What Causes Abdominal Discomfort And Nausea When On Implanon Birth Control?

Posted on Wed, 15 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 Answered on

Sat, 15 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : about 4 weeks ago i got an implanon birth control taken out and then got the depo shot. 4 days ago i am have abdominal discomfort and nausea and for the last 4 stays have not been sleeping good because of it.Im waiting for my period to come . could i be pregnant?

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: It is possible but will lean more on side effects Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX, Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX It is quite rare to get pregnant while on birth control (any type) but it is possible. What is more common while using or starting birth control is side effects. I want to believe that the reason for your symptoms are simply the side effect of depo shot. Since you are having symptoms, similar to those of early pregnancy, it will still be wise for you to do a pregnancy test. Symptoms could still be as a result of stomach upset or irritable bowel. I suggest you give it a couple more days to see if symptoms clear off on their own and if persistence, do a home pregnancy test; if negative see a doctor for further review. Hope this helps and wish you the best Dr. Nsah

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

Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (1 hour later)

I figured it might be just that but when I was on implanon I never has it like this and not for a week.I took that out and got the shot but I heard the shot sometimes take a couple of days to work.

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes it can take a couple of days Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX, Thanks for updating, Birth control with depo-provera begins immediately after the first shot if given within the first five days of your menstrual period. So as i earlier mentioned, just give it a couple of days and you will be all up and running. I wish you the best Dr. Nsah

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

Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (12 hours later)

I got the shot four weeks aho thats why I found it odd.

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (3 days later)

Brief Answer: If shot was 1 month ago, then side effects is less Detailed Answer: Hello, It is less likely that the shot is responsible for the effect but it is possible given that the hormone from the shot can act for about 3 months, so side effects can occur within that time. I will like that you consider doing a pregnancy test just in case you got pregnant while taking the shot. Even though it is less likely to occur, but it is a possibility. Another possibility is stomach flu or infection which will clear off within a couple of days if that be the case. If you have the chance to see a doctor, I will suggest you also do so (after conducting a home pregnancy test). Hope this helps further. Dr. Nsah

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