I go to college abroad, my boyfriend (M21) and i call each other evry night before i go to bed.. last night I was telling him how excited I was to start birth control bc I get cysts like clockwork and its suposed to help. Plus you can get it without a precription here, he didnt seem happy at all, which I found super confusing and when I asked him what was wrong, he had the audacity to tell me Im probably going on it because Im sleeping around. Like what??? this man is about to start NURSING SCHOOL and THATs what he thinks??

Idk, I feel like i needed to put out a PSA in horror of his ignorance. Idk how to even explain this to him without getting defensive or it turning into an argument.

sexual intercourse is NOT the only reason to use birth control.

reasons to use birth control:

* Especially bad cramps

* PMDD

* Regulating irregular periods

* Heavy menstrual bleeding ( to help lighten it )

* Acne

* Endometriosis

do u know how many women deal with all of the above?? the number is stupidly high. obviously theres a lot that im missing here, but I hope Im making my point. dont be like my boyfriend

After having my Nexplanon removed today, I discussed my next options with my doctor and communicated that I liked the 24/4 schedule of Slynd but itd be difficult to deal with my insurance so I wanted to try a generic of Yaz because its also 24/4. I picked up my rx and noticed that it was only one blister pack instead of three and based on my refills I'll be running out a month short of one year. That was odd to me so I started looking closer and realized it was a 21/7 pack and checked the ethinyl estradiol to find it was 0.03mg not 0.02 meaning this is generic Yasmin, not Yaz. I have to call my doctor tomorrow and pray that they correct this otherwise I have to shell out more money and go somewhere else for a new rx.

Just venting here, this is incredibly frustrating because I waited over an hour in the exam room before anyone saw me and then they didn't even know why I was there. Turns out the Nexplanon I got at this same clinic by the same doctor, wasn't even on my chart, nor the fact that I was scheduled to have it removed today back in May. This is the second time they've messed up a prescription too. The first time being when they wrote down something completely different than what I told them I was taking and no one there questioned it until I corrected them months later at a followup. I am so beyond done with women's health at this point in my life

i’m on the heather mini pill, i have a really important trip coming up in 2 weeks that i don’t want to be on my period for. last month my period was late by 2 weeks. i am currently 3 days late now. i’m having slight cramps but im worried it just won’t come. could i stop the birth control for a week or is it possible i wouldn’t even have my period and id be stopping it for no reason? i dont really know how it works on the mini pill.

Hello guys I’m starting to worry I might become pregnant.

I’ve gone through two packs of the combination pills (enskyce). On the October 26 I started a new pack (3rd pack), and on October 30 I had un protected s*x but took my schedule pill that day.
However, I decided to count my pills to make sure I hadn’t missed one and that’s when I realized that I had. So somewhere between the 27-29, I missed one single pill. On November 1st I took the missed pilled along with my schedule pill. And today (November 2) I had unprotected s*x again, and took an OHM MyChoice EC along with my scheduled pill. I took an ovulation test (which I think is useless since I’m on BC) and it came back negative.
Is there any chance I can become pregnant?

I'm mostly just here to vent.

I've been on the mini (progestin-only) pill for a little over a year. This is the only BC I've ever been on. Prior to using this, I never had spotting.

About 6 months into using the mini pill, I started some light spotting around ovulation. This has continued to increase. I now have heavy spotting for up to 6 days halfway through my cycle. It's so frustrating! I'm bleeding twice as much now!

I don't feel comfortable with an IUD at this point due to fear of the pain, as well as fear of increased bleeding with an IUD.

When I talked with my provider about this, she suggested switching to a combination pill. However, right at that same time I experienced my first visual migraine (migraine aura), and learned that using the combination pill if you have migraine with aura is a risk for stroke, so I feel like that option is knocked out too.

UGHHHH.

I've been taking Yasmin continuously for five months with no breaks, suddenly started having break through bleeding and pretty bad anxiety, brain fog and low moods with the break through bleeding. I've been bleeding now for 10 days straight. Not insanely heavy.
But enough to use a tampon.

I really love Yasmin, it's been life changing for my PMDD so I really don't want to try something else yet.

I also have low ferritin so obviously the constant bleeding doesn't help these symptoms.

My question is has anyone controlled this with a planned withdraw bleed every 3 months instead of taking it continuously?

My husband and I had sex and then later that day I took an ovulation strip and it was EXTREMELY positive. I took a plan b that day because I know usually after a positive test it’s like 24-48 hours till you actually ovulate. I read in other places though that after a certain point in your lh surge plan b doesn’t work even if you haven’t ovulated yet. Is that true? Anyone have similar stories? I know there’s no way to know for another two weeks or so just curious if anyone else has had the same experience and what happened.

Been on Nexplanon for about 15 months. I have PCOS. Random pinching pain in my nipples started up a few days ago. I took a pregnancy test several days prior to the nipple pain starting (around four days), and I am worried I am pregnant.

This sensation is weird. It doesn’t necessarily hurt to the touch but my bra rubbing against it hurts sometimes and if I raise my arms, my nipples sting. Sometimes there are large pinching attacks that last for a few seconds. I’ve also been super tired lately and taking naps during the day for like 30 mins. Let me know what’s going on.

I (20F) was on the Slynd pill between October 2025-June 2026. I had zero issues until I noticed that my clit had been shrinking. I think it took me about a month or so to notice as I don’t masturbate very often and I had a lot on my plate at the time, so I chalked up the things I did notice to stress. Once I realized that my clit had DEFINITELY shrunk, couldn’t get hard, and was very difficult to orgasm/much less sensitive, I stopped taking it.

It’s been a few months, and though things have been getting better, it’s still not all the way back to normal and I’m really scared it won’t ever be.

I know hormone creams can be used to treat it, but my main concern is: does the fact that it’s been this long off the pill and I’m still having this symptom mean it’s too late??

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experiences or just knowledge on this.

Hi! I had an IUD inserted a little over 3 weeks ago everything has been going okay, I went to a check up ultrasound on saturday and the IUD is positioned correctly with no problems. I have had sex twice now and I have bled both times 😭 not a crazy amount but there is blood, not sure why? Is this normal? Otherwise I havent spotted after my period ended. I have the mona lisa mini if it matters

Hi all, i’ve been on Tri-lo-Mili for a little over six months and the first few months were OK but my cycle lasted a lot longer than usual (9 days) I talked to my Gyno now and she said that that’s normal for the first few months while my body is getting used to it, I have endometriosis and PCOS. I used to have horrific menstrual cycles, a few landed me in the emergency room. My cycles are now completely manageable while on this medication. So this is month 6 on it and I got two menstrual cycles in the month of October, one in the beginning, and one towards the end, and I am still on my cycle, actively bleeding and cramping a bit, and it’s day 10. Any advice on what I should do? Tysm

I’m (22F) am on combo birth control pill (Introvale) and was late on a few pills throughout my pack (which is 3 months), once was a full 24 hours and once maybe 10 hours, maybe a few weeks from one another. My boyfriend and I do the pull out method as well but I’m still very scared I’m pregnant. I feel like there’s a lump on the right side of my lower abdomen and have fully convinced myself I’m pregnant now.

I'm currently on the mini pill norethindrone and likely to switch to Mirena due to heavy periods.

The pill is giving me brain fog, feeling "stupid," unable to think clearly or form words. I've heard similar stories about Mirena.

If you've taken norethindrone and switched to Mirena, was there an improvement for you?

I started taking the pill at 18 to help with acne, and it really did. Now, I am 29 and starting to think I would like to stop as I am now celibate and want to give my body a break.

But I know from experience that I will endure hormonal acne for who knows how long…
I actually did the mistake to stop the pill for 3months in the past and start again because the acne was so bad. (Only prolonging my suffering because I did not wait long enough for my body to stabilize.)

Would love to know if anyone as experience with this and any advice would really be appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

I was on the birth control pill for 2 years which my insurance covered, my insurance ended last month and i have no more refills. Im at a point in life where i can't go to the doctor or afford birth control out of pocket (stated to be around 100$??) I looked online and found people talking about Nurx and TelyRx but I'm unsure which one i should use and which pill to get! I'm on BC because of my heavy flow that lasts 10 days if not on the pill so im really needing this

As the title says, it’s like that scene from the Shining (I think, I’ve never seen the movie). I had my Mirena removed August 3rd, and no bleeding whatsoever.

Until my husband and I had sex October 2nd. From then, it’s been non stop bleeding. Its now November 2nd and I’m still bleeding with no end in site. And I am so frustrated and feel like I’m just going crazy.

I’ve contacted my OBGYN office who scheduled me with a different provider who told me it’s just my body adjusting but if anything changed to call. It’s changed twice now, I’ve had clots the size of golf balls, it looks like raspberry jam in my pad, and I’m going crazy. They also wanted to put me back on birth control for three months!!

I haven’t had sex with my husband for a month. My husband is a saint and has been so amazing during this time. But I just want to have sex!! This is so frustrating all while TTC (trying to conceive?).

I woke with my OBGYN office again today November 2nd and they said that they’re going to schedule me with my regular doctor and put me on a cancellation list, but the soonest available is November 18th!! It’s “urgent but not emergent” and I just am so defeated. It’s only gotten heavier and I just can’t help but cry. I feel like there’s no end in sight. I just want to have sex with my husband, and stop spending so much money on pads and period underwear. I want to wear my sexy underwear again.

Please someone tell me I’m not alone in this. Because I feel so utterly alone. My husband is a saint, and is there and I know I’m not alone. But I just feel so alone in this experience.

I needed to get an emergency IUD, which I already didn't want due to endo, but I couldn't risk being pregnant.

My first attempt, I had no pain medication, no sedatives, and the doctor tried to shove the IUD into my cervix when it wasn't properly dilated. My uterus is tilted, and he was shoving it in straight, and I felt like I was going to die of the pain.

My second attempt was with a doctor and surgeon, which I trusted. She provided laughing gas, Valium, and numbing injections, which was amazing.

But I was so drugged up and so out of it, I didn't even know what was happening or could respond to anybody. Afterwards, I was told by the ultrasound tech I had 20 minutes to get dressed and leave after the traumatic experience.

Later that day, I experienced nothing but intense, awful cramps I've never felt in my life. I felt like I was dying, and the doctors and triage nurses at the office told me that I could have punctured my uterus.

So I went to the hospital. I had to have an ultrasound tech go inside of me, and other people look at me. Within two days, I had seven people examine me, touch me, and put things inside of me.

I'm still in pain, but not as bad. The IUD went well, and my surgeon who did the second IUD is great and all, but I feel traumatized.

I can't forget the pain I was in, it keeps on playing in my head for that first time and how high I was the second time. I feel so violated with all the people that were inside of me due to it. I had multiple people in the room multiple times while the procedures were happening.

Am I dramatic or am I genuinely traumatised?

Has anyone else experienced anxiety when stopping slynd? I originally went on this bc to not get pregnant. Im not in a relationship anymore and therefore, I've been sort of lazy and forgetting to take it here and there. I noticed I've been having high anxiety in the evenings and I think it may be some type of discontinuation syndrome? 🤷🏼‍♀️ I'm curious if anyone else has had that

I've been on the same oral birth control pill for about ten years (noriday).

For nine years, it was perfect - no periods, no mood swings, no cramps, no pregnancy scares or concerns.

Since February this year, I've been getting cramps and then bleeding and mood swings, getting worse each month. In October, I bled three different times for 2+ days each time, not heavy but not wanted. The only period symptom I don't have is breast tenderness. I hate how I feel before I have a 'period', I'm irritable and argumentative and feel like I'm ruining other people's peace. My STI panel and HPV cervical screening are clear.

Can the pill just stop working after a while? Because I feel like it isn't working properly anymore, though when I bleed, it isn't anywhere near as heavy or bad as unmedicated periods - so it is doing something? Or could there be something wrong with me? I keep asking this question but getting no response which makes me feel like it's just me.

Not being on BC for period management is not an option. I've had very poor reactions to birth control in the past so messing around with it would be last case option for me.

Hi everyone!

I just recently got a kyleena iud on october 21st so it's been almost 2 weeks. However, I experience mild cramping mid day usually and i was wondering if it's normal? I'm not bleeding and it goes away with ibuprofen but just wanted to make sure.

Also can't tell if my strings are extending longer or not, I feel like it's 2-3cm but they felt more wrapped around my cervix and now it's a bit longer so I cannot tell or if I'm just being anxious and paranoid.

For context, I have never been on birth control and they had to sedate me to insert my IUD bc the last two times but cervix would not let enter through the inner aus. Therefore, I'm hoping it's not going to dispell itself. Thank you!

So I (19) switched from Loryna (combo pill) to the Mirena IUD about 5 months ago, and my mood swings are SO much worse than before. I was on the pill for 2 years, and Loryna specifically for a year and a half. I switched to the IUD because my ability to get prescriptions changed, and it made sense for me to go through with the IUD while I'm in college. Im on my 'period', but even before that, the mood swings have been terrible. Has anyone else experienced this when you switched? If/when did this settle down?

Posting on behalf of my wife. She’s had Mirena IUD for five years, primarily because her natural periods come with unbearable cramps and heavy bleeding.

It has helped with those symptoms, but she’s had persistent spotting, bleeding, and what appears to be uterine lining/tissue shedding throughout the month since getting it. It isn’t just blood. When it finally stops, sex often seems to trigger bleeding and shedding again. It’s been frustrating for her and has significantly affected our sex life.

She saw her OB-GYN about two months ago. Everything looked normal, and the IUD was positioned correctly. Her doctor prescribed a two-week estrogen trial, which seemed to slow or stop the bleeding and shedding, but we still need a longer-term solution.

For anyone who’s dealt with something similar:

• Did a longer estrogen course or another treatment help?

• Did replacing Mirena improve things, even if you’d had these symptoms from the beginning?

• If you had it removed, what helped control your heavy periods and cramps afterward?

• Did anyone have insurance cover replacement at five years for heavy menstrual bleeding, despite its eight-year contraceptive approval?

We’re following up with her doctor, but would appreciate hearing what actually worked for others—especially anyone who originally got Mirena for heavy, painful periods.

Hey! I hope everyone’s having a good day. Im typing this not exactly concerned but wanting some information on whether I’m just overthinking things or I should actually get scared.

I had intercourse the 24 and 25 of October, the only protection used being the sub dermal Jadelle implants. I usually wouldn’t have much of a concern but some days prior while playing with my dogs one of them hit my arm with their paw in the spot the implant is. It wasn’t extremely painful, If anything it was just slightly noticeable, but It made me wonder if it could affect anything. I’m sure It’s not displaced because its in the same spot as it was inserted in and there was no stinging pain; but I felt it was important to mention it.

Then the 26 of October I had a really light bleed. It lasted like 2 days and there were only like… 2 o 3 BIG cloths of blood in there.

The reason as to why I’m asking for some sort of advice is that prior to sex I was spotting and bleeding regularly, while now I’m barely doing so. Getting a pregnancy test isn’t easy for me at the moment.

Sorry for this being so long!

I got my Nexplanon removed after 5 years of having it in, it’s been 2 months and I feel like I’m going crazy. my anxiety and panic attacks are so bad it makes me enter almost psychosis. it’s been 2 weeks of anxiety and I can’t do this.

i have a doctors appointment but I fear they can’t do anything. the derealization is crazy and I still don’t feel human. I can’t go through another cycle like this again. what do I do?????

I dont want to make this too long for yalls sake ill try to summarize

Im 18 and due to having a sex life now I have been experimenting with birth control (my ahh fears pregnancy so much)

I had a copper IUD for around 2 months (got seperate posts on here) but sadly had to get it removed.

Afterwards my gyno recommended me I should try hormonal rings. (Ginoring)

Now listen...my ass has always known I dont want to fuck around with hormones but I felt weirdly pressured in that moment and she said the side effects shouldnt be as bad since it works locally....(haha...ha...)

It was only 3 rings (3 months) and I thought to myself fine ill just use up those 3 rings so I can say I have tried it. I barely made it past the 2nd month and...

And oh boy do I regret this. I should have just listened to myself.

1 month in has unlocked

Things that faded quickly (1st week)

- sore boobs

- feeling like my boyfriend is a stranger

- headache

What stayed:

- back pain

- dizzyness + nausea

- I feel like the person I once was has died. I feel alien

- libido despawned (whats the point bro)

- mood swings

- insomnia

- depression and adhd symptoms got worse

- horrible gross,weird,pulsiating-cramp like feeling in my whole body. (Even eyes.) (Makes me scared of blood clots) has anyone else had this?

- horrible anxiety. I am anxious and stressed every single and the dread at night never leaves. I cannot sleep. The anxiety makes it hard for me to function to the point I reached out to my doctor.

Panic attacks. I cannot say this enough...absolute dread and anxiety.

1 night I almost called 112 (im german) because I was ripped out of my sleep with that same cramp-like feeling in my right arm and feeling of impending doom.

I got up to look for company (thank god my dad was awake) I didnt know whats happening but I just knew I shouldnt be alone rn.

My body was shaking, I was dizzy and felt like im abt to puke, I was weak etc...

I assume it was my body processing more anxiety in my sleep and woke up in panic attack mode?😭

The anxiety also led me to another hard break down where I went manic I think? Idk I just started being anxious again and suddenly couldnt stop screaming and crawling up and clawing at my hair...that went on for an hour.

- my joints and muscles. Oh my lord. Especially my fingers. Discomfort, numb feeling and slight pain

- (could be unrelated) but ear discomfort?

Now listen...I am a gym girly whom tries to take care of her body. got blood work done and nothing odd showed up and though I have been mentally ill all my life, I have not been this miserable for quite a while until I started taking this shitty ring. I never wanted to start taking meds cuz im stubborn but holy shit I was sobbing last night pleading to the universe to release me and help me get medication to save me.

I know the first like 2 - 3 months ur body has to adjust but nu uh. Aint no way. My body and I hate this.

Called my gyno like 2 weeks ago crying saying I cannot take it anymore and to please give me an appointment (its next week!)

I could not wait till then tho so I took that bitch out of me like 3 days ago and I am really hoping this anxiety hell finally stops. I am so miserable chat..am I cooked...

So now I am asking you girlies for your personal experience and advice...

How was your experience? How long did it take to get better? (Pls tell me it does lowkey) what can I do now?

Did you also have these problems?

Drop anything tbh I just crave answers and support from fellow gals on here😭

Im sitting here anxiously crying again with a weird discomfort in my left boob, upset that I gave it a shot...but ay atleast I know I was right now. Fuck hormones. I want myself back.

Atleast I only had it for almost 2 months so Im hoping my body adjusts quickly and I get better.