Nexplanon

mothernorth

Hey gals, do any of you have any experience with the Nexplanon implant? I had it inserted in November. I haven't had it long enough to give it a rating, but so far I'm not a fan of what it's doing to my body.

I think our plan is to start TTC after its removal in 3 years. I know every woman's body is different, and all of our experiences will likely vary, but can anybody offer any "real life" input on when your body went back to normal? I know the statistical time frame, I also know it's a very broad generalization and I'd like to hear from experience

mill1020

I don't have any experience w/ Nexplanon or other implanted contraceptives.  I've done the pill, Mirena IUD (didn't like it; got it yanked out); the patch (didn't like it), and the mini-pill (didn't hate it but didn't love it, either).

So I'm curious, what kind of side effects does it have that are bugging you?

mothernorth

Since I had it inserted November 12th, I bleed for 7-8 days, have 7 days without bleeding, then bleed for 7-8 days again. So pretty much every other week for week and it is awful.
I started getting cystic acne around my jawline (hawt) and boils that are similar to my acne on my bikini line (double hawt).
I am in a perpetual state of depression (already had PPD, so not sure if Nexplanon has affected that any), and I just don't feel like myself. I also have *TMI alert*, what appears to be heavy EWCM constantly and it is disgusting. This is taking a toll on my sex life, which is taking a toll on my relationship, which in turn takes a toll on my mental health, so on and so forth.
Just bleh =/ I hope it's just early side effects and will level out in a few more months...

I loved the minipill, so if I get this removed I'm going back to that.

glitzandglitter

I don't have any experience with that but it sounds terrible. With a new baby that's a lot to deal with. I'd call the doctor and tell her what side effects you are experiencing. Maybe ask is this long term or just adjusting kinda deal. Then discuss possible other options if it is too much. 

mill1020

@AllyTheKid,  Ugh, that sounds annoying.  But I think you're right to give it a few more months to see if things will normalize.

mothernorth

@glitzandglitter I spoke to my OB right after I posted this haha He said pretty much what I assumed he would- give it more time, your body needs to adjust. I'm dead-set on returning to the minipill if this for some reason doesn't work out and I have it removed.
@mill1020 It's annoying, but it does seem to be getting better, by the every-other-week nonsense that's been going on, I'm two days "late", so hopefully these periods are spacing back out now! I have my FX for a longer gap this time.

izza2

I was on the Nexplanon for 2 years, and I loved it. I had it put in while AF had first arrived, and after my normal period I think I had one day of bleeding the next month and then didn't have any withdrawal bleeding for the rest of the time I had it in. Once we have another LO, I'll go back to the Nexplanon until we decide to TTC again.

It entirely depends on you and your body. Some people take a while to adjust, others adjust quick. I had a great experience, but I've read where others had daily spotting while they were on the Nexplanon. Some BC methods just don't agree with some people.
Give it this month, and then if it still isn't working out I would personally push to have it removed and use a different method. It's tough to enjoy life when you're bleeding every other week.

mothernorth

@izza2 How was the removal? Did it leave a scar or anything, or was just about the same as insertion?
I think it'll level out for me in time, I loved the minipill, this is the same type of hormone, so I think I just to need to adjust to it being a constant steady flow from the implant instead of a quick rush of progesterone from a pill every evening.