Birth control implant vs Combination birth control pill

To start, I gained about 20 pounds. My periods were sometimes non existent and then I would have a two week period, then two days of no bleeding, followed by another two week period. After a while the implant migrated in my arm and started to cause aches whenever I exercised. I could handle most side effects but the real issue was low libido. The implant made me actively avoid sex and even be a little repulsed by it. It definitely hurt my relationship. I did love the security of it and how little I had to worry about getting pregnant.

I am approaching the removal date for my 3rd nexplanon. I’m researching alternative non hormonal options but may just go with another nexplanon as it has been nothing but positive for me for nearly a decade. I decided to leave this review to remind anyone reading that while reviews and the experiences of others are important, everyone is different and will react to birth control methods differently. The nexplanon has been extremely reliable for me with little to no noticeable negative reactions and it could be for you too.

Mostly experienced irregular periods

at first i experienced a lot of anxiety and mood swings but after a few years seemed to die down. Weight gain and libido have been the really only symptoms I have experienced. Have not had a period the whole time.

I have been on birth control for a year and a half now. The pharmacy switched what brand they gave me, and even though it had the “same ingredients” it’s like you’re starting a whole new pill so your body has to adjust all over again. Im on month 6 of taking this one and Im consistently having break through bleeding the week before my placebo pill week, so im bleeding for two weeks every month. Im about to go off of it the beginning of September anyway, so i’m just pushing through, but if I have to take one in the future i will 100% be asking for a different pill. Ive had no other side effect except that which is great but the bleeding extra and the dull cramps that stick around those two weeks are annoying.

I didnt really notice much of a change. I was only on .1/.02 mgs. I did notice a lot of nausea especially in the mornings and one night i was throwing up nonstop.

I never know when I'm just "overreacting" or when it's the effect of birth control. However, depending on the time of day I take my birth control, I may feel headache or nausea symptoms and it tends to be pretty obviously connected to the birth control (i.e definitely not because of anything else).

Managed my periods well (virtually nonexistent) and never caused acne or weight gain. I would get headaches/ migraines around the time of the inactive pills. I fear that 16 years of birth control pill use have been bad for my body and I am taking a break. I noticed cramping and fatigue within weeks of stopping.

This birth control was prescribed to me for our IVF treatment for suppression. Mind you, I have no history of mental illness but a few days on this pill I felt crazy, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and just felt like I had no will to live. Felt nauseas and just didn't want to get out of bed all day. It even terrified my husband. Everyone's experience is different but upon reading up on reviews on this pill I've seen very similar experiences like mine. I notified my physician because I couldn't take the side effects anymore and he quickly took me off it and prescribed a different birth control. As soon as I stopped taking Apri all the negative side effects subsided. Thank goodness the new birth control works well with me. Based on my personal experience, I always notify any physicians that I cannot take this pill. I will never look twice. Just horrible.

This is the first birth control I have ever been on. I wanted the low dose combination pill to lower the risk of blood clots and other things. When I first started I really had no bad side effects at all. My period is way lighter than it was being off of the pill and it lasts only a few days. Sometimes I bleed a little more sometimes a little less or barely at all some months. My breasts have definitely gotten larger but I had smaller breasts to begin with so I don't mind the growth. I have a history of migraines but they were more frequent off of birth control and the only time I get migraines now is during the placebo week mainly. The one thing about the pill that has not been good is the weight gain. I am certain it is from the pill even though doctors tell you the combo pill cant make you gain weight. Before the pill I was 129 pounds and for the first couple of months I didn't notice any weight gain. Until about halfway through about 6 months in, I weighed around 144 pounds. Now I am a year in and the weight keeps going up and I am now about 167 pounds and my BMI is in the overweight category. I am so self conscious and depressed about my weight gain. I don't know if the weight gain will ever stop. I don't want to change pills because this works well for me otherwise but if you get on this pill, please be aware it may cause a ton of weight changes.

It’s a pretty average birth control. It hasn’t affected me negatively a great deal but there are some impacts that have negatively affected me.

Didn’t experience anything bad, maybe bloating the first 3 months, but it seems to work fine.

I was put on Junel Fe 1/20 in college when I was underweight and not producing estrogen (I've since recovered from my eating issues and am at a much healthier weight) and I've had no issues with Junel. I don't get a period most months, and if I do have spotting, it's rarely during the time it's supposed to come, which I don't love. Besides that, no complaints!