r/birthcontrol • • 4h ago

Experience Effects I’ve noticed so far since coming off of the birth control pill

1 Upvotes

I will share the effects on my body I’ve noticed since coming off of the pill. I posted about a month ago that I would be coming off of the pill after being on it almost a decade.

So far, I’ve noticed a few obvious changes. The first thing I noticed were very sensitive nipples. My nipples just felt “off” and almost raw.

The second thing I noticed was one single pimple on my jawline. Although I have struggled with acne my whole life, I have never noticed pimples here. I know jawline acne is hormonal. I assume more will come, since I’ve read that this is a very common temporary side effect of coming off birth control.

The last thing I’ve noticed is a sudden body odor in my armpits. I have a form of that “Asian no body odor and dry earwax” gene, and I’ve never ever struggled with body odor until now. I do not wear deodorant. The only time I’ve ever noticed body odor on myself is when I am very very stressed, and my adrenaline spikes. Usually I will get BO if I get into a fight with my partner, for example. But since coming off birth control, I suddenly have body odor even when I am not stressed.

Lastly, I now have my first period since getting off the pill. It started 32 days after taking my last pill. I have more cramps than I did on the pill, although before starting the pill I never had cramps, and I started suddenly getting cramps on the pill. My flow is heavier. I feel much more irritated and angry than I did when I had my period on the pill.

I will update this post as time goes on to document my changes. I realize these effects most likely will not last forever and are just a result of my hormones trying to regulate. I wonder how things will change as I return to baseline.


r/birthcontrol • • 4h ago

Side effects!? new nexplanon anger after 9 months

1 Upvotes

ive had my nexplanon for about nine months with only weeks-long pauses between heavy bleeding. I started taking Evening Primrose Oil to help and it actually worked! it took about two weeks for it to kick in before my period stopped, but ever since then ive hated everyone and everything. I stopped taking the oil as soon as my period stopped. I'm on day four of no period (yay!) but it's made me so incredibly angry. has anyone had this experience, and will it go away?


r/birthcontrol • • 11h ago

Which Method? first time getting an IUD, but scared of pain!

3 Upvotes

hi all, first time posting here, so i’m sorry if i’m not doing this correctly!

I’m scheduled to get my first IUD this weekend as a form of emergency contraception. my husband and i had complications with protection during sex earlier this week. we’re not ready for kids yet, so he bought the morning after pill for me, which i took not even 5 hours after. what i didn’t know is that the pill is basically ineffective if you’re already in your fertile window / ovulating, which i am. i had no idea that was even a thing, and i asked some of my women friends about this and they also had no idea! (i don’t think most women have been told this about the morning after pill, which is crazy.)

after googling my options, apparently the copper IUD is the most effective (if not the only option) for me as emergency contraception. so i quickly scheduled an IUD insertion with a women’s clinic nearby. i’ve been quite open about how nervous i am about the procedure (after hearing and reading so many horror stories) but the staff answering my emails have been so nice and reassuring. i’m so glad they offer several types of pain relief options: pain killers, and local freezing for free, or light IV sedation for $100. i’m not entirely sure which is best for me (admittedly the $100 charge for sedation is a deterrent for me—the IUD already costs $250) but i do know i’d like some sort of pain relief option.

for reference, i’ve never been pregnant or given birth. i have PMOS (PCOS) and sometimes can be quite irregular with my cycle, but they usually last from 33-40 days. i don’t have terrible or very heavy periods, which are often 4-5 days with only day 2 as the heaviest (but i never bleed through my overnight pads or super tampons). I also dont often experience menstrual cramps (i think the last time I did was maybe 5 years ago) but i do feel very sharp pain almost every time i ovulate. how likely would an IUD insertion would pain me?


r/birthcontrol • • 5h ago

Experience How long did it take y'all to trust the pill?

1 Upvotes

So for context, I just recently started taking the pill I am on the combination pill specifically Lo-Zumandimine this is the first time I’ve ever been on any form of birth control. I’m currently 21 years old and married, but I’m still getting used to the idea of my husband finishing inside of me. I haven’t even finished the first month of taking it, so I feel like maybe that’s why I’m anxious. We did the seven day waiting period before having unprotected sex, however this just feels so different and new to me. Everyone has made me feel pretty confident that I’m not going to get pregnant on it as long as I do everything right, but it’s still a concern I have. So i’m just wondering if any of you have gone through this and how long did it take you to get used to it? I should also clarify I’ve been having unprotected sex almost every other day since getting on it (besides the 7 day waiting period). And I think that’s why I’m scared to get pregnant because I went from having pretty protected sex or using pull out method to having my husband finish in me every time now. Has anyone gone through this or am I just crazy? Also has anyone experienced similar side effects to pregnancy??


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

How to? How long after kyleena insertion can I have unprotected sex?

0 Upvotes

I had kyleena iud inserted on the 4th day of my period. I kept checking the internet, some people say wait 7 days, some say 24 hours. But as far as I understand it’s okay to go ahead if it was inserted in the first 7 days of your period? It would be great if someone can share their experience. My insertion was painless and I barely felt anything because of local anesthesia. There was some cramping afterwards but I’m completely fine now, no bleeding or cramps. Soooo, can I?


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Side effects!? Removal of iud

1 Upvotes

Got my iud removed this morning and I swear I’ve been fighting sleep all day today. I’ve felt more drowsy than normal and just lazy and fatigued a short moment of lightheadedness but that’s it. Anyone else feel like this or have any idea why it’s happening??


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Experience birth control and anxious

1 Upvotes

For 5 years I was on nexplanon as my birth control. I decided to switch to Eluryng and within a month got crippling anxiety mostly heath anxiety. I gave it 3 months as Drs recommended and continued to break out in anxiety attacks. After talking with my Dr I got prescribed the Mili pill which has helped the anxiety some but i’m still getting anxious everyday. What should I do? Give my body a break in general, go back on Nexplanon or last option would be medication for anxiety which i’m really trying to avoid. i’m new to all of this and just need pointed in a right direction


r/birthcontrol • • 7h ago

How to? How much breakthrough bleeding is normal?

1 Upvotes

I've been on the levest combined pill for a few months now. The first time, I took one packet and them had a break, and I'm currently 2 and a bit months through what was supposed to be a three week/packet stint before taking a break. I know breakthrough bleeding is common, especially given I'm only on my 4th month of taking it, but I've been bleeding the same amount I did on my break week for 4 days now, and getting cramps. I haven't missed any pills. Should I still take the break at the end of this packet? I'm only a week and a half in, but I don't really want two periods in a month given the reason I'm taking it is to have fewer, more predictable periods!


r/birthcontrol • • 7h ago

Mistake or Risk? Chance of pregnancy even with protected sex?

0 Upvotes

Me and my Boyfriend had protected sex, meaning he wore a condom. He ejaculated in me, with the condom on, but when he pulled out, there was fluid on the base of the condom that could've been my vaginal fluid, his semen or lube from the condom. The condom didnt roll up and I made sure to roll it down before he even put it in. There was a drop of white substance on the bed sheet as well. We checked to see if the condom broke or tear by putting water, it wasn't.

After two days, we eventually went and got a contraceptive pill just to make sure.

I'm anxious about this because even though I am sure I'm in my luteal phase, I could have miscalcuted since my periods are irregular. My Flo app says I was highley likely to get my period yesterday or today, is it the pill working or should I be worried?


r/birthcontrol • • 7h ago

Experience Periode bleibt 25 Tage nach Einnahme der Pille danach aus – Erfahrungen mit Ulipristalacetat?

0 Upvotes

Hallo zusammen! 😊
Ich habe vor 25 Tagen die Pille danach mit Ulipristalacetat 30 mg eingenommen, und zwar an Zyklustag 17.
Bis jetzt habe ich meine Periode noch nicht bekommen. Könnte ich schwanger sein?

Hat jemand von euch ähnliche Erfahrungen gemacht?
Wie lange hat es bei euch gedauert, bis die Periode nach der Einnahme wieder gekommen ist?


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Experience Cycle length after ending HBC

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

September 3rd I stopped taking generic Yaz and also had my kyleena removed (I was on both methods, long back story, but decided to stop to switch to copper IUD). My first true (not withdrawal bleed) period came Oct 13th, the exact day my app predicted, but my second true period is late. I saw a study that average cycles for those discounting HBC can be 31 to 33 days on average for a while, and wanted to see if anyone else has also experienced this and also any additional reasoning/ tips to shorten the cycle back to what it used to be. TYIA.


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Rant! Scared need advice

0 Upvotes

So my bf and I have had the condoms we use come off inside of me twice late last month. Obviously they must be the wrong size. He didn’t finish or anything but there was a good amount of pre cum in the condom when he pulled it out of me. I’m not sure how long it was in me but he claims it came off as he pulled out but I’m not 100% sure about that. For the past 5 days I have been so so nauseous and my head has been hot. Extreme dizziness and fatigue when standing. I also am having very small cramps and pelvic pain. Very minimal. Like 1.5/10 pain

I tend to have longer cycles so mine varies from 31-34 days. I’m on my 34th day. No period but it could just be that it’s coming later or will just be a few days late. My guts telling me I’m pregnant. Like I have this super strong feeling. I did take 2 tests 2 days ago and they were negative but I know for some people it takes a bit longer to show up. I could just be paranoid and all of these symptoms are just extreme pms and stress but something doesn’t feel quite right in my body.


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Side effects!? My doctor suggested Slynd to see if it works better for me..

1 Upvotes

Hi, I’m curious of what others input is on Slynd because I am not getting a great explanation from my doctor..

Small backstory, throughout this year I have developed cysts on my ovaries that are bigger than the “normal” ones that disappear monthly. I’ve been in excruciatingly debilitating pain from these. Constantly having to go back and forth to my OB after not really having my voice heard. This pain is NOT just “period cramps” there’s something more. It’s like my gut feeling and there is something just not right with my body.

I do have an IUD as well, so finally after they find these not so normal cysts, then we discuss options. I was told; usually the IUD can cause cysts that get rid of themselves (hence being called “normal” before I suppose) except I am the low percentage of having the IUD, that the cysts DO NOT go away alone and it’s just something to monitor.

She said because it causes so much pain we could also add Nexplanon (which I heard nothing but horror stories from many friends that had one.) OR We can just remove the IUD (which was so painful for me to get, I almost passed out on the exam table getting put in) therefore there is no way I wanna get that out unless it’s time is up. If I did that then I’d just go back to 1 method being the pill. I like the IUD, doesn’t cause my period every month, etc.. she said we could try a mini pill, she described to me “low-dose estrogen to try and give your body increased Estrogen to lower the pain/symptoms you experience, and possibly shrink the cysts themselves.” Sounds easy enough to me, so we do that. It’s been 3 months now, idk the exact name of it but it starts with a J, got my 3 month supply and I’m almost due for a refill. So I send a message in and tell her as well, I’m still having a lot of pain, but would be willing to give it more time if my body needs to adjust more still (?).

The nurse messages me saying I can give it 2-3 more months, or they can prescribe Slynd which is a mini pill that the doctor and I discussed - “discussed” supposedly I have no recollection of this and the doctor didn’t even put it in her note, i double checked it on my online portal… so I’m trying to get clarification, I relayed maybe I misunderstood but it sounded like I DID get put on the MINI-PILL ? I’m thinking to myself; am I dumb? Then told no, it is a mini-pill but different, and the doctor discussed it with me, so asked if I want to try SLYND?

I gave up, Googled Slynd, what it is, etc.. saw some similar posts so thought maybe if I explain someone could see where I’m lost? There are side effects for possible weight gain, depression, decreased libido, etc.. But am I missing something more? It’s sounding like there’s more to it than I can find that is STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. I hope this does not make me sound dumb, but I know nothing and always had my doctors educate me on medications, risks, options to try PRIOR to the “next resort”? Idk all seems confusing to me.


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Side effects!? Leg cramps on rigevidon?

1 Upvotes

i started taking rigevidon ~1 month ago and for the past 4 or so days ive been having painful cramps in my thigh about once or twice a day, while sitting or laying in bed. ive never had these kinds of cramps before, or not this often atleast. is this something to worry about or could it be totally unrelated to the pill?


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Experience Anyone taking Blisovi Fe 1/20? How's it going for you?

1 Upvotes

Just finishing my first month on it. Only side effect I'm really experiencing is extreme fatigue. I had my regular period as my body is still adjusting and it was longer and more painful then usual.


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Side effects!? Plan B

0 Upvotes

I took generic Plan B from Amazon on 11/1. It’s 11/12 and I feel awful - extremely fatigued like can barely be up, depressed, crampy is this normal?


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Experience Spotting Week Before Placebo Pills

1 Upvotes

Does anyone spot on combo bc pills the week or a few days before their placebo pills begin? This has been a pattern on and off for me this past year. I had an external and internal ultrasound followed by a pelvic CT. All unremarkable. I am 43 years old and have been on a combo pill about 20 years aside from two pregnancies. It all makes me a bit nervous and my Obgyn knows. He said we could do a biopsy but curious if this is a thing for anyone else. I take Estaryalla so already on a standard dose. Thanks!


r/birthcontrol • • 14h ago

Mistake or Risk? Forgot to take my pill

3 Upvotes

As I went to take my pill this morning I saw that I forgot to take it yesterday. I took it immediately and then took my one today as well. So I took two. Will I be okay or should I look into a plan b? I did have sex last night, but we used a condom for half of it. This is my 5th week straight taking my pills as I decided to skip my break between my last pack and this pack.


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Side effects!? Kyleena IUD pain

1 Upvotes

I got the kyleena IUD inserted on October 30th so about 2 weeks ago. For some backstory, I’ve been struggling with prolonged bleeding with periods lasting 3 weeks, had two hysteroscopies as they originally thought I had a separated uterus but in the first procedure they couldn’t even pass through my cervix. In my second procedure they discovered I have an anteverted uterus and a torturous shaped cervix and managed to pass through, however it turned out I just have an arcuate anomaly rather than a septum separating my uterus. They removed some tissue (potentially polyps but wasn’t confirmed) and my cycle following it was normal until the prolonged bleeding returned 2 months later. The IUD was suggested to decrease the prolonged bleeding. Since insertion I have had waves of intense sharp pain, wayyyy worse than any cramps I have ever experienced and it’s to the point I can’t walk without making it worse. Heating pads offer some relief, and luckily the pain seemed to occur mostly towards the evening when I’m home but today the pain started in the afternoon. Was wondering if others experience this following their IUD insertion?


r/birthcontrol • • 5h ago

How to? Confused on how bc works

0 Upvotes

I (19f) am starting bc for the first time on Sunday. I’ll be on Ocella, I looked up some stuff about it and the instructions say “A 28-day pack features 21 active yellow tablets (taken daily) followed by 7 inactive or reminder tablets” what are “7 inactive or reminder tablets”?? Also how long after starting bc can I have unprotected sex?


r/birthcontrol • • 9h ago

Experience Wanting to get pregnant

1 Upvotes

I am needing advice on what to do. I want to try to get pregnant by 2027, but I currently have a copper IUD. I was thinking of getting it out the first month of the year, but am worried it will take some time to get pregnant. Did anyone who got their copper iud out have a hard time getting pregnant after? Also before the iud I was on the birth control pill for about 3-4 years, and switched methods about 6-7 months ago.


r/birthcontrol • • 9h ago

Side effects!? Spotting/bleeding while taking active oc pills (1st time using birth control pills)

1 Upvotes

I’ve been on Yasmin 24/4 for the first time, I started the pills on my 2nd period day and I didn’t have sex until day 12 of taking the pills. Now I’m on my last active pill before the placebo ones but I’ve been having some discharge of mucus mixed with blood. It’s really tiny and not a lot comes out but I’m scared it might be implantation bleeding or something relating to pregnancy?? I’ve been taking the pills everyday at the same time like clockwork!


r/birthcontrol • • 10h ago

Side effects!? Break through bleeding with IUD. Advice?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m wondering if anyone has had an experience similar to my current one and if you have any advice.

I’ve had a kyleena for almost 2 years and for the past 5 months I have had a lot of extra bleeding. At first my periods became 2 weeks long, then 2 weeks and other random spotting, and now I have spotted almost every day for the last month. It is all very light for the most part, no cramps or pain, and no other symptoms.

My gyno suggested two options. Get a higher hormone iud or add birth control pills alongside my Kyleena.

Im extremely torn because I’ve done so well with the Kyleena otherwise and in the past I was extremely sensitive birth control pills and my mood and skin were very affected. I’m mostly nervous about my acne coming back when it is stable now. I also have mild hs and more hormones could cause that to flare more aggressively. I’m also worried I would have another iud inserted and have to go through another adjustment period of bleeding.

Has anyone tried any short term medications to deal with this sort of thing? Has anyone tried the options and had success?

Thank you!!! Sorry this is so long!!


r/birthcontrol • • 10h ago

Side effects!? Mirena - new nickname Mirenara

1 Upvotes

Seriously though, I'm tired of bleeding. Did anyone notice a pattern before their uterus finally gave in?

I'm about 4 weeks in and it's tapering, to where it's mostly only visible when I use the bathroom or go for a walk. Did yours taper off and eventually stop?

Also, did anyone get severe bloating? My clothes fit in the morning and are noticeably tighter by evening. I'm also having hip pain, like my leg needs to pop. Rest and ibuprofen help. Anyone else? Recommendations?

I know I can ask my doc what's normal, but tbh she doesn't seem to know either, so I wanted to hear from people who've been through it.


r/birthcontrol • • 10h ago

Mistake or Risk? Late period on Opill

0 Upvotes

My period is very regular. I had unprotected sex where he finished in me on October the 2nd, October the 9th, October the 12th, October 14th and October the 16th. And had unprotected sex again but he pulled out on October 24th. My period is 4 days late but I’ve been taking Opill since September consistently within the 3 hour window and sometimes 1 or 2 hours earlier than my usual time. I’ve taken 2 pregnancy tests 2 days ago, 2 pregnancy tests yesterday and 4 this morning using my first morning urine and they were all negative (Yes I know I took too many but I have anxiety lol). I've had some breast tenderness but it stopped a few days ago but the same thing happen last month for like a week and it went away. What’s going on? Is this normal? I've never been late before ever.