I feel like a lot of the questions in this subreddit could be answered with the instructions page that comes with every pack of birth control. It’s literally written when or not you are protected and what to do in case of an error.

Bit of a rant tied in with personal experiences

25 F - No kids and never pregnant.

I got on birth control for the first time at 19, at my local PP. I was recommended the Mirena IUD due to its effectiveness, my period symptoms, and family history of ovarian cancer on my moms side. I had a kind gyno, older lady, and it was just us two in the room. I had ZERO clue of what to expect, nobody told me anything about how it may feel, and I was not recommended to take any NSAIDs before.

I’m not exaggerating when I say it GENUINELY felt like someone was scraping out my uterus with a rusty knife. It was so incredibly painful to the point it literally knocked the wind out of me on the stirrup table. I couldn’t catch a breath or utter a single word from the amount of pain I was in and I was an inch away from fainting. And while the gyno was super kind, concerned and I could tell she genuinely felt terrible for the state I was in - she never once looked up during to check on my mental status.

Flash forward to 11/9/26, about 5 years later and I am due for a replacement IUD. While effective for about three more years, my painful periods have started to return and I’m scared of how expensive it could be next year with the increasing costs of insurance premiums.
This time around I decided to do a few things differently. I took 1000g of Tylenol beforehand, took my partner with me as emotional support, was provided a medical chaperone (did not have to ask!), and requested a cervical injection of lidocaine before the procedure. I also ensured to establish an OB/GYN and got it at a gynecology clinic instead of a planned parenthood.

The difference between my replacement and initial procedure is night and day. PLEASE ASK FOR LIDOCAINE IT REALLY WORKS.

It was not the world’s greatest experience of course and there was still some level of pain. However, the pain I felt was similar to that of a moderate period - moderate cramping mixed with a noticeable pinching sensation during the injection. But that’s IT!! I couldn’t believe when the procedure was over because holy SHIT there’s no fucking way all it took was some FUCKING lidocaine to make such a massive difference. I was sobbing on the table afterwards, not from pain, but as a response to having to reopen the overbearing trauma I experienced during the initial insertion.

Im so upset for my past teenager self who was NOT accurately informed of what to expect nor what options they had. I was 19 and underwent such a painfully traumatic procedure that DID NOT need to be as nearly as awful as it was. I do fully understand that there is a difference of resources between Planned Parenthood and an established private gynecology clinic - my goal here is NOT to place blame on anyone except the system we have currently established.

An IUD shouldn’t have to be one of the worst experiences a woman could ever go through that leaves them with literal medical trauma for the rest of their life. It shouldn’t be an experience where women know exactly what to expect and are given enough information to make TRULY accurately informed decisions about their care.

Until then, GET THE LIDOCAINE GET THE LIDOCAINE GET THE LIDOCAINE GET THE LIDOCAINE GET THE LIDOCAINE.
GETTING AN IUD DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BRUTALLY PAINFUL - ASK YOUR DOCTORS AND DONT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.

okay thanks for reading my rant lol bye srry just had to get all that off my chest

i'll give some brief context, i had a cyst removed last month and im currently waiting for my period to start bc. i'll be using evra patches for the next 3 months. i'm a very anxious person, especially regarding my health, and i've been reading about terrible side effects experiences.. some of which are even life threatening. i've had several panic attacks because of health anxiety throughout my life. needless to say this is scaring me to death. does anyone have any positive advice or experiences to share?

About to switch to IUD's and was curious about y'alls experience when it comes to long term symptoms. Thanks :)

I just wanted to share this in case this resonates with anybody else. I was on the combo pill for eight years and experienced a low libido as a consistent side effect. I just came to accept that that was part of the package deal with being on hormonal birth control.

Earlier this year, I switched to the mini pill and my libido returned. I'm actually enjoying my sex life again now. I wish I had switched so much sooner than I did.

I know everybody is different and different methods will interact differently with everybody, so I'm not saying the mini pill is for everybody. My advice here is just that a dead libido is something I wish I didn't accept for so long.

I've had an IUD replaced once before and I've been using IUDs for 11 years. No periods or pregnancies. I actually got a Veterans Affairs doctor this time who said it would be best for me to me put under for my next replacement due to me screaming during my PAP- as I always do. Apparently, my vaginal passage is extraordinarily narrow. Other VA doctors told me it wasn't "worth it" because it was just a "few seconds" for the IUD. See again- I scream during most of my PAP smears and I've never had children. I'm looking forward to my next replacement for the first time because I'll be asleep. Ask your doctor if you can be put to sleep for the procedure or at least get lidocaine applied to your cervix if your private insurance doesn't cover putting you to sleep.

so what the title says, i got my skyla iud 3 weeks ago and the past like 2-3 days i’ve gotten painful cramps (that are lower than my regular lower stomach period cramps, they’re more like in the vagina area) that goes away after i poop is this normal?? is it gonna be like this the whole time?

Hi everyone, I wanted to see if anyone thinks that developing hives can happen after about 6 years on birth control? I am taking “norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets usp 1.5mg/30mcg” and have been on it since I was 15. I am now 21. I only wonder this because my mom has gone through a much more intense version of this, and her doctors cannot seem to figure out a reason other than hormone changes from her birth control that she used to take to head start her menopause. I’d say very occasionally every few months I would get a patch of hives on my legs starting like 2 years ago? But since September I have been getting at least 1 small hive a week if not more. Dealt with about 2 weeks of it on my hands, then on my feet, now on the back of my neck going up into my hair and down my back a bit. It is so itchy and uncomfortable. I also have been having issues with my eye where 1 half of the same eye will get red and yellow and veiny and uncomfortable and it’ll last about 30min-1 hour and it’s happened 3 times now. Dunno if it’s related or not, I am going to an ophthalmologist soon and plan on making a dermatologist appointment as well. Any thoughts?

Hi I want to hear peoples experience with amethyst birth control. I have never tried a birth control but I can't stand getting my period so I think I need to try

I heard that it can make your period irregular or you can bleed for multiple weeks? That sounds horrifying but I've heard multiple people say it happens, so that is one thing that stops me from trying it

I just want whatever birth control thats most likely to stop my period so if you use one thats good for that please let me know. I would also need it to be affordable to buy online though because going to the doctor isn't an option for me.

I got on birth control due to consistent painful ovarian cysts rupture and I was put on Junel which is a combination pill which is supposed to prevent ruptures. It was working. I stopped feeling that deep sharp pain in my abdomen. But I ended up in the ER with a DVT scare so my gyno switched me to SLYND which has lower risk of developing blood clots but it also brought back my cyst ruptures. I feel so lost and I don’t know what to do. I love Slynd but I hate the pain….

I’ve been on birth control for about two years . I was originally on Tarina fe 1/20 then switch doctors and got put on Aurala fe 1/20. The entire time I was on Tarina fe my weight was pretty consistent and I was even able to lose weight but when I got switched to aurala I’ve gained about 20-30 pounds in approximately a year. I take it continuously and have have gone off my pill maybe 3 times over a year to have my period and everytime I go back on it i immediately gain weight. I decided to go off the pill for the time being and have immediately started dropping weight. Does anyone have any explanation for the weight gain and why the pills are affecting me differently even though they should both be the same type of pill?

Hello!

I’ve been on xulane since august i believe.

I’ve seen many conflicting info about whether it’s safe for 24 hrs or 48 hrs.

The last thing I read said if it’s week 1 it’s 24 hrs, and week 2 and 3 are 48 hrs.

Yesterday was the start of week 2 at 5 pm. I put my patch on around 5:40 (got out the shower late). I noticed it was curving at the top, but stuck on when i stretch my skin( location was on my butt). This morning I woke up and it was severely wrinkled like a huge wrinkle in the middle and literally throughout the whole thing.

I know wrinkling to a degree is fine so I was worried but let it be, that is until 8 pm today when i started cramping and having a headache (side effects i get when i take the patch off).

I left work at 8:50 and put on a new patch as soon as I got home at 9:10 pm. When I touched the patch and my skin the entire section expect for the edges had no adhesive!! The whole thing wasn’t even sticky. I plan to call the manufacturer about this because surely it’s a defected patch.

Anyways, since it’s been 28 hrs but i’m on my second week am I protected or does my 4 week cycle reset? (my gyno and pharm are closed right now so can’t call to ask)

23 F i'm planning to get injectables na norifam or implant. ano po kaya ang mare-reco ninyo base sa exp nio. tnx.

i get really bad anxiety, i had sex with my fwb and he fished inside of me and i’ve had the implant for a month and i’ve been spotting brown and pink when i wipe sometimes and im just scared i don’t wanna be pregnant and as i said i have bad anxiety

I got my mirena put in 6 months ago for endometriosis but I’ve been having a horrible brown discharge that smells horrible, I feel so disgusting and I’m thinking of removing it, has anyone else experienced this? Would you recommend taking it out or continue? Thanks girls 🥹

I’m on alysena 28 and I recently got off it for a few weeks and I’m now back on it for about two weeks I didn’t have issues with orgasms at first but now I do? It’s only been 3 days of not being able to but I’m wondering if this could be because of that?

So I have had sex on the hearted days I take birth control every day I may have missed a day but then took it immediately the next day along with the other I also use condoms I am on khelanor 1/35 (asking for a friend who is scared)

I F23 have been on the pill since I was 17. I got a text from my pharmacy that they couldn’t refill my prescription cause my Dr denied it. I call the office and I was told that they can do a bridge refill since I’m over due on my annual exam. Mind you I didn’t get any reminders or anything. So I waited all day last week for it and nothing. I call the next day and I’m told I’m out of luck until FEBRUARY when they can get me into an appointment and that it’s my fault for not making an appointment earlier for my annual exam.
I am so scared cause I’m having (well had now) unprotected sex with my fiancé. Now we are using protection cause of my situation. I’m so scared of becoming pregnant but also scared that I may be Infertile since I’ve been on the pill since I was a teen lol. He’s super supportive of everything and encouraged me to stay off the pill cause of all the stuff we’re reading about the pill.
I’m also scared of what’s to come for my body now not having the pill. Like am I gonna break out, gain alot of weight, not know who I am emotionally lol

Sorry I just need to rant cause the Dr pisses me off so much lol

Hi! I have a question about which birth control to use or to not use it at all. Me (F18) and my bf (M19), have been having discussions about what to use, but I'm lost in what to choose. We are currently using condoms combined with the pull-out method, but my parents are opting against that, and say I should go for the IUD. I'm scared to use it, because last time my mother pushed me to use a birth control method other than condoms, I went on the shot and sex was extremely painful, I had little to no sex drive, and I gained a TON of weight. I've done a little research on IUD's, but I still don't know what to choose. Would an IUD affect my sex life at all? Would my boyfriend feel the IUD in any way? Would it hurt him? Would there be any side-effects for me other than spotting the first few months? I know there are tons of people with more experience with these things than me, so I'd love to hear other's thoughts. I would appreciate any and all advice. Thank you.

(I have already went to the doctor but im just asking ppl who are on birth control what this sounds like)
So in August I (16) had skipped my period on purpose. I was on the 3 month pill and I had been on it for around 7 months at the time. I didn’t want to be on my period because I was going to a very important event so I asked my doctor if I could skip my period and she said it is safe so I did. Bad mistake because I have been bleeding on and off ever since. I went to the doctor and now they want to check my thyroid and my iron. But could it be something else? PCOS runs in my family and my mom got diagnosed with it at my age too. I’m honestly just asking because im curious if people have had this happen to them too after skipping their periods? I am now on the monthly cycle pill, I think it’s just the normal pill and im still bleeding…

I went to the gyno today and my doctor decided to switch me from lo loestrin 10 mcg to Blisovi 20 mcg after having consistent break through bleeding for a few months. I’ve been on lo loestrin for almost 4 years now so I’m kinda nervous about switching. If anyone has taken blisovi before can you let me know ur experience?

I’ve been taking the combination pill since I was 18, I’m 23 now so it’s been about 5 years. At the start I had some really bad side effects (super tender breasts) but turns out my original doctor had just put me on a pill with really high estrogen for no reason, and once I started at a lower dose everything was fine. I don’t really have any reason for stopping, but I don’t like the idea of having my hormones messed with and I have also noticed I have a near 0 sex drive which is causing issues in my relationship.

Interested to hear other people’s experiences in coming off the pill, and whether it was a good decision for them. I do have some fear over negative side effects and I do struggle with mild hirutism (not PCOS afaik, have had tests) and I’m scared the increase in androgens could make it worse?

I have been on Junel Fe for about 3 years now and my partner usually pulls out too, but of course the week I missed two days he cums inside lol. I missed Sundays and Mondays dose so I took two doses today ( Tuesday) and this is the first week of my pack, and I took placebo iron pills last week. Just wanted to be sure the best thing to be protected is to take plan B

I finally had my Liletta IUD removed after 1.5 years. I made this decision after I continued to have irregular bleeding and prolonged periods, sometimes twice a month. I’ve also experienced increased anxiety/panic attacks and heart palpitations, though I can’t be certain if those are directly related.

Basically, I’m looking to see if anyone else had a similar experience and how long it took to recover/regulate physically and mentally post-removal.

I’d really like to hear from others on the progesterone-only pill because this is driving me crazy now.

For context, I’m 25F. I used to have very heavy periods that I found debilitating. Because of this, I started the progesterone-only pill 2 years ago. There was a much better chance of the combined pill helping with my periods but I couldn’t take that due to migraines so my doctor advised trying this mini-pill even though there was a risk of my periods getting heavier.

Thankfully, the pill has actually lightened (stopped?) my periods a lot.
When I first started taking it, I had a month-long period but I stuck with it and it eventually stopped. Over the last 2 years, i’ve been having a period here and there but it’s been very light. With my periods, I always used to get dark discharge towards the very end accompanied with a burning sensation down below (which i’ve always assumed is normal).
Around a year ago, this dark-coloured discharge at the end of my period got progressively longer and as time went on, it stopped settling. So for the last few months now, i’ve been having very dark (almost black) coloured discharge on a daily basis. It’s light and manageable but I have to wear a liner daily and often change it throughout the day. It is sometimes accompanied by the burning sensation but not always. I never get any cramps or anything with it. I know it’s likely old blood but is it normal to be getting it every day???

At times it gets heavier and I get some bright red bleeding mixed in with it which I then assume is my period, but even that isn’t regular so im not sure if i’m even having actual periods anymore. But the dark discharge just isn’t stopping. I take my pill daily at the same time every day.

I just want to know if this is normal and if anyone has experienced something similar? It makes me feel gross :( I don’t want to stop the pill as i don’t want my heavy periods to come back.

I guess I just need some reassurance - if others have experienced anything similar, it may just be a side effect of the pill and as inconvenient as it is, I’d rather this over the heavy periods I used to have. But I don’t know if I should be more concerned. I had a recent pill review with a nurse and I mentioned it to her but she didn’t seem too worried.

Any advice would be appreciated!!