Can Nexplanon Cause Weight Gain? Plus, 5 More Frequently Asked Questions

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) is a birth control implant that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm. It’s one of the best working birth control methods — 99.9% effective, in fact. The Nexplanon implant can be placed quickly by a gynecologist or another reproductive healthcare professional. Once inserted, it works without you having to take a pill every day.

Many factors can help you decide if Nexplanon is a good fit for you. Ease of use and how well it works are often top of mind. But whether Nexplanon can cause weight gain is another common question.

Below, you’ll find answers to six frequently asked questions about Nexplanon. That way, you can make an informed decision about the birth control implant.

1. Can Nexplanon cause weight gain?

Experts aren’t sure whether Nexplanon causes weight gain. During the implant’s initial clinical trials, about 14% of study participants using Nexplanon reported weight gain. But since then, other studies have found the implant doesn’t cause significant weight changes.

A 2019 study looked at 197 adolescent girls and young women. It found that those using Nexplanon gained similar amounts of weight as those who didn’t use it.

A 2016 review of studies found that most progestin-only birth controls (including Nexplanon) didn’t cause significant weight gain. On average, women gained less than 5 lbs after 6 to 12 months of use.

Contact your reproductive health team if you gain an amount of weight you’re uncomfortable with while using Nexplanon. There are several other birth control options to try. Many don’t require you to take a pill every day. It’s common to try a few types of birth control before finding one that works best for you.

2. When does Nexplanon stop working?

The FDA has found that Nexplanon works effectively for up to 5 years. You can have Nexplanon removed before then if you want to become pregnant, don’t like the side effects, or change your mind.

3. How does Nexplanon work?

The Nexplanon implant slowly releases a progestin hormone called etonogestrel. A progestin is a lab-made version of the sex hormone progesterone.

Once inserted, Nexplanon works to prevent pregnancy in three ways:

• By preventing ovulation (the release of an egg): No ovulation means there’s no egg present to be fertilized by sperm.

• By thickening cervical mucus: This is the fluid around the opening to your uterus. Thicker cervical mucus can trap sperm and make it difficult for them to reach an egg to fertilize it.

• By thinning the lining of the uterus: This helps prevent implantation of a fertilized egg if the first two actions fail.

Nexplanon’s effects aren’t permanent. They stop once you remove the implant.

Good to know: Nexplanon doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections. It’s recommended to use barrier methods of protection, such as condoms, for this.

4. How long does Nexplanon take to work?

It takes 7 days for Nexplanon to start working. During this time, you should use a barrier method of protection.

There may be times when you don’t need a back-up method. For example, you may not need back-up protection if you started your period less than 5 days before insertion. But you should check with your reproductive care team to see if this applies to you. When in doubt, it’s best to use back-up protection for 7 days after having Nexplanon inserted.

5. Can Nexplanon cause infertility?

Nexplanon isn’t known to cause infertility. In fact, many women return to normal fertility very quickly after having it removed if they don’t switch to a different hormonal birth control.

In one study, more than 90% of participants experienced ovulation within 3 weeks of having Nexplanon removed. Over 85% reported that their periods had returned to normal within 3 months of removal. And some women got pregnant as soon as 1 week after having Nexplanon removed.

So if you’re having Nexplanon removed but not trying to get pregnant, it’s a good idea to switch to another birth control method right away.

6. How much does Nexplanon cost?

If you have health insurance, Nexplanon is often fully covered under the Affordable Care Act — even if you haven’t met your deductible. But you might still need to pay for certain related services, such as the insertion or removal procedure.

As of January 2026, the manufacturer’s list price for Nexplanon is $1,275.36. Out-of-pocket costs are usually higher than this amount because of wholesaler markups. If you don’t have insurance, it’s a good idea to ask your healthcare team’s office about the total cost of both the implant and the insertion procedure.

Your healthcare professional’s office may also have ways to help make Nexplanon more affordable. For example, they might allow you to pay in installments instead of all at once. Community health centers may also offer the implant at a reduced cost as well.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She currently practices as a clinical pharmacist at Buffalo General Medical Center.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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