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
4% of Implant reviewers reported hair loss
3% of Implant reviewers reported migraine with aura
3% of Implant reviewers reported a latex allergy
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 (35%)
- Sweating more than usual (27%)
- Thrush (21%)
- Nausea or vomiting (19%)
- Headaches (16%)
- Body hair increase (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 (4%)
- Migraine with aura (3%)
- A latex allergy (3%)
Reviews
2.8
607 reviews
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Some infrequent cramping and bleeding but in general a good experience. Despite a lot of fear and generally being very bad with needles, a very good fitting experience (thank you to the nurse for introducing me to glucose shots that reduced the delayed faint for me!), and very convenient to not have to think about it for a few years. Feeling for it has not been as bad as it sounded, and while you cannot avoid side effects as easily - unlike a pill or patch you can't just stop taking it or take a break - they have not been worse than a usual cycle, and happen less frequently so overall, happy!
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Great, less to worry about. But the cramps are brutal as well as the mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Random bleeding throughout which was frustrating. Partner felt like I seemed happier in general once I came off. Suffered anxiety attacks after coming off the implant (may or may not be related currently unsure)
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
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0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Great for if you are looking for contraception that you can forget about and prevent periods however it caused lasting weight gain and awful mood such as unreasonable anger which was almost misdiagnosed as a personality disorder until I came off the contraception.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
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Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I had 3 implants back to back and really rated them. I felt they personally kept me in a very even emotional space as I didn’t have hormonal cycle mood fluctuations and didn’t experience any persistent low mood on it. My period stopped when I had the implant (which I loved) and had no side effects, which was great as after coming off the implant to conceive found when on no hormones I got terrible headaches and acne around my period which I had forgotten about! On reflection I probably did have slightly worse skin on the implant but not significantly. Around the 2 year mark each time it ‘ran out’ and suddenly there didn’t seem to be enough hormone to stop my periods and had persistent breakthrough bleeding which prompted me to get them changed early each time which resolved the issue. I have since been told you can take ibruprofen for a few days to counter this but have no experience of this. The reason it gets 4 stars not 5 is I really struggled to get it taken out as many health care practitioners are trained in insertion and many less is removal. When I wanted to start a family I was told there would be a 3 month wait for removal which was absolutely unacceptable to me and I ended up getting a family member who is a Dr to cut it out at home as I was so desperate. This lack of bodily autonomy I found very distressing and has put me off getting one again incase there’s a delay removing it, however it was late 2021 so may have been in part due to Covid so have to take that into account
Somewhat positive mood
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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th May 25
I’ve had the implant for 2 years and it’s great that I haven’t had a pregnancy scare. However, my periods are so irregular it’s a joke. I keep track of my periods on an app called Flo and my cycle seems really abnormal. One month I’d be spotting for a week then my period would be over, the next month I’d either miss the whole month or I’d be bleeding on and off for 12 days or more, stop and be on again a week or 2 later, it’s never the same week every month. I can’t keep up with how irregular it is so I’m thinking to change contraception.
Worse skin
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0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th May 25
I found the procedure fine. Changed from the pill so I didn’t have to take medication daily which was convenient. I did get acne on this contraception which did get severe so had to change.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Apr 25
Loved that it was bullet proof and low maintenance + Long lasting. Didn't like the irregular bleeding in the last year so changed to the pill early for more flexibility and control
Top side effects not reported
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Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th Apr 25
Have been using the implant for years. Went to clinic to get replacement, would be my fourth, and practice didn't put implant in. Only discovered months later. Scary process all round, getting 10+ appointments to locate it! Only to be told it wasn't inserted in the first place.
Very negative mood
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Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 25
my periods stopped but i noticed when i wanted to have sex i wasn’t able to get wet easily. i also developed acne for the first time after i stopped due to the sudden loss of hormones. overall it worked and i enjoyed no periods and no other symptoms outside of sex.
Improved skin
1 more effect
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