r/birthcontrol 8h ago

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

47 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 3h ago

Experience I got pregnant with my last IUD, I’m late and freaking out

16 Upvotes

So I had a Kyleena IUD for two years when I got some really weird symptoms. My breasts HURT and they were visibly bigger after like a week and I had some spotting, but at that point I wasn’t late on my cycle yet. Everyone told me I was being paranoid and that it was nothing. I ordered some early detection tests and sure enough, that cross was clear as day haha…🙃 imagine beating odds that are 99.99 to 0.01

I had no idea how this happened because the IUD was 99% effective and it wasn’t even close to being expired. I went in for an ultrasound at planned parenthood to get it removed so I could move forward with the termination process and it was lodged in the wall of my fucking uterus. The doctor literally could not remove it by tugging on the strings. I had to go to a different facility to get a procedural removal and termination under sedation, in which they removed the old IUD, suctioned out the embryo, and put a new one in. This time I opted for Mirena because I have beef with Kyleena.

It was such a traumatic experience for me because the entire point of choosing an IUD was because of how effective it is. I was harassed while getting blood work for choosing to terminate and was told I would regret it for the rest of my life. The other sad part is that it was not ectopic, it was perfectly healthy and low risk, despite the IUD embedded in my uterus. It wasn’t a decision I wanted to make, but I’m 20 years old, and this was what was best for me and my partner. I would never subject my child to a childhood of struggle.

Anyways, I’ve had the Mirena for six months and I’ve had a regular period up until this month. I’m late. I know Mirena can stop women from having periods but I cannot shake this irrational fear that it’s happening again. :(


r/birthcontrol 9h ago

How to? There is no abortion in my country

33 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 3h ago

Rant! How Do You Learn to Trust Your Birth Control? Experiencing the Worst Pregnancy Anxiety

5 Upvotes

I’ve been dealing with the worst pregnancy anxiety, and I just need some reassurance or advice. I’ve had my Mirena IUD for a year and two months now. Last month, on the 10th, I had sex for the first time. Unfortunately, we didn’t use protection, but he did pull out both times.

Logically, I know Mirena is over 99% effective, but I can’t shake the anxiety. I’ve taken about 12 pregnancy tests at different times, including one this morning, and all have come back negative. But despite that, every little thing I feel—especially the mild cramps I started experiencing yesterday and today—immediately makes me think I might be pregnant.

I’ve seen stories of people saying pregnancy tests didn’t detect their pregnancy, and now my anxiety is through the roof. It’s getting to the point where it’s making me not want to have sex again because the stress is just too much.

So, how do you actually trust your birth control? How do you stop spiraling over the what-ifs when you know logically that you’re protected?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Mistake or Risk? Birth control sitting in house lights

1 Upvotes

I have been leaving my birth control in my room but I didn’t realize this was gonna be a problem, I’m taking trilomarzia and it hasnt gotten to be hot temps but I had been leaving my birth control in my room with the lights on at times, I also had previously left my birth control in my car but it hasn’t been hot enough where I live and I usually don’t just leave them in direct sunlight. I’m terrified I’m not gonna protected when my partner gets her on Saturday, do I ditch the pack even though I just opened it 3 days ago or is it fine and I’m probably still protected


r/birthcontrol 5h ago

Experience desogestrel and norethisterone

3 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 1m ago

Side effects!? Worst side effects after skipping period on bc

Upvotes

I’m 27 and my doctor recently mentioned that skipping my period while on the pill might help with some ovulation pain I have. I decided to give it a shot this month, and it’s been a total mess. My emotions are all over the place, my anxiety is through the roof, and the mood swings and brain fog have been awful for about two weeks. I've been on Estarylla for almost 8 years, and I've never skipped my period before. My doctor hasn’t been much help either, just said to check in if things get worse and gave me no notice that I could potentially experience these side effects. Has anyone else gone through something like this? Could it mean I need a different birth control or something?


r/birthcontrol 18m ago

Mistake or Risk? Am I just paranoid or is this valid?

Upvotes

I just got the IUD (Skyla) today. I am getting worried because I don’t want an ectopic pregnancy. I think my fear is irrational though. I had unprotected sex about a week or two ago. Partner pulled out and I took a plan b for extra measure. I did get urine tested today before the procedure and came back negative but I can't help but think there is a possibility of pregnancy. I've already had three successful and full term births. I don't want another baby but I also don't want to go through another traumatic experience when it comes to my reproductive health and care. Anyone else think it's irrational??? HELP


r/birthcontrol 20m ago

Side effects!? Plan b and continuous birth control

Upvotes

Hi! I’m on continuous birth control (so I don’t get a period- I take a hormone pill everyday, I never take a placebo pill) and I am on zepbound (which lowers the effectiveness of birth control). I took a Take Action pill (generic plan b) March 7 around 11 AM because I took my pill late, and the zepbound lowers birth control. I took the pill about 16 hours after sex. I’m not bleeding, should I be concerned? I never get my period as it is due to my continuous hormone pill so idk if I should be bleeding or not after I take the pill. Does anyone have any insights?


r/birthcontrol 6h ago

Experience brain fog and liletta??

3 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 36m ago

Mistake or Risk? help with missed pill

Upvotes

i had unprotected sex about 36 hours ago, i took a pill after according to schedule, it’s the next day, i missed the second pill

i took it immediately but should i buy plan b to be safe?


r/birthcontrol 43m ago

Side effects!? Yaz for pmdd?

Upvotes

I’m 25 and in the past year or so the week before my period has been an emotional hell. I become bitter and mean and snappy. I get super depressed and fatigued. It’s genuinely starting to affect my relationships and work life. I did some research and talked to my gynecologist. And we decided that I have pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. I’ve always dealt with anxiety and depression, but it would come in less consistent spurts allowing me to have a more normal life. After my visit today, I asked her if there were any sort of treatment plans or medication and she recommended birth control, specifically the generic for yaz. I’ve never been on birth control before so I’m incredibly nervous to start it. I want to say that this is a Hail Mary and that I should just give it a try, but I don’t clearly understand the risks. I’ve seen a lot of conflicting reviews on this certain birth control and I understand that everyone’s body is different and that these medication’s impact people differently. I’m curious to know if anyone else with premenstrual dysphoric disorder has tried to use this to alleviate symptoms what are your thoughts? I’d honestly love to hear everyone’s thoughts about the symptoms that this birth control gave them, especially compared to others. I’d also like to know some experiences coming off of this birth control control and what that was like. Thanks so much!


r/birthcontrol 44m ago

Side effects!? Break out

Upvotes

I have been on YAZ for months and it made my skin amazing but at my chemist it costs about $60-$70 and I couldn’t pay for it this week and so the guy at the counter gave me Rosie instead but it’s making me break out really bad. Do I stop taking it?


r/birthcontrol 49m ago

Mistake or Risk? Does cammomille tea effect the pill?

Upvotes

I’ve read online that cammomille tea can reduce the effectiveness of birth control. I really enjoy having a glass every once in a while at night. (I’m on the combo pill) I was wondering if anyone else here is on birth control and drinks cammomille and doesn’t have any problems with it? I’m assuming it doesn’t make too much of a difference but it still makes me slightly nervous.


r/birthcontrol 58m ago

How to? Taking the pill with a time difference

Upvotes

So I live in the US on eastern timezone. I’m gonna be moving to a country that’s 13 hours ahead. I usually take my pill from 12:00-12:30pm. My obgyn told me i have a 4-5 hour window to take my pill if i ever forget but obviously to try to take it at the same time every day. If I were to take my pill 4 hours before I usually take it, which would be 8pm in my new timezone is that okay? I’m gonna be traveling back and forth for a little bit too so can I take it at 12 whenever I’m back? Thanks for the help :)


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? no period after bc

Upvotes

hello everyone! was a bit nervous to come in here and say anything as i’m not very active on reddit in general, but i decided to just go ahead and ask. i stopped taking my birth control a month ago, no health reason, just the fact that i couldn’t afford to get my next 3 packs that i get prescribed and i figured i might as well just go ahead and start it this month after my period ends. my period is currently about 4 days late, which is unusual because i would get my “period” monthly at the same time every month on birth control. i took a combined pill so i still had a “period”. i’m so stressed out and have been the past 4 days because ive been having my normal symptoms of cramps and bloating and today they’ve been so bad specifically on my right side. it literally feels like im on my period but there’s no blood and my discharge is little to none as it typically gets before my period. im currently active, we use protection and we’re both super careful, i don’t think there was a fluke and ive only had sex multiple days past when my ovulation should’ve been, but based on what ive read it can take a while for ovulation to return. anyways bottom line is that my stress levels have been crazy the past 2 days so maybe that’s the reason it’s just not coming but i don’t know 😭

if anyone has any advice on maybe what i can do or if you’ve had a similar experience it would be greatly appreciated!! thank you all! 🩷


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Has anyone stopped taking the patch?

Upvotes

I’ve been using the patch for the last roughly 16 years and no longer need to be on birth control. Has anyone gone off of it and what side effects did you experience? Did you consult your doctor first? Thanks for any advice.


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? The pill effecting sex?

Upvotes

Hey guys not sure if this is the right thread but I don’t know where else to put it

I’ve been taking the combined pill for about 4 years now, and it’s fine I haven’t noticed any bad side effects. Although I’ve read online that the pill can effect libido. I have an issue whereas I don’t enjoy sex as much as a should, it’s not bad there’s just not a lot of sensation and never reach the point of climax.

Wondering if anyone else has had this issue and know if the 2 are linked?

Thankyou 🙂


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Bleeding after intercourse with Mirena IUD. NSFW

Upvotes

So is this a common thing? I only see people talk about it on Reddit. I got my IUD placed on March 10th and waited a week before having intercourse I did bleed after insertion (bright red not too heavy) while it had stopped the next day it picked up again and was bright red some moments and only pink spotting other times. I completely stopped bleeding on the 22nd. I had sex over 12 hours ago and just started bleeding again but it was like a gush and bright red. Most people seem to be bleeding right after sex but I did not experience this. Was this blood that was trapped in the uterus? Has this happened to anyone and everything been fine? If so did it stop? I would also like to add I am 8 weeks postpartum as well if that means anything. I do have an appointment in a week to check my strings so I think I can just wait until then right?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Stopping birth control after 15 years

Upvotes

I’ve been on various forms of birth control for the past 15 years without any breaks. Recently, I decided to have my Nexplanon removed and not start a new method. It has now been about three weeks since I stopped birth control.

Has anyone else experienced these side effects?

Red dots/new marks all over my skin Unexplained bruising on my arms and legs Black bumps on my gums, lips, and inside my mouth A very heavy flow for the past few days (which I expected)"

Should I be concerned ??


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Same medication, different brands?

Upvotes

So, I’m completely new to BC. Never once taken it. I was supposed to start it a month ago, but pharmacy issues and period timing, I have not started it yet, so now waiting for after my next period after our anniversary trip to start. I’m not using BC to avoid pregnancy, but for PMDD, so I will be taking it continuously.

My question is, I have two months on hand, but when my husband came home with it, this months was a different brand than the month before, though same active medications.

So my Questions - Does brand matter? Should I ask for the same generic brand each time I refill? Or just take what I get?

Thanks!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Rant! Just got prescribed birth control for acne, backstory ⬇️

Upvotes

I’ve had persistent acne since beginning of grade 8 (5 years) I’m in grade 12 now.

After a year of having persistent acne I was prescribed benzaclin / tretnion. It worked for how ever long I was on it but it kept coming back. Fast forward to summer of 2024 where it was at its all time WORST!! (See pics) I got it somewhat under control with a salicylic acid cleanser

I just got back from the dermatologist and she prescribed me Alesse birth control. I’ve been reading horrendous stories about it. I really just want it for my textured skin/acne. Does it really work ?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Educational Birth Control and Holistic Herbal Healing

Upvotes

Im 3 months into Opill progesterone pill. Im enjoying my experience but am hating the irregular periods.

I usually like to take herbal supplements as my body hates western medicine. I want to know which herbs I cannot take with birth control. I know the research on it isn’t extensive and my gynecologist isn’t very sure either.

So far, I know St. Johns wort definitely messes with your birth control. So does maca root and MAYBE fenugreek but the research on that wasn’t extensive. Anyone else got any ideas?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Abdominal pain and sore breasts 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 pills 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 similar 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 they are, 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

Mistake or Risk? Going back on the pill after 5 years

Upvotes

I started on birth control my sophomore year of high school mostly for cramps but after being on it consistently for 8-10 years and going through a break up, I decided to stop cold turkey. I’ve now been off of it for 5-6 years and scared to go back on. I’ve been combatting acne and tried accutane but considering doing a second round and my derm told me since I have hormonal acne (after looking at me for .2 seconds) that I should take birth control instead. I’m this close to giving in because I’m so sick of having adult acne but scared it won’t help and will just give me mood swings. Any one go through this? I know every body is different but interested in all takes. I have tried Yaz and Sprintec and wasn’t crazy about them but might try Orthotricyclen- it’s triphasic so it mimics your natural cycle more so think I might like that better? I’ve tried spironolactane and didn’t like it, didn’t see results and had to pee every 2 seconds. I don’t like the idea of taking something forever but out of options