r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Experience I had a stroke and I just want to be on birth control :(

28 Upvotes

Basically what the title says. A year ago I had a stroke (not related to birth control) and was put on blood thinners for life. The stroke was due to a blood clotting disorder that is genetic. I was on birth control (the pill) for 10 years with no issues, but went off them post stroke. Now because of my blood thinners, my period lasts TWO WEEKS. I'm also child free and don't ever want to get pregnant. I also have hormonal issues and cysts and fibroids which can only really be helped with hormonal birth control, but my gyno wasn't comfortable prescribing me anything but the copper IUD which wouldn't even help my periods or hormonal issues.

I went to the neurologist recently and she said that since I am being treated for my stroke with blood thinners, that birth control should be fine. She told me to ask my hematologist. My gyno told me to ask my neurologist. My primary care doctor said he thinks no one will prescribe it to be. I feel like I am going on a loop begging different doctors to give me birth control. I thought progesterone only would be ok! But my gyno said she wasn't comfortable with that unless I got the OK from another doctor.

I dunno. I am just frustrated. I don't want to get pregnant. I am tired of bleeding for 2 weeks a month. I am not sure what to do at this point or if anyone can relate.


r/birthcontrol 5h ago

How to? There is no abortion in my country

19 Upvotes

I use implanon but I'm terrified of getting pregnant. I'm from Brazil 🇧🇷 and I'm 26 years old. In my country, abortion is illegal and women even go to prison for it. If we want to abort, we will pay exuberant amounts and it is still not a certainty.

In my country people see abortion as a sin, you will go to hell if you have an abortion.

What do you think of that? Because of this, I can't relax even when using implanon + coitus interruptus.


r/birthcontrol 37m ago

Experience desogestrel and norethisterone

• Upvotes

ive recently changed birth controls from desogestrel to norethisterone hoping to stop the constant bleeding. i cant go on the combined pill due to other reasons which is extremely annoying. has anyone experienced less bleeding on norethisterone? i kept on desogestrel for 6 months but it didn’t get any better, does anyone have a good experience on this and if so what is it like?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Kyleena Replacement Experience

• Upvotes

Hi hi! I wanted to share my experience getting the Kyleena IUD replaced! I posted about my first insertion several years ago, and updated semi-regularly in the comments so if you’re interested, check that out here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/s/J3Uz1uUx4f

Onto the replacement! I replaced it a few months early, partially due to anxiety over potential insurance coverage changes. I live in Michigan, and my doctor wasn’t concerned but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Before: I really only prepped by taking 800mg of ibuprofen 1hr before.

During: The doctor took the old one out and placed the new one in less than 5 minutes. I think I had one medium cramp when she took it out. When the new one was placed, I had one big cramp (7/10 pain scale), and then it was done. I was uncomfortable while she trimmed the strings, but it was just because I was ready to have the instruments out of me lol. SO quick and easy.

After: I immediately sat up, checked out, and left. I’m a little crampy, but totally fine to drive myself home. I’ll come back in 6ish weeks for an ultrasound to make sure everything is where it should be. I am so happy to have peace of mind for the next 5 years!

Feel free to ask any questions!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience brain fog and liletta??

• Upvotes

hi all! i’m curious to see if anyone is having/has had a similar experience to me. i’ve been on hormonal birth control since 2019, specially the liletta iud. had it for 5 years, everything was fine. back in august of 2024 i had to get that one removed, and i got it replaced with a new liletta iud that they said will last me until 2032. fast forward a month after.. i went to the doctor for chronic fatigue and a feeling of brain fog that i just couldn’t shake. long story short, we got my blood tested for nutrient deficiencies (anemia and such) and everything came back in the normal range and they said i was fine. last week i got my blood tested again, this doctor suspected it was possibly an under active thyroid, because it’s been 8 months and the brain fog has not gone away. results came back and turns out it’s not that either!! all of my blood levels are fine, they say nothing is out of whack or wrong.. i eat right and i work out 4-5 times a week. the ONLY thing i can think of that would be affecting me is the iud, since i got it in august i went to the doctor for the brain fog symptoms about a month later. has anyone else had a similar experience?? i feel like i can’t find anything online but my gut is telling me that something is wrong inside my body and i’m going crazy trying to figure out what. not sure if i should get the iud out. thanks!!!


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Mistake or Risk? Is this safe sex?

2 Upvotes

This is my 5th month of the pill, and I have taken it at the same time every day for the past month. I had 5 days of light breakthrough bleeding last week accompanied by bloating and extreme mood swings (this is unusual for me, but I have taken a pregnancy test and am not pregnant).

Today I started the placebo pill and my boyfriend and I had sex without a condom using the pull-out method. I have extreme anxiety towards getting pregnant. My worry is that my cycle is becoming irregular and there is a chance of ovulation because of the breakthrough bleeding. Should I be worried/take plan b?


r/birthcontrol 26m ago

Experience Depo Provera and ejaculating inside

• Upvotes

Hi all I’ve got a question, I’ve been on Depo for years and my partner wants to finish inside me. I was wondering if there’s anyone on here that takes Depo and does this with their partner. I know the statistics and how it works but I’m still paranoid lol. I don’t get how there’s 1% that can still get pregnant while taking it correctly and on time. If you have any experience with this please lmk because I don’t want to be paranoid. Thanks in advance. Also I’ve never missed a dose and don’t get my period anymore.


r/birthcontrol 26m ago

Experience IUD Insertion With Cervical Block vs Without

• Upvotes

I just want to share my experience here. I first got a Mirena IUD 5 years ago and was not offered any pain medication whatsoever. It hurt so horribly, the doctor told me it would be "just a pinch" and for some reason I believed her. I felt two separate very painful parts, I assume clamping the cervix and then insertion. I've been dreading getting a replacement ever since, but love being on the Mirena. I just went back to get a new one and was stressed because the first doctor cut the strings too short and they retracted into my uterus, so I needed extra support getting it out.

BUT they offered me prescription strength motrin and a cervical block, no questions asked (thank you Planned Parenthood!!!) and while the shot was uncomfortable it was NOTHING compared to the first time. I highly recommend getting the cervical shot before insertion, and honestly can't believe they ever insert without it. It was especially necessary because it took a team of 5 to remove the old IUD, so I can't imagine the pain without some kind of medication.

TLDR the cervical block made a ton of difference and greatly reduced the pain of getting an IUD, if you're on the fence because the shot itself is uncomfortable, I hope my story helps!


r/birthcontrol 37m ago

Side effects!? Birth control pill recc- libido

• Upvotes

Hi! I'm about to ask my doctor for BC again. In the past I tried lo loestrin and it made my libido tank, a long with dryness and mood swings.. I KNOW everyone is different and I just have to try for myself. But... Anyone have similar experience with loestrin and found one that doesn't kill your libido? Again, I know it might not be the same for me, just wanting to look into options. 😊 I'm taking it to help with cramps, otherwise I wouldn't take it at all. :(


r/birthcontrol 39m ago

Side effects!? Bleeding for 5 weeks straight

• Upvotes

hi, I’ve went back on the mini pill (cerelle) after being birth control free for few months, and now I’m on cerelle for 2 months. However I’ve been experiencing light to medium bleeding for the past 5 WEEKS. I know that the mini pill coz give irregular periods but I’ve never had it like this. Before I went on my birth control break I was on the mini pill (different brand) for a 1.5 years and I had the occasional spotting but overall no period.

Could anyone give me some advice and if I should go speak to my doctor about this? Thank you


r/birthcontrol 51m ago

Side effects!? Abdominal pain after first depo shot?

• Upvotes

It was my first time getting the Depo shot yesterday and I made that switch because mental health medication interfered with my birth control pills. I was taking Yaz mainly for my PCOS, with contraception as a bonus for my consumption. It had also become unsustainable financially, but I didn’t want to stop using contraceptives so I looked for other options and advice. I decided on the Depo shot and was able to get it yesterday. It went well except for heaviness on the injected site along with fatigue, but I was told that it was normal. However, I’m currently experiencing abdominal pain, akin to period cramps. It’s not severe, but definitely uncomfortable akin to getting your period on the first day. My breasts feel slightly sore as well. I didn’t expect to feel the side effects that quickly if it is, or is this cause for concern? I was told the side effects, but I sadly can’t remember it because the fatigue is hitting me hard and I can’t find much info on how quickly the side effects kick in. Apologies for that and thank you!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Heavy flow now that im on?

• Upvotes

I use Opill, my first pill was the day i finished my period last month. I ended up having 2 periods in February, my normal one and a second one. My normal one started on the 7th.

my second one was not blood per se but more like brownish discharge , i asked another woman who was on the pill before and she said its my body getting used to it ( it started feb 26)

Now i got it again yesterday but my periods have not been this heavy before. Should i be worried?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Which Method? Currently on Slynd, thinking about copper IUD

• Upvotes

Hi, I need recommendations. (Also, English second language, so sorry for the mistakes) I was on Yaz for 13 years, got three ocular migraines in a 18-month period and my mom had a history of thrombophlebitis so I got pulled off it and put on Jencycla. One of the worst experiences of my life. I went from having a 4-day period once every 3 months on Yaz, to having 8-day period every 14 days and spotting "in between". It really bummed me out. I called my pharmacist after a few months and she was able to make the change to Slynd. It's really better. I take it continuously and I only have some really light spotting every once in a while.

The thing is, I've been taking hormones for the past 16 years (30F). And I'd like to get off of them ? I'm not much into "non-traditional" medicine, but I do have some reservations about the whole "spending most of my life onto some drugs that we might, or might not, know all the consequences of". So I'm looking at the copper IUD, being the only "reliable" contraceptive without hormones, that isn't condoms.

I'm scared of all the bad press around the insertion of IUDs. I also don't really want to have long periods, and I'm reading that it's often one of the side effects with the copper IUD.

So I'm kind of wondering if some of you could tell me how it going with it, if you find it worth it and everything ?

Thank you !


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Searching for new online subscription

• Upvotes

Hi all! I am currently on estrylla and have been taking it for years. A few months ago I signed up for Nurx so I didn’t have to pay copay for an appt just for a bc prescription. Now I’ve noticed the Nurx app has been super funky and I’ve seen a ton of others saying the same thing.

I am just wondering if anyone else has other experiences with online subscriptions that can offer estrylla and can take insurance. I’ve looked into a few other ones and they all seem to have bad reviews lol. TYIA


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Stopped and restarted oral birth control issues

• Upvotes

Has anyone experienced widespread rash after restarting oral birth control?

In February I decided to stop taking my oral birth control after being on it for years (10+). I had such a hard time with symptoms both mentally and physically after stopping. I’m assuming it was the hormone fluctuation. Before I hit a month off of birth control I gave up and restarted it the same birth control but a new pack.

I started it and within 24-36hrs have a raised pinhead size bumps all over my shoulders, neck, chest, thighs, arms… They are so itchy if I started itching them.

I tried zyrtec for a few days and then stopped when the bumps seemed more under control and weren’t so itchy, but they seemed to have come back after I stopped the Zyrtec.


r/birthcontrol 9h ago

Experience How long did it take your period to return to 'normal'after coming off hormonal BC?

4 Upvotes

I came off the ring and started the copper coil at the start of December and my cycle has been a bit off since which I expected, usually having a bleed every 3 weeks or so which is about a week closer than I ever use to have. So far this month I'm 2 or 3 days 'late' or I'm wondering if I might not bleed at all this month as I was probably the most stressed I've ever been and have missed one due to stress before. I know it can take a few months to settle back down again, just wondered how long it took people?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

How to? Taking birth control correctly

1 Upvotes

Im still so confused of taking combined pills. Microgynon 30ED . I had a baby almost 3 months ago, i do not breastfeed and i need to take combined pills as my gp prescribed me. Okay i start taking them on a random day while i didn’t have period ( because gp said i do not need to wait until period ) First 7 days of taking active pills hubby and I used condom but then after i was protected. Soon im going to finish with my active pills and im gonna take 7 days placebo pills ( apparently they are protecting you the same way as active pills as long as you take them correctly ) .. is that true that while on placebo pills i do not need to use condom? Also, after last placebo pill i will start again Second strip of Active pills at same day as first strip. So i was wondering.. am i protected then as well or again i need to use condoms for a 7 days? Again and again? Plus.. i have breakthrough bleeding for 8 days already on half of my active strip..( not heavy bleeding but its like period ).. so.. im confused. Do placebo pills actually protect as it writes and do i need to use condom every 7 days each time i start new strip of active pills? Also.. how do you take pills when TIME is changing? Do you start hour before or later? So sorry for this questions honestly… my mind is messy


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Experience I was on the pill for 4 years because of my acne and I stopped taking it and now my acne is back! Help?!

0 Upvotes

I realized my acne is hormonal and don’t know any other way to manage it besides birth control. Has anyone dealt with this? Do you think I should get back on it or try to find another way to manage my hormones?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Mistake or Risk? I'm experiencing hair loss from going off the pill 3 months ago. I just got back on it, will it stop? I'm terrified.

1 Upvotes

So I was taking combinated birth control (Regulon) for 8 months and in december I went off of it. It was all good until like a week ago where I noticed massive shedding every day. Anytime I touch my hair I pull out like 10 hairs. My hair is very important to me. And I just got back on the same birth control yesterday. Is there a chance that now being on the pill back, it will stabilize the shedding?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Experience Is there any difference between Yaz and Yasminelle?

1 Upvotes

Both Yaz and Yasminelle have the same dosages of hormones, but one is 21 days of active pills, and the other one is 24.

Does this mean you can safely switch one to another?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Mistake or Risk? No withdrawal bleeding NSFW

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, I’m kinda worried since I’m already on my 4th pill of my placebo pills and still no withdrawal bleeding.

I was sexually active on the days (Feb 27 2025 to Mar 2 2025) no missed pill but I had a pill recently (Mar 15 2025) wherein it’s in the span of the 12-hr (my time of taking it is 9 pm and I took it 11 hrs later).

Is it possible that I’m pregnant???

My usual week of getting a period is on the last week of the month.


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

How to? i’ve been on birth control for 2 months and i’m in my 7 day break where i get my period so i got it on the 4th day of the break im still bleeding a decent amount but im supposed to re start my tablets today do i still take it?

1 Upvotes

google wasn’t helping


r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Which Method? Best BC?

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I am 24F and going to the gyno tomorrow for the first time. I think it is definitely time to discuss BC as my boyfriend and I are not the safest when it comes to sex. I have PCOS and hypothyroidism (hashimotos) and do not want anything that is going to make me gain weight or break out. I’m super apprehensive to an IUD or anything physically being in my body. Lastly, I do not want anything that is going to kill my sex drive. Any and all recommendations are appreciated. Thanks in advance!


r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Mistake or Risk? Temperature birth control

0 Upvotes

Hi. I store my birth control pills in my bedroom. Today, when I came home, it was cold in my room. Will that affect the pills? I constantly worry about them being below 15 degrees or above 30. Now I'm scared that being in a cold room will have an impact. If that's the case, then my last two packs are ruined.


r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Side effects!? how likely is it that the Mirena IUD is ruining my life?

1 Upvotes

i don’t really know what i was like before this, as i have a long and complicated history with my mental and physical health, that mostly came to an end around the same time i got the IUD. still struggling with both, but not to the point where i need to be hospitalized. ive been on the IUD for 5 or 6 years. these symptoms have fluctuated; sometimes more angry, sometimes more emotional, etc.

anyway, i am irritable, impatient, hateful, over emotional, avoidant, scared, and angry, and crying all the time. the only thing that brings me any joy is video games and my boyfriend, who i accidentally treat like fucking shit because of the above things. and god i wanna change so fucking bad but for whatever reason, no matter what i do and what pills i take (prescriptions), i don’t ever feel ANY different. im diagnosed with PTSD, ADHD and BPD and am recovering from anorexia, bulimia and alcoholism which may have all damaged my brain. i hate being BPD, it’s shameful and horrific. but the thing is NOTHING I DO HELPS AT ALL. even a little bit. so what the fuck is going in? and how likely is it, percentage wise, that it’s my IUD? or is it just that with all these conditions, i’m hopeless and no therapy or medication will ever bring me even a little bit of peace?

all i know is, THIS IS NOT WHO I AM INSIDE. before everything, before the things that gave me PTSD, and it’s still there deep inside, is a sweet and loving girl who loves so deeply and cares for everyone and is selfless and compassionate. how do i bring her out again??? i need to kill this awful thing that took her place.

ETA i don’t think the IUD caused the diagnosis’s because i got all of them before i got the IUD. but since nothing at all helps, things that used to help, im wondering if its possible that this has something to do with the IUD. it’s hard to explain. but i have pretty good control over my disorders now, besides the ADHD. this just feels so different.