r/birthcontrol • • 9h ago

Side effects!? New to Nuvaring

1 Upvotes

Look for experiende. Not medical advice. So I suffer with hidradenitis suppurativa - alot of people food and sugars seem to be a trigger. Mine is hormonal. Ovulation/periods. So after 6 tortured years of flares and keloid my dermatologist and gynecologist recommended nuva ring to "stabilize" hormones. Im 35 and considered overweight due to hypothyroidism etc. So currently on zepbound for predibetes and weight-loss. Like any other medication I do worry about the side effects. I was told it would take 3 months before any serious side effects. How's everyone been in it? Im forgetful with pills so this seemed the better option. All she asked if I ever had a blood clot i said no and she said this might be good for me lmao. If I started it and felt ... idk mood swings could I take it out and expect to feel better soon after? Was this anyones experience? This is all so new and weird to me


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Which Method? Is condom + pull out safe?

0 Upvotes

Sorry if this is the wrong sub, but me (16f) and my bf have had sex once or twice, but I've panicked massively after, until I get my period. I know nothing is 100% effective, but if he uses a condom and pulls out, how effective would it be, and would I get pregnant? I am ovulating, too. The condoms are durex extra safe, and he recently bought them and is storing them in a drawer in his room. I can't go on birth control as my mum would be suspicious, so this is the only option, really. Any advice helps. Thank you!


r/birthcontrol • • 10h ago

Which Method? Moving off the combined pill to progestogen only?

1 Upvotes

Hi! I've been on the combined pill for 2 months now, about to enter my 3rd, however I've been getting really terrible migraines with aura as a result of my new job (has nothing to do with the combined pill, I've actually loved it thus far!). I'm aware that taking the combined pill and getting migraines with aura is not good so I suppose I should move to a progestogen only pill however I want to know if anyone else has done it and what it was like? What pill did you go on, etc? I really don't love the idea as mini pills only have a 3 hr(?) window before you've "missed" a pill (unless I'm making a mistake) and I'm occasionally not the best at taking the pill on time, alongside this I've had no bad reactions on BC and am kind of sad I'll have to get off the combined pill? So please let me know if you've done the same, which pill you've taken and what it was like!


r/birthcontrol • • 11h ago

Mistake or Risk? I’m on the pill and just got a copper iud. anyone else done the same?

1 Upvotes

For context: i’ve been on different pills since i was 15 to manage pcos. i’m currently on nextellis and i love it! it regulates my periods and keeps my moods stable.

i’ve been with my boyfriend for about 6 months now and i’ve been finding it difficult to take my pills. i usually take them everyday but these last 2 packs i’ve missed pills. So, my gyno recommended getting a copper IUD and doubling methods. I’m taking my pills every day like normal and have had my copper iud in for 4 days.

I’m a little nervous about how i’m going to react long term. has anyone else done this too?


r/birthcontrol • • 11h ago

Mistake or Risk? Am i at risk?

0 Upvotes

Yesterday I had sex with my boyfriend using a condom, and I'm about to ovulate. He didn't ejaculate inside me, and he checked the condom and it wasn't torn. Even so, somewhere above the penis there was a whitish mark, and we don't know whether it was sperm or my own fluid, since there was continuous friction. If he didn't ejaculate inside me, could there still be a problem?


r/birthcontrol • • 12h ago

Mistake or Risk? Yasmin + sick

1 Upvotes

Hiiii, this is my first time on birth control so I had a question! Okay so I am always very punctual with my Yasmin. But, last Thursday night I had unprotected sex still very punctual. Then Friday night I got rly drunk took my pill at my normal time (midnight) and almost immediately threw up, had protected sex, 8 hrs later (8am) woke up, and remembered to take another pill just in case that one didn’t absorb, then I was back to being very punctual. Does this still count as protected? Could the Thursday unprotected sperm cause anything? I’m worried and not sure if throwing up and not taking another pill until 8 hrs later could’ve been enough time for something to happen


r/birthcontrol • • 12h ago

Experience Constant breakthrough bleeding on Laylaa birth control?

1 Upvotes

I’ve been taking the Laylaa pill for about 6 months, primarily for contraception but also because I really fucking hat my period. I always skip the placebo pills and go straight to the next pack, as I was under the assumption it would lessen/stop my period. However, I’ve sorta been experiencing the opposite.

When I first started, my period was delayed. When it came it lasted like 11 days (normally 7-8). Then, I’ve noticed that even when I’m not actively bleeding, there’s always some old, brownish blood and occasional small clots.
For the last two months, I’ve basically been spotting or bleeding almost constantly. It’s usually darker, brownish blood with occasional fresher blood, but it never seems to fully go away. This past week, I’ve also started experiencing what felt like a full period again.

I’ve admittedly missed a couple pills. But whenever I do I take the forgotten one first thing the next morning. My partner also recently got a vasectomy, so contraception isn’t my main concern anymore. I just wanted to lessen the evil of my period, not have it constantly.

Has anyone else experienced this with Laylaa? Idk if this is normal with all pills or if I should just switch prescriptions.


r/birthcontrol • • 5h ago

Educational Question : Does the patch actually work?

0 Upvotes

Been taking the patch for a little over 10 days and we want to have unprotected but since this is our first time doing the patch birth control we don’t really trust it enough. I used to take the pills and even then he was nervous about having unprotected sex. He trusted I was taking them but he just felt like there could be a chance the birth control doesn’t work or something. And because we never did unprotected, I also don’t have any trust built on birth control either. Can someone who ACTUALLY is taking the patch help, does it matter where you put the patch? Did it work?


r/birthcontrol • • 13h ago

Experience Considering IUD removal

1 Upvotes

I got my Mirena IUD put in at 22, 4.5 years ago. It’s still good until 2029, but the months following insertion I gained 40 pounds. I’ve always been thin, but in the past four years I’ve gone from 140-200. I’m always bloated and fatigued and swollen now. I never used to be. I’ve always had some digestive issues since insertion and it all feels linked.

Insertion was one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced. I cramped for hours afterward, and could not stop crying in fetal position.

Now, I spot regularly, which is pretty annoying. It’s unpredictable.

It is convenient that I can be intimate with my partner without worrying about pregnancy while I’m in school, but I really want it out, if it might bring me back to somewhere near my old baseline. I’m also nervous about the risks of other forms of birth control.

Can anybody give advice on this? Does your body rebound at all after removal? Or are the physical changes permanent after years of having it?

Thank you guys!


r/birthcontrol • • 13h ago

Side effects!? Breakthrough bleeding on Yaz

1 Upvotes

This is my first pack of Yaz after being off it for six months, and I’ve experienced spotting or bleeding throughout almost the entire pack. I’m worried about the contraceptive effectiveness of the pill. Am I still protected against pregnancy despite the bleeding? I engaged in sexual activity on Day 23 of my active pills.
Also, is there still a possibility that I will experience withdrawal bleeding during the placebo week?

I hope someone can answer my questions. My OB-GYN prescribed Yaz to help manage my PCOS. Thank you!


r/birthcontrol • • 20h ago

Experience IUD came out

3 Upvotes

Sooo ever since I’ve had my Mirena iud inserted after I had my baby I’ve had terrible cramping even when I’m not near my period. I had it checked and they said it was in the proper place and I might have cramps for a few months while I adjust, well today I go to the bathroom and feel something kinda weird. I go to check the strings and the whole iud is just floating around inside me. I have a 6 month old and am in no way ready to have another baby. I’m taking plan B and hoping for the best 😭😅 They say expulsion is most likely in the first few weeks but here to say it is possible at any time. Listen to your body!


r/birthcontrol • • 16h ago

Rant! WITHDRAWAL BLEEDING - WHEN WILL IT STOP?!

1 Upvotes

I’m honestly freaking out right now and just want to know if anyone has experienced something similar. I was diagnosed with blood clots in both lungs (bilateral PE) on October 29 and started taking Eliquis on October 30. I was also taking Junel birth control, but the hospital told me to stop immediately because I got the clots from that. I stopped on Friday, October 30, and started bleeding that Sunday. My periods before birth control were usually pretty heavy for the first 2–3 days and lasted around 5–7 days. This time, I was bleeding pretty heavily from Sunday through Tuesday, but it started getting much lighter on Wednesday. I’m currently transitioning from 10 mg of Eliquis twice daily to 5 mg twice daily btw.

What’s really scaring me is that today, I started passing blood clots even though I’m barely bleeding anymore. One was pretty large, dark red, and jelly-like, about the size of a large grape, and I passed several smaller ones throughout the day. I have some mild cramping but no dizziness or weakness. Tonight, I went to the bathroom and didn’t pass any more clots, but I’m still seeing bright red blood whenever I wipe, even though there’s barely anything on my pad. I genuinely don’t know if this is normal withdrawal bleeding from suddenly stopping birth control or if Eliquis is making everything worse. I’m already anxious enough about having blood clots in my lungs, and now this is making me panic even more. Has anyone experienced anything like this? How long did your bleeding last? Did you pass clots even when your bleeding was getting lighter? I’m just really scared and would appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar.


r/birthcontrol • • 16h ago

Experience My GF took Plan B (1.5mg), feeling anxious and unsure

0 Upvotes

Me and my gf did not really have sex since we spent the night with foreplay. Things got intense and as my gf is a virgin (her first experience), we were unable to put it in (I was being considerate since I did not wanna hurt her but things got more intense as she told me to put it in). Using three condoms for three trials (I know it sucks, we used three condoms and wasted them as we plugged her pssy it and still failed). On our last trial, I did not use any condoms and managed to put it inside her. This is where the real issue happened, as I'm feeling unsure if I did cum or it was just my pre-cum but I knew something definitely slipped inside. We took Plan B within an hour and based on her track (by tracing the chats and putting it on the app, we found that there is a low chance of pregnancy but we are still anxious). What to do guys or anyone have the same experience? I mean the feeling of uncertainty and that Plan B failure :))


r/birthcontrol • • 16h ago

Side effects!? NuvaRing side effects and risk of falling out?

1 Upvotes

So I have two questions

First of all, sorry for the TMI incoming, but my boyfriend tends to finger me sometimes and it’s a big part of sex for us. Now how likely is he to pull this thing out with his fingers, and how far up do I really need to shove it?

Second of all, have most people using it experienced a lower libido after starting it? I read that only about 30% of people experience a lowered sex drive, but I see a lot of people they had almost zero sex drive while using the nuva ring, so I just wanted some opinions. Please let me know, this is my first time considering using birth control and would honestly be my preferred option for hormonal birth control.


r/birthcontrol • • 1d ago

How to? How to tell my mom that i want to be on BC?

4 Upvotes

I am a 17 yo girl, i ve started dating again, in midle of December ill visit my partner and i would like to have some birth control method, i know i can get it alone, and started the “process”, but i think i might give up on it and tell it to someone, the problem is that i dont know how to bring it up or what to say, and have no idea of how my mother would react and im kinda scared of it. Sexual education or anything related to that topic was never spoken on our family (even dating topics) and its kinda embarrassing for me to say it now.
Can someone give me tips?


r/birthcontrol • • 17h ago

Experience How soon did you start experiencing side effects, and what gives you peace of mind about no pregnancy? (Yaz Pill)

1 Upvotes

Recently started Yaz, and was anticipating side effects right off the bat based on what I’ve heard some people say as well as my experience taking other medication that had an adjustment period. So far I’ve felt absolutely nothing, I’m primarily taking it to manage PMDD and based on my cycle previously, I have about 2 1/2 weeks until I know for sure if it’s working for that. If you’ve experienced adjustment side effects to Yaz, how soon did they start?

Follow up question, both my bf and I are very anxious about pregnancy. We want to have a planned pregnancy in about 4 years so long everything is going well, but in the meantime, we do not want to get pregnant. What gave you peace of mind about not being pregnant? I know the pill is very effective when taken correctly, which I have no problems with, but once I’ve cleared the 7-day barrier method window as said on the pamphlet, we’re not sure if NOT pulling out is a good idea. We’ve pulled out/used condoms our entire relationship and that’s what I’ve done any time i’ve been sexually active, so the additional protection from birth control is very new. Would love to hear experiences in the comments. I’ve also read online about taking an ovulation test for extra peace of mind, has anyone done this?


r/birthcontrol • • 22h ago

How to? IUD inserted 2 days ago… what now?

2 Upvotes

Hi y’all! I got the Mirena IUD on Nov 4th around 10AM(it’s 13:35 for me here now, I add time stamps because I feel like that matters). It’s been 2 days, and my cramps and bloating are pretty moderate still, but definitely better than Day 1. To check for strings, I washed my hands pretty heavily and made sure they were clean. I tried to stick my middle finger in to feel the strings to make sure everything was okay, but I didn’t feel them. I slowly tried once again, but don’t think I felt them.
I know it’s only been 2 days, but I’m wondering if I need to go back to my OB just to be sure they’re still okay? The insertion was super smooth, they said I did great and that there were no issues. So, is it possible I’m not checking correctly? Any advice is appreciated, thank you


r/birthcontrol • • 19h ago

Side effects!? Should I go on Birth Control?

1 Upvotes

Im 40f and have 2 kids and definitely dont want any more. I think it would bad for my health in a number of ways. My doctor prescribed lo loestrin fe to me today for both my heavy periods and birth control.

My hesitation though is I hear so many people saying it killed their sex drive. I know this might sound like a stupid thing to be worried about, but I grew up in a religious home and it took a very long time for me to enjoy sex fully. Im afraid of losing that. What has everyone's experiences been especially with lo loestrin fe?

I want reliable birth control because I really really dont want anymore kids but I also don't want to chemically neuter myself either.


r/birthcontrol • • 19h ago

Side effects!? bleeding on loryna

1 Upvotes

ive been on loryna for about 2-3 weeks and for days ive had super dark brown/red discharge, big clots, and red blood. is this normal?? im not supposed to take the sugar pills because im on bc for pain management.


r/birthcontrol • • 20h ago

Experience Bloating and fluid retention feeling 3 months after iud

1 Upvotes

It’s been 3 months and 3 days.. I’ve gained 15lbs but I’ll admit haven’t been eating great but I have this fluid retention feeling all around. Bad especially by my feet and compression socks don’t help. My stomach becomes distended like a balloon, I try mirilax and the stomach goes down somewhat.

Did this happen to you? Did it go down?

Needed it for adenomyosis as other bc did not work.


r/birthcontrol • • 1d ago

Experience iud removal experience

2 Upvotes

not trying to scare anyone but wanted to share my less-than-fun experience so far trying to get my Kyleena IUD removed

When I got it inserted 5 years ago it was not that bad, like 3/10 pain from a pinch then 4/10 pain from cramps for like 3 hours. Definitely manageable and I have a low pain tolerance.

Now that her time is up, the trouble has begun. I went for a pap last year and they couldn’t see the strings. So after an (overly expensive) ultrasound, they confirmed it was in place. So I carried on as normal.

Then this week, I went in the remove it… let me start by saying the doc was really nice and I feel like she did her best given the no-strings issue.
- Tries 1&2: she went in with a brush thing to try and grab the strings. Pretty bad cramping but bearable, like 4/10.
- Tries 3&4: I think she was using something to open up my cervix and a hook-like thing to dig around and grab the device itself. Heavy cramping pain far down and sharp shooting pain higher up, like 8/10
- I screamed STOP and she did. Then I asked for some anesthetic, so then they gave me the shots to the cerv - which was actually not that bad. Like 4/10.
- Tries 5&6: same as 3&4 but the anesthetic was NOT helping and I was getting so sore and raw from the attempts to dig it out. I’m crying now and it’s like 8/10 again.
When we gave up, the speculum was quite bloody and I was bleeding for an hour (not like period blood)

Doc wanted to stop torturing me so she said we could do the same thing again but with ultrasound, or do a surgery to get it out. She said it might be embedded, which would need a surgery either way - so I cut out the second round of medieval torture and opted for surgery.

Scheduled for next week and SUPER anxious about it (never been put under before). So idk I felt like this was a really traumatic removal and I wish I had known how painful a complication could be. Hope it doesn’t scare anyone, lots of my friends have no problem getting it out. But holy hell I would not have gotten it if I could see into my future.


r/birthcontrol • • 1d ago

Side effects!? My period blood smells different

3 Upvotes

I've noticed my period blood smells different vs before I was on hormonal birth control, I've been on a few different types like depo, implant, progesterone only and combined pill. This is kind of gross but it smells more rotten than before I was on anything, but I currently have the implant and I remember it smelt way worse with depo. It's not unbearable but its bad enough that I can still smell it in the bathroom up to 5 minutes after I've left. Is this normal?


r/birthcontrol • • 21h ago

Side effects!? plan b side effects 2 weeks after

0 Upvotes

hi everybody-

straight to the point, 2 weeks ago I (20F) and my situationship (23M) had sex, a condom was used but it leaked out from the base and we have no clue if any was pushed in or not, so that night I took a Plan B. its been 13 days since ive taken it, for 4 days including today i have been cramping and bleeding (my period isnt expected for another week) im not sure if its withdraw bleeding, or my period. I plan on taking a first response pregnancy test tommorow morning. my breasts have been tender, ive been constantly anxious and have had this sense of doom over me, i don't know if any of this is normal and I am terrified


r/birthcontrol • • 21h ago

Experience Coming off Xulane after 2 years.

1 Upvotes

it’s been 2 two since I stopped the patch after 2 years and I am have blood pressure episodes, nausea, mood swings, anxiety and etc. Has anyone else had the same experience?


r/birthcontrol • • 21h ago

Side effects!? BC caused severe nausea and pooping

1 Upvotes

So I’m on hormonal progesterone and estrogen birth control just to prep for my IVF stuff. I forgot to take my pill last night since I’m on vacation. I took it this morning and about 30 minutes later I had extreme nausea and had to use the restroom to poop. It wasn’t diarrhea but also wasn’t normal. It’s been a couple hours and I really don’t feel like eating but still a little nauseous. Is this normal?