User Reviews for Nexplanon subdermal

Ruined my life.

I've had it for 3 months and have made the appointment to have it removed. My periods are lighter, but they NEVER END. I've been bleeding on some level for 3 straight months, I feel gross because I'm always in a panty liner or wearing a tampon. I get hot flashes, I've gained 10lbs, I feel bloated all the time, my arm itches where the implant is and it's easily irritated, and my PMS depression is so much worse. I absolutely can't wait to get this thing out of my body.

I received the Nexaplon implant in my left arm from my provider. I had the implant for a year and a half. I felt it be necessary to try this method of birth control because even though I was single and use protection I was a rape victim and I was concerned I would be raped again and impregnated. I am 22 years old and from the USA. While the nexaplon may have positive side effects and most likely is 99 percent effective as they say, I had many negative side effects that I would love to express. Soon after insertion my hair began falling out. I would look at my scalp and could see that my hair line was the thinnest I have ever seen it. I did not have much new growth anymore. I have used birth control before but I have never experienced this side effect before. My nails became so thin they would break, rip bend and tear. I had one or more periods every month for the first year but it was irregular but then after 12 months I did not have a period at all for 3 months. Then one day my period came and for the next 4 moths I had two periods every month. Sometimes my period would last for two weeks go away for one and come back again for a week. I had very painful shoulder stiffness. My shoulder became more and more painful, sore and tight throughout the year. One of the worst side effects I experienced while having the nexaplon implant was my Ph balance was always too high or two low for natural levels. When the balance is thrown off it makes women more susceptible to infections. I was not exposed to any sexually transmitted infections but I did regularly suffer yeast infections and bacterial infections causing irritation, odor, discharge, itching, and pain. I would treat the infections which sometimes would occur at the same time, and I regularly visited my doctor but the infections would always return even when I was careful with my diet and refrained from sexual activity. I also delt with nausea, morning sickness, weight gain, breast pain/ tenderness and dizziness almost daily. I had an extremely bad cyst on my chin but I eventually was able to treat it. This may have also been a side effect because I do not get cysts on my face. Apart from that I did not suffer much acne which has always been normal for me. I enjoyed the weight gain because I am skinny but for most that would probably be a problem. I gained and maintained about 20 pounds. My breasts grew a few sizes. I did not feel my mood swings worsened except for when I didn't have a period for three months I suffered dysphoria, blackouts, depression and severe anger. I typically felt normal whenever my period would come although I did not enjoy the periods being so long. I have also seen other women suffer injury from the implant breaking or stabbing them and causing black bruising. This did not happen to me but I had to be very precarious so that it wouldn't. When I had the implant removed the doctor had to cut open my skin and pull out the implant. I think the negative side effects are not worth it in the end. It is nice to not have to think about birth control because it is semi permanant but when you're having bad side effects you're going to be thinking about it. Convincing yourself to go to the doctor to have them painfully remove it takes some strength and persuasion. You're going to be awake when they cut you open and you're going to be wondering why you thought that would be a good idea. If you're religious, having this device is most likely against your religion. The decision is yours. Not everyone suffers the same side effects. This is my personal conscious experience. Everyone is different.Read More Read Less

I had it inserted 7-2023. There were no problems with the process of inserting it or the site of inserting after. I started out getting extremely light periods (spotting basically) which was nice compared to my normal periods. After two months I started getting a period that would last for 8-10 weeks straight with 2-3 weeks without a period, at first they were light still then all of a sudden get to normal flow which was really frustrating and spendy. I got my hopes up after having a normal period for a week, then a week later I started again. I noticed after a couple weeks I started getting really bad brain fog especially with my memory and anxiety was increasing. I never really got painful cramps before and with this implant i started getting heavier cramps as well. I constantly have breakouts, constantly bloated due to long periods, and I constantly feel tired. I did research online on medical websites(non of which warned you some of what the other woman here say their experience was like) before I committed, I also knew a few woman who had this and their experience was really good, where they had no problems what so ever with their implant. I did not think to check personal reviews until after. Unfortunately my doctor who implanted it did not tell me all the possible side effects either. Each person will have a different experience. At first I thought I made a good decision but unfortunately my body does not like this birth control at all. I scheduled an appointment to take this out and try something else. I got tired of waiting to see if my body will balance the hormones out and its not worth it to me. Read More Read Less

Yes this medication didn't get me pregnant but it's been the worst year of my life thanks to it. I have never had such severe cramps in my life, I would randomly have my period pretty much for months on end. Bloated, headaches all the time and my breast sensitivity was insane. It hurt to even have a tshirt on. I didn't get the weight gain but when your cramps hurt so bad all the time and you have your period and feel like shit 25 days out of 30 it makes it hard to go workout so yes you will gain weight. Worst experience ever, getting out this month and going back to the birth control needle depo. Based on my experience I would not recommend to anyone. Read More Read Less

I've been on Nexplanon for over 1 year. I went from Depo directly to Nexplanon,So I was use to not having a cycle. When Nexplanon was first inserted I bleed for almost 1 month straight and it wasn't spotting Here and there it was a full on period EVERYDAY when I touched bases with my OB nurse they stated it was normal and it was considered spotting. I was not happy with that response at all. Eventually I stopped bleeding around week 4 and I haven't seen a cycle since which I love. However I still have severe cramps from time to time even w/o my cycle present. I will be getting Nexplanon removed in February and Getting my tubes removed thankfully. I've experienced mood swings, hormonal acne is the WORST??NO energy plus I'm an anemic so that doesn't help at all. I wouldn't recommend Nexplanon just due to the hormonal acne and mood swings it causes are my biggest concerns. But everyone's body react differently. Read More Read Less

While effective and convenient, the lack of period regularity is extremely frustrating. Bleeding occurs whenever with no warning. Because of this, I won’t go on Nexplanon again. I’m 38 and haven’t noticed other side effects but am sort of depressed and have a bad memory in general, so if these improve after I get rid of Nexplanon I’ll update my review.

I got Nexplanon inserted in September of 2020, I was 18 and fresh out of high school. I was steadily 130-135 lbs from 8th thru 12th grade and very soon after getting nexplanon, I started gaining weight. I shit you not, I gained 70 lbs in one year. Then another 20. I'm currently 90 lbs heavier than I was for at least 5 years. I certainly let my eating habits get bad during this time as the pandemic put me thru hell, but I'm a lot better these days and I only eat about 1.5 to 2 small meals a day. This is ridiculous, I hate my body. This has caused me so much distress and physical complications that come with getting heavier that I barely left the house for a good 2 years, out of shame but also physical pain. Not to mention the depletion of my sex drive. I'm in a committed relationship, we live together, and sometimes we don't have sex for 4 months!! I hate my body so much that I don't want to use it. I still get whiplash when I look in the mirror because I look so different than I did for so long. I don't recognize myself and I feel awful. But it's not all bad, at least I didn't get pregnant. And my experience seems to be the opposite of a lot of others here regarding periods; mine became so unnoticeable that I didn't even need to use pads or tampons. No cramping whatsoever. I did get incredibly depressed, the lowest point of my life, over the past few years. But I couldn't tell if there was one specific thing causing it or if it really was way too many things happening to me as a young adult entering the real world. But hey, I got this bitch out today, and I'm gonna see for myself if the weight gain was hormonal or completely my fault. I'd only recommend Nexplanon if you listen to your body and can tell when things are not interacting well. Proceed with caution: any birth control that uses hormones can and will cause weight gain.Read More Read Less

It worked well in the not getting pregnant part but… I will never even consider getting the nexplanon again, and i really don’t recommend it for anyone of any age. I’ve had the rod for 4 years, had it changed in march 2023, (worst experience). As of getting it changed i noticed it had been placed wonky, and bending my arm was very uncomfortable and would make a weird tingling sensation, as if i hit my funny bone. I kept it in til November 2023, then decided to get a removal due to tender breasts, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, decrease of metabolism, drained energy, sleeping problems like insomnia and constantly waking up, mood changes, ect. Because the rod was placed wrong, the removal was extremely painful and uncomfortable. Never again don’t recommend Read More Read Less

I got nexplanon 2 years ago and suddenly lost my ability to care about anything. Additionally I was extraordinary stupid when on nexplanon and found I had a really rough time communicating/understanding anything. My memory also completely tanked and I bled roughly 1/2 the time. Didn't get pregnant though. Once I got off of it I could think and be happy again.

Hi I had the implant inserted over a month ago, 2nd time I've had this contraception. insertion was fine, not painful at all. I felt normal for the first week then I started getting the following symptoms: + Painful/ swollen breasts (fluid retention which may explain the increase in weight) + 2 week period + Terribly hormonal - angry, frustrated, tearful, insecure. + Appetite didn't change much. Maybe craved more sweet food but it's only temporary 1 month later: + Breasts are back to normal + Period is still there but so light, it'll stop anyday now + No longer hormonal and angry - thankfully as this was the hardest side effect to deal wih + Weight back to normal and fluid retention seems to have gone. Happy I got it done! In the past, the implant made my period lighter and a lot less painful, it was only after I got it removed that I realised how effective it wasRead More Read Less

I was suggested this implant as a method of birth control after having my third child. I was led to believe this was my only option other than IUD to use while breastfeeding. It’s great at preventing pregnancy as it will diminish your sex drive to nothing, keep you bleeding for months on end and may even cause you a severe mental breakdown. I would recommend being pregnant multiple times over having this implant, as being 9 months pregnant and giving birth is less traumatic. The implant can bruise terribly even when your arm is not in use for weeks after implantation. Hopefully you don’t have to do literally anything that will lead to you having to touch the back of your arm as it’s extremely sensitive even six months after implantation. The number one killer of sex drive and potential for pregnancy is the amount of weight you’ll gain in under 30 days, 45 pounds now coming to the 6 month mark! Not only is the birth control well over $300 dollars, you’ll spend roughly $100 a month on period products. If you’re having negative side effects, don’t be stupid like me and trust your OGYN over your own brain. If you want it removed at your first check up, demand your doctor follows suit or attend a local ER. Do not allow it to play with your mental health and body. I would NEVER recommend this birth control to anyone.Read More Read Less

My gynecologist suggested that I use Nexplanon to improve my periods, which were very intense. I placed the implant in March 2022. I started having horrible symptoms since September 2023 such as: nervousness, anxiety, depression, restlessness, insomnia. I started taking medication for anxiety and nothing improved, but after doing some blood tests I discovered that some hormones were low. I started researching this implant as the side effects were all that was happening to me. and throughout 1 year and 1 year and 8 months with nexplanon my period came days and times a month. I finally managed to remove this implant 5 days ago and now I'm feeling better!!!! I do not advise anyone to use nexplanon. I thought I was crazy. It was a horrible experience putting Nexplanon.Read More Read Less

I’m an avid believer in Nexplanon, as it has worked wonders for me! It took awhile for my body to really adjust to the change in hormones, and I do still suffer some mood swings here and there, but my period is basically GONE, and Nexplanon also REALLY does it’s job as a birth control. I would recommend it, but I understand that it doesn’t work for everyone!

This birth control causes bleeding that can go on for months and only be off of your period for 1 day. I personally love it besides the bleeding and on top of that there is some depression that can come from it as well. I would recommend it if your mental health is okay and your okay with bleeding for long periods of time.

I am a woman with ADHD. I had terrible side effects in the past with the pill form of birth control. I had high hopes with Nexplanon and was told by my PCP that it was the most effective form of birth control (over getting tubes tied) and had little to no side effects (aside from occasional period spotting). Since getting the Nexplanon inserted 5 weeks ago, I’ve felt like a completely different person. I’ve been extremely depressed/anxious, irritable, have had difficulty regulating my emotions, more panic attacks, constant suicidal thoughts, and had a full, heavy period for 21 days straight. I had these same negative side effects when on the pill form of birth control. I went back to PCP asking to get the rod removed and she told me these were not common symptoms for women on Nexplanon, so she increased my depression/anxiety medication dosage instead which did not help. Later, I learned from my therapist that women with ADHD are at a higher risk of having negative reactions to hormonal birth control than women without ADHD (which explains why I had the same physiological reaction to the pill). I just made an appointment to get the rod removed so I can finally feel like myself again. If you’re a women with ADHD considering getting Nexplanon, please be cautious. I 100% do not recommend getting it or any form of hormonal birth control.Read More Read Less

After getting my nexplanon put in, I experienced major mood swings and an extremely awful period. I thought it would take awhile for my body to get used to it so i ignored the side effects. After awhile i was still having horrible moodswings and became very depressed. I had to be put on anti-depressants and mood stabilizers. Ive had it for about a year and 1/2 and any time i get slightly stressed my period starts. Ive had my period for a month at a time just because the nexplanon cannot handle any stress. The only good thing i have to say about it is that it was effective as a birth control. Overall it has been a horrible experience and i do not recommended getting the implant. It has caused nothing but issues for me and everyone i know who has had it.Read More Read Less

I used it in 2020-2022 but I didn't see my period at anytime, I gained a lot of weight but the worst came when I developed a very bad headache on my left side, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with papilledema, I got cross eyes and ended up in CT scans. As I was becoming better, I used to get paralyzed and as it got better, I developed pulsatile tinitus in my right ear up to date am still suffering with the tinitus plus bad headaches with very fast heart palpitations. My friends.. leave nexaplon alone. Read More Read Less

I've been using Nexplanon since I was 15, and now at 23, I'm about to replace it with a new one. Overall, my experience has been positive, though there have been a few drawbacks. Initially, when I started Nexplanon, my hormones went crazy, leading to mood swings and aggression. It seemed like my body was adjusting to the elevated hormone levels. I get a new Nexplanon every two years, as my period disappears for this duration but returns intensely afterward. This pattern has repeated across three insertions, with a fourth insertion coming up. It is nice I don’t get my period for those two years. I've noticed that once my period returns, I experience depression, side effects, and fatigue. On the plus side, Nexplanon's effectiveness has been 100% for me, eliminating pregnancy concerns. I recommend it, but it's essential to consider your mental health, especially if you're dealing with mood swings and depression. I suggest you get on depression and mood swing medication before getting the implant. Read More Read Less

It's so nice to finally read that so many other woman have been thru all that I've experienced since I got it inserted in my arm between the sharp pains I get In my arm and the weight gain and bad cramping my period pretty much has been just spotting once in awhile and my mood all over the place!!! Plus my sex drive is like completelyyy gone!!! I really want to get it taken out!!