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What Causes Irregular Vaginal Bleeding And Spotting Inspite Of Being On Nexplanon?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Question: HI, MY NAME IS XXXXXX!! I RECENTLY GOT A NEXPLANON IMPLANT AS A METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL. SHORTLY AFTER HAVING IN IMPLANTED I STATED HAVING HEAVY BLEEDING. AFTER DEALING WITH THE BLEEDING FOR OVER 3 WEEKS, I WENT TO SEE MY DR AND WAS PRESCRIBED NORETHISTERONE 5MG. I STARTED OUT TAKING IT 3X'S A DAY FOR A WEEK AND THEN 2X'S A DAY FOR A COUPLE MORE WEEKS. ONCES THE BLEEDING SLOWED I WAS TAKING IT ONCE A DAY, WHICH LASTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR SO. ONCE THE BLEEDING STOPPED, I QUIT TAKING THE MEDS AS INSTRUCTED BY MY DR. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER THE BLEEDING STARTED AGAIN, BUT VERY LIGHTLY, SO I STARTED BACK TAKING THE PILLS, JUST ONCE A DAY, BUT THE LIGHT BLEEDING HAS NOT STOPPED THIS TIME. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO? I REALLY DONT WANT TO HAVE THE IMPLANT REMOVED BEING THAT IT IS A GREAT FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL, BUT I CANT DEAL WITH THE CONSTANT BLEEDING.... PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
CONSIDER REMOVAL.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
10 % of women experience this very uncomfortable and distressing side effect of prolonged and irregular vaginal bleeding and spotting with the Nexplanon.
It is sad that you happen to be one of those.
There is actually no viable alternative , but to consider removal of the Nexplanon.
Since you have been suffering from the bleeding for more than a month now, that is the only logical solution.
You can switch over to another method, probably the Nuvaring or the patch, that would have some estrogen content also, and is less likely to cause this side effect.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (9 minutes later)
SO YOU'RE SAYING IF I CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES METHODS OF BIRTH CONTROL IE:NUVARING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEXPLANON IT COULD POSSIBLE STOP THE BLEEDING?????
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
REMOVE, THEN 2ND METHOD, NOT BOTH TOGETHER

Detailed Answer:
Let me clarify.
I am saying remove the Nexplanon.
Full stop.
Step 2 is an alternative method such as the Nuvaring.
Not the 2 in conjunction at all.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (17 minutes later)
MY APOLOGIES FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING. THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION. FINAL QUESTION: IS IT AT ALL POSSIBLE TO JUST ADD ESTROGEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEXPLANON TO STOP OR CONTROL BLEEDING? I JUST WOULD HATE TO REMOVE IT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, ESPECIALLY COST!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
EXPLAINED

Detailed Answer:
I understand totally.
Well, that would mostly not work, but in that case you would have to supplement more progesterone, not estrogen.
Estrogen and progesterone work in concert, not taken separately.
Add more progestrone in the form of Norethistrone tablets which you are already doing.
If you are alright with taking it daily in addition to the Nexplanon, fine.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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What Causes Irregular Vaginal Bleeding And Spotting Inspite Of Being On Nexplanon?

Brief Answer: CONSIDER REMOVAL. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for writing to us with your health concern. 10 % of women experience this very uncomfortable and distressing side effect of prolonged and irregular vaginal bleeding and spotting with the Nexplanon. It is sad that you happen to be one of those. There is actually no viable alternative , but to consider removal of the Nexplanon. Since you have been suffering from the bleeding for more than a month now, that is the only logical solution. You can switch over to another method, probably the Nuvaring or the patch, that would have some estrogen content also, and is less likely to cause this side effect. All the best Please feel free to discuss further.