight gain and nonstop bleeding, and I know that's something I do not want to experience either."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my Nexplanon inserted in June 2014. I got my period the month after but haven't gotten it ever since. I haven't gotten pregnant either. I'm very satisfied except for the fact that my face has been breaking out so much and gained so much weight."

• 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."

• Abb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had Implanon since December 2011. I am getting it replaced in a few days. The first 2 years, I didn't have problems with it. My periods weren't crazy. I think I had it about every 3 months for 3-4 days of normal bleeding. However, for the past few months, I have had it every 2 weeks, like clockwork, with heavy bleeding. My doctor told me it is just because when it runs out, it runs out and my hormones are just out of whack. I have gained weight (10 lbs in 3 years), but I'm not blaming that completely on birth control. I'm in dental school and quite stressed. For those who say they have gained 20-30 lbs on this, there is no way hormones ALONE cause that much weight gain, other factors are in play there."

• JSa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2020

For Birth Control "Daily spotting started about 5 months after the procedure. Some mood swings, gained some weight (but working from home due to COVID-19), casual bad headache, and acne around my chin (never had acne since 2003)."

• App...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2019

For Birth Control "It is not worth it. Nexplanon has severely inhibited my life. For starters, the periods! I have been on this for about 10 months now. I have been constantly on my period since I got it in with no signs of stopping, only small (like one or two-day) breaks every month or so. I got the birth control so I could have sex, and now I feel like I can’t! The bleeding is so heavy. Loss of sex drive. Seriously. Anxiety and depression to the max. I can’t sleep because I imagine everyone I love dying. I cry when my husband leaves the house because I’m scared he will die in an accident. I get angry over stupid things and start to hate people when I used to pride myself on being kind. My husband begged me to remove the implant because the mood swings and anxiety were so bad. Weight gain. A lot of it. I’ve never struggled with my weight before. Now with the Nexplanon, I have gained 50 pounds with exercise and dieting, and the scale keeps going up no matter what I do - it’s hopeless."

• Tin...
• January 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on the Implanon a little over a year now. I have not had any periods besides a little spotting the first couple of months. (Yay for not having to pay for tampons & chocolate!) I love the fact of not having a period and not getting pregnant right now, but there are a few downsides to it. My downsides: I never had acne previously, and I now have it really bad. I gained about 45 lbs, and I have horrible mood swings. It has its good and its bad to it, just be cautious of the side effects."

• Sta...
• February 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I got Nexplanon in November 2020, it's now almost March 2021. My sister pointed out to me that I hadn't started feeling depressed and suicidal until I got the implant. I even handled getting laid off better than this in September. I've gained about 20 lbs, and it doesn't want to leave. I'm considering taking it out because I can't live with these intrusive thoughts. My anxiety is weirdly better? My brain keeps blanking-I forgot mid-sentence what I was saying and can't recall-this didn't happen before the implant. But it does its job-I'm not pregnant."

• Mil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had this in for 2 years now, and I love it. I guess everyone responds differently, but I haven't experienced any acne breakouts, moodiness, prolonged periods, etc. In fact, I haven't had a period in 2 years. Lots of sex, no babies. The one thing I will say, though, is that it made me gain 15 pounds within the first 3 months, but other than that, no further weight gain."