Are Headaches a Side Effect of the Implant?

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

In clinical trials for the hormonal implant Nexplanon, up to 25% of users reported headaches as a common side effect. Understanding why and how headaches can arise from medical implants is crucial for patient health, and the cause varies significantly depending on the type of implant, whether it's hormonal or dental.

Quick Summary

Headaches can occur with both hormonal and dental implants but for different reasons. Hormonal fluctuations are the primary cause with contraceptive implants, while dental implant headaches are rare and often related to surgical issues or bite problems. Management strategies depend on the implant type and underlying cause.

Key Points

Hormonal vs. Dental Implants: Headaches from implants can stem from either hormonal contraceptives, like Nexplanon, or dental prosthetics, with distinct causes and frequencies.
Hormonal Adjustment: Headaches are a common, often temporary, side effect of hormonal implants as the body adapts to new progestin levels.
Dental Complications: Dental implant headaches are rare and are typically caused by issues such as surgical trauma, bite misalignment (leading to TMJ), or infection.
Migraine Risk: Individuals with a history of migraines may experience new or worsened attacks with a hormonal implant, especially if there is a history of migraine with aura.
Serious Symptoms: Severe headaches, especially with visual disturbances, require immediate medical evaluation as they could indicate a serious condition.
Multiple Causes: Beyond implants, other factors like stress, hydration, and other health conditions can also contribute to headaches.

The question, "Are headaches a side effect of the implant?" has a nuanced answer, as 'implant' can refer to different medical devices. The two most common types are hormonal contraceptive implants, like Nexplanon, and dental implants. For both, a headache is a documented, though not always common, side effect, with the mechanisms and frequency varying significantly. Addressing the specific type of implant is essential for proper understanding and management.

Headaches from Hormonal Contraceptive Implants

Hormonal implants, which release progestin, can cause headaches due to the body's adjustment to new hormone levels. The progestin etonogestrel, used in the Nexplanon implant, affects the body's hormonal balance to prevent pregnancy. For many, these hormonal fluctuations are the primary driver of headaches, especially in the initial months after insertion.

Why hormonal implants cause headaches

Hormonal Adjustment: The constant, low-dose release of progestin can cause your body's hormone levels to shift. This can trigger headaches, similar to how natural hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle affect some individuals.
Existing Migraines: Individuals with a history of migraines, particularly those with aura, may be at a higher risk of experiencing new or worsening headaches. While progestin-only methods are generally safer than estrogen-containing ones for migraine sufferers, they can still cause issues.
Serious Complications (Rare): In extremely rare cases, headaches associated with hormonal contraceptives can signal more serious conditions like pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. If headaches are severe and accompanied by visual disturbances, immediate medical attention is necessary.

Headaches from Dental Implants

For dental implants, headaches are far less common and are almost never a direct result of the implant material itself, which is typically biocompatible titanium. Instead, headaches associated with dental implants stem from complications related to the surgical procedure or the final prosthetic. Often, these issues resolve once the underlying problem is addressed.

Potential dental implant headache causes

Surgical Trauma: The procedure to place the implant can sometimes cause temporary nerve or sinus irritation, which may manifest as facial or head pain. This discomfort is usually temporary and resolves as the area heals.
Bite Misalignment: If the final crown or restoration is not fitted perfectly, it can cause a misaligned bite. This uneven pressure can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, causing tension headaches. A dental professional can correct this issue by adjusting the bite.
Infection: An infection around the implant site can cause localized pain that may extend to a headache. Other symptoms, like swelling and fever, typically accompany this. Infections require prompt dental treatment.

A Comparison of Implant-Related Headaches


Feature	Hormonal Contraceptive Implant (e.g., Nexplanon)	Dental Implant
Primary Cause	Hormonal fluctuations and adjustment to progestin.	Surgical complications, bite misalignment, or rare infections.
Frequency	Common, reported by up to 25% of users in early months.	Rare, typically linked to specific issues.
Symptom Duration	Often temporary, improving after a few months as the body adjusts.	Temporary if related to healing; persistent if due to bite or infection.
Management	Over-the-counter pain relievers, hydration, and waiting for adjustment.	Correcting bite, treating infection, or addressing surgical issues with a dentist.
Risk for Migraines	Can trigger or worsen migraines, especially with aura, though safer than estrogen methods.	Not a direct trigger, but TMJ from poor fitting can induce tension headaches.

How to Manage Implant-Related Headaches

If you are experiencing headaches after getting a hormonal or dental implant, several strategies can provide relief:

Consult Your Healthcare Provider: This is the most important step. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your headaches and rule out serious complications. For hormonal implants, they may suggest other birth control options if symptoms are severe. For dental implants, your dentist will investigate potential surgical or bite issues.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication: For mild to moderate headaches, OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are generally safe to use with hormonal implants and can be effective. Your doctor can provide specific recommendations.
Lifestyle Adjustments: For hormonal headaches, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress can help. For dental-related tension headaches, physical therapy, jaw massage, and being mindful of clenching can be beneficial.
Symptom Tracking: Keeping a journal of when your headaches occur, their severity, and potential triggers can help you and your doctor identify patterns and potential causes.

Conclusion

Headaches can indeed be a side effect of the implant, but the cause is highly dependent on the type of device. Hormonal implants commonly cause headaches due to hormonal changes that typically subside over time. Dental implants, while a far less common cause, can lead to headaches through surgical complications, bite misalignment, or infection. In all cases, addressing headaches with your healthcare provider is the best course of action to ensure proper diagnosis and management. Patience is often required as your body adjusts, but persistent or severe symptoms warrant further investigation to ensure no serious underlying issue exists.

For more information on the side effects of hormonal birth control, including headaches, visit the Planned Parenthood website.

When to Contact a Doctor

While most implant-related headaches are benign, contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:

Sudden, severe headaches, or "thunderclap" headaches.
Headaches accompanied by vision changes, such as blurring, double vision, or flashing lights.
Worsening or persistent headaches that do not respond to typical pain relievers.
Headaches accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or other flu-like symptoms.
Any signs of a serious problem, such as swelling or pain in an arm or leg, which could indicate a blood clot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Headaches are one of the most common side effects of the Nexplanon implant, reported by up to 25% of users during clinical trials. Many people find that these headaches improve within a few months as their body adjusts to the hormones.

Dental implants themselves do not typically cause migraines. However, in rare instances, a poorly fitted implant that causes a misaligned bite can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which in turn can trigger tension headaches or migraines.

For mild headaches, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are generally safe to take with a hormonal implant. Staying hydrated, reducing stress, and waiting for your body to adjust to the hormones can also help.

You should contact a doctor if you experience severe headaches, headaches accompanied by visual changes, or other serious symptoms like swelling or pain in a limb. These could indicate a more serious underlying issue.

Yes, introducing exogenous hormones via an implant can sometimes trigger new-onset headaches or migraines, or worsen existing ones. This is particularly true for individuals with a history of migraines with aura.

Hormonal implant headaches are typically caused by systemic hormonal changes, whereas dental implant headaches are rare and localized, resulting from surgical issues like nerve irritation or bite misalignment.

For hormonal implants, headaches often resolve after removal as the body's natural hormone cycle returns to normal. For dental implants, if the headache is caused by the implant, removing it and addressing the underlying issue would typically resolve the problem.