"i got nexplanon november 2015. first, my experience inserting the rod was not that painful, the only part that hurt (and it hurt like a b*tch) was the lidocaine shot the doctor used to numb my arm. for a few days afterward though, i didn&#039;t want to move my arm certain ways because it caused a sharp pain on each end of the rod and caused bruising. 



i have always had extremely heavy, painful, and long periods before i was on birth control and while i was on the pill. they would last approximately ten days each. about a week after i got nexplanon, i got my period. it was just like my normal periods, but instead of ending it just got lighter until it was just spotting and has been bleeding ever since, but i barely ever cramp like i used to."