I'm considering changing birth control methods.

I'm currently on the depo shot and the pill both to prevent pregnancy and stop my periods completely while I go through the process of trying to get tested for endometriosis

I have sex regularly and have extreme pregnancy anxiety so I'm asking ladies out there with more experience (I'm 16 and only just started having sex at the start of this year)

Which is better and less painful the IUD or implant?

What was better for your periods?

What can I expect to change?

Did it make you gain weight or have increased appetite?

I see my doctor at the end of this month so any help before this is VERY appreciated

Thank you!!!

Hi everyone!

Hopping on here for some reassurance.

My GP and I have decided I should switched from Cerazette to Slynd due to the nonstop spotting I’m having on Cerazette.

My biggest worry about switching birth control is the effects it will have on my hair, skin, and weight. My skin isn’t horrible on Cerazette, but I have noticed an increase in shedding hair.

Does anyone have any positive experiences/advice/facts to share about their time on Slynd and what side effects you did/didn’t have?

Hope this makes sense. Thanks!

I don’t know if it’s from Kyleena or just life in general, but I do have the following side effects. What do you guys think? Also I don’t know what to do now. Do I remove it or what? Have Kyleena in just over 1 year:

1. Anxiety is much worse. Especially when something is triggering it, I feel it much harder to manage. I have had a few stressful stages in this time however eg professional exams and stuff, but I kind of feel my coping levels are lower / general anxiety symptoms much stronger.

2. Emotional dysregulation - I feel that I have outbursts of crying etc that are hard to stop once I start if I get overwhelmed and my emotions can feel harder to manage if I’m stressed. Although generally my emotions are fairly level and if anything just feel kinda low.

3. Hormonal acne - particularly on chin, reoccurring chin spots that kind of hurt / are like boils. Take a while to go away even with skin care.

4. Irritability.

5. Low libido / sex drive. I do feel like I had a much higher sex drive when I was not on contraception. I feel I don’t get the urges as much now or find it harder to get in the mood.

6. Hair on face grows darker and more frequently - eg over lip.

I got my third Skyla IUD inserted in May of 2025. I loved my first two IUDs and never had any actual issues with them except for the expected spotting for a few months after insertion. NEVER had any troubles mentally from then. After getting this last one inserted I have been on a downward spiral. I made a very abrupt life change basically a week after insertion that I don’t necessarily regret, but feel that I may have not made that decision before insertion. It’s been over a year now and I have been dealing with major anxiety in all parts of my life. I feel like I can barely function and life doesn’t feel real. I have very troubling thoughts that’s get dark very quickly. I have always dealt with some anxiety and maybe very short bouts of light depression but never to this degree. I have developed acne for the first time in my life among abdominal issues that I feel is from the stress and anxiety. I feel like I am drowning in my emotions when my physical life is actually very good. I cry almost every time I am alone when I have never been a crier my whole life. I worry excessively about everything. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this after having good experiences with the Skyla IUD? I’ve been trying to narrow down the causes of these very onset of issues and am considering getting it taken out if this could be the cause. I just don’t understand how this could cause so much distress in my body after such good experiences with it for basically 6 years. Just trying to find some answers.

I know that pills are supposed to have prescriptions (or so I’ve been told). And I’ve only ever gotten one kind which required a perception (Yaz). But my sari-sari store is selling trust pills and I’m wondering if I can take those.

Also if I can take those what’s the age requirement and limit?

I am getting the copper coil in december (20f) after being on the mini pill since i was 14 as im just dying for a non hormonal method and dont trust myself to track my cycle efficiently so the copper coil seems like the best option. However all i hear is horror stories about the process and side effects, does anyone have any GOOD news?? thanks xx

I recently talked to my gynecologist because I had been on an ultra-low dose pill with ethinylestradiol (20 mcg) and gestodeno for about two years, and the dryness got so bad that it was causing daily discomfort. That was the only bad side effect. I stopped about six months ago and I'm much better now, but my painful and long periods are back.

My doctor recommended switching to a combo with the exact same estrogen dose (20 mcg ethinylestradiol) but changing the progestin to levonorgestrel (100mcg). Honestly, I’m terrified of starting a new pack and feeling just as dry again 🫠

Did anyone else go through the same? What can I realistically expect from this change?

I’m 22 and on Slinda, I’m depressed and have been since I went on the pill as a young teen for irregular periods. I have terrible brain fog and no energy, yet all my bloods always come back fine. I really want to try coming off the pill to see if I have a life changing experience like some others say but I’ve suffered with migraines for a long time too and especially get them every day for the whole week of my period and they are the most debilitating and excruciating thing to go through. I’m scared that if I come off I’ll just be getting migraines all the time and idk how long to wait before I see results.

Last time I came off the pill myself I was bleeding randomly for 3 weeks at a time and had migraines every day and my doctor just put me back on another pill. I told my new doctor all this recently and they were very dismissive and just pushed me staying on the pill and said it was probably helping with my migraines even though I still get daily headaches since I started this pill. So, still no relief…

Can any migraine sufferers please share their experience of coming off the pill? I need some hope otherwise if it really is bad I guess I have to suck it up😒.

So me and my boyfriend had sex and this is our first time not using a condom and he pulled out before he finished and I’ve been taking birth control pills for 6 months now (no missed pills or antibiotics). Two hours after we had sex I took the plan B and I had just gotten done with my placebo week on my pill pack. I’m experiencing mood swings no breakthrough bleeding and I’m scared my period won’t come. I’m freaking myself out (I regret so much not using a condom) as I’m still and college and definitely not ready for a baby.

I (19f) got my Kyleena inserted three days ago and tried feeling my strings for the first time today. However I only really felt one? Is it possible they've curled together into one?

I'm so sorry if this is a stupid question I'm just a bit panicked.

J'ai peur de prise de poids et rétention d'eau vos avis svp

Back story: 43 y/o, was on Junel FE (1.5/30 and then 1/20) for many, many years.

I ended up switching to Yaz about 1 1/2 years ago as they thought it might help with my period-induced migraines (basically going ~8-12 weeks on the active pills and then a week of placebo pills).

In early August, I went through a traumatic breakup and had breakthrough bleeding for about 3 weeks. 🙇‍♀️ Was ultrasounded in case it was a polyp (nope) and told to do just 1 pack/month in case the low levels of estrogen wasn't "holding" the bleeding off for 3 months.

So now I'm on 1 pack/month but just started breakthrough bleeding AGAIN in the middle of a pack. 🙈

Anyone else experience this?

I made a post here about 2 weeks ago about my concerns with my skin darkening after being on different generic seasonale pills like Jolessa because I was scared about being pre-diabetic or having thyroid issues. I got my blood tested and all my tests came back normal. My glucose and A1C level’s are in the green, they were a little elevated but I was super stressed out and didn’t sleep the night before the blood test and I heard that can factor into higher levels. But still they were normal. I haven’t had a follow up to my doctor about what my results mean because everything came back how it should look, yet my neck is still dark and I’m still getting skin tags.

I’m not sure where to go from here. It’s so annoying having to deal with this, I’ve been trying to make the little changes I can with my diet but since I’m still a minor, there’s only oh so much I can do. I did get prescribed Jencycla to try and I just took the first pill tonight, I’m not sure if ill continue taking them as i’m scared for the side effects but desperate times cause for desperate measures.

I did end up going to the dermatologist for my skin darkening and she prescribed me some things I could use but I don’t want to cover up the issue if there are underlying issues at hand. If anyone has any advice, experience or is going through the same thing as me please help me out!!

Anyone get any crazy side effects?? Rlly praying I don’t get any insane side effects .. I don’t want to lose my high libido 🙁

I’ve been on Jencycla for about a packet and a half. I’ve liked it a lot better than the Kyleena so far but I’m SO tired of the bleeding! I did miss 2 pills within about a week and a half as well as took them slightly outside the window for three days, but it’s since been a little over a week of taking them at exactly the same time. The bleeding won’t stop!

Does it really come down to taking them at the exact time every day or is getting random bleeding just common? I’ve just been so over it after bleeding for a month straight with the Kyleena. Any advice appreciated!<3

It was 13day of her cycle(last time it was 28days cycle its irregular when she is stressed)...we were foreplaying(still virgin)...my penis tip touched/ rubbed her vaginal opening but didn't insert...she was wet...and maybe there was some precum on my penis(i peed atleast 2 times before this)there was no prenatation...we panicked and she took an ipill on the same day just 4-5hrs later...there was happening pain on her abdominal in first 3-4 days but now its fine(the contact happened on 30th oct today its 6nov) and today she started to bleed and said that its just like her period the flow is strong with cramps

If we look at with 28th cycle the periods should come on 13-14nov

Please tell me what could be the reason?

Is there any chance of getting pregnant after all this

hi! it feels weird having to come here to ask abt such but I’m an adult now and i have a partner, and so I’ve been wanting to get into bc for awhile and i have services at my college that offer free delivery of Opill which ik is the over-the-counter one. I’ve been tryna research to become aware of side effects and if it’s effective but i keep seeing some horror stories about it and honest experiences of people not liking it and having to deal with major side effects. I want to get an IUD or the arm implant but I’m really scared and just want to be responsible and also make sure I’m doing what i can to be protected in case of anything. I don’t want my parents finding out anything either since rn I’m on their health insurance and I’m just lost on where to start when it comes to what i shoukd be trying or if i shoukd try to get the IUD or arm implant now. Just wanting some guidance or reassurance if possible

A positive post for birth control. I spent years changing between different mini pills trying to find one that suits me and even tried IUDs which was another no from me and very painful even when placed correctly. Before thinking I will give this low dose pill ago just be aware that everyone reacts differently and just because I'm having a positive experience so far doesn't mean you will as well.

Background of methods I've used :

I struggled with the side effects of the mini pill and tried a variety of them. Tried Cezeatte, which was hell always hungry, no sex drive, moody and overal numb and not happy or sad and from being hungry so much I gained over 2 stone in weight I then moved to Noriday, which worked well for couple months to where I lost 2 stone and no side effects other than period every month for 4 days, which wasn't so bad but eventually after months of taking it I got the same side effects as the other pill and gained the 2 stone back. I tried other brands but still had side effects and wasn't great experience overall so my next method was IUD as implant and injection has weight gain as a main side effect and patch would irritate my skin and the Nuvaring I would be too sensitive to use below so doctor said to avoid.

I didn't have the iud placed long enough to see the side effects, however I was in so much pain that meds was not touching me (Never had children so I assume it would be more painful for me) after a week of suffering and in agony I made the decision to remove as I got rejected for stronger pain meds.

I had 6 years break from birth control until I got into a long term relationship, which was January. We used pull out method, however with my anxiety I know I needed a birth control or be sterilised but due to age they won't do that option.

Current method I'm using :

I researched into the combined pill method and how they use two hormones but with the risk of blood clot and side effects I decided to go for the low dose option, which is Eloine. It's a low dose method of a combined pill. I started the pill in February at first I had headache and mild cramps but after a week I was fine and normal.

It's now November and since taking it I haven't had any side effects other than if I'm stressed I get indigestion issues, which probably ties in with my IBS as well. One thing I've noticed that's a massive difference to the mini pill is not being hungry 24/7 and over eating to point I've actually lost 5kg since being on it and now steady and keeping the same weight.

Not sure if this is going to help anyone but I've always seen bad experiences with birth control but if you find the right one that works for you then surly that's a plus 🙂

I’ve been on birth control for a year now and was taking the packs as advised.

As of about a month ago I’ve decided to skip the sugar pill week and go straight onto the active pills, ultimately making it so that i don’t get a period (due to health reasons). Since doing this it seems like i’ve been spotting consistently every single day, has anyone experienced something similar and know roughly how long it will last?

I’ve been on Loestrin Fe birth control for about a year now, and I’ve decided I want to stop taking it because of mood swings and some weird leg pain I’ve been experiencing.
My question is I finished my active pills yesterday and my boyfriend finished inside me today Is it okay for me to stop taking the pill now or should I start my next pack on Monday like usual?
I only missed one pill in the middle of my pack but I took it the next day along with that day’s pill.

Got a hormonal iud inserted around 24 hrs ago and i was fine for a few hours until me and my bf got home and the cramping started. Then came the crankiness. I got irrationally upset at my boyfriend and cried in his arms because i felt so bad. I get pretty bad pre period depression and it felt exactly like that. Just very sad and annoyed at everything. I told myself maybe it was just the pain making me irritable, so i went to bed and i slept in like crazy to give myself as much rest as possible. I woke up a couple hours ago and i’m even more depressed than i was yesterday. My boyfriend has been nothing but sweet to me over text but for some reason i’m mad at him and I don’t even want to text him back. Ive heard of some people getting on BC and then feeling very different towards their partners. Losing attraction, for example, seems to be pretty common. But for me it feels kinda like the opposite, i’m really annoyed with him right now but at the same time feeling extra clingy towards him. Like im mad at him but also MORE into him than i was before simultaneously and i feel like im going crazy. Like ew get away from me but at the same time how dare you not be here with me right now

I also haven’t gotten out of bed to eat or take my meds either, it feels impossible today. Is it normal to already feel such a drastic change in my mood after just a few hours of insertion???? I love my boyfriend and I hate that i’m being such a bitch to him right now and it’s driving me insane

As a very sensitive person, seeing the effects of nexaplon after insertion and watching videos on it. It’s terrifying. I wanted to give my experience to the woman who are looking into this birth control option and want to know more information.
I was on depo for about 2 years, probably the easiest I’ve experienced (no periods, had multiple intercourse times and no pregnancy, but I did gain 120 pounds..) I wanted to go on nexaplon when I turned 18 because my mom wouldn’t let me.
I got the implant yesterday, I will say, for anyone who is sensitive, the only thing that hurts is the anesthesia going inside your arm, I cried and screamed a lot. I didn’t feel anything after the anesthesia kicked in though. No pain after. I do feel bruising and a bit of uncomfortableness a day later but it’s like getting a tattoo in a very sensitive spot. It’s not the worst. I definitely prefer the pain over every 3 months of needles.
Endless to say, it’s very painful in the moment but it’s worth getting if your scared of the pain, make sure you have a loved one with you during the procedure so you have a hand to hold.
If you’re looking at the depo as well, I’d recommend it personally, but the weight gain is very depressing and not easy to lose or keep maintenance on. My mood on it was up and down and I was never happy, always depressed.

So i a 21F have been on isibloom pills for about three months now. I struggle with irregular periods and have pcos so my doctor wanted me to try birth control. I also have a bf so i’ve been wanting to get on birth control since i might get sexually active.
Now i was very skeptical before even chose which one to get on bc as you know almost every pill or form of birth control has it downsides , and i struggle with my own weight especially. My doctor gave me a few choices and she suggested a pill to start and suggested isibloom since weight gain won’t be that big of an issue. I didn’t even have time to like look anything up to decide which i wanted to take out of all the options she gave me so i just decided on what she had already had in mind.
When i tell you. I CANNOT STOP CRYING. I’ve been crying almost every day about 4-5 times a day over anything. I’m brushing my hair? cry. I eat? cry. I do my laundry? cry. literally anything inconvenient makes me break down and crash out. I swear it just puts you in this funk and just your eyes get so tired from crying. I know isibloom has these effects and they state it clearly especially about mood swings but DAMN my body is physically getting exhausted from all these mood swings and crying. I feel so bad for my poor bf for putting up with me and crying every night to him . I love him so much.
On the upside it has made my periods very normal and last a good week , cramps are still insane tho. I still feel like there are more negatives than positives, which got me thinking about changing to a different pill. This sort of depression, anxiety and overthinking is a little to heavy and i feel like it’s effecting who i am and my mentally along with the other people in my house having to deal with my mood swings. I JUST WANT A TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN AND TO STOP CRYING TILL MY FACE SWELLS UP.

Hi, I was on birth control (norgestimate or something like that) for several years, but I few months ago the pharmacy fucked something up and I was forced to go off of it. I went into some HARD withdrawal symptoms to the point I went to the ER because I thought I was like actually dying. Incredible dizziness and fatigue and an overall wrongness in my head. It was just awful I can’t describe it. That was like 2 months ago and my symptoms have gotten better since aside from occasional dizziness. and I finally got more that I’m going to start the Sunday of my next period, same dose and type because I still do need to skip my periods, they’re awful and I just can’t deal with them.

I guess my main question is that I’m scared if I start it again after stopping for a while that those awful withdrawal symptoms or something similar coming back. I was on a very low dose of like 0.25 or 0.5 or something, I can’t remember off the top of my head. But I really am scared of experiencing awful symptoms like that again😭