How common is bleeding with Nexplanon?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 20 years old. I have a 2-year-old kid. I currently have the Nexplanon implant birth control. I had a pregnancy scare a month ago but started my period finally. The day after my period stopped is when intercourse happened. Two days after that I woke up and I had a little bit of blood in my discharge my cramps were scattered throughout the day I thought I was fine though. The next morning I woke up with bad cramps. I felt a trickle down my leg so I rushed to the bathroom and I was bleeding. The bleeding has slowed down since morning and my cramps went from morning to evening in pain. On my mother's side, we have miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, tubal pregnancies, but no one on my father's side has had any problems with getting pregnant. Also, the Nexplanon increases your chance of having an ectopic pregnancy. So I was wondering what this seemed? Should I worry? or is it just me getting my period again? What should I do about it? Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Considering the fact that you are using Nexplanon, it is unlikely that the bleed would be probably due to pregnancy or even ectopic simply because Nexplanon is a progesterone implant which prevents ovulation, make the endometrial lining unsuitable for the implant and increases tubal motility with thickening of cervical mucus making it difficult for sperms to penetrate through. Hence pregnancy seems unlikely. Postcoital bleeding as noticed in your case could possibly be due to cervical erosions or ectopy, which can be possibly caused by an HPV (human papilloma virus) infection or after a rough sexual episode as well. But in either case, a per speculum exam is required along with a pap smear test and an ultrasound pelvis as well to rule out any organic cause. It is not your menses for sure. So advise would be to visit your physician for a local exam first.