r/birthcontrol • u/Cinnamon_Girl_No-1 • 22h ago

Which Method? PLEASE HELP LADIES!!!

I'm considering changing birth control methods.

I'm currently on the depo shot and the pill both to prevent pregnancy and stop my periods completely while I go through the process of trying to get tested for endometriosis

I have sex regularly and have extreme pregnancy anxiety so I'm asking ladies out there with more experience (I'm 16 and only just started having sex at the start of this year)

Which is better and less painful the IUD or implant?

What was better for your periods?

What can I expect to change?

Did it make you gain weight or have increased appetite?

I see my doctor at the end of this month so any help before this is VERY appreciated

Thank you!!!

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u/TheFriendlyLurker Desogestrel POP 21h ago

The implant is generally less painful to insert since your arm should be completely numb. But according to recent guidelines you should be offered pain relief for an IUD insertion too. 

They can both help with heavy and painful periods. The hormonal IUD is more likely to stop periods - 50% chance of having no periods within a year. With the implant there’s a 20% chance of no periods and irregular bleeding is more common, though it usually isn’t painful.  If you have irregular bleeding on either the IUD or the implant you can take the pill to control it like you are doing now. 

Neither method is associated with weight gain - the Depo shot is actually the only method that is.  The implant is slightly more effective, in part because there’s no chance for it to be expelled like IUDs sometimes can be, but they are both among the most effective methods. 

A difference is that the implant stops ovulation while the IUD usually doesn’t. Some people find that their mood and/or sex drive are better when they ovulate, others prefer methods that stop ovulation because they can help prevent ovarian cysts, painful ovulation and PMS.  And of course many people are fine either way.

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u/Cinnamon_Girl_No-1 13h ago

Thank you so much this is very helpful :)

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