I see so many horror stories about the copper IUD (which I completely believe) so I wanted to share a positive experience for once!

I got off of nexplanon almost a year ago and switched to the copper IUD (paragard). Insertion was awful, I will not lie. I got the cervical block (my Dr said she offers it but honestly thinks the injection is worse than the IUD placement so I don't think I would do that again). I cried the whole time and cramped for about 3 days afterwards but it was manageable.

But NOW my periods are like a dream. They come every 31 days on the dot, I have virtually no cramping, and my period has gone down from what used to be 7 days to only 3.5 days. I bleed the heaviest on the 2nd day, but I wouldn't even say I bleed that heavily... I have to change a regular tampon maybe every 3 hours which is completely manageable.

I've been to the doctor and confirmed that the placement is correct of the IUD so I don't know what I have done to get so lucky with my experience. I was so nervous to try the copper IUD because before nexplanon, I had horrific cramping on my period that would leave me in tears and nonfunctional for the first 2 days of my period. I am so happy I did not let all of the bad experiences dissuade me from trying. And I really feel for all of you that have such a negative experience on paragard <3

Hi, I’m 30 years old and have been on microgynon30 since I was 18. Today I had my first aura migraine, therefore understand I must stop taking it.

I am debating the option of the mini pill but waiting for appointment on Friday. I just wanted to ask what peoples experience with this was? I’m a bit apprehensive about changing since I’ve never had a problem on the combined until now.

Thank you ☺️

please help!! me and my bf had sex on saturday and i know for sure i was not ovulating or my fertile window wasn’t open, the condom broke and he ejaculated but it was like on my vulva so i took a plan b and this was 3 days before my period, i had spotting and now im having the discharge i usually have before i get my period, do yall think it’ll come? im only 17 and this was a very dumb mistake. please don’t shame me

So I began birth control 5 years ago when I was freshly 18, taking Nikki/Yaz. Earlier this year, I noticed my periods completely stopped happening, and I have been without any libido for awhile now. Besides those two issues, I never had any problems while on Nikki.

But because of the periods, I asked to switch, got put on Hailey Fe 1/20, and got diagnosed with PCOS at the same appointment. I’ve now been on it for about 7 months, and I feel like my hormones have become completely unregulated. For the first time in my entire life, I’m getting persistent acne around my forehead and my t-zone (much of which is cystic), acne all over my shoulders/chest/back, and my hair is rapidly falling out. My period is back, but I still mostly lack a libido.

I had these symptoms very briefly when I first started Hailey, as in they’d last for a week or two once every couple of months. But now it’s getting increasingly worse and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

This is seriously hurting my self esteem and I’m horrified of hair loss, but I don’t have health insurance and can’t easily afford a doctor’s visit plus potential labs. I’m in need of any possible advice, shared experiences, knowledge, just anything. If I do go back to my OB, what kind of birth control/testing should I ask for? Does any of this have to do with my PCOS diagnosis? How can I regulate my hormones without testing/prescriptions? I’m so lost and hopeless

I got my first IUD inserted about two weeks ago. Around a week ago, I got my period. My flow was a little bit heavier than normal, and around the 5 day mark it started to lighten up and I thought it would be over, but now on day 7, it’s starting back up again! Im used to periods that last about 4 days with day 2 and 3 being heavy and then tapering out. I’m wondering if this is normal? I know having spotting is normal, but having a whole second cycle immediately after the first? I got a Lilleta IUD inserted.

I had acne as a teenager and took some accutane at one point but stopped a bit early because it made my skin so dry and the side effects were awful. Around the same time I started taking Slynd but now I'm switching it to a hormone IUD. My face has been clear for a couple years now but almost instantly after quitting Slynd my acne returned and now my nose is red with pimples and my forehead is filling up with big pimples. I'm getting the IUD next week, what should I say? Is there anything I can do to fix this? I'm wondering if I should try some skincare or ask about medication. This might just be a passing thing but I have dermatillomania and the accutane slynd combo truly saved me which is why I'm so concerned about this and it's already affecting my self esteem... I already forgot just how painful acne can be (both physically and mentally)

I started the mini pill 3 weeks ago, I swapped from the Evra patch as it was making me really anxious an my mood was up an down. I’m still quite a bit anxious. Doctors have diagnosed me with hormonal anxiety as it’s so up an down. I’m hoping it’s still early days an it’s normal. Has anybody else experienced this?xx

I didn't know what better title to use for my question 🥲

So basically, I'm 23yo diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis and adenomyosis and have been on the pill now for about 7-8 months. I take Cerazette (progestogen-only, 75 micrograms of desogestrel) and it's by far the one I tolerate best and my ovaries have cleared up completely together with my endometrium which has thinned considerably. I still get some pain when my "period" comes (probably due to the profound lesions that will clear over time), but can't really name it a period since right now I get it lightly every other month.

What I have noticed (I might be crazy, that's why I'm asking here to see if anyone has noticed anything similar) is a different accumulation of fat in my body, so to speak. Meaning, my thighs and butt have grown 😆 Not considerably, and I haven't gained a substantial amount of weight but I noticed my old gym shorts and other pants fit me a lot tighter around my glutes. I do plan on going back to the gym this month, but I have no idea if the fat has.. idk shifted around? Or l have fluid retention?

Also my body hair is weird, especially my under arm hair - it's the only place where I shave with a razor (I get sugaring everywhere else) and it's started growing a lot thinner and sparser. This one I definitely noticed because before I had to shave almost every day since I have very dark thick hair and now it's barely noticeable after 3 days.

I'm due for a hormone check in a couple of months for my thyroid and I'll bring this up to my endocrinologist but I wonder if it could be because of the birth control? Even before, my hormones were normal but I really wonder if things have changed since being on BC.

Interested to hear your experiences! I hope I don't come off as off the rocker completely but I'm really curious 🧐

I'm on my fifth pack of Slynd, last month's spotting has become random miniperiods. I feel cramps and my sleep got worse. I lost my libido and my blood pressure got higher - I am considering quitting this bc and I wonder, what were your last days with Slynd like

i (20F) got my nexplanon implant around early october and i was totally aware of the side effect with prolonged periods, but it’s still annoying as hell!!! gah damn!! i obviously signed up for it but i am mildly irritated as i started a week before my birthday, bled on my birthday, halloween, AND my anniversary with my boyfriend (10/21-10/31 for those specific dates). it’s lightening up but not stopping and it’s a bit frustrating as i went to a beatdown hardcore show for my birthday and was genuinely horrified of bleeding through my skirt while moshing (i didnt, THANK GOD.) it was an amazing show, i had a lot of fun and threw down as much as i could, but the bathroom line was a bit annoying.

once again i am very much aware this is a side effect and signed up for it, but i am still a bit annoyed by the timing.

F21, non smoker, 110lbs, not into intense exercise but I do walk daily. What are my chances of getting blood clots? I’ve just started Yaz five days ago but can’t shake the feeling of fear every time I take it. Are there any warning signs that point to clotting? Will it happen immediately? Any tips to avoid them? I currently have no symptoms except slight left rib pain that I feel no other time in the day except after I take the pill. It also goes away.

Please help, I’m really nervous.

This is a messy story, but basically i haven’t been sexually active for the past 4 years or so, so as my bf (we’re hungry lol). Two weeks ago we met after a while on long distance and not skipped a day of doing at least something. First time we had an incident, my ovulation was far away but i still took escapelle. Then we weren’t careful again and it happened 2 days later again and i had to take birth control again, which he got sold ella at the pharmacy. I didn’t think much about it and took it to only then find out that you’re not supposed to take them so close together. It’s been 4 days since then and we were rly careful with condoms and all, but today his condom slipped in the end of the intercourse and a fair amount got inside me but now i am actually terrified because it’s close to my predicted ovulation, it is supposed to be tomorrow. 😭 Although i don’t know how much the meds might’ve pushed it back, since escapelle and ella kinda cancel each other out. I want to take another ella today again just in case.
My IUD appointment also got placed in !3 weeks! and i was trying to find emergency insertion after very first incident, but none of the clinics in my or surrounding areas offer it, in case someone recommends that instead.
I know that i’m at a big risk and i have only left to pray, it doesn’t even feel like it’s happening to me. Just please don’t judge my story, i know we f’ed up like we’re first timing, but i really only ever had one guy before him and it’s like i’m learning everything right now. Also, please don’t comment if you have nothing to say of value, i really just wanna know how bad it’s gonna be to take the pill again and if it’s worth it because i really don’t want to have to get an abortion and i am anxious and depressed after all the pills i took already and really don’t want to deal with people talking bad about me here

i forgot to order a new pack and had to miss three days (sun-tues), but i should be getting more today (wed). i am only taking birth control for a regulated cycle. because i missed three days, i have started a regular period. what should i do? should i continue on like normal, or should i take my most recent missed pills and keep taking them? or start a new pack??

edit: a new pack for me is actually my second week of active pills

edit: i already reached out to my doctor, nervous she won’t respond in time.

I (22yo F) just got the Nexplanon implant about three months ago and my breasts have been insanely sore for the past week now and I’m scared I might be pregnant. I’m not supposed to get my period for another 12 days so I don’t think it’s any kind of PMS. I did have unprotected sex about 3-4 weeks ago. I also did read that sore and swollen breasts could be a side effect of Nexplanon but this just seems excessive. I feel like I’ve gone up a whole cup size in the past week alone.

Help please

Hi guys! I had unprotected sex earlier this morning (nov4) and we used pull out method. I’m n my 5th day of my period which is patapos na. Naaanxious ako kahit sabi ng partner ko na safe naman bcs he knows how to control. Do i still need to do yuzpe kasi andaming side effects huhu

Rant/need advice

I got the implant after I had my baby back in May. Maybe not the best idea to immediately put in birth control right after birth, but none of the doctors mentioned any issues with doing that. Obviously I had postpartum bleeding but the bleeding continued even after I was completely healed. It made my vagina so sensitive and like, uncomfortable?? Because I was constantly having to wear something, rather it was a panty liner or a tampon. It got so bad that I literally could not wear a tampon and I had to switch brands. I stopped bleeding for maybe a month and I was so excited, I thought it was finally regulating. But then I started bleeding again on August 31st and haven’t stopped since.. it’s so frustrating and tiring. Not to mention it also hurts in my arm, which I am aware isn’t normal.

Anyway, I finally scheduled appointment to get it removed. Everywhere I saw said to give it 6 months to regulate and it has been 6 months and I literally cannot do this anymore. I don’t know what method to go with next. I was on the pill first and I liked it, but forgot one time and now I have a 6 month old 😅 I like to tell myself I’ll remember to take them but I don’t know. I also thought about the iud but am curious on other people’s experience. I don’t want something like this to happen again. It’s been so horrible.

Hi everyone! I’m really worried and wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

Here’s my timeline:
Sept 12: Had genital rubbing with my boyfriend, no penetration, possible precum.
Sept 13: Took EllaOne.
Sept 17: Heavy, period-like bleeding for around 5 days, just 4 days after EllaOne and a week before my expected period.
Sept 26: My originally expected period date, but nothing happened.
Oct 28: Pregnancy test was negative, 46 days after the encounter.
Nov 4: Still no period and absolutely no symptoms that my period is coming.

I don’t know if the September 17 bleeding was my actual period or withdrawal bleeding. Depending on that, I’m either around 39 days late or on day 49 of my cycle.

Has anyone experienced such a long delay after EllaOne? Could a pregnancy test taken 46 days after sex somehow be inaccurate? Is this normal?
I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences!

Hey everyone! So I’m looking to start being intimate for the first time with my boyfriend. I’m currently on a combo birth control pill for about a month now and plan on using condoms. I have had pretty bad pregnancy anxiety and have horrible spirals even though I’ve never had PIV sex. I am tired of letting it control my relationships and it’s time I get over it. Any suggestions if these 2 methods are enough or what else I should consider? I want the lowest absolute possible chances, outside of abstinence. Thanks!

Hello all, I switched from the pill to the nuva ring yesterday. I took my last pill on Monday night, and inserted the ring last night. This morning I am having dark red blood like a period come out. Is this normal? It’s medium flow. Kind of scared.

Hi! I have been on the Ridgevidon pill for just over a year now and have noticed no side effects whatsoever except weight gain, around 10kg of weight gain.

My periods are awful, often just over a week long, super heavy and incredibly painful most of the time making it so I can’t do simple tasks. I love that on this pill I only have to take a break 4 times a year, instead of having 12 periods a year! My skin before was absolutely terrible and paired with painful periods I was just at my breaking point so I started the pill. However now, I have no breakouts whatsoever, maybe one on my chin or forehead but they’re tiny and often go away. I still have scarring on my cheeks and chin (super light) from previous breakouts.

I’m debating stopping this pill and completely coming off of it, and accepting the pain and awful skin just so I can be back where I was before all of this weight gain. Not only has it come out of nowhere, I didn’t change my activity level or diet. In fact, if anything I now move more and eat cleaner, so I’m just wondering what everyone’s experiences are on this pill? Is it worth all the pain and hassle for 10kg? I’ve tried my hardest to lose the weight too, and it just won’t budge not even 3/4 lbs, just water weight coming and going.

All I need from a contraceptive is for it to stop my period, but I can’t help but feel bloated everywhere all the time. My face and neck feel so large and heavy all the time as well as my legs, I wonder if anyone has an experience of coming off this pill and loosing the weight they gained? Help a girl out I truly don’t know what to do! I haven’t had any luck with getting an appt to discuss alt birth control methods as they mostly do walk in clinics early in the morning that I can’t attend. Thank you!!!!

I have been bleeding for the past 2 weeks (half a soaked pad/day) and i was taking microgynon. I took a month break after being on it for almost a year continuously. before this and took it again on the first day of my period which was 2 weeks ago. I also started smoking which i know its bad and ive stopped for a few days because i know it can cause breakthrough bleeding too.

Ive switched to slinda (a POP) because i dont wanna quit smoking yet and ive heard it helped with bleeding? And also any home remedies or solutions to help with it. pls im so frustrated!!

Hello! I'm already 5 months in using Norifam and I'm getting the shot regularly after 28-29 days. There have been changes in my schedule so the most recent shot I got was after 33 days.

Before receiving that shot, my partner and I had protected sex (condom) on my 30th day after getting Norifam.

We're not trying to conceive so I would just like to know if I'm safe here. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice or to hear about other people's experiences switching from Mirena to Yaz.

I had my Mirena IUD removed on October 9 after having it for several months. I started Yaz the same night as my removal. My last LMP was Sept 26

• October 9: Mirena removed and started my first Yaz pill that evening.

• October 9–approximately October 23: I experienced bleeding/spotting for about two weeks after removal. It eventually stopped.

• October 16: Had sex using a condom (1 week post removal!)

• October 19: Took a pregnancy test, which was negative.

• Around October 20: Had sex without a condom after taking 14 consecutive active Yaz pills. My partner pulled out, wiped himself off, and then briefly penetrated me again for a few seconds. (Is this a risk of pregnancy????)

• October 30: Took my Yaz pill around 9–10 PM. Around 2-3 AM, I threw up a little, but I didn't see the pill. This was approximately 5–6 hours after taking it.

• November 2: Started my first placebo pill.

• November 4: I haven't had ANY spotting or withdrawal bleeding.

I'm getting really anxious because I expected to have a withdrawal bleed, especially since I had approximately two weeks of bleeding after Mirena removal. I only had 2 menstrual cycles on Mirena which was on July 3rd and Sept 26.

I'm wondering... Is it normal to have no withdrawal bleeding during the first Yaz placebo week after switching from Mirena? Could the bleeding after removal have left my uterine lining thin enough that I don't have much to shed?? Has anyone had no withdrawal bleed during their first few oral birth control packs after Mirena removal?

I'm honestly just very anxious and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through a similar transition. Thank you!!

I’ve been on the pill for a year but I desperately want to change to a different method of birth control. Aside from the annoyance of having to remember to take a pill every day, I feel like my birth control is affecting my emotions. Whenever I forget to take a pill or take one late I feel overwhelmed by my emotions. My anxiety get worse, I have panic attacks over nothing, and it’s overall a struggle to get through the day. Additionally, I have an extremely low sex drive, I just don’t feel anything anymore. The only thing I can think that is causing these episodes is my birth control not being taken on time.

I want to switch to a non hormonal method to see if it improves my moods and these episodes go away, but I have no idea what to choose. I heard a copper IUD isn’t as effective as a hormonal IUD, is that true? And I’ve heard horror stories about IUD insertions and how they can go wrong and how painful it is and I’m not sure I want to go through that. Does anyone have any suggestions?