Patch vs Implant

Overall positive experience, felt really well and ended up using it for >10 years. Had to come off it as it had been a long time but i would have happily continued. No major side effects noticed.

The patch was extremely convenient to use and it did make my periods more regular however I had extreme headaches whilst on it which hugely affected my life. I didn’t think it was to do with my patch initially however as soon as I removed it as a final resort, my headaches went. They were totally debilitating.

Really great, massively better than the pill which I was on before. Doesn't massively effect my mood. Gives me a bit of skin irritation where the patch is but that is easily resolved by moving it each use. Very easy to use too, I only have to think about it once a week!

It was good for the first implant but then when my second one was fitted I bled for almost a whole year and became very exhausted

I really enjoyed the implant for the first 12 months, however after this I started to spot more and more and for longer periods. These were also accompanied with increased fatigue and pain. The breakout bleeding than got progressively worse until the end of the 3 year period. Otherwise little to no symptoms which was made the increasing spotting so much more annoying!

It was my first time on contraception, I was afraid to forget the pill and had the feeling that the implant had less hormones in it. My mood was very fluctuating for the first 4-6 months but then settled. My period was much lighter at the beginning and not painful for the first few months, then actually got irregular after 7-8 months (only a few days, then nothing for 2 weeks, then 3 weeks long period...) The insertion of the implant was very easy and not too painful, been able to feel it since the beginning.

Loved having no periods and the convenience around not needing to remember anything for 3 years at a time. But over time I did realise I was getting vaginal dryness and thrush more often.

I didn't get on with the implant. After 4 months of heavy bleeding most days, a nurse was worried it was exacerbating my endometriosis. I agreed it probably was, so went on the cerelle mini-pill for 3 months at the same time. Cerelle and the implant together did stop the constant bleeding for 2 months, but then it came back slowly and I was no better off. I suffered from low mood, leg aches, acne and bloating for the entire 7 months I had nexplannon, so it was a relief to get it removed.

Unfortunately the implant wasn’t for me. At first I didn’t notice any effects for the first couple of weeks, however, a few weeks in I started my first period on the implant which lasted two weeks, I then stopped for a week and then I started with some spotting which turned into a full blown period. This pattern was repeated for several months until I was prescribed a pill, to help regulate my periods, as a temporary measure, with the hope the implant would adjust. Unfortunately once I came off the pill I had bleeding for 6 weeks straight until I decided to start taking a combined pill and I have just today had the implant removed. Obviously everyone’s bodies work differently so I don’t necessarily want to put people off the implant but I would say from my experience to give it 6 months and if it’s not working try something else, don’t suffer in silence.

The implant has been great for me. It went in my arm and healing was quite quick. After a few months my periods stopped entirely which I view as a positive. Every 3 months or so I get period like cramps but no bleeding and this is now my regular pattern. My skin improved slightly with less spots and there's been not other noticeable difference to myself.

Before I got the implant, I was nervous about all the side effects after reading horror stories about it, but I was pleasantly surprised after I got it done. I had it fitted on the second day of my period, the next day I noticed that my flow went from medium/heavy to very light, definitely not complaining. My next period came 9 days early (according to my period tracker app), it was very light, however I did notice some cramping, nothing I can’t handle, but the headaches and the overwhelming amount of emotions was the worse, I was emotional, and had no energy. But after my period, I went back to feeling normal. I have also noticed that my hair started to become greasier faster than usual, but that isn’t a big issue for me. My skin hasn’t changed, no weigh gain or loss. One main thing that I have truly noticed throughout my experience is mood swings, they come and go, one moment I can be happy, the next I want to cry when nothing even happened, but I guess this is normal because of the hormones and my body still adjusting to the implant. Overall, my experience wasn’t what I expected and it’s actually pretty good, and it’s comforting to know that I can get it taken out whenever I want. If anyone is scared to get the implant because of all the stories, it is very good to do research, but I recommend to just do it, see how you feel, wait out all the side effects and then make your decision if you still want to keep it in or not. I haven’t had it in for long, but at the moment, I am happy and not planning to take it out :)

Was convinced to try this by my doctor and definitely regret it. Acne made worse and didn’t feel like myself, small issues would seem like the biggest issues ever. Came off due to increased anxiety, overthinking… and wish I had done so sooner.

I was keen to try the implant as it seemed perfect for me on paper, but I ended up getting it removed due to very low mood and mood swings. Within a few days of insertion, I felt emotional all the time, getting easily upset and crying most days, and I didn't feel like myself at all. I regularly felt depressed, hopeless and overwhelmed. I also had irrational worries and anxious thoughts. I persevered with the implant for two years because I was convinced that these side effects would lessen over time, but I didn't notice any improvement. Throughout the time I had the implant, I experienced nearly constant light bleeding and spotting as well as breast tenderness. I found these side effects irritating as they interfered with my daily life, although I would have been willing to put up with them if I hadn't had the mood issues as well. Once I finally made my mind up and had my implant removed, my moods were back to normal within a week, and my periods returned to their regular pattern right away. In hindsight, I wish I had listened to my body and had it removed much sooner. For me the only positives were that the implant was convenient and effective, and the insertion/removal processes were fairly painless. I would say it is worth a try if these things are important to you, but my personal experience was so poor that it has put me off hormonal contraceptives entirely.