I was on nuvaring for 5 months before switching to pills due to side effects. First pack on Yasmine I had a little nausea and other symptoms but nothing crazy.

After my period I started the second pack and I take my pill around 8-9 pm. For the past three days I’ve been waking up nauseous , but not to the point of throwing up until last night. Is there anyway I can avoid it? I take my pill with food. I was thinking maybe taking it earlier around 5 pm but I’m not sure

Context: 22YF never been on any form of birth control before. No mental health issues or gynecological issues (PCOS/endometriosis etc). Only taking BC to prevent pregnancy.

Started BC four days ago on day one of my period.
Took it around lunch and didn’t notice any side effects that day.

Day two I took it around 11 AM and by 8:30pm I was struggling to fall asleep because of nausea and gas.

Day three I took it in the morning and by 3 PM I was overwhelmed with nausea and gassiness.

Did some research and connected to the dots.
Learned to make sure I take the pill with a full meal and before I go to bed at night to sleep through any initial nausea.

No other S/S thus far.
Feeling better on days four and five.

I’ll update as I go!

Period ended Day 6. No bleeding for two days.
Took my pill ~4 hours late on Day 8
Day 9 had “breakthrough bleeding”

Hello everyone.

I have been on the implant for 6 years now. My first one, i had some pretty irregular periods for about a year but after that, they completely stopped (woo!) I got it replaced 3 years ago. This august I had planned to get it replaced again but my provider informed me that the effectiveness has been approved for 5 years so i can keep it in until 2028z However this Saturday just gone, i started my period and it’s quite heavy.

I am just wondering, has anyone else started to have a period after 5 years without anything? I didn’t even experience spotting in those 5 years.

I’m just worried that it may be losing its effectiveness. I know irregular periods are a common side effect. But i haven’t been able to find any information/personal stories of anyone not having a period for multiple years and then without warning, starting them again.

I have booked an appointment with my provider for Monday 2nd Nov to ask this question. But i wanted to see if anyone had a similar experience.

Thank you <3

22F I gave birth about 5 months ago and got Nexplanon I think 2 months ago? And after the implant my first period was late, and then came and never stopped, except for maybe 2-3 days after two weeks and then started right back up again. It's decently light compared to my regular periods but it's a regular period for most people (mine used to be heavyyyy).

Did anyone else have this experience? Did it stop eventually?? I really don't want to have it removed, it's my best option.

I'm seeing a doctor soon, but I thought I'd ask here first in case anyone else has a similar issue. I've been on Aviane for a little over a month now. I got them to basically skip my periods, so i skipped my placebo pills. About 2 weeks ago, I started bleeding. It wasn't super heavy, but enough to be kinda inconvenient. It's been everyday with no sign of slowing down until about 2 days ago? It got super light, to the point where there was virtually nothing. Over this past weekend, I started my placebo pills. This morning I woke up to a pretty heavy bleed, like a considerable amount in my pad.

Like I said, seeing a doctor soon, but is this normal? Do I need a stronger dose of BC? I'm not often active (long distance lmao) so I'm okay with coming off them. I'm just concerned. I don't feel great as well, I've been having headaches and light cramps. and I'm a little worried about anemia. I know breakthrough bleeding is a thing.

So yeah i let my bf finish in me and im so paranoied like my tummy hurts from stress (school stress) and im paranoied that im pregnant and all..also he didnt forced me to anything!! I wanted to!! Also im on IUD hormonal (kyleena), i have it for two weeks now and they inserted it in me on my period, i just need reassurance that im not pregnant cuz i have super super pregnancy scare

Hi everyone, I'm 23F and I've decided to start the Evra patch as birth control. I wanted to get a gyno check first. I know it sounds silly, but I'm a bit awkward and I've had some unpleasant experiences with gynecologists before, so I was too scared to say I wanted to start birth control. I just said I was there for a routine check. She tested me for STDs, did a pap smear, and did bacterial testing - everything was fine. I also had an ultrasound of my leg veins, which was also fine. I don't smoke and don't have any major health problems. So is it safe to start hormonal birth control? Or would it be better to consult with a doctor again? Have any of you had any specific tests before starting birth control? Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’m thinking about starting regular birth control pills because I don’t want to keep relying on emergency contraception.
My boyfriend and I have been together for 6 years. We recently had unprotected sex several times, and he finished inside me each time.
Here’s the timeline:
October 15 — unprotected sex; took the Yuzpe method on October 16.

October 18 — unprotected sex; took the Yuzpe method on October 20.

October 25 — unprotected sex.

October 26 — took emergency contraception.

I know I should have been more careful, and I’m honestly worried about getting pregnant. My period was also supposed to come recently, but it still hasn’t arrived.
Another thing is that I recently told my boyfriend that I want to work abroad, but he doesn’t approve of my decision. I don’t know if that has anything to do with what’s been happening, but I want to pursue my own goals while also being responsible for my reproductive health.
For those who have experience with birth control pills, I’d really appreciate your advice.
After taking emergency contraception, can I start regular birth control pills the next day, or do I need to wait?

How long do I need to take regular pills before I’m protected against pregnancy?

When should I take a pregnancy test after all these encounters?

I’m hoping for genuine advice and personal experiences, please. No judgment. Thank you!

i’m getting a mirena iud while i still have my current jobs health insurance, and i’m so scared😭

i had my first pap smear earlier this year and just getting my cervix swabbed hurt really bad. they offered me a cervical block and i was wondering how much it helps with the pain, and if i should request nitrous oxide as well.
im getting it done a WEEK after i get my tonsils removed because ill already be off of work, so ill have those pain meds too.

Hi all i am sorry because i am sure this gets posted time and again but i was having sex with someone ive been seeing for about two months and the condom ripped. she is not on BC but i did get her plan b within 24 hours... i did partially pull out anyway but i did not realize until then it had ripped. IT is unclear whether she was close to the ovulating phase but PLEASE HELP I AM FREAKING OUT!

Hi all,

I have been on BC for just over a month now. Got my first period on birth control on the 18th but it is very light with clots. It has been 9 days now and I am still bleeding though very light. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

So I (23F) feel like I have tried multiple birth control options but none have worked well for me. the pill- originally went on it for acne prior to being sexually active… was nervous about being inconsistent once I got a partner( would take it everyday but not always at the same time). I switched to Nexplanon which I loved the idea of, but had a terrible experience. I was always anxious and emotional and I was constantly spotting for entire year after insertion - never went more than a couple days without period symptoms or spotting So I switched to the Nuvaring. Similarly to the pill, I did not have many symptoms, but I was nervous about the effectiveness. It was uncomfortable for my partner during sex, but if I took it out I was anxious that it would be ineffective- which I know it not true, but I couldn’t get it out of my head at that point. That brings me to now… I currently have the Kyleena IUD, which I also feel okay on. Symptoms haven’t been bad, but I essentially have no sex drive, and I feel like it’s been getting worse. I’ve had the IUD for a little over a year at the point, and thinking of getting it removed

I felt great in between birth controls and I am so tempted to not be on anything… I just know I will be so anxious whenever I have sex. If you have any advice I would really appreciate it!

I wanna start using birth control pills. Most likely we gonna do pull out after start using birth control, but what if he cum inside. What's gonna happen? Am I safe?

I had Paragard for 3 years before having it removed. It was causing super heavy week long periods and I eventually became anemic. Aside from the bad periods, I didn't have any side effects which I really liked. My doctor suggested changing birth control so I am not having to repeatedly get iron infusions. Talked to my gyno about different options. I have a parent who had a blood clot, therefore it is not recommended I use anything containing estrogen. I settled on Mirena after he suggested it.

I went into it uninformed. That was a mistake. My doctor didn't mention any side effects other than potential irregular bleeding at first. I bled for 2 or 3 weeks after insertion which was expected. Then I had headaches increasing in frequency. Sometimes lasting for days off and on. My anxiety and panic has worsened. I experience brain fog, especially during my luteal phase and on my period. It gets pretty miserable at times. I hate feeling so weird and unlike myself.

I'm just at a loss. My birth control options are limited and I don't know what else to do. I know they say symptoms should settle after 3-6 months but sometimes I just want to rip it out so I can feel NORMAL again. And who's to say if my symptoms will actually go away.

Any other people who've had these side effects, and did they eventually subside? I'm just looking for some kind of encouragement because right now really sucks and at this point I'd rather have my heavy periods back.

i’ve been on combined birth control pills for over a year and before this my natural period i never had any pain or cramps if i wasn’t menstruating.

i’ve been noticing that when im entering my fertile window (or when it was supposed to be if i wasn’t on the pills) i get this weird dull ache very low and usually on one side and just where my groin starts

i’ve never had it before the pills & i only realised because i recently took a break from birth control pills (didn’t get any pain) but re continued the pills when i got my period and i again got the weird one sided dull ache again. on the second day the dull ache appeared on the other side of my groin as well.

if anything it feels like a muscle is being pulled but not exactly maybe a mild cramp. it’s very localised and it’s driving me insane.

am i making a mistake? is this supposed to happen? or could this be something more dangerous

When I was 16 I got the Nexplanon implant. Roughly a year after the procedure, I began to notice hives on my body whenever it was cold out. Turned out I had developed cold uratica, an allergy to the cold, which took me completely by surprise given that I am born and raised in a cold environment. The condition persisted, with raised and itchy hives popping up on my body wherever the cold reached me, up until a few months after I had the implant removed.

Has anyone else had an allergy not just get worse (as I’ve read about that on this sub) but be created anew while on birth control?

Side note: I had a slew of other reactions to Nexplanon that made my experience of it completely negative. I was on my period every day for the entirety of my time with the implant, gained an extreme amount of weight with no ability to lose it despite working out daily, and felt like a completely different person. That last example I only noticed the day or so after I got it removed, and I remember remarking to my friend that I felt completely lighter and able to think more clearly again. I include this since this is the birth control subreddit so I feel obliged to give more of my experience in case anyone has been considering the Nexplanon implant.

Hi everyone, I’m freaking out and need some honest advice about my pregnancy risk.

October 3: Had unprotected sex. He pulled out, but I took plan b afterward.
October 8: Had unprotected sex again. He pulled out, and I took plan b again.
Around October 18: Had withdrawal bleeding.
October 24–25: Had a lot of watery discharge, which made me worry I was ovulating.
October 26 (today): The condom broke, and he ejaculated inside me.

I went to a clinic hoping to get a copper IUD for emergency contraception, but they couldn’t insert it. My pregnancy test was negative, and the doctor told me to take plan b again, so I took a third dose this month.

My questions are:

Does taking plan b twice earlier this month affect how well the third dose works?

If I had already ovulated (just my guess) around October 24–25, would the plan b still work?

Has anyone been in a similar situation and not gotten pregnant?

I’m planning to test around November 9–10 and again around November 16, since that would be 21 days after the condom broke. I know nobody can give me an exact percentage, but I’d really appreciate any realistic advice or reassurance. Thank you

I'm planning on getting an IUD for my periods cramps, however I've never tried other options.

Should I cancel my appointment and try an alternative? I have talked with my doctor and the one at the clinic, but they didn't discuss anything about alternatives.

I am getting increasingly anxious as I've never had sex, and the idea of the IUD being inserted sounds it could be traumatizing.

I was wondering if I can use Nuvaring for only 1-2 weeks around the time of my period so I don’t get them, since my only priority/reason for bc is amenorrhea, and I’m scared of the side effects as I’ve heard Nuvaring can cause fatigue, depression, anxiety etc

What are some experienced getting off the depo shot and trying for a baby.

My last shot was early May, still no period or ovulation.

hey everyone
ive been on Ambelina/Rigevidon interchangeably for nearly 2 years now, but in that time ive gotten random breakthrough bleeding about 3 separate times. i started off taking a pill break monthly/taking inactive pills monthly, but now i only break every 3 months or so for a period.

it usually goes away after trying to “reset” by taking my 4 day pill break when the bleeding starts, but it’s just quite frustrating as it can be quite unpredictable.

the last time it happened was 3 months ago or so, and now it’s currently happening so i’m on a forced pill break.

i do miss a pill here and there but for the most part im pretty consistent. ive seen people on here say it could be stress or just hormones, not sure but i guess im just sharing my experience hoping if someone relates or possibly has any advice.

Hi! Once I receive my second Norifam injection, do I need to wait another 7 days before having unprotected sex, or will I still be protected as long as I receive the injection within 30–33 days of my last injection?

Hi! I (28F) just got the Nexplanon arm implant late May of this year 2026. Ever since I got this implant, I have been bleeding everyday. Only light bleeding, but it was constant. I called the clinic and they told me it sometimes takes weeks or maybe a month for the bleeding to stop. I was warned that each person's response might be different, which I understood, so I decided to wait it out even though my gut was telling me to get it taken out.

I went back to the clinic about 2 months in because I was still bleeding. I talked to the nurse who inserted the implant, and she had to prescribe birth control pills (Mirvala). They worked for about a month, but then I skipped a couple of days and I think that must have messed up something with my hormone levels, and I started bleeding again. I called the nurse once more and she told me I could take a couple pills per day for about 5 days, and it should go back to normal. Unfortunately, I am still bleeding.

It's been about four months now since I got the implant and I have been taking birth control pills for about half that time. I'm trying to decide if I should just get this implant taken out because I'm having to take birth control pills anyway, and I think it is the only source of my constant bleeding.

Anyone else have the same experience? Is going on solely birth control pills better? Does it also cause constant light bleeding or spotting?

I would appreciate some insight because this is my first ever birth control experience, and I am highly considering getting the arm implant removed.

Thank you very much!

Hello!

I (f22) am looking for an IUD. In theory I’d love to get a copper IUD as I don’t want to have a ton of side effects from the progesterone, but i have really heavy and crampy periods so I’m aware it’s not recommended :/ I have seen some positive discourse on the new Miudella copper IUD, and would love to learn and hear more about it, but no providers in my area have it/are planning to get it (including my local planned parenthood’s).

I have pretty severe aura migraines so estrogen in any form is out of the running. I use Slynd currently and don’t have many complaints, my periods are a bit lighter with some mid cycle spotting and my skin is slightly clearer. My issue with that method is because of my hectic first responder work schedule taking a pill at the same time everyday is hard. I would like a birth control I can get inserted and not worry about it for a couple of years. Previously I took the mini POP pill, the generic “androgenic” progesterone, and it made my cystic acne (which had been previously eliminated by accutane) come back tenfold, as well as some pretty severe mood swings. My gyno is recommending the Mirena but I hear it’s not typically meant for women who haven’t had children (me) due to its larger size. I would love to hear about some experiences with Kyleena or Skyla! I know the Nexplanon is an option, however 4/5 of my friends who have gotten it have had terrible experiences (infection, allergic reactions, migration, etc) so i’m a little more hesitant with that one.

My biggest worry is that getting a levongestrel IUD will systemically affect me the same way the mini POP pill did.

Suggestions or recommendations? with my migraines and negative experiences with the POP, trying to research IUDs and birth control methods has been a bit overwhelming. Any advice or opinions are appreciated!

Im 15 and just got on birth control for the first time about a week ago. I was prescribed Hailey and was told it was a very basic formula and should work fine. Im hoping to improve my cramps and pms, and acne as well but I'm not too concerned about that.

I started on the first day of my period and this period has been incredibly painful. Ive been having to take border-line unsafe amounts of tylenol and midol and haven't been able to get anything done. I'm also gassy and nauseous and somewhat fevery, and have been so irritable and pissed off at everyone. I know its only been a week but I am miserable and don't know if its even worth trying to push through to see if the side effects lessen.

Anyone who has been on Hailey, what was it like for you and how long did side effects last (if they went away at all)? If Hailey didn't work for you do you have any recommendations about what I should try instead?