The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Side effects

Birth control implant side effects

3.2

85 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Mood

27% no impact on mood

Bleeds

52% spotting

Sex drive

37% lost sex drive

Weight

46% gained weight

Skin

31% worse skin

Cycle return

46% in 1 month

Birth control implant

Birth control implant common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

1

Period like cramps

60% of Birth control implant reviewers reported period like cramps

2

Headaches

60% of Birth control implant reviewers reported headaches

3

Lower back pain

49% of Birth control implant reviewers reported lower back pain

4

Vaginal discharge

48% of Birth control implant reviewers reported vaginal discharge

5

Vaginal dryness

46% of Birth control implant reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • 8% of Birth control implant reviewers reported a latex allergy

  • 8% of Birth control implant reviewers reported thrush

  • 8% of Birth control implant reviewers reported pelvic infection


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • Period like cramps (60%)
  • Headaches (60%)
  • Lower back pain (49%)
  • Vaginal discharge (48%)
  • Vaginal dryness (46%)
  • Tender breasts (46%)
  • Sweating more than usual (42%)
  • Dizziness (41%)
  • Breast enlargement (41%)
  • Migraines (29%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (28%)
  • Hair loss (24%)
  • Body hair getting darker (22%)
  • Body hair increase (19%)
  • Migraine with aura (18%)
  • High blood pressure (13%)
  • Discomfort wearing contact lenses (12%)
  • Cystitis (8%)
  • A latex allergy (8%)
  • Thrush (8%)
  • Pelvic infection (8%)

Reviews

3.2

85 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

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Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Nexplanon implant  

I love it, as far as preventing me from conceiving its doing its job, but I think it depleted my sex drive a lot... Like A LOT. Anybody else having any similar issues? It's so bad my fiance has taken notice. Any advice on what to do? Im super scared of getting pregnant again and don't want to take it out... (He would prefer it out)

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Nexplanon implant  

I was very irritable, aloof, and generally unhappy on this birth control. It also worsened my menstrual cramps.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

5 starts for preventing pregnancy but the vaginal dryness and libido loss was my breaking point .


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jul 26

Nexplanon implant  

I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 26

Nexplanon implant  

Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd May 26

Nexplanon implant  

H


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

Well I would like to speak to somebody what does it mean when I been on birth control when It ended my five years but keep forgetting about it I'm about 4 or 5 years over an still haven't taken it out please can y'all contact me an let me know if that really bad actually it might even be more than 5 years over mabe like 6 or 7 or 8 years over what isn't good or side affects or is it messing up my insides I need to know theses things please?


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

I have had the implant inserted 3 times. First 2 times barely had a period here and there. Always had one for a little longer right after it was placed. But the last time over a year ago it was fine until the last 4 months. I have had a period about every 2 weeks. Starts stops, starts stops. Not sure why but super annoying. Better than the pill and having a pregnancy. My kids are grown. My period has always been 28 days like clockwork. Wish I could not have the sporadic spotting but what do we do??🤪.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

Gain a ton on weight and lost all sex drive.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve been on this for 2.5 years, my periods average 17-28 days, heavy flow, and cramps that leave me throwing up and laying on the ground. My vaginal dryness was horrible, I feel so bad for my partner because we have to stop for more lube.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

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