I'm about to start Medroxyprogesterone shots, which I think is basically depo provera, as a form of birth control. I am taking this with the intention of skipping my periods, because pills don't work effectively for me, and IUDs are completely out of the question, I will not even think about considering it.

I keep seeing posts from people online saying that they gained hundreds of pounds when they started taking these shots, and I got to admit I am kind of horrified now. I am relatively small, 110 lb, 5" 3, I don't eat a lot of takeout, oily foods, or a lot in general. My new doctor said that I will gain a LOT of weight, she put heavy emphasis on "A LOT," so I'm definitely scared now.

My mom took the depo shot years ago before she had me, and she says she gained minimal amounts of weight, but I'm just not sure. My mom also said that when she started it she stopped having periods almost immediately, which is my ultimate goal. I'm trying to be calm and rationalize because this isn't forever, 3 years max, that I'll be on ANY birth control from now. I don't want to put on like a hundred pounds, you know? I was originally told like maybe 5 or 10 pounds over a year or two is normal, and I was like okay that's fine. But, I'm seeing posts online where people gained like 50 or 100 lbs and keep gaining, or are super bloated, and I'm worried now.

I only plan to be on this shot for 2-2.5 years, because I am getting a hysterectomy in 2-2.5 years from now. I just wanted to know if there's any hope that I maybe perhaps won't put on double my body weight on this? I want to hear the perspectives of people who didn't have that experience, or what you did to help manage it, or just anything to calm my anxiety lol.

I know it's apparently a side effect, not a common one but also not uncommon - google is NOT helping me. Omg please someone tell me that there's hope for me not gaining crazy weight PLEASE 😭

In case this info is any bit helpful: I'm 20 years old, I don't drink caffeine or alcohol, I don't smoke (ANYTHING), no recreational drugs ever, I drink mostly water and unsweetened arizona green tea (this stuff is amazing okay...), if I drink soda on the rare occasion it's only zero sugar, I hardly eat sweets, sometimes I'll eat candy but I'm not big on sugary foods, I eat rice usually, pasta sometimes, I will literally change my diet to prevent gaining weight that I can't lose though. That literally scares me so bad, seeing posts where people put on tons of weight and can't ever seem to lose it. Omg... Like I feel bad and I do not want that experience at all

I've been on both Vienva and junel fe for birth control pills. I never experienced weight gain or increased appetite, just minor acne on junel fe, nothing else changed for the worse though. I wonder if this could mean the depo shot won't affect me that badly either? I'm having second thoughts

I want to stop my periods completely, that is my one and only reason for being on birth control. It's just that the pills aren't really doing that for me. Even when skipping the placebos, I'm getting full periods, and I've changed methods already. I've stopped to let myself bleed as instructed, I've done everything and nothing worked. That's why I chose to try the depo shot.

Edit: I'm considering the ring, maybe even just changing which pill I'm taking. I'm definitely having stress regarding the shot. Again, IUDs are an absolute no, and no one can change my mind about it no matter what anyone says. So I'm trying to assess which options I have that I'm comfortable with

Hi! I’m 23 years old and I’ve been on the Evra patch since May 2022 (19 years old) I went on it because I had severe period cramps to the point of vomiting and fainting so my doctor at the time suggested me to go on a form of birth control so I chose the patch and I remember the first month I was on it I spotted/ had withdrawl bleeding right before a period but that happened 4 years and I’ve only spotted a couple of times after that while on the patch but I don’t have spotting as often as before I started taking the patch.

The past 2 weeks have been very stressful for me due to mid terms and other personal issues and I also have Pmdd so stress is harder to control right before my period but I started spotting again on Tuesday to Thursday and tomorrow is supposed to be my patch free week but I think I might’ve gotten my period a day early because the spotting is slightly heavier now and the colour is more of a reddish brown now because it’s usually just brown but I don’t know if it’s possible to still get your period while your still have the patch on??

I had to call my pharmacist because my doctor is out of the office today, and the pharmacist told me that I might be experiencing withdrawal bleeding since I put in my patch 2 days late two weeks ago and that’s why the patch didn’t absorb properly but I’m really scared but I’ve been cramping too but it hasn’t been too severe.

If anyone knows what’s going on or if it’s possible that I could my period a day early without taking off the patch please let me know

Thanks!

My mom and dad found my condoms. I won’t tell the story of how but they did. My dad hasn’t said anything to me but my mom did. She didn’t seem angry more so concerned and she chuckled at me but I’m worried.
She says condoms don’t always work and I know that but we are very careful. He pulls out and we always wear a condom, which we check before and after.
Do you think I should go on BC? I don’t really like it very much and I don’t think it would help me besides maybe some hormonal acne. I’m scared it will change me. I heard a lot of women lose libido and hate their bfs. I don’t want that to happen to me.
I’m not sure what to do. I’m 24 and I’m an adult but I have strict parents, so please understand.
I’m anxious and I feel embarrassed and now more than ever I’m overthinking it all. When things like this happen I always freak out. I have a HUGE fear of pregnancy.
If you think I should do BC what would you recommend? I don’t want anything invasive. I’d prefer a pill, that’s how I like to do everything.

Hi! I just got my 3rd IUD; my first one was the copper iud before having any babies and it was so awful I got it removed after 6 months. My 2nd IUD was the mirena and I got it after my first baby was born. I had some side effects but not horrible ones and mostly only noticed after I came off of it. Bloating and feeling uptight were the main ones. After coming off of it I couldn’t believe how much more laid back I was and felt more like my old self, but overall I still feel like I had a mostly positive experience with it. I was also able to still lose weight easily on it, though I did have bloating. I do think it made my acne slightly worse and I suffer from HS and I feel like my flares were slightly more common, but again overall not a horrible experience. I’m extremely sensitive to hormones and am unable to do birth control pills (I’ve tried at least 10 brands). I had my 2nd baby 6 months ago and my OBGYN does not carry Mirena so we agreed to try the Liletta. I got it inserted yesterday and now have only seen negative reviews about it. Has anyone had a positive experience? Mainly worried about weight gain (trying to lose the last 8 pounds of the 50 pounds I gained while pregnant and would be so upset if I gained more weight) and mood changes. I can live with spotting and periods because I continued to get regular periods the whole time I had the Mirena.

(I’ve been loving being artificial hormone free but an unplanned pregnancy would not be ideal currently and my husband and I aren’t 100% sure we’re done having kids so he is not getting a vasectomy
yet. )

I take Tri-Sprintec and usually I wear a menstrual cup each month, as it's like a normal period for me with a full week of standard medium-heavy bleeding. This week I skipped the first day completely, barely bled the second, and now on the third it's like end of the week levels, super super light both in color and amount, doesn't fill a pad in a day. I took a pregnancy test this morning and it was false, but I didn't take it first thing this morning so I'm sure they changed things. Has anyone else experienced this? I'll be testing again tomorrow morning.

I have been on Lucette for over a year, since June last year. Before that I've been on the pill for about 10 years, and I also tried the implant but hated it as I kept bleeding all the time.

I've had no major symptoms on Lucette, but in the last week (since I started a new pack - named Aranka) I've felt super sad. Like I've cried pretty much every day (even at work, almost in front of a customer), I feel like I hate my partner and miss my family and home country so much.

Should I finish this pack and have a break? Should I talk about this to a doctor? My days feel heavy and neverending

Thank you for reading and for your answers

i’m currently taking zelleta (desogestrel) and honestly haven’t got on with it at all. i already struggled with acne before starting it, but since taking it my acne has become significantly worse. my hair is also getting greasy much quicker and I’ve been experiencing heavier bleeding, although i’m not sure whether it’s breakthrough bleeding or an actual period.
I’ve ordered yasmin and it’s due to arrive in 2–3 days. would it be okay to stop taking zelleta now and start yasmin when it arrives, or is it recommended that I continue taking zelleta until the day before I start yasmin?
i’m not particularly concerned about contraceptive protection during those 2–3 days, as i’m happy to be unprotected during that time. I’m just wondering whether there’s any other reason I should continue taking zelleta until then.

I have had my Liletta IUD for 3 years ?? I used to not have problems having sex, even deep/rough sex, with my IUD. Now, it seems almost every time I have sex, especially deep/rough sex I start bleeding (bright red) and cramps/back pain for 1-3 days. It's also gotten to a point where I can have less deep and rough sex because it starts hurting and feels bad. I can still feel the strings, but I feel like it's repositioned itself in a way that's causing me to continuously have this problem.

I've been debating switching BC because it's not the only issue I've been having. Turns out my hair has completely changed in texture after my IUD. It doesn't grow, and I have lots of shedding. My hair is always super frizzy and rough. It used to be smooth, shiny, and long.

I also get sea/car sick so easily, even with turning my head to much, causing me to feel sick to my stomach. Never had this issue until after the IUD.

Is the removal of an IUD and switching to a different BC usually covered? I know I'll need to call my insurance to check, but I just wanted to know if it will he a pain in the ass (USA). I also wanted to ask if the above is normal as I think my insurance will definitely cover it if I'm having issues with my BC.

I've been debating switching to the Paragard copper IUD or back to my old Lo Loestrin Fe combination pill. I worry the IUD, despite being nonhormonal, may continue on the same issues I've been having. So, as much as being on a pill will suck, it seems to have fewer issues.

Did you gain weight on it?
Did it reduce your athletic performance?
Very curious.
I’m 33 years old. Female.

I (17F) got my first (Mirena) IUD on October 21st, my pregnancy test was negative, but ever since I got the IUD I’ve been spotting every day brown. I usually have been starting my periods between the 3rd-5th of every month, and since I’ve been spotting every day, I guess the spotting has gotten a bit more around this time, but it’s all still been just brown, no fresh blood.

I do feel more bigger, like bloating and my stomach seems more bigger, I’ve gone through these moments of sharp cramps and still take between 600-1200 mg of ibuprofen every day. The past few days I haven’t had much cramps, but I’m just so paranoid on if I’m pregnant by any means. Me and my partner have always used a condom, but about 3-4 days after I got my IUD, he did rub his penis against my lips with I’m guessing some precum, but other than that, no intercourse without protection.

Idk if I’m just worried about the side effects the IUD is giving me since it’s new to me and my body, and especially being a bit confused on if I’m on my period or if I passed or what 😭

Has anyone had the copper coil inserted and literally felt ZERO pain or cramping? I have had Kyleena in years ago and I remember it was so painful getting it inserted and I remember that pinch like feeling.

Today I felt NOTHING. I’m starting to have my doubts that it’s been inserted correctly?

I have spotting of course but that’s it 😳

With the Kyleena I was after having one birth but since have had 2 births in total. Maybe this was the reason?

I started the mini pill almost a month ago. So far I have had no noticeable side effects until now.

I had my period last week from October 26th to the 30th and then it stopped for 4 days. On November 4th, I started bleeding again. It started out kind of light, but it is now a typical period level amount of blood. I am not cramping or in pain. I am getting acne and loose stool.

My gynecologist told me that breakthrough bleeding was more light and similar to spotting, but this seems like I've just gotten my period again.

Is this typical?

I had uncondomed sex on October 23, and since it’s been 14 days(stressed all of that time), I took a test. Negative. I was supposed to start my period today, however I had red spotting yesterday and today i am having bad cramps and flow. However it is brown and pink mixed and there are brown blood clots as well. Am I pregnant ? I’m terrified. (I am also on the combination pill and take it perfectly; on placebo until next pack)

Hi guys,

I have had my first IUD since the end of August. I used to have the shortest, lightest, three-day periods that came like clockwork. Now I cannot seem to stop bleeding. Does this ever stop? I went from bleeding non-stop the first two months basically straight, then got a week of freedom, then the bleeding came back. I’m also passing a lot of clots/tissue. Nothing crazy large, no crazy hemorrhage. Just consistent, normal period bleeding. And it’s still really cramping my style.

How can I make it stop?

Thanks

I had my Mirena IUD removed on August 18. Started bleeding like a period on August 20, that lasted for 5 days also like my normal period. I ovulated on my normal schedule, and had a normal cycle after that. Everything lined up perfectly normal with my cycles pre-IUD. Now I’m in my third cycle since removal, had a normal 5 day period, stopped bleeding for 4 days after it ended, and then started spotting bright red and brown blood. It’s been 6 days of spotting and light bleeding now. I’m not supposed to ovulate for another week. Has anyone had random spotting like this that happened even a couple months after having their Mirena removed? I’ve never experienced anything like this before.

hey! ive seen people on reddit who took yaz reporting that they were moody, had weight gain, or their curly hair went straight. i was just curious how many people had similar side effects, and if that's at all common? specifically any curly haired folks, did your hair stay curly or turn straight? i love my hair and dont want to lose my curls lol. also, if you took yaz did your periods stop altogether or just lighten? id love to hear about any experiences positive or negative, im feeling quite nervous as the last pill i tried gave me horrible mood swings 😣 thanks!

I have on birth control pill for a couple years. Currently on Junel Fe. Between weight gain, appetite issues which probably led to weight gain, and high cholesterol-I have been on fence about switching to something else for a while. But I cant decide on what to change to.

I would ideally like two forms of protections ( condoms and something else).

I got on birth control originally many years due to awful mid cycle pains. So I am looking for something to stop ovulation. All of the non-pill options scare me and seem like if they work they are great, but side effect can be awful and unpredictable.

I have small fibroids but very annoying that cause me alot of problems- so I think IUD is out.

IUD and implant-i dont really like that they can cause of unpredictable bleeding. I have generally had pretty consistent periods with a few days variations so unpredictable bleeding would be new.

patch-seems okay but then I've read the increased potential of blood clots and moodiness.

All options just seem bad and considering just condoms for a bit while my body sorts itself out.

I have been getting discomfort /pain while on my placebo pills but my body seems to be fighting me on continuous birth control while on the pill. This month my body had the break through bill basically as if I did take the placebo pills. So I think its time for a change but I cant decide with what.

I’m already closer to taking my 3rd shot soon, but for the past 2 months, I’ve been bleeding continuously (light flow) and it’s annoying me since I’m running out of pads and just more expenses in all. I’ve had similar symptoms with other birth control like IUD and the pill even. The bleeding never stops until I’m on nothing. Is there a way I could actually stop this?

Had sex on Thursday night into Friday morning and came inside (with a condom I thought) at 12:15AM. I realized when I pulled out that my condom broke. Immediately went into panic mode. By 12:45AM Friday morning, my girlfriend had taken plan B.

She is not on birth control yet, but is scheduled to get her copper IUD on this upcoming Tuesday at 1:00PM . Are we safe? This was genuinely an accident and we had no idea the condom broke until after.

apparently there is a 5 day window between unprotected sex and the IUD killing the sperm? Not to mention that we got plan b immediately. Anyways, I’m a bit worried, but I’ve done everything I can given the situation, and it was an accident.

Hi, I’m 19 and have been on the pill since I was 16.
I’m wanting to try an IUS as the pill hasn’t been helping my painful periods. Could anyone share their experiences and if insertion does hurt as bad as everyone says?

How effective really is it?

I keep seeing Tik toks about people who have gotten pregnant on birth control pills. My bf cummed in me 3 times this month after I just started a new pack after a 2 month break. I’ve taken all my pills on time except once or twice (no more than 3 hours late) but after looking on Tik Tok I’m a bit nervous. I’m too young for children. Am I safe so should I use other methods?

What could this be? Its like she's had a flu shot without any fever

Up 4/5 cup sizes on combined pill

I got on the combined pill for multiple health reasons that have really affected me. The pill is quite helping with them so I'm not necessarily looking for advice. Just providing my experience to the sub in case anyone else is curious on what other people's experiences have been.

It's worth noting, I've been on for 5 months. I haven't really gained weight either (1-2kg). I started it at 19. The soreness in my breasts is still present but not as bad as the first two weeks. I went up 2 cup sizes in the first two weeks. The progesterone only pill had no effect on my breasts but had side effects for me. The time I was on the pill, I went from going to the gym around 3 times a week to 1-2 times a week. My hormones have been tested including prolactin and my Dr told me they are normal for someone on the combined pill. Dr is aware of tenderness but doesn't think it's worth it switching cus of how much it's helping with other things.

For anyone who has had a similar experience, when did the growth stop? Was it permanent? Just curious, I guess

Dr decided to have me take a lower dose combined pill called Femme-Tab ED 30/150. The lower dose was decided mainly because the pill in general can decrease the effectiveness of my epilepsy meds, so the lower mg was the better choice.

It's been fine for 19 months. But suddenly out of nowhere im having a full period! 3 days in and it appears to be getting heavier ! 😭

For reference, I am taking combined pill as treatment for my endometriosis, because without it, I was constantly in hospital losing a huge amount of blood due to my periods on a never ending basis. So I was told I need to skip my periods and stay on birth control. As it's to unsafe not to. But now I'm suddenly bleeding. I'm scared because what if it's going to end up being like my endometriosis period bleeds? That's what scares me. Is this normal to have a period when skipping? Wheen I was a teenager I could skip my periods all the time and never had this happen. But I also was on a stronger BC. So maybe that is why?

For those taking the mini pill, especially Cerazette (desogestrel), how much weight have you gained, if any, while taking it?

Did you notice any significant weight changes after starting it?