Can the contraceptive implant implanon cause anxiety and depression?

[Stress_Head]

Hi,
I have had the implanon now for 2 years and since then have experienced 6 month cycles of extreme depression and anxiety followed by periods where i return to my normal happy mood and behaviour.  For the last month I have been feeling hightened level of anxitey, which have caused social withdrawal, and fellings of sadness and depression. Most worringly, recently i have had thoughts of self harming.

I couldn't seem to put my finger on why I was feeling this way, and till tonight, hadn't considered the possibility that it could be the implanon. I have done some brief reseach and found that the implanon can cause depression, but I am concerned can it completely explain the reason for my extreme long-term changes in mood, or is there something more deep routed?
Thanks

[zoem30]

well here i am again, i went to have it taken out today but they couldnt do it because its to deep in my muscle im really peed of i was really looking forward to it aswell i have to be refeerd to for a scan then see what they can do hope everyone is ok and yous dont have the same problem xx

[kaseyann]

This implanon is the worst.  I have been so depressed with no good reason.  I am going to try to get it removed this month.  It has put a strain on my relationship and I have a great relationship normally.  My fiance said he can tell I was never the way I am now and he swears its the birth control.  I hope everyone having issues with this thing gets theirs taken out.  I am switching to good ol fashion condoms.  No more hormones for me as soon as possible.  I went through crazy phases of thinking it would not matter if I was around and no one really needs me.  Craziness!

[ShaeShae89]

I have had the Implanon for 2 and a half years. I can say it was one of the worst decisions of my life!!! I am now severely depressed, fat, and paranoid. I have wanted to get it taken out for a year but my insurance didnt cover it. Most of our insurance wont cover it from what I'm told because of the side effects(to be put in nor removal). It would of been almost $400.00 to have it removed. In this economy no one has $400.00 extra dollars. I'm not having a baby but for 2 years I have felt like I am without the growing belly and beautiful blessing that comes with it. Now I feel like I have postpartum depression and my husband is fed up with it as am I. Finally I am havig it removed in two weeks and I'm soooooooo HAPPY!!!!! Hopefully we will have another child(another side effect is some women cant concieve after having it). I will never trust another doctor to say "oh it's fine"!!!! I hope no woman submits herself to this torture!

[zoem30]

ive written on here a few times now and still come back to read what others have written i rang my doctors and they said i have to wait for 4 weeks to have it taken out so i rang a sexual health clinic and they can take it out tuesday i really cant wait to have it out i will continue to come on this site and keep yous posted of how i feel afterwards, good luck to you all pls dont let the doctors persuade you to keep it in it just aint worth it and if anybody needs someone to talk to message me and i will get back to you i check up a lot its nice to talk to people going through the same thing xx

[Kateeee]

Yeah, I have experienced these same symptoms. It is making me go crazy and I feel anxious all the time, I didn't know what it was for a while I though I was losing it. I still need to have an appointment to get it taken out ASAP reading all this has made me see that this is why i'm acting nutty.

Just a few days ago I had a 20th b'day party with some friends and for no reason I went into another room and stared bawling, I was inconsolable and everyone had to leave- I couldn't really explain why I was so sad - I felt like the world had caved in!

I just want to be normal again!! I feel like a maniac!!!

[britt588]

I feel sick to my stomach yet gratefully relieved at the same time. I can't believe I'm not alone! I thought I was crazy! I just stumbled upon this website while researching the side effects of implanon because I have gained 16 pounds in 8 weeks which is how long I've had it. My best friend has had the implanon for over 3 years, even went back and got another one put in. She swears by it and says its the best birth control. I even convinced my sister to get the implanon, she had it put in a few weeks ago. I've had anxiety my whole life, over the last 5 years I had a handle on it and had been doing very well. Lately, I've become more paranoid, shakey, fearful in social situations to the point I'll sit in the parking lot of a grocery store unable to go inside. I tried explaining this to my husband but he thinks it's all in my head and I'm overreacting. I recently lost my job and got married and spend most of everyday inside. Ive been so depressed and angry and don't recognize myself anymore, that I seriously considered I might be possessed by something evil! I've never had birth control before so I assume that I need time to adjust however after reading everyone's posts, I feel so grateful that it's not just me!! My husband does not understand. He thinks I'm stressed because I'm unable to find a job and that I'm lazy and overeat which has caused the weight gain. He refuses to accept that the birth control has any negative effects, he thinks I'm using it as an excuse. I've never gained this much weight in this short of time. I recently started dieting and exercising but the weight keeps on coming. I just don't feel like myself anymore and feel like giving up. My husband constantly asks what happened to the ambitious, driven, happy girl he first met. I wonder the same... These should be the happiest days of my life, I was just married 6 weeks ago! My periods prior to implanon were regular every month and lasted 3-4 days. Now they are longer and spotty, i feel like i have to wear tampons 20 days out of the month. I have no sexual drive and feel so bad because we waited to have sex until marriage and I know this can't be easy for my husband. Most of the time, I push his affection away and am just terribly bitter. I take all of my anger out on him and he's the love of my life and I feel so bad that I'm treating him so terribly. I've isolated myself from family and friends. The implanon website did not say anything about these anxiety side effects before I had it put in. I'm thankful for this website and despite paying over 800 for this birth control just 2 months ago, I am going to have it taken out.