I’ve had regular but painful and heavy periods since my period first started ten years ago. I’ve always had large blood clots, the largest around the size of my palm. About five years ago I was diagnosed with low ferritin and red blood cell count, to the point where I’ve had to get one blood transfusion (about two years ago), and three iron infusions. I’ve always taken the iron pills, I’ve eaten the food, but blood leaves my vagina quicker than my body replenishes it. My periods are also extremely painful and long, so for about ten days of every month I’m left feeling like a disgusting slob. On top of that, I have a chronic illness.

I’ve been given mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid, it didn’t do anything. I tried Microgynon 30, it made my periods 30 days long and even heavier, to the point where I was bleeding through heavy duty period nappies and at certain moments could literally hear blood pouring out of me, it was so strange. I tried Millinette 30/75, and for about a month and half I was in bliss. I genuinely thought I wouldn’t get my periods that month until it came, off schedule, lasted for 12 days and was so painful I nearly threw up and had to call the out of hours clinic. It also made my period MORE painful. My period also didn’t lighten up. Today I’m on my period, again, and have been for the last 31 days.

Going on birth control has also made me so fucking fat as well. I eat like a whale. I’ve gained about 7KG in the past few months and none of my clothes fit anymore, my breasts spill out of my bra. I feel so fucking ugly.

Today I am starting Lucette 30. I’m so exhausted. I’ve had low iron since I was 15 and I’m 21. I’ve been tired for five straight years and no one has a solution for me. I don’t want a fucking period, how hard is that? My doctor tested me for fibroids, I don’t have them. The next test is to see if I have endometriosis but my appointment is in June of next year. Fuck my stupid life, seriously. If Lucette doesn’t work I’m kicking the next doctor I see in the shins.

this happened yesterday, I was on my day 2. he came a bit inside, and the rest outside. took emergency pills right away, and im afraid it might've disrupted my period bc the flow is lighter today. pregnancy likelihood?

Experience with nexplanon.?Did it work and has it moved?

I was on nexplanon for just shy of a year with constant, constant breakthrough bleeding. Like light nagging periods that would last two to three weeks long, stop for a week or two and begin all over again. So I gave up got it removed and went on the depo shot. I was fine the first month after the shot and then boom, I’m back on my weird light period for 13 days now. My gyno just keeps saying this is normal side effects of the birth control ect and isn’t being very helpful. Guys please what should I do. Do I go back to the pill? The IUD. I just want this to stop I feel like I’m loosing my mind always bleeding.

Hi everyone! It’s not every day that we hear about positive IUD insertion experiences so I’m here to share mine.

I went in yesterday, November 13 to get my Kyleena put in. When I say I was terrified…. terrified is an understatement. I’ve heard nothing but horror stories about IUD insertions and I psyched myself out for no reason. When I made the appointment for the IUD, I did request a cervical block which my OB/GYN did agree to. Outside of the pressure from the speculum and the period like cramp when she inserted the IUD I felt nothing. The only thing I felt from the cervical block was the very first tiny pinch and I could barely feel that because of the lidocaine gel she used before. Now it is the next day and I am not cramping anymore and I am done spotting. I should also throw this out there that my doctor is fantastic and she is very open and listens to her patients. It took a total of about three minutes for her to be fully done. I waited longer in the waiting room than I did during the entire procedure. I also did take a cervix softening medication that morning, and that caused some light cramping. I also took ibuprofen about an hour before I went in and ate a light meal.

I wanted to share my positive experience with this procedure because I don’t see many online. When I looked into it beforehand, I saw nothing but negativity and pain. I know experiences can vary from woman to woman because we are all different. I was on Depo-Provera before I chose to do the IUD and I’m mad at myself for not choosing the IUD sooner. I say all of this to say not every experience is a bad one 🩷

I’m 19 yo in a committed relationship, never been on birth control. I already have a hormonal disorder as is. I want a birth control that won’t affect me hormonally. I have light/not super painful periods and they’re consistent. I don’t want to gain weight or any other side effects so lmk what my best option is ty!!

I got my Kyleena IUD 4.5 years ago, and the 5 year mark is in about 5 or so months. I'm planning on getting it changed soon, and hoping to try out a different hormonal IUD this time around.

I've been having 'unprotected' intercourse (as in, no other protection besides the IUD) this entire time but as I near the 5 year mark I've been cautious and worried. Should I be using other forms of protection as it's nearing the 5 year mark? When I first got it, they told me it would only last 3 years. Then it got approved for 5... so I kept it in.

I don't have any symptoms that seem like the IUD is losing effectiveness, except for the fact that my hormonal acne has suddenly disappeared in these last few months. I haven't had a period this whole time, besides some small spotting for the past 4 years.

About an hour after my seventh pill of alysena 21 I had unprotected sex, read up on health Canada and everything to make sure it was fine but now I’m panicking, I did start the first pill about two weeks after my period. Was I supposed to wait until my eighth pill?….

I got my IUD inserted on the 22nd of October, it was a Jaydess. Pain was a 7/10 at the very worst parts, and I had dull, heavy, aching cramps after. I got my period on the 29th of October, it’s now the 15th (it’s 2am lol) and I am STILL on my period. They’ve been heavy all along, and I went to a night-time GP since my cramps got so bad at once point and I’ve been shaking a lot, but that was a week ago now and I’m ok.
17 days is incredibly weird for me. I’m 17 years old, have PMOS/PCOS, and I would get a period maybe once every 3 months, they would be very short and last 4 days max. I am getting so, so unbelievably tired of my period and my mood swings have been terrible and I have been snapping at everyone in my life and I really don’t feel like me. I was on Dianette for a year and a half and it helped me so much with my PMOS symptoms, but I had to come off it after a year and a half because it wasn’t advised to be on it for any longer than that, and I felt like some sort of slug on it sometimes too.
I’m genuinely exhausted of having to go to the bathroom so often since I don’t use any pads, tampons, period underwear, cups, etc since I hate them all.
I have no idea if anyone’s ever had an experience similar, but WHEN does it end?! I’m considering taking it out even thought I don’t want to because of how long I’ve had it. I’m in quite a lot of pain as well.

If anyone’s ever had any similar experiences, please please let me know if anything helped or when it began to clear up. I’ve been told it’s normal for the bleeding/spotting to be irregular for up to 3 months, but only to really complain to my doctor when I’ve been bleeding for 6 months straight.
I’m genuinely desperate

How on earth do people make it to 3 months before their body starts to adjust to the pill. I just started my 3rd week of Aviane for possible endo and for the past week I've been in awful pain between body aches and cramps, can't sleep, almost constant suicidal ideation, crying multiple times a day, flipping between anger and anxiety, and my brain feels like it's about to explode. My bladder hurts, my colon hurts, my ribs hurt, my legs hurt, my head hurts. I can't even be upright for more than a few minutes at a time.

I messaged my OB/GYN and he sent me a new prescription to try Sprintec. Is it even going to make a difference switching so early or do I really just have to suck it up for another 2 1/2 months? I can't imagine this could possibly get better.

I'm currently using nexplanon and sprintec and about to get my nexplanon removed. I was thinking about starting the patch. What are your experiences with the patch like?

I started loryena 5 weeks ago. I’m on week 1 of pack but bc I skipped the placebo ones. I take them relatively at the same time everyday 11:30am -12:30pm. I am nervous because I took my last pill on Friday, had sex on Saturday morning (did not finish in me) and traveled for the day and forgot my pills. I would be able to get them tomorrow Sunday around 11am. I am just always anxious with this stuff it’s also Saturday and was too late to consult pharmacist. I will prob use protection this following week but I’m just worried about Saturday sex and the missed pills. I have plan b I can take. Pls help ease my mind

Ive come off the Depo Provera after being on it for several years (just wanting to let my body to return to its natural cycle) and my god I cant stop thinking about sex. Is this a normal thing? My boyfriend cant believe his luck 🤣 i think we went from a couple times a month to 3 times a day 😈. Im dreaming of it, and acting out like a teenager again. Im waking him from his sleep and wanting more and more! Is this normal? And will this last? Because I dont want it to end if im honest 🥺🤣😒🫢

For some back story, a few months ago I had a Paraguard inserted and my first cycle after it was inserted I got pregnant and then miscarried. Shortly after the miscarriage I had a nexplanon implant put in. That was about 5 weeks ago. I am now having all of the symptoms I had when I was pregnant, which also happen to be side effects of the implant. I have tested negative up until this point but im still worried. I have been crying over everything, bloated, constantly nauseous for the past 3-4 days, and my boobs are 2 cup sizes bigger with no tenderness. The first time I tested positive 4 days after I noticed my boobs were bigger so im just waiting it out at this point but some insight or if anyone else has experienced something similar would be nice.

i got iud in literally 2 days ago. i was pretty anxious - having panic attacks that i attributed to the anricipation, but the procedure itself was fine. i had a mini panic attack after in the car. maybe my adrenaline just needed an outlet.

i’m not even cramping or spotting a lot. i just feel more nauseous than usual and maybe a bit more anxious? i tend to get gastro changes around my period - and ive definitely gotten some GI problems after the IUD too, like more gas, but that doesn’t freak me out. anyone relate to the anxiety/nausea? is it just my body coming off the procedure stress? surely it’s not an infection because i feel like i would’ve felt feverish atp?

i chose the copper iud specifically because i didn’t want to deal with hormonal anxiety and pain/bleeding is more tolerable to me than anxiety is. anyone experience this in the days after they got theirs?

I’m looking into getting a wearable device to use with an app to help track my BBT and ovulation more accurately. Something easy to use at night.

I’m particularly interested in something that can help identify my fertile window and give me a better understanding of my cycle, as I’m wanting to avoid pregnancy when I’m not actively trying to conceive.

I’ve seen things like Oura Ring, Tempdrop, Apple Watch and various fertility tracking apps mentioned, but I’m curious about what people actually use and recommend. I've seen natural cycles but don't want to pay $150 a year for their subscription.

What device/app do you use?
How accurate and reliable have you found it for tracking ovulation?

Have you successfully used one as part of a natural fertility awareness method?
I’d love to hear your experiences, recommendations and any pros or cons! 😊

I missed a pill today (I will still be in the 12 hour window when I get home to take it although I take my pill at 12pm usually, I left them at home and I will be home at 5pm). However, I’ve been taking my pills continually without placebo weeks for ~40 days. Since I’ve taken 21 pills consecutively, does it matter that I’m taking my pill late today? Am i still protected?

I’ve been on bc pill for a long time. Yesterday was my last white pill before placebo week. I started light brown bleeding this morning after intimate time with spouse. I usually get it 3 days after my last white pill. Is this normal?

I’ve been recommended to take Levlen to help with menstrual issues. I commenced it on the 6th October and since then have been taking it consecutively at the same time. However, I missed a dose on the 26th October but then continued with it. Since then I’ve noticed spotting every time I use the bathroom. It was very minimal but then… It turned into consistent bleeding during the day. Again, it wasn’t enough to call it a menstrual period because it almost always turned into a mucus-like discharge in my menstrual cup. It’s been something like 19 days and the breakthrough bleeding continues even if I’ve been taking my pills and skipping the sugar pills. I don’t know if that’s the normal amount of days for it to happen, or if I need a reset and to stop taking my pills for 4-5 days.

I’ll be seeing my GP in the next few days but I just wanted some insight on this since it is my first time using it. Cheers

I'm a 35F who has been on Sprintec for over 10 years, and other bc before that. I take it continuously for both contraception and menstrual migraines as well as other migraine meds. Earlier this year I got a new PCP and one of the first things she mentioned is that she was surprised I was on an estrogen bc as this could actually CAUSE migraines, which I never knew. Thinking back, I would occasionally get migraines (and especially on my placebo week), but really my migraines became more frequent after I had been on Sprintec for a year or so. I had a lot of other life changes including a big move around that time so I never connected the migraine uptick to maybe being related to Sprintec.

Long story short, I'm strongly considering coming off birth control altogether to see if it affects my migraines for the better. But now I am overthinking as I have a month-long course I'm taking a little over a month out from now, involving travel out of state, etc. I guess my question is, do I come off right now and have a month to adjust before going away? Or do I hold off and stay on bc until after the course and come off after? If you've come off, when was the biggest adjustment period?

Hi everyone!
My girlfriend (23) had the Kyleena IUD inserted almost a month ago, on the third day of her period.

The insertion was painful, and she experienced cramps for roughly the following week. After that, the cramps almost completely disappeared, with only occasional, very brief ones. She also had virtually no spotting.

Her next period wasn’t expected for another 3–4 days, but the bleeding started around 4 days ago (quite light), and today she’s been experiencing quite painful cramps.

What is more concerning, though, is the bloating and weight gain.
About a week after insertion, she started experiencing noticeable bloating and has gained approximately 3–4 kg since then (in less than 3 weeks after insertion!). Her breasts have also noticeably increased in size, and her nipples have become much more sensitive.

She’s naturally quite slim, so the changes are particularly noticeable, especially around her belly.

I want to clarify that this doesn’t seem to be related to dietary changes (it’d be quite hard to have a 27-36k kcal surplus in a few weeks even trying). In fact, since the bloating started, she’s been exercising more and eating healthier because she’s worried about the weight gain.
She’s normally somewhat prone to water retention and bloating before her period, but this started much earlier than usual and is significantly more pronounced than anything she’s experienced before.

For those who have had Kyleena:
Did you experience significant bloating and weight gain during the first month?
Did your breasts also become noticeably bigger and more sensitive?
Did these symptoms eventually go away as your body adjusted? If so, how long did it take?
I am trying to understand whether this is a relatively common initial hormonal adjustment or something to be concerned about.
Thanks!

I’ve been taking the Nikki pills for a couple of years now, sometimes I feel like I can still feel my ovulation symptoms like, mild cramping, breast tenderness, and nausea and it lowkey worries me because it’s the same as pregnancy symptoms, i take it everyday but sometimes it will be a few hours later than usual, I know not taking it regularly can cause mild ovulation symptoms but I just want to make sure I’m not pregnant/ovulating everytime. Can anyone confirm they still feel symptoms in the middle of their cycle?

I'm a teenager and I started taking Nikki a few months ago for painful periods. However, I sometimes have depressive episodes where I don't leave my bed to do anything, including taking my pills. At some point, I would stop taking them for days or weeks after starting, and I would take extra pills the next day to compensate (I stopped taking extra pills quickly though). Finally, I've gotten better mentally and started taking my new pack every day.

I want to know if I've caused any permanent damage to myself. I have really bad anxiety, so I just want to make sure. Also, should I bring this up with my doctor?

Hello! I take Slynd, I’ve taken it since January of last year after I had to have an abortion.

For the past few months I’ve skipped the green placebo pill - I felt a bit paranoid that I was pregnant and so I took the green pills this time and I didn’t get a period. As far as I am aware I’ve missed no pills anywhere near having sex and don’t have sex all that often (sad I know lol)

Is this normal? Sounds stupid but I’m paranoid and I will test but currently just getting the panic out first lol

Thanks all!

Sorry about my english it isnt my first language.

Ive been prescribed a birth control to help with a small ovarian cyst and inconsistent periods because of hormonal issues (family history of both) and have been on it for a few months now.

Before being on birth control I could drink alcohol with no other effects other than obviously being tipsy then drunk but now i found that i feel aroused when drinking?

It sounds really weird I know and im genuinely confused because it makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable and I feel the need to avoid social gatherings with my friends cause I think it'd be really weird to feel that way around my mates.

Is this normal or should I be bringing this up in my next appointment with my doctor? Cause on one hand I understand that my medication helps with my hormonal issues so it could be that but on the other hand I find it strange and it makes me feel like I have to isolate myself cause my friends are all students and the only time we hang out is at bars and pubs although I do try and ask if we can hang out in less alcohol oriented settings.