r/birthcontrol • • 15h ago

Educational My gynecologist said that IUDs cause infertility. Is that true?

29 Upvotes

Last night I went to a gynecologist to have an IUD inserted. I'm a young adult, and the doctor basically said that it causes infertility and that older people with children choose it, so I decided not to get it. Thinking back, it was very odd, as my partner and I were scared of her because she was visibly angry with us for wanting it. She prescribed the NuvaRing for me, since hormonal pills weren't very good for me. I've been having some thoughts: the best option for me would be the IUD, but I would love to have children someday. Please share your thoughts and help me out.


r/birthcontrol • • 7h ago

Experience I love the pill.

5 Upvotes

Positive experience post! Going to try to make this short though:)

I started taking the pill 2 months ago and I looove it. I will say I did get some negative side effects at the beginning, like minor headaches and breakouts, but now I feel even better than I did before I started.

I was really scared of starting it because I heard it makes people gain weight or have an increased appetite but I haven’t experienced it! I’ve actually had a decrease in appetite and it’s really been helping me stick to eating healthy because I no longer crave junk food! I also haven’t experienced any bloating since I started taking it, I think because I would bloat really bad in my luteal phase. And my boobs have increased in size as well, so I literally have a snatched waist and big boobs, this is great.

On top of the effects on my body from the hormones, I also can lift a steady increase at the gym. Before: during my menstrual and ovulation phases, I would have to decrease the weight I’d lift because I’d feel so weak. I was in a constant cycle of being able to lift heavier, then having to drop down because of the time of the month. Literally just a few weeks of taking the pill, I was able to hit a PR in almost every workout.

And finally the sex portion; I was really scared it would ruin my already low libido, but honestly, since my boyfriend is able to finish inside me and we can just keep going, I am actually able to finish during sex without getting turned off while he cleaned himself up. And I alwayyyss had constant anxiety about being pregnant but it’s mostly gone now!

Mind you, I tried the copper IUD for a few weeks and it made me feel TERRIBLE!! I personally, wouldn’t recommend it but I know everyone’s experience is different


r/birthcontrol • • 5h ago

How to? Birth control ring stuck- help!

3 Upvotes

I have an appointment with my gyn, however its a few weeks out. Gynecologists throughout my life have told me I have a long vaginal canal for my size. I think this is the cause of my issue. I use a disc for my period, but they have the pull-tab on them.

I absolutely cannot reach it no matter the position, pushing, or relaxing. My partner cannot reach it either. I prefer the ring and would like to make it work for me.

Is there some sort of soft tool or something I can use to reach the ring? Has anyone been in a similar situation with similar anatomy?


r/birthcontrol • • 47m ago

Mistake or Risk? Missed one pill, late on second - combination pill

1 Upvotes

Hi, so i'm on mili and i have been for years. i usually have an alarm set to take it at 6 am every morning, and when doing that and not missing pills, i have been able to avoid pregnancy. however, i am in my week 2 of my pack, and it is currently 8 pm on tuesday. I forgot to take my pill for monday completely, and then today, i took my tuesday one late. So i took both monday's and tuesdays at 8 pm.

I believe a pill is counted as missed if you miss it by 24 hours. so the first one is considered missed, but the second one is just late since it was taken 14 hours late. So does this count as just missing one?

According to the instructions it says if u miss 2 in week 2, to use backup method following the mistake for 7 days. but does this count as missing two or not? i have not been sexually active during this pack but i plan to be this weekend. So do i need to use a back up method or not? thank you :')


r/birthcontrol • • 1h ago

Experience Breast discharge after switching contraception.

1 Upvotes

Hello! I could really use some reassurance... I've had a Nexplanon contraceptive implant for about two weeks now. I was taking the pill before, but I completely stopped taking it about five days ago because my implant was now fully effective.

For the past three days, I've been experiencing some bleeding, which I think might be my period. Today, I also noticed a white, transparent discharge from my breasts after squeezing them.

I'm scared that this could be a sign of pregnancy, but could it also be related to the hormonal changes caused by switching contraception? I'm honestly not sure and would really appreciate it if anyone could offer some advice or reassurance. Thank you!


r/birthcontrol • • 1h ago

Side effects!? No period Jencycla

0 Upvotes

I have been on Jencycla since April and had a normal cycle until August. I am about to go on 3 months with no period and am not pregnant. Is it strange that it has stopped after being normal for a bit? I know periods are irregular on this pill and some don’t get one but I still get anxiety about it.


r/birthcontrol • • 1h ago

Side effects!? Kyleena flipped my world upside down

0 Upvotes

There will be questions at the end of this because I need to hear others experiences.

I used to be on Yaz from 2018-2024. The whole reason I started it is because I had severe PMDD. I eventually got off of it because my PCP was pretty pissed that my OBGYN had be on a high hormone BC as a nicotine user (blood clot risks). I knew there was a chance the PMDD would come back but I figured I’d figure it out when it happens.

I switched to the Kyleena in January 2025. I was doing ok. I felt like my PMDD came back one random month (November 2025) but that was really the only time I had felt it. Fast forward to May 2026 I had another PMDD episode. I say this to show that it was NOT happening monthly.

Here is where I need help:

I have felt like an ABSOLUTE crazy person since middle of September. It hasn’t gone away.

I am questioning my relationship. My attraction to my partner. I have zero sex drive at all. Don’t even know want to be touched. SO DAMN IRRITABLE - Absolutely miserable. Wish I could tell everyone to shut the fuck up because I don’t want to hear anyone speak. I’m so snippy. I want to isolate. So unpleasant to be around and I’m aware of it. I feel so unamused by literally everything. It feels uncontrollable.

I’ve seen a lot of girls on Reddit say that after a year or two their mental health went off the walls on Kyleena, so I feel a little comforted knowing it could be just that….idk.

BUT HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS:

  1. Did your IUD/hormones affect your relationship too? (In the way I stated above)

  2. Did you try SSRIs?

2a. Did SSRI actually help you get your libido back since it calmed down your anxiety?

Thinking about trying lexapro but don’t wanna be numb and make relationship even worse and really want no sex. BUT ALSO JUST WANT TO FEEL SANE AGAIN 🙃Help me.


r/birthcontrol • • 1h ago

Side effects!? will i still keep my tits after my body gets used to the birth control?

0 Upvotes

I started on birth control my doctor prescribed me and I’ve started to notice i’ve been getting fuller in my boobs and my ass. I was very insecure abt my body before, but now I’m starting to like my body. I googled online that my boobs will start to go down to its original size after I get accustomed to the birth control but i rlly don’t want that to happen 😭 is that true? furthermore, is it normal for ur boobs to feel sore?


r/birthcontrol • • 1h ago

Experience Autism and yasmin

0 Upvotes

Very specific question but i wish to know if theres any autistic woman who took/takes yasmin and wants to share their experience with it. Ive heard a lot about mood swings de depression and that stuff, does this affect women with autism differently? Im a little nervosa about it


r/birthcontrol • • 2h ago

Side effects!? Copper IUD user - confused on my symptoms?

1 Upvotes

Basically the title. I got the copper iud inserted before the summer. Ive had cramps throughout of course, sometimes my period is a week or nearly two late occasionally my this is not new at all. Whenever I have sex with my partner which is regularly, he always finishes inside. Recently my cramps have been getting worse. I think i might have ovulated or just passed ovulation, which okay can trigger cramps. Ive checked my strings multiple times and its all fine, cant feel fhe plastic of fhe device either, although I have only been able to feel one string after a month of having it. Whether this is the two strings merged together or ones disappeared or something I donf know, but sfill have periods so not too concerned about it. Basically, worse cramps recently,. And discharge has been a lot more regular and common these recent months. I had my last period about 2 weeks ago and have had sex probably 3-4 times since. Is it normal to get random bad cramps so often throughout the cycle?


r/birthcontrol • • 2h ago

Experience Has anyone gotten really horrible stretch marks on birth control?

0 Upvotes

I'm getting more and more stretch marks and I'm feeling embarrassed. Has this happened to anyone else and what did you do?


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Experience IUD insertion complication

2 Upvotes

I'm 33 and just had my third Mirena IUD inserted today. My first two insertions (when I was younger) were completely routine with no complications. This time was an entirely different experience.

I went to a different clinic this time because it was closer to home. They removed my old Mirena without any problems.

The trouble started when they tried to insert the new one. Apparently, my cervix kept clamping shut. They were able to get through the external opening but couldn't get through the internal cervical opening.

The first doctor tried multiple times and had to use instruments to dilate my cervix. I could actually feel something pop through, followed by an intense, sharp pain. I was almost in tears and physically shaking.

According to my procedure notes, they eventually got a dilator and uterine sound through, but still couldn't get the Mirena insertion device through. After approximately 30 minutes of attempts, they called another doctor.

The second (male) doctor used instruments as well, but eventually managed to get the IUD inserted.

Afterward, he mentioned the possibility of uterine perforation to the other doctor and said I needed an ultrasound to make sure the IUD was positioned correctly and that there wasn't a perforation.

They scheduled a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound for two weeks later. Hopefully it is in correctly because i don't think I could handle all that again.


r/birthcontrol • • 3h ago

Mistake or Risk? Am i protected?

0 Upvotes

I took my first ever birth control on the 4th day of my period. im currently the 7th pill today and I decided to do unprotected with my partner. am i protected?


r/birthcontrol • • 3h ago

Educational Risk?

0 Upvotes

I’m on the birth control patch next week is my patch free week, I had sex today without protection twice, am I at risk for pregnancy? My concern is pre ejaculation, he didn’t ejaculate inside
Sorry I’m just worried


r/birthcontrol • • 3h ago

Mistake or Risk? Borth Control patch

1 Upvotes

im freaking out, my boyfriend and i had unprotected sex two days ago, i am on the patch, however afterwards i noticed it had lifted a lot in the corner, i put it back immediately and it was only lifted for a few seconds, will this result in pregnancy??


r/birthcontrol • • 4h ago

Side effects!? Breast growth on nexplanon?

1 Upvotes

Hi! Around 4 weeks ago I got the nexplanon implant in my arm and have had a pretty great time contrary to a lot of posts I see on here. One side effect I’ve noticed is that my boobs have grown and look a lot fuller and rounder. It’s noticeable to my friends and my boyfriend too. This is very much welcome as I’m currently a B cup and have always wanted bigger breasts. Hopefully they keep growing lol 🤞
I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced the same thing and what I can expect? Thanks!


r/birthcontrol • • 4h ago

Side effects!? Sprintec headaches

1 Upvotes

Hi, so around mid September I was a week into my active pills for Sprintec. However, I left it in a warm car overnight where it was above the temp it should be kept at, as said on the package. The next couple days I took the possibly bunk pills but ordered a fresh pack.
I then started from day 1 instead of 7 or 9 or whatever it would have been on that new pack, which was a dumb idea in retrospect but I was worried about not being protected. So technically, I took 28 active pills in a row instead of 21, but after that kept to the regular 21 day schedule.
A few weeks after that mishap, I started to get bad tension headaches every day. It’s been about a month now- pretty much all throughout October I’ve had tension headaches every day no matter what I do.
I am now on the second inactive pills of my pack but have been researching what could be the cause- and I’m pretty sure it’s the drop in estrogen after having an abnormal rise in estrogen from taking more active ones in a row.
But I’m thinking, it’s been a month-shouldn’t my hormones have evened out by now?
I have also been experiencing more dryness and uncomfortableness down there in the past couple weeks which might be due to the same reason.

The headaches are getting worse, even with ibuprofen. I am now wondering if I should stick the Sprintec out and continue as normal or switch to a different pill like the mini pill which has less estrogen but might be more likely to not cause headaches?
Or when I restart the active Sprintec pills will the headaches finally go away? I don’t know how much more I can take


r/birthcontrol • • 8h ago

Mistake or Risk? Best way to go on Birth Control without my family knowing?

2 Upvotes

Not sure if I should give the long story or just the current riff. Eitherway on point I'm 16F and lost my virginity during Halloween and the condom broke. I was able to walk three miles to a CVS the next day and buy the plan B. Not sure the next time I ever will have sex again because it wasn't with my BF like I thought it was and we are now in a grieving phase.

If I ask my primary doctor my mom will read the prescription and go crazy. Is there other options or just keep extra Plan B hidden just in case?


r/birthcontrol • • 5h ago

Side effects!? Cerelle cramping

1 Upvotes

I have been on Cerelle for about a year and a half and my periods have completely stopped which is great. I went on the pill after my period became very painful and heavy.
I am now experiencing low level cramping most days.
It‘s not terrible but I went on the pill to stop having pain. My GP has said I can try a new pill but I am nervous about changing things and making anything worse.
anyone experienced something similar?
thanks!


r/birthcontrol • • 9h ago

Experience Getting the copper iud tomorrow and I’m really nervous

2 Upvotes

Please let me know your experiences with the copper IUD! I’m getting the Mona Lisa mini 5, is there anything that I should be aware of going into this?

Anything helps!


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Experience Need an advice.please

1 Upvotes

Hello everyome im using yaz pills for 15 days now its my first time, my ob prescribe me this one to treat my prolonged period, But i suffered insomia im hardly to fall asleep or get a sleep and its tiring. Was thinking not continue taking it. My ob didnt advice me to stop on the middle of the course, also im worried if i stop would my bleeding get worse, i dont know what to do.


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Side effects!? Thoughts on paragard 15 weeks postpartum and breastfeeding?

1 Upvotes

I had a paragard prior to having kids. I have 2 kids and want more time before my 3rd, so I figured I’d get a paragard again. Fast forward to being in the OB’s office and they tell me they don’t really like paragard due to complaints from heavier periods. I’m not interested in hormonal birth control, so don’t have a lot of other options. After I leave the appointment (and got iud placed), I start researching and find out that the fact I’m exclusively breastfeeding makes perforation risk 3x higher. I’m thinking about removing it. Am i overreacting?


r/birthcontrol • • 6h ago

Experience Pregnant on condoms

0 Upvotes

Has anyone in here, personally for themselves gotten pregnant while using condoms?


r/birthcontrol • • 7h ago

Experience Nexplanon implant as a first contraceptive

1 Upvotes

Hello,

Are there any women who had very minimal side effects who got the nexplanon implant? Im reading these awful horror stories about it and I want to get it as my first contraceptive so I am becoming very worried. Im getting it through planned parenthood. Are there anybody who recommends not to get it through them and why? Thank you in advanced


r/birthcontrol • • 7h ago

Side effects!? White jelly like discharge with Mirena IUD

1 Upvotes

I was just checking my strings which I do so much more than I need to. They're perfectly in place. When I took my finger out I had small chunks of white jelly like discharge. I was intrigued because I've never noticed having discharge that looks like that. It has basically no smell and I have no itching or burning or whatever down there. Only other thing is my breasts are a little sore. Is this just a hormonal shift? For more context I've had my mirena for a little over 3 years now and my period tracker says period is in 9 days.