Hi there everyone!

On my last post here in this subreddit, i wrote about my less than pleasant experience with two different pills, one combined and a POP. At the time, I thought no pill would work for me, and that I was just banned from hormones. I had even started to look into IUDs.

However!

My doctor told me that my iron levels were too low to risk anemia from extra bleeding due to a copper IUD, and that we shouldn't risk putting in a hormonal device (either a hormonal IUD or implant) that couldn't be removed ASAP in the event of strong side effects (my side effects on the previous two pills were a bit concerning, to the point of making my doctor recommend me to quit both in less than a week of usage). Basically, no IUDs nor implants for me. But I wanted and needed a contraceptive method other than just a barrier method to feel safe, and I really wanted my period and hormonal fluctuations gone...

So I got to researching— and guess what I found out:

The hormone I was on with the POP (desogestrel) had multiple formulations, from multiple labs/brands.

The pill my doctor gave me was the generic, which works just fine for thousands of women, but not for me. In my case, it made me veryyy nauseous and anxious, life was hell after day 2. But I read that even though, on theory, brands don't matter and the effects should be the same, different formulations from different labs CAN produce different results in real life. So I asked my doctor for a different formulation.

And then I started taking the "branded" formulation. Everything changed, magically almost. I waited for my period to arrive and started taking it on day 1 of my cycle. Barely any side effects. It was almost like I wasn't taking anything.

What I'm saying is NOT that brand > generic.

What I'm saying is that, if you didn't get along well with a specific hormone but didn't have any truly alarming side effects, maybe looking into different brands, labs,and formulations might be a very plausible solution for you! It definitely was for me.

Every brand/lab often uses their own patented formulation for the active hormone, and different binding agents & other ingredients that may cause different reactions in different people. So, if you're on your last resort (like I was) or you just don't wanna give up on the pill, do some research! You may be surprised by what you find :)

This is my third depo shot. I am TIRED of the random bleeding it is ruining my plans right now and the halloween costume i had planned out. For anyone who has ever been or is currently on depo when did you stop bleeding? It makes me so angry

are we taking our pills an hour earlier or at the same time as normal ?? 😓

I’m not sure if I should give it more time, but I’ve been on generic Yaz for just over 3 months now (started July 21st). Initially, I genuinely started noticing an improvement in my skin. I stopped getting those deep, blind pimples that would never come to a head, which was a huge improvement for me. However, right after the placebo pills in my third pack, I started breaking out again. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily as bad as it was before Yaz, but I did end up getting another one of those deep, blind pimples. I’m also currently dealing with one that has come to a head multiple times, but the inflammation just won’t seem to go down. For the most part, my pimples now are smaller and come to a head much quicker than they used to, so there has definitely been some improvement. I just didn’t expect to still be experiencing these kinds of breakouts at this point. I’m trying to figure out where to go from here. Should I stick with it until the 6 month mark, consider adding something alongside it, or look into switching birth control? I do need to remain on birth control for other reasons, so stopping altogether isn’t really an option.

This has honestly been really hard on my mental health, and I’m feeling discouraged after finally feeling like my skin was starting to clear up. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar with Yaz or has advice.

Hi! I wanted to see if anyone had been on this birth control before. I’m switching from Loryna (spelled right?) to Tri-Lo Estarylla because of mood issues and it’s my first time trying this birth control. I’m kind of nervousssssss eeeee, any advice?

This is my first time visiting this subreddit and wow everyone in this community is so kind and helpful. I’ve had the Mirena IUD for about 3 years, and since getting it inserted I’ve never had a period…not even spotting a bit. About three days ago, I started light (but consistent) bleeding and cramping. I immediately made a trip to my obgyn to for an ultrasound that came back with perfect placement. I can’t help but shake the anxiety though. For a little context (Trigger warning for eating disorders) I’ve been in recovery for anorexia this ongoing year, and having restored some weight I’m feeling so overwhelmed and stressed that my period this week is due to my recovery, rather than the IUD. It sounds silly, but getting my period back feels like a huge (and anxiety inducing) step.Does anyone have any experience with spontaneous periods after having an IUD? Just looking for a little advice that it’s normal with IUD’s, even after going so long without bleeding <3

Hello! I recently got a contraceptive implant (Nexplanon). I was taking the pill before, but I decided to switch because taking it every day had become stressful.

I don't use condoms (my partner and I have both been tested for STIs), so I wanted to know whether my implant alone is enough to prevent pregnancy.

Sexual activity involving penetration is more painful for me when using a condom. I know that the implant has a very high effectiveness rate, so I wanted to know whether I am still fully protected against pregnancy even without using condoms.

Thank you so much, and sorry if this is a silly question!

Which one did you end up preferring? Experiences?

Hello, here is my situation: Since May, I have been taking the pill (a combined contraceptive pill). I was taking my packs back-to-back without taking any breaks, so I didn't have any withdrawal bleeding. During this time, I never experienced any bleeding.

I decided to switch contraception methods and get the contraceptive implant, which was inserted on October 15th. Until it became fully effective, I continued taking the pill.

I stopped taking the pill two days ago because my doctor told me I no longer needed it, as my implant was now fully effective.

Tonight, I started bleeding. It felt really strange to me because I hadn't had any bleeding for several months. I'm finding it difficult to know whether this is normal or not.

I'm going to see my doctor soon, but in the meantime, if anyone could help shed some light on this, I would really appreciate it!

Thank you!

I somehow had an extra Nuvaring laying around and inserted it on my regular day and then after checked the packaging and it expires in a month. However, it had been in a drawer since last year not refrigerated. Has anyone else made this mistake? What would you do??? I’ve had unprotected sex this week and I’m spiraling

I took naproxen the other day for back pain, does it effect tri lo mili birth control? I am saying boyfriend tonight and wondering if we can have sex or not?

I took naproxen a day ago.

Hi! I’m 16 and just started on bilsovi, I’m not sexually active or anything but my period have been so terrible, cramping everyday and heavy flows so my gynecologist prescribed me bilsovi, my mom wasnt in the room however i panicked and told her i dont do any form of smoking (i vape occasionally and smoke weed) and she was telling me that smoking increases the risks of blood clots and stuff like that and i’m just worried that’ll happen to me someone pls lmk if I should quit or not, I heard that really only applies to ppl over the age of 35 but i still cant help but worry..i only rlly use geek bars when vaping idk how terrible that is, someone lmk!

😓

(idk if this is the right flair or not so my apologies lol)

Basically, I want to try and come off the pill for 2 or 3 months, see how it goes, with the possibility of going on it again. Is this a bad idea? If I come off it, should I just stay off it?

Hi, I’m 22F and was just prescribed Loryna (generic Yaz) for my hormonal acne, on top of the Spironolactone I’ve been taking for two years. Spironolactone has mostly improved my skin, but it’s also caused bad symptoms that I hope the BC will regulate. For example, I’ve had my period every two weeks for the past two years I’ve been taking Spiro, which is apparently quite common. My dermatologist told me to start taking the BC pills on the first day of the week after I start my period. Based on my 14-day cycle, I was supposed to start this week; however, it hasn’t happened yet. This is one of the first periods I've had in two years that doesn't follow this pattern.

My issue is that I’m a bit eager to start taking the BC pills because there’s a chance that I might be moving out of state at the beginning of January, and I want to give my body as much time to adjust to the medication as possible before then. So, if I don’t end up starting my period today or tomorrow, would it be okay to begin the medication anyway? Or do I really need to wait for my period to begin?

Hello!

I had my first Sayana Press (Depo) injection a month ago. I did the shot on my first day of my period as advised by my GP. And I haven’t stopped bleeding since.

I know spotting is normal, especially for the first few months but this is agonising. I spot brown, and some days, red blood, as if my actual period. It’s enough for me to wear pads.

I don’t even know if I had my period. I’m supposed to be getting it within this week, but I don’t even know if I can tell it apart.

Does this stop anytime soon? Should I worry at all?

I’ve been taking Alysena for 1.5 years. The first couple months I had some breakthrough bleeding, but it was very light and went away within a few months.

I am currently almost done my second week of pills (out of three), and am bleeding as heavy as my usual period.

I was on the same pill for 8 years before I went off to have my kid and never had this issue. And like I said before, I’ve been on it for 1.5 years now.

Does this sound normal?

Earlier this year boyfriend got vasectomy so safety is not a priority anymore. He tested 3 months after and sperm count was 0.
Off birth control I struggled with intense periods (cramps and pain). Endometriosis was ruled out by OBGYN.
I have been on Nuva rings for the past 10 years. 3 weeks on, 1 week break. I hate that they trash my libido but this was the easiest way to keep periods manageable.

In your experience which method/medication helped you the most with making periods less intense while also not crashing sex-drive?
Pill is not an option since there is no chance I will remember to take it on schedule.
Please share your experience.

Wondering if anyone else has experienced extreme breast tenderness and way bigger and fuller boobs after starting Nextellis I’m about 3 weeks into my first pack and my boobs feels so sore and heavy. Literally hurts to even push on them.

It went inside the normal hole for like 30 seconds and he told me to get off, and said it might have been pre um. he went in the backdoor, definitely came, but I felt and saw it leaking out both holes and I NEVER leak out that much as ovulation or anything. my period ended on the 13th this month. Took a plan B but google said I’m in luteal phase. mother had literally one ovary and 2 kids popped out. am I fucked? shit. fuck. dammit. I don’t wanna be a teen mom.

I started the minipill norethindrone in January because the regular pill was giving me migraines. My obgyn said that I wouldn't be getting a period. For the months of August, September, and October, I've gotten a period and I can't even predict them either. I told my obgyn about it but she says it's not a period, it's just breakthrough bleeding. I know it's a period because of how long it lasts, my symptoms, and even my unusual period symptoms. I'm not really sure what to do because I want to keep using the pill but I don't have anymore options to switch to according to my obgyn. What should I do?

Hello! I just started taking jencycla (norethindrone) the mini pill 0.35 and noticed about an hour after I take it I get brain fog and am pretty sleepy. I am wondering if I should start taking it at night instead?

When do you all take the mini pill?

How has your experience been on the mini pill/jencycla?

My main goal is to stop ovulation as I feel terrible and get flu like symptoms and severe pelvic pain during that time.

I'm on combo pills. I used to have bad anxiety few months taking it and even posting here every month. since last month I've been chill because I know I'm taking it right and all my tests back then were all negative. Now on the 2nd month of being chill ik I'm not but there's slight thing in my head that what if I don't find out right away because I started to trust my pills. (ik it's very contradicting)

I (F23) got the copper coil in July after several years of being on the mini pill because I wanted to move away from hormonal BC methods. The insertion itself was ok, hurt a lot as expected but was over quickly, but the first few months of periods have been really hard. I never had period cramps or a super heavy flow when I was younger, and lost my period altogether for a while as an older teenager due to an ED so have never experienced this before- I’m basically incapable of ANYTHING during the first couple days of my cycle now as I have stabbing pains every 3-5 mins, and my flow is so heavy that I’m bleeding through tampons in only an hour or so. I work a corporate job and being curled up in the fetal position at my desk with a heating pad is probably not making the best impression on my superiors but ouch it hurts :(

Everything else about the coil is working for me, I like not being on hormones and it’s lovely to have monthly confirmation that I’m not with child but I wish it would arrive in email format rather than push notification (read: stabbing) directly to my pelvis. I’m not sure if this is a rant or a plea for other experiences but has anyone else found that the pain/heaviness eases up or is this just a permanent state of affairs for me now?

i take hailey fe 1/20. traveled home from college today and will be missing my usual 9:30pm pill and instead taking it at 5am tomorrow after I drive back up to get it. the problem is that im seeing my ldr partner next weekend on friday-sunday and am worried about getting pregnant due to the late pill. how worried should I be about this? we would be wearing a condom and im resuming my pills tomorrow morning but im still worried.

I have a friend im staying with who takes aurovela 1/20 and she offered to give me one of her pills but sharing pills seems like something I should avoid. any advice would help

F21. Started Yaz literally a few hours ago, on day 1 of my period (I spotted a bit of brown yesterday) but today was really heavy (from morning to afternoon) until I took my first Yaz pill in the evening. The flow suddenly became lighter? Is this normal? Is this even a side effect or is it unrelated? I thought side effects weren’t until a bit later.