Side effects
Implant common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
51% of Implant reviewers reported tender breasts
44% of Implant reviewers reported period like cramps
41% of Implant reviewers reported vaginal discharge
37% of Implant reviewers reported vaginal dryness
36% of Implant reviewers reported breast enlargement
Implant rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
3% of Implant reviewers reported hair loss
3% of Implant reviewers reported a latex allergy
3% of Implant reviewers reported migraine with aura
Possible Implant side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Tender breasts (51%)
- Period like cramps (44%)
- Vaginal discharge (41%)
- Vaginal dryness (37%)
- Breast enlargement (36%)
- Lower back pain (36%)
- Sweating more than usual (28%)
- Thrush (21%)
- Nausea or vomiting (20%)
- Body hair increase (15%)
- Headaches (15%)
- Cystitis (14%)
- Body hair getting darker (12%)
- High blood pressure (9%)
- Dizziness (7%)
- Migraines (7%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (6%)
- Pelvic infection (5%)
- Hair loss (3%)
- A latex allergy (3%)
- Migraine with aura (3%)
Reviews
2.8
586 reviews
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Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I’ve had multiple cycles in which I bled for around 3 week straight and multiple where I just missed my period altogether. I’ve gained lots of weight and have gone up 3 cup sizes since having it. I’ve also developed severe acne problems since having it, similar to the issues I had with the Desogestrel pill. It’s honestly been much worse than I expected.
Worse skin
2 more effects
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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I enjoyed the convenience of this birth control but the side effects are not worth it. My mood has been like a roller coaster every day and I have had debilitating anxiety after being on this contraception for nearly 2 years. The constant spotting and light cramps are awful and the cystic acne and constant breast pain are too. It is very effective at preventing pregnancy though.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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!
Gained weight
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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Sep 24
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
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Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Aug 24
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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Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Aug 24
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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Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jul 24
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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Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Jun 24
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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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Jun 24
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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Used for 3 - 6 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th May 24
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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