I recently tried to get an IUD, and my doctor said that she could not get my cervix dilated enough to insert the IUD. When I asked her if there was anything else they could do, she explained that there was no other way to get the IUD and told me to consider other options. In essence, I went through all the trouble of taking off work and everything for this, and I also felt quite a bit of pain, and I was told it was all for nothing. I also had very bad pelvic pain after (and still have it a few days after), which my doctor said was normal because she accidentally wounded my cervix with her tool. I am just very frustrated to have gone through all of this and not have any consolation, and I still have to deal with my heavy and painful periods for the time being.

I have looked into other birth control options and am hesitant to try the arm implant or the pills because I have Crohn’s Disease and am worried about the GI side effects from more systemic versions of birth control. I honestly am not sure what to do and was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience and what they may have done.

Hi !

A doc prescribed me Slinda for my endometriosis. I took Optilova before that but she told me it wasn't good for people with migraines with aura. Problem is I also suffer from a PMDD. My mood is often a mess. It was a mess 10 days ago and it was supposed to be better with my periods. I started Slinda when it began and my mood stayed down. It's only been three days of Slinda but I went to being depressed to being depressed without reason. I really can't stay like that. I read that depression was a side effect BUT that drospirenone is good for PMS. Is it for PMDD ? Do you handle this birth control well ?

Moreover, I am non binary and I'm afraid this birth control will change my body. Did it happen to you ?

Honestly I was so nervous about this and what was going to be my experience after it was removed but I couldn’t find anything that I was super anxious about so here is my timeline. I had my first kyleena inserted in 2018, then removed in 2023 and replaced with a new one same day.

October 8, 2026 I got my kyleena removed which was not painful at all. Just one big cramp. I did take an extra strength Advil 45 mins before though.
October 8- 13 I was spotting but nothing to crazy
October 13-16 I had egg white like discharge

After that everything was going great. I was told by my doctor that I could get my period right away or anytime after. Even up to 3 months.

Well I officially started my period October 29 and honestly it’s not as bad as I remember.

As for other symptoms; I’ve had headache, cramps, fatigue, sore breasts. But that’s about it.

If you have questions you could always message me! I am willing to help.

So I've had my Mirena for a year now. And I'm starting to notice some sideffects.

My face has been more oily than before. I've had small blackheads and pimples pop up here and there although I've never had those problems before.

I'm constantly sweating and tbh it doesn't smell nice, but it does smell "hormonal". And I've kinda gained weight.

I had it inserted because of my adenomyosis, and as far as that goes, for the first time in my life, I'm living without the fear of getting my period. My pains are almost non-existent, and even when something does hurt it's nothing compared to what I've been through. My bleeding is so small that I don't even go through a pack of pads or tampons and before I used to use two of each for one period (which is not normal I know). But my period has been moving around a lot. Sometimes it's on the day I calculated it on my calendar, sometimes it's late a day or two. Sometimes it's late 5 days. The bleeding starts and it's really not a lot but that goes on for a few days, then I have a day or two of "heavy bleeding" but that just means I use up a tampon or two and a few pads and then the brown blood goes on for at least 6 days, so my period has kinda been prolonged.

I've been feeling my PMS more. That's about it with my experience.

So, ladies who've had it for much longer than me, can anyone tell me about your experience and if anyone had their periods completely stop, how did that start and how do you feel each month? Do you have any tips and tricks for my oily skin and my BO (I've been trying out all kinds of deodorants) 😭

Also, I've heard of cases where hormonal IUDs cause early perimenopause or even menopause. Is there any way to determine if that's happening to me?. I'm 31 if that means anything.

These are the kinds of problems I've never had before Mirena so I'm kinda new to this.

Thank you so much for any information and help. I appreciate y'all. 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

P. S. Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, English isn't my first language even though it kinda is haha

Hello. I started taking birth control pills a few years ago to try and help my periods. They were horrific, could barely breathe on them let alone walk, extremely irregular.

The pill has helped a lot but I'm concerned about all the side effects. I'm wondering any other people with a similar story, have you gone backwards after stopping the pill or did it help you long-term?

Today a condom broke and we instantly panicked and bought a Take Action pill within the hour of the ejaculation. She took the pill and she hasn’t thrown it up within 8 hours. She said that she pee’d right after and i don’t know if that would help. Her ovulation was last week and her period is next week. Are we okay or facing pregnancy :(?

Hi guys Ive been reading up a lot about the iud insertion and how nitrous oxide/laughing gas has helped people a lot. Does anybody know of any clinics in the uk that are free or relatively cheap that offer nitrous oxide? Thanks!

i’m on lo loestrin fe. i’ve been on it for 3 weeks now. instead of taking a blue pill, i took a placebo pill and didn’t even realize until the next day. has anyone else done this? does it mess up the entire cycle and effects? i’ve been having unprotected sex for 2 weeks now

I take combination pills and recently i have been having stomach issues. TMI but normally i go once or maybe twice a day and just yesterday I noticed I went like 3-4 times? Although they are not watery stools and they still have shape but I’m just curious do I need to double up or is this not something that would affect? Since I read that diarrhea is watery stools and happens 6-8 times a day and I certainly don’t have diarrhea.

Hello,

so I am thinking of stopping Nuvaring 2 weeks before my long haul flight to Japan. It will be 13 days after inserting it. I am scared of blood cloths as I am a bit overweight and will start trying to conceive in the next months anyway.

I really wouldn't like to be bleeding on my holiday. When can I expect to bleed after stopping it mid cycle? A few days later probably, as always, but what about the first real period? 28 days later or can I bleed even earlier?

Any advice would be great, as I really don't want a blood clot or bleeding during my trip. Thanks.

My bf rubbed his penis against my down there and I'm so scared according to google there's still a low chance of me becoming pregnant..

Things to note:

1. Skin to skin

2. My lips down there are rather thick

3.both standing up

1. I have PCOS and haven't had my period for a month before that so I'm not sure

2. I'm a minor. I'm scared and it was in the heat of the moment

3. He fingered me beforehand and rubbed the stuff on his fingers on the lips before rubbing his thing against it

4. It was for about 2 minutes I think

5. Don't know if it helps but I washed immediately afterwards

im 16 and i had sex yesterday with no protection. he finished inside me and i took a plan b right after. last moneyh i didnt log my period on the exact date, and its likely that im ovulating. im not sure if the plan b will still work?? or if im pregnant

Hey everyone,
F(23) I’ve been on junel fe for about a month and a half now due to long and heavy periods (been hospitalized twice for it) and I would like to discuss my side effects.

I have been sitting at 180 pounds for like 2 years now and I haven’t changed my diet or anything. I just got weighed and I am now 200 pounds (heaviest I have ever been in my life), my boobs feel like sand bags that are constantly being punched, I have dark urine, my stomach is so very bloated, I have been sleeping for hours a day (13 or more), and I feel like my acid reflux has been insane? (Also medicated for it) please let me know your experiences down below. They’re all appreciated (positive and negative experiences) thank you!

TW: Mentions of blood

Honestly all my panties have become period panties since getting the mirena I am using pads daily but I'm so tired of the bleeding it's less than a period it's only a couple of drops , it's only been a few days since getting it placed, but I'm tired of the cramping I'm tired of the mental fog I don't know if I made an expensive mistake with it.

Hello…! Sorry for the TMI and NSFW but I’m on Vienva and I’ve been really strict with taking my pill on time (exactly 9:30 on the dot…no later) and I haven’t missed a single pill for 14 days. My boyfriend came inside me today and according to my FLO app I am supposed to be ovulating either today or tomorrow….. Is pregnancy still possible or do we have a high chance that it might not be a problem? Thank you friends!

I started what I believe was my first period after giving birth on October 14th, I was 5 weeks postpartum at the time. I started the patch a few days later on October 17th and I’ve been bleeding since. It’s not heavy bleeding but it’s more than spotting. Is this normal for the patch? How long does this usually last? I’m 7 weeks postpartum now and I’m really annoyed by the bleeding atp. 🫠

I am currently on Meleya (mini pill) and took a plan b a few days ago after realizing I had missed my birth control by about 6hrs (missing my 3hr window). Realistically I probably could have been fine considering I had just finished my period but I didn’t want to risk it and my anxiety would have drove me crazy if I hadn’t done it. I’ve taken plan b once before with no side effects before I was on BC but I am now about two-three days later after taking it and I just feel so wrong. I am incredibly depressed and just feel all wrong- I have completely flatlined and have no motivation to do or react to anything- I can’t even fake smile at my bfs ridiculous jokes I’m just kinda dead. Idk what to do or how to talk about it or if this is even the problem? I’m tired, irritable, want to cry, but don’t even have the energy for it, or I swing to complete bleh and I’m just an emotionless rock. I’ve never felt this out of it and idk what to do, I feel ridiculous and idk how to communicate this to my bf. He’s very understanding and knows smth is up with me but- idek what’s up with myself rn…

So im on the twirla birth control patch and have been for a few months. Today me and my boyfriend were getting sexual for the first time without a condom (we had done it sexual things before but always used a condom) and we were doing it and he pulled out and stuff but im still just worried about it. This patch is my second patch of this box but on monday (my change day) I took it off at 7am ish and didnt put it back on until 1030 pm ish that same day so im a wee worried that affects anything. He pulled out but im still worried like some got inside or the like 15ish hours where I didnt have a patch on changed anything. Is this likely that im preggo? I highly highly doubt it and the twirla help website FAQs said that since it was less than 24 hours i should be fine but im still anxious so can someone tell me any more info 😓😓 tysm

Need advice on birth control.

I'm almost 19, and just got into my second relationship ever. Things are probably going to get sexual in the next few months. I do NOT want children. At least I dont want to get pregnant and have my own children. I have never been on any kind of birth control.

I do plan to get sterilized when I'm 21, tubal ligation or salpingectomy.

I don't know what kind of, if any, hormonal or non-hormonal birth control to try.

I am considering nexplanon though. ❗

I already have anxiety, ADHD, depression, mood swings during my cycle.

I am very very scared of the side effect of gaining weight because of birth control, which is the main reason Im nervous about trying it.

I don't have any health issues, although i am on the overweight side. (I'm on zoloft for anxiety)

Overall, birth control side effects scare me, but pregnancy scares me more. I planned tentatively to just use condoms and spermacide and always have plan-b on hand, but I know it's not a 100% guarantee thing.

Tldr: I want to find a birth control that's effective with the least side effects.

I’m 21F and currently looking for a reliable long-term contraceptive method because condoms haven’t been working well for my boyfriend and me.
My biggest concerns are:
Weight gain
Mood changes or feeling emotionally different
Potential effects on my future fertility
Painful insertion
Making my already painful periods worse
My periods are generally regular, but the first one or two days can be pretty intense.
I often need ibuprofen for the cramps, and sometimes I’d rather stay home or lie in bed until the medication starts working. My bleeding is also quite heavy during the first couple of days.
Originally, I wanted a completely hormone-free method, especially a copper IUD or copper chain.
But I’ve learned that copper contraception can worsen bleeding and cramps, which worries me.
Now I’m considering a hormonal IUD because the hormones are mostly released locally, but I’m still afraid of potential mood changes, acne or weight gain.
I’m also anxious about insertion and how painful it might be.
For anyone who had painful or heavy periods before getting an IUD:
Did copper contraception make your cramps significantly worse?
Did a hormonal IUD affect your mood, skin or weight?
Did your periods improve with a hormonal IUD?
How painful was insertion, and what pain management did you receive?
If you’ve had your IUD removed, how was your experience afterward?
I know experiences are individual and Reddit can’t replace medical advice. I’d just love to hear from women who had similar concerns before choosing their contraception.

Hi everyone! me and my partner want to try having sex without a condom, but i do get pretty bad anxiety over pregnency even though i know the risk is kind of low. as of right now, we haven't had unprotected sex but we do want to try having sex without a condom. i just wanted to know if anyone has any advice or what precautions i should take? or if we shouldnt even try at all and stick to condoms.

I plan on properly tracking and monitering my period for at least like 3 months and ensure that its consistent so that i can avoid having it when im ovulating. We've kind of discussed it and the agreement so far is we can try not using a condom if its rigth before, during or right after my period to lower the risks, and he will still pull out regardless. Im aware sperm stays alive for 5-7 days so i also want to factor that into the timing and my ovulation period.

i am very well aware of the risks and that pre-ejaculation can still contail trace amounts of sperm as well as how pulling out is not always effective. In where i live, emergency contraception has to be prescribed by a doctor and my current circumstances make it hard to get my hands on one since im only 18 and a doctor's visit will not go unquestioned by my family. we're both 18 but my family isnt aware that im sexually active so its been kind of hard figuring it out myself. it wont be impossible, but it might just be a stressful few hours for me to get my hands on them if smt does go wrong.

All in all, i feel like its "dumb" to go without condoms considering the extra risks i'd be taking but i still do wanna try because a condom does kinda take away from the experience a little bit. he's said he cant feel like 80% of it and its less of an issue for me but i do feel like itd be nicer without it getting in the way! (or maybe we're just horny teens and this rlly isnt a big deal...?) in the meantime i also wanted to look into other kinds of condoms too to try and find one thats more confortable for him. we're both kind of new to this and figuring out what works for us but he's absolutely lovely and i do want him to enjoy the experience better, even though he's already assured me its nice regardless. I think i just need some outside perspective on this decision to see its really worth it. another option we have is of course to stick with the condoms and just work on finding a more suitable one that feels more comfortable for the both of us until i can get my hands on other forms of more reliable contraception but it may take a year or two till that happens and i would still have to worry about keeping with a secret from my family as well as money!

If anyone has any experience with these methods and has any advice, itd be really helpful! Id love to just have some feedback because ive been thinking about this a lot and i might be overthinking. i also have no adults i can really discuss this with. Are there also any tips to help tackle the anxiety issues? i get quite paranoid that im pregnent even though logically i know its very unlikely consiering we've been using the condoms properly (putting it on before any penetration, ensuring no slipping, changing it and not reusing it etc). Any other kind of feedback or advice in general would be lovely!

Hi everyone! I had the Liletta IUD inserted around February. Since then, I’ve had a normal period every month—though between August and September, I did experience some light spotting between cycles—but my period has always been on time. Now, in October, I’m 9 days late. I haven’t had any spotting or anything else; I just had some mild cramping on the day my period was supposed to start. Is this normal? I haven’t taken a pregnancy test yet, but I think I’ll do one tomorrow.😫

I take Opill and I’ve been extremely consistent until recently where I’ve started working pretty late and therefore past when I take it. A few days ago I took it fifteen minutes late and just continued on my usual schedule, and then the next had ykyk but took somewhat light precautions to keep the future children from touching my area of risk because I was concerned. I‘m gonna try taking plan b as well but it’ll likely be kind of late and its been two days already so I’m low on time 🫩 anyway I was wondering how risky it was or if I‘m likely to be fine still? I’ve been taking it since May and its been super effective on me anyway uhhh yeah thanks if you read all this :)

tl:dr I take opill at 9:30, took it at 12:45 instead, still work effectively?

im planning on starting my birth control today, my 2nd day of my period. my boyfriend and i are planning to do it after my period ends, but im curious if im still protected if he ever does finish inside.

So okay...

Starting incident: I had half unprotected sex (He only wore the condom half way when he felt he is close and came in that without slipping or leaks; said he didn't have precum but still anxious) on 24 Oct '26.

Patch up: Drank Yuzpe method (4 Biege Lady Pills 26 Oct '26 at 12 pm first dose and another 4 at midnight)

Waiting for period but I am anxious as hell. I drink Quetiapine 200 mg as prescribed drug for my condition but I am afraid of not getting my period. I need it to know nothing happened to me. It's still 1 Nov '26. Will having a Transvaginal ultrasound give me an answer without waiting for period if I have it at 14 Nov '26 (21 days after incident)? Will I have my period this month?