Side effects

Nexplanon implant side effects

2.8

608 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

37% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

56% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

Nexplanon implant

Nexplanon implant common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

51% of Nexplanon implant reviewers reported tender breasts

43% of Nexplanon implant reviewers reported period like cramps

41% of Nexplanon implant reviewers reported vaginal discharge

37% of Nexplanon implant reviewers reported vaginal dryness

36% of Nexplanon implant reviewers reported breast enlargement


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews


Reviews

2.8

608 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

Poor experience. Great at preventing pregnancy however side effects on mental and physical health were not worth it. I chose to prioritise my health and swap to condoms.

Read more

Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Bled constantly for months, then no period for ages, then bleeding again for weeks on end. Really heavy which is abnormal for me. No sex drive, I was really depressed for the nearly 3 years I was on this and I thought that was just me, funnily enough when i came off it I felt so much better and couldn’t believe most my problems were probably being caused by this implant


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Extreme weight gain, despite always being a consistent weight and no changes in lifestyle/eating habits. Also I have become increasingly more self conscious and body conscious, so an affect on mental health


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

Great if you want to have sex and not worry about pregnancy’s however the change in my physical appearance and mood swings have been crazy and I will be getting it removed asap as I can’t go on like this


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

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

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

Great, less to worry about. But the cramps are brutal as well as the mood swings.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

Add your Nexplanon implant review

To help other women

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them