Reviews
Implant reviews
2.8
590 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Reviews
2.8
590 reviews
Filter reviews
Community reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
50/50 experience overall. My skin improved to the point where it is clear aside from the occasional hormonal spot. Definitely would recommend if you’re like me and always forget to take the pill daily. I don’t get periods but when I do I bleed for about 2-3 weeks heavily. I have noticed some weight gain but nothing to be worried about. My boobs have grown 2 whole cup sizes. No mood changes as far as I’m aware. The implant insertion process was quick and painless so nothing to worry about there.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Nov 24
Due to a family history of thrombosis I was advised against the combined pill which at the time was still the most common option, so the implant seemed a good choice. Whilst it was convenient in that it was long lasting and easily fitted, with no horrendous side effects, with the conversation about choices becoming more open I realised that I had been putting up with side effects which were gradually getting me down - irregular bleeding and low libido (possibly connected!) made regular sex with my partner less easy and fun than it should be, and I found that the more I exercised the more I bled, and I wanted to exercise more. I decided to switch to the copper IUD to experience a normal cycle again without the hormones, and am very happy I changed.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Nov 24
Ever since using this form of contrception i get twice my period in one month and feels like stabing pains now and then in my stomach but not all the time. I was recommended the implant after i had my miscarriage Moody sometimes but other than that i guess its safe to have the implant in like its said everyones body is different
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Oct 24
Worked well as a contraception, but in the year I had it in for I probably had about 30 days only without any bleeding or spotting. I also trialled taking the mini pill alongside the implant to try and reduce the bleeding but this had no effect. I had thrush multiple times throughout the year I had the implant, and had never had it before. My mood was the worst it had ever been, but there had been other life changes going on at the time which may have contributed.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Oct 24
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Oct 24
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Sep 24
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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
0 helpful
0 comments
Implant benefits
Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Implant alternatives
Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients