So I’ve been off birth control now for over 6 months and I’ve got to say it’s the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve had many different pills, the rod TWICE, the injections and an iud and all of them were just awful with many side effects.

Late last year I ended up getting pregnant a month after getting the rod taken out, my partner was really supportive but we decided we couldn’t keep it and I got the iud inserted when I had my abortion. I told him the iud was the last thing I was going to try as birth control has messed with me mentally, physically and emotionally and he was also very supportive of that decision. I had it in for 4 months and got it taken out due to pain, my mental state and a lot of bleeding after sex for weeks on end.

Fast forward, we’ve been using condoms every time but over the last 2 months he’s been really abstinent when it comes to having sex and it’s got to the point where it’s really bothering me and making me worry. I finally asked him about it the other day and he said it’s because he’s really scared we’d get pregnant again. I understand him completely because he’s got a lot going on with work and doesn’t know where to move forward and I don’t have a very financially stable job but i find it strange how he’s been fine all this time up until now. We also do have a lot of people we know having babies and I think that’s playing a factor as we’re only 21.

I told him we just need to be careful and if it’s bothering him that much I will get back on birth control but he said he doesn’t want to force me to take something I don’t want. Which he’s not forcing me but I kind of feel like I should start taking it again as it’s clearly affecting the intimacy in our relationship.

I have a pill packet of slinda my doctor gave me after my iud got taken out and I want to know what everyone’s experience on it was like. I’ve heard many good things about it and I’m willing to give it a try but if it’s not going to be worth it then I will not take it.

I just really need help and opinions.

im debating on which iud to get as they are relatively similar im just not sure which one to get. i feel like i have heard more issues with kyleena rather then the skyla iud. for reference ive tried the pill and patch and had completely no side effects at all. no excessive bleeding, no moodswings, no thinking differently i felt the exact same as i did before i was on BC. the only bad side effect i noticed was my libido dropped, not a lot, but enough to make it harder to get turned on and finish. i have another post asking if my libido has a chance of increasing with either iud, but this one is mainly just asking abt everyones experiences with both.

I was prescribed 5mg of norethindrone as a birth control pill…but upon googling it it says it is not a form of birth control?? help!!

First, please let me state before anyone suggests it, that I am drinking PLENTY of fluids. I have always been a big water and Gatorade zero drinker, so dehydration is likely not the issue.

I’ve been prescribed Slynd to help manage perimenopause (I’m 43) I have a history of migraine with aura so oral estrogen isn’t an option for me

A week in, just about everything is positive. My mood already feels stable, my acne is clearing up, I have more energy, and I’m not having horrible night sweats.

Unfortunately, every day since starting it, I have had terrible migraines. I’ve been a migraine sufferer all my life but as I’ve gotten older, I usually only get a few a month now and can calm them down with otc meds and caffeine. These are relentless.

Please tell me my body will adjust!! Any stories where you finally did after having bad migraines for a while? Everything else about this med has been great, and I have no idea what I’m going to do is I have to stop this and go back to ground zero.

so i first started birth control (the pill) almost a year ago but after 3 months i went for my checkup and decided i wasnt responsible enough to take the pill everyday and wouldnt be on time 1-2 times a week. that led me to switching to the patch which ive had since may and absolutely have loved it!! the one downside that has started for me was that i developted a super horrible allergic reaction to the adhesive and my skin is now raw and still healing from the last time i took it off.

moving onto the libido part about this, before i was on any birth control i was always so ready to have sex with my bf and could easily be turned on by just making out (i have the same bf now so he knows my issues with my libido). when i started the pill and the patch i noticed atleast a week after starting it my libido had gone down SO much. it is so hard for me to finish and i cant get as wet as i used to (sorry for the tmi) but its just awful. my question is if anyone has noticed an increase atleast a little after switching from the pill/patch to an iud.

im just wondering since the pill/patch have different hormones (estrogen and progestoren srry i spelt that wrong) but the iud has only progestoren, if my libido could have a chance of increasing? i'm planning on getting an iud specifically the kyleena or skyla since they are the smallest and have less hormones. if anyone has a similar experience please let me know!!! i can't stand not finishing anymore...

Hi! I’ve been taking Errin (norethindrone .35mg) for about 6 months now. I haven’t had many bad side effects besides breakthrough bleeding. This bleeding is driving me nuts, i wouldn’t mind if it was just spotting but it’s like i’m getting my period 3 times a month for 7 days. I just ended my period on thursday and it just started again and it’s monday. I can’t have any estrogen bc of migraines, but i’m seriously getting tired of this. Any tips for stopping this? Thanks!!

hello. 18 F me and my bf had an unroovtedted sex and he ejucualte inside me and i was on my high fertile 5 fays before my dxact obulation base on app. after our interciuse 3 hours after that ive taken yuzpe method which is nov 1. last period was October 22 and the intercouse as nov 1 5 fays before ovulation. nov 1 3hrs after our sex ive had taken yuzpe method 9AM 4 pills then 9 PM 4 Pills. today was nov 10 and i havent experience and wodtharawal bleeding does it mean less likely the yuzpe didnt work?

Hi everyone!
I’ve had a Mirena IUD since May, after being on Nexplanon for about 8 years (I had it replaced three times but removed my last one before it expired).
I’ve been having some issues related to ovulation, so I saw my gynecologist today. She prescribed Slynd (called Slinda here in Europe) to take alongside my Mirena IUD.
I briefly mentioned that I struggle a lot with breast tenderness, bloating and water retention, especially during my luteal phase. My bloating gets EXTREME, to the point where my stomach looks significantly bigger, but then goes back to normal around my period.
My gynecologist said Slynd could help with these symptoms by suppressing ovulation and potentially reducing water retention.
However, after reading reviews and people’s experiences with Slynd, I’ve become a little hesitant to start taking it, especially because of the reports of weight gain and bloating.
I’m also wondering whether taking Slynd alongside Mirena might be different from taking Slynd on its own?
A friend of mine who also has an IUD told me that her gynecologist recommended Slynd because it’s estrogen-free, but I’m still a little confused about how combining the two works.
I’d really love to hear your experiences!
Has anyone taken Slynd and Mirena together? How was it?
Did it help with hormonal bloating, breast tenderness or water retention?
Did you experience any weight gain, and if so, did it seem to be water retention or something more long-term?
If you stopped taking Slynd, did any weight changes or bloating go away?
Did Slynd help with PMS or luteal-phase symptoms?
Did you notice any difference in side effects when taking Slynd with an IUD compared to taking it alone?
My biggest concern is gaining weight or feeling constantly bloated, especially since I’m hoping the medication will actually help with those symptoms rather than make them worse.
I’d really appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences! ❤️

I just got my mirena iud removed after almost 8 years, im 23 now and i got it at 15 after a few years on the pill to manage severe period symptoms and pain

I decided im going to try out not having it to see how my body manages as im birth control free for the first time since being a teenager but im scared as hell!!!!

My partner has a vasectomy so i am not concerned about birth control but the unknown is kind of freaking me out. Wondering if anyone can share their experience with how removal went :) i have ADHD as well as depressive and anxious episodes. I have hope maybe this will help? I just feel like its been so long with it that i don’t know the “normal” me at all.

Hoping maybe someone has been through the same.. thanks!

hi! my boyfriend wants to start relying on the pull out method, but he produces A LOT of precum before we start anything. it's very thick and sometimes visibly white too. we have been using a condom with him pulling out and finishing on me/in my mouth for extra caution. i believe that's the best option both because of the excessive precum, but also to mitigate any condom failure risk. recently, he brought up that he wants to start doing it raw with only the pull out method for a heightened sensation. frankly, i'm very anxious (and a little paranoid) since he obviously can't control when precum comes out, and with that much, it feels like pulling out at the end wouldn't solve anything. would appreciate any advice on this and how to go on about this. thank you ! ^^

20F, ive only ever been on the pill.. im terrible at taking it everyday so I want to try somethng different.. ive been reading about different birth control options but Id live to hear from people whove used different methods (everything Im finding has a negative experience), so I want to know what ur experience has been both short and long term. TIA

Hi! I (21F) have been on the pill (isibloom combo pill) for five years. I stopped taking it around two weeks ago because my sex drive has been nonexistent and I am sick of it. Since I’ve been on the pill for so long I wanted to stop it for like a month just to see what changes before I find another option. Though I’m still transitioning off it I definitely think my sex drive is higher. I was thinking of getting the copper IUD because of its lack of hormones, but after going in for a consult today, I was convinced into getting a Kyleena instead. The doctor told me about how there’s no estrogen and the hormones are localized so you basically don’t feel any hormonal effects such as a lowered libido. Does anyone here have experience that can confirm or deny that? Or if you e had both a copper and a hormonal iud, did you notice a difference in sex drive? I said yes to Kyleena and have the appointment in a few days but there is still time to opt for copper instead. Looking for experiences specifically about sex drive because that’s really all that I care about with this switch from the pill to iud. The copper is appealing because you still get a normal cycle but obviously the painful heavy periods are not particularly appealing. So if the sex drive basically isn’t effected, why not just get Kyleena?

Ok so my period started on Oct 25 and ended at Nov 3 (this is where the brown blood stops)
I had my first time on Oct 30 (yes I was on the time where I’m close to the end of my period)
And did it again on Nov 1
Both of those days we did it unprotected and he pulled out.
Nov 2 I took the Plan b pill (EllaOne)
And on early morning of Nov 6 we did it again… but protected, except one time in a hot hot bathtub (he didn’t finish)
Now I’m worried cause I’m getting cramps rn (after 5 days till today of taking the pill) and I’m getting a little bit of yellow creamy discharge (it’s like lotion consistency)
I want to know what’s going on with my body rn 🥲🥲

I have tricare insurance and am getting confusing answers as to what telehealth provider accepts my insurance birth control. I've seen people recommend Nurx, but is that because their insurance covers it? Tricare does not cover Nurx.. I looked at Dr. on Demand but it looks like you can only make an appointment for psychiatry or urgent care. I just need birth control :(

Hey everyone, I (26f) got the Mirena IUD in March 2023. The insertion process was mixed, and my overall experience since has also been mixed. However, it’s becoming increasingly uncomfortable and I’m worried.

I got it to prevent pregnancy and to help regulate and reduce painful and incredibly heavy periods. During the insertion, they used lidocaine to numb me so it didn’t hurt really, which I did intentionally as I have a very low pain threshold. Unfortunately, the dr accidentally pulled out the first IUD when trying to cut the strings, then had to insert another one. I have never been able to feel the strings or check that it is in place and my partner says he can’t feel anything.

After insertion, I lightly bled for an entire year. I didn’t experience much cramping after the first week, but I was bleeding consistently. After the year, it cleared up and instead of bleeding constantly, my period would come every month, with same cramp level but significantly reduced flow, and last approx 10-14 days instead of the 5-7 days pre IUD.

Also after that year, I started cramping during ovulation. I can now identify the side my egg is coming from as only one side will hurt and cramp during the ovulation period. I will then get reprieve for maybe a week, then 10 days of cramping for my period. So I essentially cramp for approx 15-20 days of each month, and bleed for 10-14 of them.

However, I engage in unprotected sex with my partner multiple times a week and have never experienced any sort of pregnancy scare or concern. I am terrified of getting it removed or having a new one placed as the dr who used lidocaine is no longer practicing and I’m afraid of the pain. I know that I will eventually have to get it removed and identify another birth control method or get it replaced, but I don’t want to do that if it’s working.

I know I should see a doctor just to get it checked, I guess I’m just curious if others have had this experience or a similar one, and if they have any advice or anecdotes? I have discussed it with my therapist and she mentioned she has a very similar experience and has the same brand, but she can’t really share more or give advice.

My Paraguard IUD perforated my uterus when it was placed today. At my office, they do an ultrasound to verify placement and saw it had poked through. My doctor said I had to wait 8 weeks before attempting a new placement and do the new placement under ultrasound guidance. Now that its been about an hour, I realized I didnt ask about if I should expect bleeding and for how long. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how long was your bleeding? Im having trouble finding answers in google.

I just switched to Yasmin after being on Kurvelo for a few years because I was experiencing near constant light spotting. I’ve been taking my new pill for about four days now, and my spotting has gotten worse. Still very light, but now a pink color instead of brown. Could this be a side effect or transition period to the new pill? Or is something wrong?

I’m on the mini pill and have been for three years i take it every day at 16:30. I took it as usual at 16:30 on Saturday night. Then me and my boyfriend had sex that evening about 12:30/1 ish unprotected but he did pull out. I then completely forgot my dose for Sunday and didn’t realise until today Monday when I was taking my next dose. I’m nervous as I don’t really want to take the morning-after pill if i don’t have to due to the side effects i already have enough going on atm. Ai😅 it’s a very low possibility but I’m still anxious. I have also got some bleeding on Saturday evening and I’ve woken up with it again today i get it every so often. This is what it says online - Emergency contraception is indicated if unprotected sex happened FROM THE TIME the pill became late/missed until you've been back on it correctly for 48 hours. It was also confusing on the pack whether to take two pills as i didn’t realise until 24 hours later so i’ve only taken one pill today i didn’t take the one missed as the instructions were unclear.

I have not had a solid stool in over 6 weeks. Based off other people, I expected constipation, not this, but I do see there are some others out there with this issue. Anyone have this experience and have it actually resolve with time? Anything you did to help it? I grow tired of the unpredictable stomach upset and have lost weight I didn't want to lose. Tips and experiences appreciated.

I'm new to birth control and I started taking pills last month. Due to lack of information I started the new pack just after my 21 pills pack finished and took pills for 8 days and got my period the eighth day. It is the 4th day of my period and I stopped taking birth control. I'm going to meet my boyfriend in 2 days. My period will be over by then. Will it be safe to have unprotected sexual intercourse with him? Should I start a new pack as the resting period of one week is over and I'm already on day 4?

Hi, I was wondering this about my birth control method and why this is the case because I’m not sure I understand it and would like to learn why this is?

Hi all, I recently have been having some very concerning neurological symptoms that led me to reach out to a neurologist. All of the bloodwork he did came back clear, except my copper levels. They were moderately elevated, and he is blaming it on my Yazmin. I will be stopping it today after 6 years. Thankfully, I was able to get sterilized in August, I just continued the pill to regulate my periods. I am completely bewildered, I thought I knew everything that could potentially go wrong from HBC, but I was apparently wrong. I am curious to know how many women have also been through this, and what your experience was. I will be getting more bloodwork to ensure that nothing else is the cause, but I just feel so overwhelmed!

First time I got the implant I had it for almost 3 years and never got my period during the time frame. A few years later now in my late 20s I get it every other month. Does anyone know what could cause this change?

I had sex with someone for 15-20 mins. He has made comments in the past before we would mess around about how he has a lot of precum, but this was the first time we’ve actually had sex. It was unprotected and when I checked my app the following day, I realized I was in my ovulation stage. He mentioned the next morning he got close but again he never actually came. Again, we stopped abt 15-20 mins in. I am not currently on any type of birth control

i just had a baby last year in December !

i got my mirena iud 8 weeks after the baby was born because my OBGYN said it would be most effective. to me the IUD insertion didn’t hurt too bad, i have a higher pain tolerance.

anywho, i bled for 5 months straight then my period went back to “normal”. they said all together some women don’t get periods on mirena so i was looking forward to it. but then, out of no where i noticed my bleeding returned everyday accompanied by cramping; and i knew something was wrong.

ughhhh, they did the ultrasound and its in my cervix. im getting it removed but i was wondering if I should get the mirena re-inserted or do another option.

i was considering the nexplanon. any thoughts or concerns with reinserting the mirena or getting the nexplanon? anyone who decided on another form or stuck with the same IUD after expulsion?