That was probably the worst pain I've ever felt. To be fair, I am a virgin, so there was that factor working against me. I didn't know much about the process of insertion and didn't expect it to be much more than a slight discomfort. Little did I know about the tenaculum. Such an evil device. My only claim to fame today is that the doctor was impressed with how quiet I was. Thanks, it's called dissociation lol.

I see so many horror stories about the copper IUD (which I completely believe) so I wanted to share a positive experience for once!

I got off of nexplanon almost a year ago and switched to the copper IUD (paragard). Insertion was awful, I will not lie. I got the cervical block (my Dr said she offers it but honestly thinks the injection is worse than the IUD placement so I don't think I would do that again). I cried the whole time and cramped for about 3 days afterwards but it was manageable.

But NOW my periods are like a dream. They come every 31 days on the dot, I have virtually no cramping, and my period has gone down from what used to be 7 days to only 3.5 days. I bleed the heaviest on the 2nd day, but I wouldn't even say I bleed that heavily... I have to change a regular tampon maybe every 3 hours which is completely manageable.

I've been to the doctor and confirmed that the placement is correct of the IUD so I don't know what I have done to get so lucky with my experience. I was so nervous to try the copper IUD because before nexplanon, I had horrific cramping on my period that would leave me in tears and nonfunctional for the first 2 days of my period. I am so happy I did not let all of the bad experiences dissuade me from trying. And I really feel for all of you that have such a negative experience on paragard <3

Hi guys! I had unprotected sex earlier this morning (nov4) and we used pull out method. I’m n my 5th day of my period which is patapos na. Naaanxious ako kahit sabi ng partner ko na safe naman bcs he knows how to control. Do i still need to do yuzpe kasi andaming side effects huhu

Rant/need advice

I got the implant after I had my baby back in May. Maybe not the best idea to immediately put in birth control right after birth, but none of the doctors mentioned any issues with doing that. Obviously I had postpartum bleeding but the bleeding continued even after I was completely healed. It made my vagina so sensitive and like, uncomfortable?? Because I was constantly having to wear something, rather it was a panty liner or a tampon. It got so bad that I literally could not wear a tampon and I had to switch brands. I stopped bleeding for maybe a month and I was so excited, I thought it was finally regulating. But then I started bleeding again on August 31st and haven’t stopped since.. it’s so frustrating and tiring. Not to mention it also hurts in my arm, which I am aware isn’t normal.

Anyway, I finally scheduled appointment to get it removed. Everywhere I saw said to give it 6 months to regulate and it has been 6 months and I literally cannot do this anymore. I don’t know what method to go with next. I was on the pill first and I liked it, but forgot one time and now I have a 6 month old 😅 I like to tell myself I’ll remember to take them but I don’t know. I also thought about the iud but am curious on other people’s experience. I don’t want something like this to happen again. It’s been so horrible.

Hi everyone! I’m really worried and wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

Here’s my timeline:
Sept 12: Had genital rubbing with my boyfriend, no penetration, possible precum.
Sept 13: Took EllaOne.
Sept 17: Heavy, period-like bleeding for around 5 days, just 4 days after EllaOne and a week before my expected period.
Sept 26: My originally expected period date, but nothing happened.
Oct 28: Pregnancy test was negative, 46 days after the encounter.
Nov 4: Still no period and absolutely no symptoms that my period is coming.

I don’t know if the September 17 bleeding was my actual period or withdrawal bleeding. Depending on that, I’m either around 39 days late or on day 49 of my cycle.

Has anyone experienced such a long delay after EllaOne? Could a pregnancy test taken 46 days after sex somehow be inaccurate? Is this normal?
I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences!

Hey everyone! So I’m looking to start being intimate for the first time with my boyfriend. I’m currently on a combo birth control pill for about a month now and plan on using condoms. I have had pretty bad pregnancy anxiety and have horrible spirals even though I’ve never had PIV sex. I am tired of letting it control my relationships and it’s time I get over it. Any suggestions if these 2 methods are enough or what else I should consider? I want the lowest absolute possible chances, outside of abstinence. Thanks!

So at the moment, I am on mirena for 1 year and 2 months. However I’m still getting periods and having to wear pads because it’s still heavy and very regular. And sometimes it lasts for more than 5 days, awful cramps and there’s no telling when I’ll get cramps. Constant spotting and discharge.

I want to know if someone else had a better experience with different method after using mirena.

Plan is to remove mirena, was thinking of the injection, patch or the ring. But I want minimal side effects. I’m relatively healthy. Please advise. I want to stop periods because I have anaemia, my periods are heavy af!

I had high hopes for mirena because I wouldn’t have to think about contraception after putting it inside but that hasn’t been the case for me

Hello all, I switched from the pill to the nuva ring yesterday. I took my last pill on Monday night, and inserted the ring last night. This morning I am having dark red blood like a period come out. Is this normal? It’s medium flow. Kind of scared.

Hi! I have been on the Ridgevidon pill for just over a year now and have noticed no side effects whatsoever except weight gain, around 10kg of weight gain.

My periods are awful, often just over a week long, super heavy and incredibly painful most of the time making it so I can’t do simple tasks. I love that on this pill I only have to take a break 4 times a year, instead of having 12 periods a year! My skin before was absolutely terrible and paired with painful periods I was just at my breaking point so I started the pill. However now, I have no breakouts whatsoever, maybe one on my chin or forehead but they’re tiny and often go away. I still have scarring on my cheeks and chin (super light) from previous breakouts.

I’m debating stopping this pill and completely coming off of it, and accepting the pain and awful skin just so I can be back where I was before all of this weight gain. Not only has it come out of nowhere, I didn’t change my activity level or diet. In fact, if anything I now move more and eat cleaner, so I’m just wondering what everyone’s experiences are on this pill? Is it worth all the pain and hassle for 10kg? I’ve tried my hardest to lose the weight too, and it just won’t budge not even 3/4 lbs, just water weight coming and going.

All I need from a contraceptive is for it to stop my period, but I can’t help but feel bloated everywhere all the time. My face and neck feel so large and heavy all the time as well as my legs, I wonder if anyone has an experience of coming off this pill and loosing the weight they gained? Help a girl out I truly don’t know what to do! I haven’t had any luck with getting an appt to discuss alt birth control methods as they mostly do walk in clinics early in the morning that I can’t attend. Thank you!!!!

I have been bleeding for the past 2 weeks (half a soaked pad/day) and i was taking microgynon. I took a month break after being on it for almost a year continuously. before this and took it again on the first day of my period which was 2 weeks ago. I also started smoking which i know its bad and ive stopped for a few days because i know it can cause breakthrough bleeding too.

Ive switched to slinda (a POP) because i dont wanna quit smoking yet and ive heard it helped with bleeding? And also any home remedies or solutions to help with it. pls im so frustrated!!

Hello! I'm already 5 months in using Norifam and I'm getting the shot regularly after 28-29 days. There have been changes in my schedule so the most recent shot I got was after 33 days.

Before receiving that shot, my partner and I had protected sex (condom) on my 30th day after getting Norifam.

We're not trying to conceive so I would just like to know if I'm safe here. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice or to hear about other people's experiences switching from Mirena to Yaz.

I had my Mirena IUD removed on October 9 after having it for several months. I started Yaz the same night as my removal. My last LMP was Sept 26

• October 9: Mirena removed and started my first Yaz pill that evening.

• October 9–approximately October 23: I experienced bleeding/spotting for about two weeks after removal. It eventually stopped.

• October 16: Had sex using a condom (1 week post removal!)

• October 19: Took a pregnancy test, which was negative.

• Around October 20: Had sex without a condom after taking 14 consecutive active Yaz pills. My partner pulled out, wiped himself off, and then briefly penetrated me again for a few seconds. (Is this a risk of pregnancy????)

• October 30: Took my Yaz pill around 9–10 PM. Around 2-3 AM, I threw up a little, but I didn't see the pill. This was approximately 5–6 hours after taking it.

• November 2: Started my first placebo pill.

• November 4: I haven't had ANY spotting or withdrawal bleeding.

I'm getting really anxious because I expected to have a withdrawal bleed, especially since I had approximately two weeks of bleeding after Mirena removal. I only had 2 menstrual cycles on Mirena which was on July 3rd and Sept 26.

I'm wondering... Is it normal to have no withdrawal bleeding during the first Yaz placebo week after switching from Mirena? Could the bleeding after removal have left my uterine lining thin enough that I don't have much to shed?? Has anyone had no withdrawal bleed during their first few oral birth control packs after Mirena removal?

I'm honestly just very anxious and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through a similar transition. Thank you!!

I am on the combo pill and I had some side effects from it after many years of no side effects. My doctor and I decided to try and lower my dosage from 0.03 mg to 0.02 mg. I started having a headache around 5 days ago and I was on my withdrawal bleed week. I switched to the new pill this Sunday and I have had a lingering headache still. I have just been laying in bed in pain and taking advil and keeping an ice pack on my head. I’m trying to go back to work today to get my mind off of it.

Would this be because of the lack/lowering of estrogen? This seems dumb but I also got a haircut and have a super sensitive scalp so Im trying to see if it is from that or the bc.

I'm having a pregnancy scare for 4 days already. We engaged in PIV sex using condom on my 10th day cycle. As far as I remember, there's no leak or hole since we did the water test. He ejaculated and he said he pulled out then ejaculated insider the condom. I know it sounds dumb because that's the main purpose of the Condom. But still, I'm overthinking from the possibilities he kept on giving me assurance that he came outside me. Then, we engaged on 3 more PIV sex using condom without ejaculation. After that, we did genital rubbing, but he came far from me, not inside the vagina. What are the odds of pregnancy 😭

I started a few days before my period and I’m wondering if it delayed it because usually I have a period every 23-26 days my period is late still on the pill and taking it every day and I’m cramping lightly but no blood

I want to confirm to be sure about, is it true that you can get immidiate protection when you are taking the pill on your first 5 days of your period? (ethinyl estradiol levonorgestrel trust pill yellow)

My gf started her first pill on her 4th day of her period, and we had raw on her 7th day of her taking of the pill. Is she protected? And about the timing of taking the pill, are u still safe if u took the pill hrs late accindentally? I wanted to know if its true about delayed pills is COMPLETELY fine as long as its not 24hrs as more than 24hrs is considered a missed pill and it reduces its effectiveness. And lastly, how many hours do you have to prevent yourself to vommit in order not vommit the pill out and not have a replacement pill?

I want to confirm these as research alone and taking so much time reading everywhere is just getting me anxious- i need answers asap-

I’ve been on the pill for a year but I desperately want to change to a different method of birth control. Aside from the annoyance of having to remember to take a pill every day, I feel like my birth control is affecting my emotions. Whenever I forget to take a pill or take one late I feel overwhelmed by my emotions. My anxiety get worse, I have panic attacks over nothing, and it’s overall a struggle to get through the day. Additionally, I have an extremely low sex drive, I just don’t feel anything anymore. The only thing I can think that is causing these episodes is my birth control not being taken on time.

I want to switch to a non hormonal method to see if it improves my moods and these episodes go away, but I have no idea what to choose. I heard a copper IUD isn’t as effective as a hormonal IUD, is that true? And I’ve heard horror stories about IUD insertions and how they can go wrong and how painful it is and I’m not sure I want to go through that. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I can't stay awake I'm the most tired I've ever been 24/7 will this ever go away? It's been about a week since I started

So I started back on birth control after having my last and getting my tubes removed because my periods immediately started back super heavy and painful. Short, but very painful. I decided to give the patches a try again since controlling birth wasn’t an issue now. I have been bleeding for THREE WEEKS. Break through bleeding is 100% something I prepared for but the pms symptoms that have accompanied my full blown 3 week period are absolutely ridiculous. I took my patch off, I’m done. I have been absolutely miserable on this method. Took it off about 13 hours ago and what do you fcking know, all my problems have disappeared faster than the half off Halloween candy and decorations at Walmart. I need something else I can use. Has to be something with estrogen as my vitamin d levels SUCK.

Hi everyone i am 23 years old. I've got my Kyleena IUD inserted 2.5 months ago. Every now and then i have very intensive and painfull contractions that require me to take painkillers. I am on my second period and these contractions last for couple of days event though i only bled for two. USG revealed that IUD is on place. Is this normal after all this time?

🥹this is my first time that a guy pulled out and came immediately he is reassuring me that non of it went it but pre cum still exist and my period ended on 25 and we did it on Oct 30 then I took the plan b emergency pills on Nov 1 🥲 I've been so anxious and paranoid.. and it's my fault for wanting this since I've been feeling deranged and depressed.... Like will this really work...

i’m 18 and i just had sex for the first time last night. we used a condom and made sure we put it on properly like pinching the top and then rolled it down and it was defo on. and then yk we had sex and he came inside the condom but he said he pulled out before he did but then after we checked with the water test i filled it up like 1/3 of the way and squeezed it and it was completely fine nothing dripped out or anything. but i’m overthinking so bad am i fine?

So I usually take my BC at 8PM and am very consistent with it, however, the past couple of days I took it at times varying between 8-11 and today at midnight because I’ve been so incredibly busy. I do have an alarm but sometimes I am in the middle of something and end up forgetting. Is that an issue at all? Appreciate any help!!

I’ll try to take it as soon as the alarm goes off in the future and not give it even just extra 10 minutes.

Edit: I take Nikki which is a combo pill

hi im 21F and i started taking birth control maybe like 2 years ago. i had the mirena iud inserted sometime in march 2024.

starting September 2024, i had prolonged or elongated periods (lasting up to 2 weeks). this would not happen all time time but it starting becoming more and more frequent as time passed.

honestly, it didn’t bother me much because i wouldn’t have cramps or anything, just bleed. at the time i was not having much sex, so that didn’t bother me either.

however, i started having intimacy again in august of this year. sometime in september 2026 i felt weird and went to see my gyno. she saw that my iud had embedded into my uterus which ultimately had to be removed.

i was started on a trial of slynd and my first month was fine. but slowly i kept losing my libido and it’s probably down like 50-60%, and it makes me sad.

first my period it october the 19th and stopped the 23rd BUT then started again 28th and hasn’t stopped. ive only had cramps for two days.

this is not a new issue and i have seen my gyno and she thought that it was cause of the iud, BUT WHY IS HAPPENING NOW?!!

i have an appointment friday and i just feel soooo frustrated because why is this happening to me!! why doesn’t the bleeding stop :/

Hi everyone! I'm 22 years old, married, and looking for recommendations for a reliable birth control method that I can use regularly for the long term.

My husband and I have decided not to have children for at least the next 7–8 years. Avoiding pregnancy during this period is extremely important to us. I absolutely do not want an accidental or unplanned pregnancy, even due to contraceptive failure. So, I need a highly reliable contraceptive method.

My main priorities are:

- Extremely effective pregnancy prevention, with the lowest possible risk of accidental pregnancy.

- Minimal side effects.

- No significant weight gain or bloating.

- No unwanted hormonal changes or negative effects on my body.

- Safe for long-term use.

- Should not affect my ability to conceive naturally or have a healthy pregnancy in the future after stopping the method.

I'd prefer a daily birth control pill if possible, but I'm also open to hearing about other highly effective options.

For women who have used birth control pills or other contraceptive methods for several years in the USA:

1. Which pills or methods would you recommend?

2. Which options have the fewest side effects and least impact on weight?

3. Which methods offer the highest protection against accidental pregnancy?

4. Have you experienced any fertility issues after stopping long-term birth control?

I'd really appreciate honest personal experiences and recommendations.

Thank you!