Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Implant

I love this pill. I was struggling with mood and physical symptoms around pms, I have tried several oral contraceptives intermittently over the last 15 years but had other side effects to them, I was using a Kyleena coil which worked really well for contraception and period control but as this did not stop me ovulating, PMS became my main concern. I tried Slynd when it became available in the UK and I love it. My cyclical mood, bloating and skin issues have basically completely resolved and the longer missed pill window works much better for me.

this was my first contraception ever. i had read up on it so had an idea of what to expect but after a week of taking it i could already see the affect it was having on my body. i was easily gaining much more weight than i would when eating the same foods, same amount of foods. i was never one to have spots and noticed my skin getting loads around my forehead and cheeks. my mood was terrible, always angry and irritated causing a lot of arguments between me and my boyfriend. decreased sex drive. i decided to stop it as i just didn’t feel like myself anymore, im 4 days off it and im feeling a lot better than i was taking it.

I’d been off contraception for years and I wanted to go back on it as in a relationship and not TTC just yet. So far it seems to be okay th first 2 months was where i experienced most my symptoms mainly have settled sort from sex drive, headaches, no periods they still exist on month 5.

I was on it for coming up to 8 years overall obviously great to not get pregnant and I was on contraception before where I had an accident so it was really easy and really quick to not have to think about this. It did really impact my moods and I eventually ended up having PMDD because of the severe mood swings. I would also bleed twice a month instead of just a once And it caused a really bad loss of libido and federal dryness. But these are all things that would probably happen if I was pregnant anyway.

My mood was completely changed on this contraception about 2 weeks in. I started getting really angry at everything/everyone very fast, I had a short temper, I felt sad all the time and like everyone was against me. Overall I felt I was going crazy and could not control my emotions at all. Also I had a constant heavy period for 3 months

Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend

I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!

(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.

Nexplanon has changed my life by taking away my PMS/PMDD mental health symptoms. I have a lot of trust in the evidence that it works effectively to prevent pregnancy. I found both the original insertion and the replacement to be non painful procedures. The replacement took a bit longer because it was fiddly for them to get the rod out. This was not painful but slightly uncomfortable but the nurses were so friendly that it was okay. It completely randomises my periods. I still get a slight breast tenderness before my periods which helps me to know when it is coming. It feels like my PMS is quiet and slow where as before it was fast and brutal. Recently after my new insertion I’ve had a bit of dizziness here and there, but I am still working out why… it could be due to my diet. Generally I prefer my experience on Nexplanon to what my natural experience was like and would continue to use it even if I stopped being sexually active.

Stopped my periods for the first 4 years then they became heavier - lasting up to 3 weeks

It's my first time on birth control and I get way angrier then I used to but all I'm seeing from my body is positive things

Was previously on the progesterone only pill but did not want to have to remember it daily. Have had no issues with Nexplanon and had it changed recently after having the first for three years.

I would recommend getting the implant. There has been little to no difference in my body while using it and it has been a positive experience. I did notice my periods have gone from Light and regular every month to continue being light but very irregular and can last anything from 4 days to 3 months at a time. I also had one other negative experience a few weeks into having the implant. (I do think it was just my body adjusting as I haven’t had anything the same since). Where I was continuously being sick for 2 days, There was no signs of me being ill or have eaten anything unusual. I do think the implant has made very little changes to my body. Obviously a 3 month period is annoying but it does end you just need to be patient. I’m coming up to 2 years on my implant so I do feel as though my input is helpful as some people aren’t patient enough to wait out the symptoms like a long period.