Reviews

Implant reviews

2.8

584 reviews

Implant has an average rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars from a total of 584 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Implant review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
The contraceptive implant is a small flexible plastic rod that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the hormone progestogen gradually into your bloodstream and is effective for 3 years. It's one of the most effective forms of contraception out there and is great if you find it difficult to remember to take the pill every day.

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Implant

Reviews

2.8

584 reviews

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Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I've had nexplanon for nearly 3 years and I will most likely get it again and recommend it to others. Whilst everyone's body is different, my body hasn't had an awful reaction with the implant. When I had it inserted I had two extremely light periods in the beginning and since then I have had no periods. I would say the only thing I have struggled with personally is the weight gain, however I have a bad relationship with food and my body so take it with a grain of salt! When I had it inserted I was underweight and in the nearly 3 years I've had it, I have gained enough to be classed on the "higher end of a normal BMI" (whatever that really means because the BMI is a load of BS). My boobs have grown- probably because of the weight gain, and I do get occasional mild cramping. Whilst this is the negative side not my experience, it has also been nice to not worry about pregnancy after having sex and it has made things A LOT easier. Overall 9/10. Please remember everyone's experiences are different. My experience might be the complete opposite of someone else's. If you feel like a form of contraception isn't working or is making your life horrible because of the side effects, please try something else. It's trial and error!

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Gained weight

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Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Sep 24

Nexplanon implant  

Whilst the second and third years on the implant mellowed me out a bit as a mentally unwell girly (struggle to regulate my emotions), the first year was pretty bad now I look back on it-i was quite depressed although unsure if this was due to the implant. I never had any periods, except for some rare light spotting for a couple of days every 6 months or so. No other symptoms really except for some weight gain and boob enlargement. My libido was a bit lower as well imo.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Aug 24

Nexplanon implant  

This was by far the best contraceptive method I've used. Discreet, reliable and gave me no issues. Had 2 of these over several years.


Top side effects not reported

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0 comments

Implant  
Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Aug 24

Nexplanon implant  

It was great for the first few years, I had no bleeding and didn’t notice any mood problems. After the first time I got it changed, I had constant problems with bleeding on and off. I ended up taking the mini pill on top to stop bleeding which caused horrible dryness, which was very uncomfortable. I didn’t notice my mood getting worse or my sex drive disappearing over the following 6 years, but a few days after I got it out I could feel this weighty sense of dread leaving my body. This contraception was effective insofar as it prevented pregnancy, but it’s hard to tell how much of that was just me never wanting to have sex.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

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Implant  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jul 24

Nexplanon implant  

I had 3 implants over 9 years. On the surface I thought I had minimal side effects, with the exception on loss of periods (approx. 2 per year). However I decided to take a break having spent a decade on continuous hormonal birth control. I now realise that there where several effects on my mood. Mostly flat lining of my emotions, I never felt things intensely and left me a bit closed off. My libido was very suppressed and took 3/4 months to come back, in line with my periods returning semi- regularly. I also no longer feel constantly bloated or have regular stomach aches. However I didn't get pregnant or experience bad side effects, so I can't say it was a wholly 'negative' experience. I won't however go back to hormonal birth control anytime soon!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

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0 comments

Implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

I had the implant fitted as I wanted reliable contraception that I didn't need to think about constantly. I had some slight spotting for a couple of months after getting it fitted, but apart from that, the first three years were all fine. When I came to have it changed, the nurse could not locate the implant, so it couldn't be removed during my appointment. I then had to wait six moths to see a specialist at the 'deep implant clinic' who was able to find it and remove it, few, however this whole experience was pretty worrying during those few months. I was not going to have a new one put into my arm but during this appointment I suddenly changed my mind and decided to have another one put in. This second implant I had for two years, then after my 6 year relationship broke down, I recently had it removed a couple of months ago to see how I felt not being on hormonal contraception. Amazing is the answer.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

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Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

For two years I had good and bad experiences with the Implant. I would definitely say the negative side effects definitely fall under mental health (depression and mood swings), sometimes I would get nausea to the point of wanting to vomit everywhere, migraines, lower back pain. My libido is below low levels. I think I lost myself over this 2 years, I don't feel like the same person mentally. However, this is the best contraception in terms of insertion and daily practicality. I wanted to start having contraception but I didn't want the pill (because I am very forgetful), I didn't want the diaphragm (too complicated) but this one was just perfect and painless procedure. Also, my body changed a little bit over the years but it was because I started being careless with my eating habits, so it is easy for your weight to change with the implant. And in terms of hair and skin, for me it didn't change much, I would get a pimple every now and then but it would go away by itself. If it wasn't for the mental health for sure I wouldn't take it out.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

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Implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th May 24

Nexplanon implant  

Getting it put in: was a little more involved and bigger than I expected. It was fine, little gross but I couldn't feel it and just avoided looking. They numb the arm area, and slowly insert it. It feels like the they're slowly inserting the pointy side of one of those old school card sized mail openers. It was fine. You can do it. Was much more appealing to me than pill or any vaginal coil. Experience 0-3 months: irregular bleeding, spotting, almost constantly for the first three months. Not heavy at all, very light but irregular. No cramps and before I had these a lot! Experience 3-7 months: no period, no spotting, no cramps. It's amazing and I'm so happy with it. My hair has been shedding more but I have a lot of very thick Asian hair so unsure if related. I've had increased appetite, but again this could be due to other factors in life. No other side effects. I'm very pleasantly surprised. I expected a pretty difficult journey with this one, but it's the best contraceptive I've used so far.


Top side effects not reported

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0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th May 24

Nexplanon implant  

I was originally on the Evra patch, but I got the implant as I was moving from the UK to NZ - where the patch is not available and id have to pay out of pocket for any other kind of pill. My experience was awful. I had constant, nonstop breakthrough bleeding, anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal ideation and no libido. I was very sensitive to stress and pollen so would come home from work and be absolutely drained, stuck in bed with an awful headache. I was bloated all the time and gained weight as I was bingeing to help deal with the stress of moving and my side effects from the implant - I suffer from an eating disorder… I was a mess. Not a great mix when you move to the other side of the world with your boyfriend. I do deal with real bad dryness around ovulation when I’m not on any contraception - so the patch and implant did help with that - but of course bleeding for 4 months straight did not help anything else. My doctor was very worried about my iron levels… Everything got so bad with my moods and the physical side effects, my boyfriend was like “you need to sort this out and have it remove or think about moving home…” I had it removed in November 2022. Currently not on any contraception but thinking about Yaz or Yasmin. Although not subsidised here in New Zealand, everything else available that is subsidised has a high androgenic strength. Not impressed, however i had a very good experience with Yasmin back in 2017, so maybe it’s best I eat up the £75 charge for 6 months worth? Can’t wait to move back home so I have access to free contraception lol.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

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0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th May 24

Nexplanon implant  

Persistent thrush immediately after getting it fitted, also VERY low mood when period is due and generally more emotional.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

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