Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Implant

This hormone made me suicidal. I was trialling it for 3 months as I intended to get the mirena coil but wanted to see how I reacted to the specific hormone before I had it more permanently in my system. All day every day all I could think about was killing myself. I felt miserable and severely depressed. I started getting spots on my face and chest, one of my breasts is still slightly larger than the other since taking and stopping this medication (past them being sisters not twins level of different). The low mood wasn't noticeable to me until I'd run out of the 3 months script and couldn't get any more for a while. Within days I felt miles better. My period had been stopped already by my cerazette usage, and it didn't return while I was taking Norgeston. Absolutely I would recommend trying Norgeston before committing to the Mirena coil, if I hadn't I'm not entirely sure I'd still be here!

I was swapped over to the progesterone only pill after I was experiencing migraines with aura on the combined pill, where I was told this meant I was of a higher stroke risk. After 6 months of taking Desogestorel, I had almost no sex drive, acne for the first time in my life and my mood had plummeted. I had a pill review and asked to come off the pill at this time, mostly due to my low mood. It was recommended that I try taking the pill at a separate time to my other medication (I’m also on levothyroxine) as they may have been interfering with each other, causing the low mood. Another 6 months later I was having incredibly dark thoughts and very frequent depressive episodes, even having to miss work. After speaking with my GP, I have come off the Desogestorel and even after only 2 days I am already starting to feel like myself again.

Since taking the mini pill each month a week before my period is due I am getting really painful back pain, when I stand up the pain takes my breath away it’s not constant it’s like electric bolts for approx a week, also my moods are all over the place, I have lost weight since going on this pill. I was on Marina coil before which caused weight gain.

While the implant did its job of preventing pregnancy, it negatively affected me physically and mentally. I got periods twice a month and my menstruation lasted longer. Before, my periods would last for up to five days, whereas with this contraception, my periods last seven days on average. Additionally, I had long periods of spotting and periods. At the time of my implant removal, I had been spotting and bleeding for over a month, with no break. The irregular bleeding didn't stop after 7 months, and the nurse informed me it is unlikely to improve. Furthermore, my mood worsened and I had more anxiety and suicidal thoughts. To best describe the increase in anxiety, I had more sensations where I felt like I was having a psychotic relapse when I wasn't. Regarding the suicidal thoughts, they were more intense and I couldn't self manage as well. When discussing the mental health effects with a nurse prior to the insertion, they said that it wouldn't be that bad because I'm already mentally ill. However, my mood was a lot lower after having the implant and stayed low most of the time. Finally, I noticed a weight gain after having the implant inserted and it was very hard to lose fat when having this implant.

The Implant has worked for me for a very long time, and other than a lower sex drive and very occasional spotting when I first started taking it, I would've recommended it to anyone. However, what I didn't know when I started using the progesterone-only implant is that your reaction to it can literally change over night. And that's what happened to me. After 6 months of non-stop incredibly heavy bleeding I had to get it out. I even took the mini pill to try and stop it and it didn't work. Also, getting the implant out (which I've now been through twice) is quite a traumatic ordeal. The tissue in my arm both times had covered the implant rod which meant that when the nurse tried to take it out it was incredibly painful (despite local anaesthetic) and uncomfortable. If you understand and accept these downfalls, I generally got on well with the Implant and single-hormone contraception.

I had a Nexplanon inserted less than 6 months ago. I have tried other methods in the past (male condoms, birth control pills, Nuva ring), and I’ve decided that the side effects of Nexplanon are not so bad compared with other methods. Also, I feel very certain that I will not become pregnant with the implant, as it is more than 99% effective. That said, I experience bad side effects, including frequent headaches, breast sensitivity, near-daily cramping, some vaginal dryness, and underwear-ruining spotting. I have also experienced an increase in dysorgasmia (when there is pain after or during an orgasm). I think the spotting and cramping will go away over the next two months, as my doctor says that many implant users have no period after 6 months’ use. I am trying other things for the cramping and dysorgasmia, too, like B complex vitamins, eating cruciferous vegetables, and relaxation techniques. Overall, I am pleased with this method because my symptoms on other methods were bad in other ways and I was still worried about pregnancy. Now I have peace of mind. Finally, it’s worth noting that because I have Müllerian duct anomaly (I have a septum in my uterus) I cannot or should not get an IUD/IUS. I feel I have found an effective method that I can actually keep in my body, without having to keep it in my uterus.

I had the impalnt after being on the progesterone pill - found it much better not having to think about taking a pill everyday. The insertion was fine and really quick but unfortunaely made it no difference to my irregular periods. I wasted so much time waiting for it to settle and putting up with symptoms but it just wasn't the right contraception for me in the end.

Having tried the pill and hated it, I was keen to try the implant as it was something I didn't have to worry about or take everyday. I am now on to my second implant so have been using the implant overall for 4-5 years. Pro's are its super quick to get put in once you get an appointment that is and you don't have to worry about it for 3 years. It has stopped my period altogether which is great, it has improved my skin slightly but as someone who has always had acne before using contraception it doesn't bother me. I don't get any period symptoms including cramping, spotting or pain which is another positive. Con's are the low moods, slight weight gain that you can't shift and I've experienced an increase in headaches. The only period symptom I do get consistently are the low moods every month I can pinpoint a week where I feel down and blue. But overall I am happy with my implant, its being 100% effective in preventing pregnancy as well in the years I've been on it, which is a massive weight off my mind as someone who does not want children anytime soon. I would definitely recommend the implant.

i took the implant for 7 years, i had more or less every side effect you could possibly get. i never knew if i was coming or going, my mental health took a huge hit but 0 pregnancy scares and the side effects were less severe than when i took the pill.

Pros: Don’t have to remember to take a pill every day Lasts for 3-5 years Cons Gained 2 stone Continuous bleeding for 6 months then no bleeding at all for 12 months Can feel it in arm Worsens mood/made me feel numb

Having done little research on the implant before getting it, i panicked after reading the reviews here. I am now 3 months in and have nothing adverse to report. No mood swings, no skin issues, no pains and so far no periods either. Very happy with it for now.

I got the implant back in march, and since then I have gained more than 10kg. I have eaten and excercised the same for multiple years, and not gained excesss weight, only natural puberty weight. the weight I have gained is JUST cellulite, there's cellulite all over my body and im full of stretch marks, both of which were not there 6 months ago. although my periods have stopped which is a good thing (for me) I have been getting more migraines and headaches than usual. not getting periods is the only plus from the implant, the weight gain and stretch marks over my breast, thighs, hips and stomach, and cellulite ALL over my body, on my arms, legs, bum, stomach, legs make me feel extremely insecure and im finding it very difficult to lose weight.

I had the implant a few years back and it went really well.. My periods stopped, no weight gain and I took it out about 2 1/2 years in due to spotting and wanted to give my body a break. Went into the second thinking it would be the same experience... it was not! Bleeding for 2 weeks straight away (ruined all my underwear and bedsheets because I never knew when it had stopped!) Lower back pain pretty much constantly, ive put on weight super fast and feel awful in all my clothes due to what I think is severe water retention. Boobs have grown (not necessarily a bad thing) but are very tender. Headaches a lot more than usual. No energy. The worst side effect I have noticed is my anxiety, I haven't been anxious for a long time until I had my implant in, constantly feel on edge and mood is so up and down, a lot more emotional and body dysmorphia is at an all time high.