Contraception Reviews

Side effects

Birth control implant side effects

3.1

70 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Mood

27% no impact on mood

Bleeds

56% spotting

Sex drive

33% lost sex drive

Weight

47% gained weight

Skin

31% no impact on 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

59% of Birth control implant reviewers reported period like cramps

2

Headaches

57% of Birth control implant reviewers reported headaches

3

Vaginal discharge

50% of Birth control implant reviewers reported vaginal discharge

4

Lower back pain

44% of Birth control implant reviewers reported lower back pain

5

Vaginal dryness

43% of Birth control implant reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • 7% of Birth control implant reviewers reported thrush

  • 6% of Birth control implant reviewers reported a latex allergy

  • 6% of Birth control implant reviewers reported pelvic infection


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • Period like cramps (59%)
  • Headaches (57%)
  • Vaginal discharge (50%)
  • Lower back pain (44%)
  • Vaginal dryness (43%)
  • Breast enlargement (43%)
  • Tender breasts (43%)
  • Sweating more than usual (39%)
  • Dizziness (36%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (30%)
  • Migraines (29%)
  • Body hair getting darker (21%)
  • Hair loss (17%)
  • Migraine with aura (16%)
  • Body hair increase (16%)
  • High blood pressure (10%)
  • Discomfort wearing contact lenses (9%)
  • Cystitis (7%)
  • Thrush (7%)
  • A latex allergy (6%)
  • Pelvic infection (6%)

Reviews

3.1

70 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Nexplanon implant  

Horrible side effects and depression/anxiety

Read more

Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

It did its job effectively but the side effects were awful and only got worse with time. I have excessive hair growth on my chin, lip, chest, and stomach which I have to shave daily/every other day. Never had this issue before. I also gained 30lbs over the 4 years I was on it. I will say, my cycle went back to normal very quickly after removal (removed a little under 3 weeks ago and im currently ovulating) so very good news given that we're trying to concieve. I would have just stuck with the pill though if I had known how bad it would be and that I'd have a lapse in health insurance during my time having it so getting it removed at an affordable rate was not an option.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

I give it three starts because it was effective as far as me not getting pregnant but I couldn’t deal with the spotting and I bled almost every day, granted I didn’t keep it that long but it was miserable to bleed every day since insertion and it was the ultimate reason for it being removed.


Gained weight

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Sep 25

Nexplanon implant  

My birth control has helped me by making my periods really light but then im bleeding for 7 days straight. Its help with some physical changes, but also hurt some important ones like weight. Other than that, I love this so far. But I shall report back in a few months with an update -Sunstruck


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Aug 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nothing worked prior to the implant…3 conceived while using another form of controlled release birth control, and my last 2 were planned by getting the implant removed. My periods are somewhat irregular but also extremely lighter than before and shorter lasting, however I have noticed every other month that it’s rougher than before, cramps, headache etc. but then 19 days later it’s just normal. I’ve also been able to maintain the same weight while using the implant and regardless of changes in my lifestyle that would suggest a fluctuation in weight over the last 7 years


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Aug 25

Nexplanon implant  

Terrible….the way my skin broke out with cystic acne….OMG I want to sue if I could, I thought I loosing all the blood in my body because I was on my period for a month every time it came, and the cramps were more painful than without this birth control, my experience was terrible I had no idea what was causing the acne until I went to a dermatologist and she asked about my birth control method and that’s when I decided to end it , I took my life back the day I got this thing out of my arm.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Jul 25

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon is a great contraceptive, I have had no pregnancy scares. Break through took about 1.5 years last 2-3 months of constant spotting older blood.


Gained weight

1 helpful

0 comments

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