Birth control implant vs Withdrawal or pull out method

I loved having Nexplanon. Light periods for 6 months then stopped having periods entirely. My periods didn't return for a year after I had it removed, though. No side effects other than acne & weight gain. I lost all that acne & weight as soon as it was removed.

I don't even know we're to start. Not having a period has been amazing. However, the side effects are horrible. The first month I had tingling in my hands and feet, that went away though. The first month I also experienced sever virtago/ dizziness. This issue has been on going for the past year. Its more annoying then a actually issue. I've had several acne that won't go away, mood swings are horrible, and my eye sight is bad. I've never been sick or had any health issue until getting nexplanon. Although not having a period is great, I will be getting mine removed next week after only 1 year do to issue..

I am 27, and I have been on some form of hormonal birth control since I turned 15. I have used Nexplanon for the last 5 years. Overall, it was a good pick for me because of my irregular schedule and my inability to remember to take something at the same time every day. An IUD was not an option for me because of some family medical history, and at the time that I was looking, I was told that I was not a candidate for Nuvaring. Nexplanon did make my periods significantly lighter, and for a while I didn’t have a period at all. Now my cycles are very irregular (anywhere from 29-44 days in between period start dates) it lasts 2-3 days, and I can survive with light and regular tampons. Before the implant, I had heavy periods that would last at least a week, and I would go through boxes of the super and super plus tampons. I usually had minimal cramping with Nexplanon, although, as I am nearing the end of this second implant, I do think my cramps are starting to become stronger. I have gained quite a bit of weight while I’ve been on it. I'm 5’6” tall, and I started out at 195 lbs in August of 2018. I was at 225 lbs By December of 2019 (16 months/30 lbs), and 250lbs by January 2022 (41 months/55 lbs). My heaviest was in November of 2023 at 271lbs (51 months/76lbs). I’m currently weighing in at 265 lbs (61 months/70lbs). I do not think that all of my weight is attributed to the implant. I think I have some other factors that have contributed to my specific scenario, but I am curious to see how my weight changes once I have this one removed. I think my plan is to go hormone-free after this implant to give my body some time to regulate itself, and see how hormone-free feels.

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal

I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.

It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.

No side effects