Nexplanon affects everyone differently. When I first got it, I had a heavy period for a week or so and since then, 3 years later, I've had no periods or cramps at all. Some women get light spotting every few weeks. Some women get periods every month. Some women get heavy periods and nausea and cramping, or non-stop periods for 4 months, etc. Basically, whether your period gets heavier and gives you more cramps, or you never have any side effects from it (e.g. no periods), it's perfectly normal. Irregular periods are very common.
Top tip tho: If you have less periods (or none) in a year or so (say, you have periods the first few months of your implant and then get less or lighter periods for the next few years) and then begin to bleed heavier or more frequently around the 3rd year or so, it could be a good idea to get it changed. Usually nexplanon's effects stabilise after a year or so (although you can expect random periods and discharge, etc.), so if you notice yourself bleeding more or so on, it could mean that the hormone level is slowly dropping, so getting it changed a few months afterwards will be safe. :)
If you wouldn’t worry about this level of bleeding/pain when you are NOT on nexplanon then there’s no need to worry just because you’re on it. Nexplanon can often stop your period but it doesn’t do that 100% reliably or for everyone forever.
It doesn’t effect how well the implant is working, if that’s your concern.
Answers & Comments
Nexplanon affects everyone differently. When I first got it, I had a heavy period for a week or so and since then, 3 years later, I've had no periods or cramps at all. Some women get light spotting every few weeks. Some women get periods every month. Some women get heavy periods and nausea and cramping, or non-stop periods for 4 months, etc. Basically, whether your period gets heavier and gives you more cramps, or you never have any side effects from it (e.g. no periods), it's perfectly normal. Irregular periods are very common.
Top tip tho: If you have less periods (or none) in a year or so (say, you have periods the first few months of your implant and then get less or lighter periods for the next few years) and then begin to bleed heavier or more frequently around the 3rd year or so, it could be a good idea to get it changed. Usually nexplanon's effects stabilise after a year or so (although you can expect random periods and discharge, etc.), so if you notice yourself bleeding more or so on, it could mean that the hormone level is slowly dropping, so getting it changed a few months afterwards will be safe. :)
If you wouldn’t worry about this level of bleeding/pain when you are NOT on nexplanon then there’s no need to worry just because you’re on it. Nexplanon can often stop your period but it doesn’t do that 100% reliably or for everyone forever.
It doesn’t effect how well the implant is working, if that’s your concern.