Contraceptive implant and anxiety

[Moneyworrier123]

Hi everyone, I’ve always been classed as a worrier and a generally anxious person but recently it’s exacerbated to the stage where it’s unmanageable. I’m getting lots of physical symptoms as well as unhelpful thoughts. Doctors have been great, I’m on the list for CBT and have been given propanalol for bad days. I’ve had a contraceptive implant for around 10 years now since I was 18 (I’m on my 4th, Nexplanon) and so I just don’t know who I am as an adult without these artificial hormones pumping round my body. I’m not really sure what I’m asking, but maybe for experiences from others on what it was like to be on no contraception for a while in terms of the impact on mental health? I’d like to take it out and just feel ‘free’ and as if a weight was lifted, but I don’t know if I’m being too hopeful. Thank you.

Bumping just in case.

I've just found your post, I too am in an identical situation to yourself. I've recently been prescribed propanalol as my anxiety started to overwhelm me in October. My implant is due to 'expire' in February and I will have had it in for 9 years. I wasn't sure whether to replace it and have another one in, however Ive made the decision that I am going to try and feel 'free' as you say and just see how my body is naturally and if my anxiety eases!

Same here - getting it out next month to see who I am without the artificial hormones. Hoping to see a reduction in anxiety levels.

Hi. I had the implant put in for the first time only in Oct, but I’m having it out in a couple of days… after only 3 months.

Within days of getting the implant I began getting heart palpitations. Initially they were intermittent beats, but occurring regularly every day. I went to gp, had bloods taken and they put it down too low iron.

I started taking regular iron and the palpitations have reduced, but since Christmas I have had a handful of reaps heart rate episodes for no reason. During rest…. Up to 150bpm. A couple of times it has happened in the middle if the night and woken me up!

My normal resting heart rate has also increased from 62 last year to 74 now.

I’m not sure if the palpitations were initially the implant but now it’s developed in to anxiety… because I’d the palpitations?!

I've had one since I was 18, now nearly 33 (no kids) and I would love to take the sodding thing out, but it's the convenience of it. I have an appointment to take it out though regardless.

Ooh thank you for all your replies. I’ll reply individually.

Literally exactly the same where my anxiety increased in October and I was prescribed propanolol. I was also given sertraline but never started it.
I had my implant taken out in the end in November/December time. I also made some other changes like I’m now having some counselling, I’ve started exercising again and I also am doing more mindful things like colouring rather than on my phone so it’s hard to say concretely what’s affected me most. However I feel a LOT better than when I had the implant in. Don’t get me wrong I still get anxious, but it doesn’t seem to be to the same extent. It also feels so nice to be free, learning about my cycle (I’m tracking on Flo) which I have never taken the time to do. I hope it goes well for you, let me know how you get on.

i hope it goes well for you. I feel so much better knowing I don’t have the artificial hormones going through my body for now.

This is sort of what spiralled my anxiety. I had some bad colds/ear issues and that just sent me into a spiral of bad anxiety so I can totally relate to you.
I’m sorry that it may have started with the implant, it could be worth getting it out and seeing if that makes any difference?

So convenient isn’t it. I didn’t have to think about contraception for 10 years! But it’s worth a try for your mental health. We want to start trying for a baby next year so I thought it will give my body a good amount of time to get back to its normal cycle.

Thanks! I’m just sorting in the waiting room now. I think mine is more physical and hormonal than anxiety. I’m hoping they go away after today!

I've had three Nexaplanon and thought they were great but I did notice they increased my depression and anxiety to near crippling levels. Every little event would set me off to a crying nervous wreck. I actually thought I was going mad and contemplated suicide several times.
It was only speaking to an absolute stranger did I realise that it might be the implant. Once I took it out, my A&D reduced greatly.
I'll never have it put in again.