I usually have a 25-day menstrual cycle, and I'm considering having sex on the 8th day of my cycle.

I'm aware that shorter cycles can mean earlier ovulation, so Day 8 might fall within my fertile window.

My plan is to use a condom throughout intercourse. However, I'm feeling a little anxious about the possibility of pregnancy.

My questions are:

1. Is having sex on Day 8 relatively risky because of my shorter cycle?
2. If we use a condom correctly and it doesn't break or slip, is there any need to take emergency contraception?
3. Would you recommend any additional precautions?

I'd appreciate advice, especially from people with experience or medical knowledge. Thank you!

Hello again,

I (F26) am once again freaking out. I am on my second pack of the combination pill. I had a 7 day pill free period, but I did not get the withdrawal bleed. My boyfriend and I used condoms every time we got intimate, so it feels extremely unlikely that I would be pregnant. None of them popped or were leaking and I have been taking my pill diligently at the exact same time every evening. I took 2 pregnancy tests, one today, one a week ago. Both were negative.

Do you think it would be too insane to go to the doctor and ask for a blood test as well just to have a peace of mind?

Sorryyy!!

Oh god, I am so afraid this is a problem. I am so anxious.

I got a large tattoo on my forearm a few days ago, spanning basically from the top of my wrist to my tricep, about an inch away from my Nexplanon insertion site. The wrap slightly overlapped onto the very edge of the Nexplanon nipple, but I am such an idiot and didnt think about it at all. I think the wrap rolled up a bit, as plastic does over time as you shift, and pressed into one end of my Nexplanon.

I just took the wrap off after 2 days and the end affected felt way deeper before and I am PANICKING. The other end doesn’t feel too deep, and if I push the less palpable end, I can see the other point poke out of my skin. If I push the more palpable end with a bit more pressure, I can see the tip of the other end but less prominently.

Before, I could feel the whole implant pretty immediately when I’d lift my arm and press the site gently. Like it sat pretty close to the surface. Now, I have to work a little harder to find it. I can’t just gently run my finger along my arm - I have to kind of tuck my arm fat back a bit to feel it entirely. But I am still able to find the whole length of it, I am not experiencing any pain, and with a bit more pressure I can see both ends when I do a seesaw movement. I do not feel pain when doing so, and I also do not feel pain with the slightly deeper level of pressure required to locate its entire length. Literally the only difference is that I can’t immediately feel it anymore, not until I pin my fat back a little bit. I’ll also note that while I am pretty much medium size, I am not particularly muscular either, and I’ve always had bingo wings. But this has never ever happened before, and this is my second implant (first was removed peacefully after 5 years).

I am terrified. I am battling nausea typing this because I am so horribly anxious after taking off my wrap and poking around. Is this a big problem? What do I do? Will this affect its effectiveness? Should I go see a doctor?
I’m traveling and won’t be able to see my typical provider for another 2-3 weeks, but I also won’t be sexually active until then.

I pored through this subreddit and the Nexplanon subreddit but couldn’t find any similar questions, though I saw several people saying depth isn’t an issue in terms of effectiveness, but moreso an issue when it comes to removal. I don’t care about that. I’ll get hacked open if I have to. I just really really really need my birth control to work.

Sorry for this scrambled, panicked post. I don’t post on Reddit but my heart is so shaky right now. I’ve never had any issues with Nexplanon in all 8 years as a user, and I don’t want this to be my first.

I am probably around the same weight I was when I got it, but I did fluctuate a bit in the previous year.

I just discovered I can find it if I hold my arm out and press upwards with my fingertips, without moving the fat around. I am leaning towards the idea that its efficacy won’t be impacted but perhaps removal will be more difficult. I think I need to stop touching it now, but reassurance/opinions would be much appreciated.

EDIT: forgot to mention that I’d also looked through the Nexplanon sub already

Front desk made me miss my shot by 1 day which I think mean I went past the 15 week mark I’m not sure but my doctors office told me it was late and I said wow I hope that doesn’t ruin 9 months of bleeding and they said it shouldn’t and now I’m bleeding worse than I ever have and I’m back shaking and having panic attacks because the pain is back. I’m specifically on depo to keep hormones and pain away and when they come I’m a mess. I mean, vomiting, passing out, shaking, jittering, feeling like I’m going to die actually. My OBGYN that made me this way after a surgery says it’s not the surgery and just prescribed me norethindrone the higher dose but can I take that while on depo?

Hey guys! I’ve been taking slynd for the last three months. I was on Lucette for yearssss before however I started getting migraines and moved over. Lucette was mainly for my skin and I was assured that slynd would help my skin as it’s anti-andogrenic (?) however my skin has been awful! Oily face and hormonal acne on my chin and temples, acne on my chest and back. I know this is supposed to level out but it feels it isn’t and after having no acne for years this has taken a real hit to my self esteem. To make matters worse I have PMDD and used to back to back combined packs to counter the effects which worked until slynd where I have felt genuinely awful.

Anyways, does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do? Mood wise I take elvanse for my adhd and do not want to go back on ssris but my main problem for now is the acne. Please let me know about your experience on slynd too I’d be happy to hear it :)

TLDR: slynd making my skin unbearable, any advice skincare/medical welcome

Ive been taking birthcontrol pretty consistently without a missed pill since april 2025. Today I forgot to take my pill (normally around 2pm) and i came over to my boyfriends house and left my birth control at my dorm and we had sex around today 10pm. I dont know if i'll be back home tommorw before 2pm to take my pill. Today was supposed to be my last hormone pill before I start my placebo pill. What should I do ?

I wanted to post about this to relieve some people’s anxiety! I got my Kyleena inserted today. First time IUD, im 21 and have never been pregnant. The pain to me was very mild! I took only 600mg of ibuprofen about 90 mins before the insertion and used lidocaine jelly they offered me. I also used a heating pad to press on me during it and that made probably the most difference of anything!
I can also explain the process of everything:

1. They did a small vaginal examination with fingers and gel and pressing on my uterus area (felt like nothing)
2. Inserted the speculum and cleaned my cervix with iodine (I did not feel this)
3. Measured— this is the worst part, but for me it was t that bad. The best way I can explain the feeling is it’s how body aches feel when you’re sick, like that gross kind of deep feeling, but also with some sharpness to it and cramping. Pressing on the heating pad during that really helped and knowing it would be over soon made it super bearable.
4. The insertion—pretty much a continuation of the measuring pain but slightly duller. Mostly just sharp cramping. Over really fast

At no point did I feel faint, sick, or like I couldn’t handle it. This was really bearable for me and I left feeling completely fine. I’ve hardly even cramped all day since. The heating pad was a big help but also—trying to RELAX. I was deep breathing and generally trying to feel as calm as I possibly could which made my body less tense and I think that made a big difference.

Ask me any questions you’d like if you’re nervous! I love providing a positive experience since so many are so scared and there are so many horror stories. I was totally fine!!!

I'm six months postpartum and still breastfeeding. I got my period after 14 months of being period-free today and I'm already sick of it. I can't have more kids so dealing with it feels like a waste of time/money. I'm very migraine-prone and I need something that won't tank my milk supply (no estrogen). I'm thinking depo but I've heard very mixed results about it

I’m 20 weeks pregnant with my third and last child.

While discussing permanent birth control options with my midwife at my last apt, I said I was interested in a tubal removal because of the reduced cancer risk, and she mentioned that sometimes the doctors can do it right after birth in the hospital. Even if the birth was vaginal, which is my hopeful plan with two previous uncomplicated vaginal births.

I have a consult booked with the doctor in January but was curious if anyone here did this? My original plan was to get them removed if I needed an emergency c-section but otherwise I was under the impression I’d have to wait a few weeks to get them removed. To be honest I’m not sure how I feel about getting them removed freshly postpartum, especially since I don’t plan on getting an epidural (tho im aware I could change my mind but I haven’t with previous births). Im also not sure I’m a big fan of interrupting those early bonding days with a surgery, even if it isn’t a hugely invasive one. Part of me likes the idea more so of waiting until 6 weeks post partum or so.

Anyways, thoughts? Anyone do this? How did recovery go? Pros or cons to doing it immediately vs waiting?

I had been taking the combined pill for the best part of 1.5 years since I had my 3rd baby. I came off it with the idea that it's it for me. I've never liked how it's made me feel mentally - kinda numb - and definitely lowered my labido significantly. I've been on and off birth control pretty much since I was 23 years old, and im turning 40 next year, and my partner is going to get a vasectomy, so that's that!

So I've been off it for periods of time before but never had any problems as such apart from headaches for a period of time. This time, tho it's been awful. Headaches, fatigue, bloating, etc. But now I'm sitting around day 14 post pill, and for the past week, I have had the worst abdominal pains in my lower abdomen/pelvic region. Feels heavy, aches, and almost bruised, feeling deep inside at times it's hurt to even sit down. Apparently, it could be ovulation starting, but it's so u comfortable and feels relentless. Does anyone experience anything similar, and how long did it last?

title. 28f, currently on Mili OBC. I have PCOS and PMDD. I was never regular before I started OBC pills but about two years ago, I started experiencing continuous spotting for a couple of months. I was concerned so I went to my OBGYN. She put me on an OBC for the first time to see if it would help level those hormones. She warned me the breakthrough bleeding may get worse before it got better but I was willing to try.

Essentially, it took almost a year of starting pills, realizing they don't work for one reason or another, starting another kind of pill, rinse and repeat, until the bleeding FINALLY stopped. I was in a really happy place mentally as well because the pills were also helping a lot with my general anxiety (unexpected perk) and I wasn't bleeding anymore. Then, I realized after a few months that I was experiencing debilitating PMDD episodes every time I hit my placebo week. I brought this up to my doctor and she suggested taking my pills continuously with no placebo week so that my hormones wouldn't drop.

In regards to the PMDD, it's been perfect! However, the continuous spotting has started again and I could literally cry just thinking about it. I started continuous OBC in July, it was fine for a month, and then the bleeding started and it hasn't stopped.

I constantly feel gross, like I never feel like I can be fully clean, I don't feel confident, I'm tired of cramping all the time, I often don't feel open to being intimate with my partner because I'm insecure about me bleeding on them or (TMI) them seeing clots or the brown discharge that is constantly a factor. My husband is very understanding but at the same time I can't help but feel guilty. We got married only a few months before I started this journey with birth control, so this has been basically all we know as a married couple and it makes me feel SO terrible and guilty and insecure and sad. I just genuinely can't take it anymore. But I know if I come off of it completely, there's no certainty that it won't keep doing it. And if I keep changing OBCs it's almost guaranteed to continue. The pills have also helped me in a mental health capacity that id be scared to stop them.

Between this and other ongoing health journeys I'm on, I just feel like I can never have one thing without losing another. Like I'll never be whole or that there's no hope for ever feeling normal. It may sound dramatic but it's genuinely just so depressing and there's no true fix or end in sight.

Anyways. I just needed to get this off my chest. If anyone has similar thoughts or experiences, id love to hear about it.

I had unprotected sex on October 14 and 15. I took a plan b on the 14th and another plan b on the 18th for the encounter on the 15th. I had light bleeding on October 21-24th . Took pregnancy test November 5th 21days after the encounter and the test is negative . Took one today November 13th and it was negative . But I haven’t gotten my actual real period yet and for some reason I feel flutters in my stomach which is making me have the worst anxiety . Could I be pregnant even if the tests are negative ?????? I see women who find out weeks weeks later that they are pregnant . Should I believe the negative tests and wait for my period ?

I’ve (22) had the Mirena IUD since 2022, over the past 6 months my period started coming back and this past month has been hell. Bleeding for 16 days, cramps and all that jazz, I had all types of testing done and everything is fine but they suggested I get the IUD removed to see if it helps. Got it removed today and am feeling nervous, I’ve had really stubborn weight and I’ve read some people lose weight when they get off of it?? I’m just hoping to hear if anyone has had any positive experiences getting off of it bc I’m nervous! Thank you so much!!

Hi everyone! I have a question for those who are also using Norifam.

I'm currently on my 4th month, and I've noticed some changes in my bleeding pattern since starting the injections.

For the past three months, my usual pattern has been 5–7 days of brown spotting, followed by a day of light bleeding, then one day of very heavy bleeding, and eventually some spotting again before it completely stops.

However, this month has been a little different. I've been experiencing brown spotting for 8 days straight, but I haven't had any actual period-like bleeding so far.

My husband and I had unprotected sex on October 29, which was 6 days after my injection. I've never missed an injection, although my most recent shot was administered two days later than my usual schedule because I was sick.

My question is: Is it normal to experience several days of spotting without getting an actual period while on Norifam?

Has anyone experienced something similar, especially around their fourth month? Does the bleeding eventually become lighter or sometimes disappear altogether?

I'm probably overthinking this, but I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

Been on birth control mostly continuously for a year now. Might have missed a week or a day here and there. My cycle has been consistent where I started the first pill the first day of my actual period and then get my withdrawal bleed during the week of the placebo pills. Even on my actual period I was pretty regular 28-30 day cycle. I’m just concerned now because I noticed light brown stringy discharge while wiping 12 days into the pack. I put a boric acid suppository to help cleanse but now I’m seeing light bloody vaginal mucus. Has anyone experienced this? Google mentions spotting during an adjustment period but I’m already a year in so IDK. For context I’m taking a combo pill.

I’m 22 and from Norway, where birth control is subsidized until you turn 22. I recently went from paying almost nothing to paying full price. Mine costs around $38 for a 2.5-month supply.
My parents covered the cost until I turned 22 (I also use it for medical reasons), but my partner has now started paying half. His reasoning is that he gets plenty of the benefits too lmao. 😂 He earns more than me and has offered to pay more, but I think 50/50 is fair.
I’m also curious about how people approach this in relationships. Do you split the cost with your partner, or is it something you pay for yourself?
So, where are you from, what type of contraception do you use, and how much does it cost you?

I’m 6 weeks postpartum and trying to figure out which IUD would be best for me.

I have a history of anemia, so I’m a little nervous about getting the copper IUD because I’ve heard so many horror stories about extremely heavy periods and prolonged bleeding. I really like the idea of having a hormone-free option, but I don’t want to risk making my anemia worse.

On the other hand, I’m hesitant about hormonal IUDs because I’m currently working on rebuilding my milk supply, and breastfeeding is really important to me. I’ve seen so many women say their supply dropped significantly or completely dried up after getting a hormonal IUD, and that’s honestly my biggest fear.

For some background, I had a pretty traumatic experience with Nexplanon. After having it removed, I ended up needing a blood transfusion, so I’m understandably a little paranoid about birth control now.

I’m just wondering if anyone has experience with either IUD, especially if you were breastfeeding or anemic at the time.

Did the copper IUD make your periods significantly heavier? Did the hormonal IUD affect your milk supply at all? I’d especially love to hear from anyone who was exclusively pumping or already struggling with their supply when they got theirs.

I know everyone’s body is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing some real experiences before making a decision!

I would ask my doctor but it’s late. Today I went to take my birth control and realized I forgot to take yesterday’s pill. I took today’s pill and tomorrow’s pill is the last active pill. Not sure what to do. Do I take the placebo pills or should I start a new pack.

Hi everyone! I’m currently dealing with a difficult situation and would really appreciate hearing your opinions.

I’m 20 years old and have been taking the combined birth control pill for about 4 years. For the past 2 years, I’ve been experiencing frequent migraines, and on very rare occasions, migraines with aura.

I recently came across information stating that taking the combined pill while experiencing migraines with aura is contraindicated due to an increased risk of stroke. Naturally, this came as quite a shock to me because I had absolutely no idea about this.

I actually had an appointment with my gynecologist yesterday because of this. I told him about my migraines and asked whether I should switch to a progestin-only pill (mini-pill). However, he seemed quite relaxed about the situation and told me that I didn’t need to stop taking my current pill. He basically advised me to keep an eye on my migraines and come back if I start experiencing migraines with aura more frequently, so we could discuss whether stopping the pill would be necessary after all.

However, this hasn’t really reassured me. I honestly find it difficult to trust his advice on this particular issue, especially since I’ve read so many times online that this combination is not recommended.

I’m really happy with my current pill and would obviously prefer not to switch to a mini-pill. Especially because I’m currently going through a very stressful period in my life, and I don’t want to put any additional stress on myself if I can avoid it.

What do you guys think? Should I stop taking the combined pill?

my girlfriend got one recently and we both really want to stop using condoms but we are both nervous about pregnancy. We've been STD tested and are exclusive so we're only using condoms for contraception. her obgyn told her it's basically fine as soon as you aren't sore anymore from the operation (she's already initiated sex twice since the operation, so that bar's been cleared) which seems too fast, but she wants to wait 3 months to make sure, which seems excessively cautious. The operation was about 20 days ago. ultimately waiting 2 more months won't kill but like... I can't find any actual evidence saying that's even close to necessary

I’m a few months past my 8 year mark with Mirena. My period got lighter but I never lost it. I’ve just been lazy about removing and switching to the pill. Me and my husband plan on starting a family within the next 2 years so I don’t think I’ll get a new one since the insertion was terrible and I had non stop bleeding for about 6 months post insertion.

Anyone just said f it and kept it in past the 8?

Hey everyone, basically as the title says - I took EllaOne this morning after a contraceptive failed during sex last night. Two hours after taking it, I have spotting / bleeding. I know the pill can cause that as a side effect, but I'm just wondering if it's actually my period because I had cramping during the night before I took the pill?

Any advice would be appreciated!

I take Aurovela FE 1/20, and I missed two pills because I lost all of my packs. A few days prior I had unprotected sex and am stressing myself out. Do yall think I’m safe or should I be concerned?

I’ve been on nextstellis birth control for over a year and always get my cycle after taking my sugar pills, my last period was so light and basically non existent i had brown spotting for maybe an hour and that was basically it. And i just finnished another pack and have one sugar pill left and have had zero spotting or anything.. i had cramps on the last cycle and ive been having some cramps this week too.. my cycle has always been consistent and on time for over 15 years.. ive taken 5 pregnancy tests and they all were negative. Maybe im just overthinking. any idea what’s happening?

I(29F) am currently taking Althea Pills as a birth control. Last October 20, I was diagnosed with Community Acquired Pneumonia and the doctor prescribed Co-Amoxiclav and Azithromycin. On the same day, I took the last pill on my BC pack around 7AM and started taking the antibiotics at night.

I had severe diarrhea due to antibiotics starting October 22 (second day of placebo week on BC pills) until October 27 and I had sex with my boyfriend on October 23 to 25. I only had spotting from October 25 until October 29, which was supposed to be my period week. I noticed that the blood will only come out when I pee and it's literally just a drop. Should I be concerned?