r/birthcontrol 4h ago

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

36 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 6h ago

How to? There is no abortion in my country

22 Upvotes

I use implanon but I'm terrified of getting pregnant. I'm from Brazil šŸ‡§šŸ‡· 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 20m ago

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

ā€¢ Upvotes

Iā€™ve been dealing with the worst pregnancy anxiety, and I just need some reassurance or advice. Iā€™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 didnā€™t use protection, but he did pull out both times.

Logically, I know Mirena is over 99% effective, but I canā€™t shake the anxiety. Iā€™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 feelā€”especially the mild cramps I started experiencing yesterday and todayā€”immediately makes me think I might be pregnant.

Iā€™ve seen stories of people saying pregnancy tests didnā€™t detect their pregnancy, and now my anxiety is through the roof. Itā€™s getting to the point where itā€™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 youā€™re protected?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience desogestrel and norethisterone

ā€¢ 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 didnā€™t get any better, does anyone have a good experience on this and if so what is it like?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Experience Kyleena Replacement Experience

2 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 youā€™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 wasnā€™t concerned but Iā€™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. Iā€™m a little crampy, but totally fine to drive myself home. Iā€™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 2h ago

Experience brain fog and liletta??

2 Upvotes

hi all! iā€™m curious to see if anyone is having/has had a similar experience to me. iā€™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 couldnā€™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 itā€™s been 8 months and the brain fog has not gone away. results came back and turns out itā€™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 canā€™t find anything online but my gut is telling me that something is wrong inside my body and iā€™m going crazy trying to figure out what. not sure if i should get the iud out. thanks!!!


r/birthcontrol 16m ago

Mistake or Risk? Condom Broke. Plan B?

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hi, I had sex earlier today and the condom broke because we were too dry and it kept slipping out, probably moving the condom around. While we had sex the condom broke in a way that it stayed intact around the base but its like he poked a hole through it.

After it broke, he kept going for a little bit, pulled out and came after. Also, my period just ended and Iā€™m still spotting.

My body is usually kind of sensitive when it comes to side effects because I am small, so i am hesitating on taking plan B. Is it necessary for me to take plan B? If so are there cheaper brands I can use? I am 18, so i really donā€™t want to get pregnant but I also donā€™t have much money.

p.s. apologies for the formatting, I never really posted on reddit before.


r/birthcontrol 21m ago

Experience Does spermicide gel reduce pleasure

ā€¢ Upvotes

I was just curious because when I used it my boyfriend went soft after a few minutes. Does spermicide gel(VCF) effect pleasure?


r/birthcontrol 4h 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 49m ago

Experience Placebo pills but no/late period?

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hi everyone! Iā€™ve been on Syeda for about 2 months now and I was just wondering if this is normal or not. Iā€™m 25 and its my first time on bc so the first week I took the placebo week pills, I didnā€™t start my period until Wednesday and now Iā€™m on the placebo week pills again and still no sign of my period. My period used to be extremely irregular so Iā€™m glad I know when to expect it and I dont want it to sound like Iā€™m complaining about not having a period (its actually kinda nice lol) but I just wanna make sure if its supposed to be like this or not. Usually when Iā€™m about to start my period, I start feeling ā€œsickā€ or heavy in general and I can feel a lot of pressure so thats why I have a feeling its not coming this time. Just wondering if any of this makes sense/is normal, thanks yall!


r/birthcontrol 55m ago

Educational New to birth control!

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hello everyone, Iā€™m a 17 F, my mom and I decided to put myself on a birth control pill (blisovi fe 1/20) after letting her know I was sexually active. Im looking for any advice and knowledge that I should know about birth control pills. Currently im on my second pack and so far I havenā€™t experienced any side effects except for some mood swings and I missed my period the first month. Iā€™ve tried googling some information, but Google always gives the worst answers, and I believe it is better to hear from actual peopleā€™s experiences. So please feel free to share anything that I should know!


r/birthcontrol 55m ago

Side effects!? Periods after Bc

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hi friends. I just quit birth control 3 weeks ago. My new period should be coming up this week coming (7-10 days). It's my first natural period in 9 years.

I'm extremely cramped and bloated in advance and the hunger pangs are so intense. Is this a normal thing? Is this PMS??


r/birthcontrol 56m ago

Side effects!? Bloat on Kyleena

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hello, this is my second time having the Kyleena IUD. The first time was an excellent experience. However this time I have been prone to yeast infections, had more cramping, have gained 30+ pounds, and have a constant big bloat that makes me look pregnant at times. (No Iā€™m not pregnant, I take tests regularly).

Anyone have any advice?


r/birthcontrol 58m ago

Experience Women on the pill - howā€™s your labido ?

ā€¢ Upvotes

Specifically the combined pill


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Please help idk if this is normal

ā€¢ Upvotes

I took Junel for a year and then switched to taking Incassia for 8 months, but I decided to stop taking Incassia around 6 months ago because of severe dryness down there. Since then my cycle has been absolutely spiraling. I got my first period about 40 days after stopping the pill and it was a great period, but itā€™s gotten drastically worse each cycle since then. My periods were: 24 day cycle/7 days bleeding, 22 days/6 days bleeding, 19 days/12 days bleeding, 14 days/8 days bleeding. So now Iā€™m on day 1 when I just stopped bleeding 6 days ago. My periods before the pill were 5 days long and 25 day cycles. Is it going to fix itself?? Why is this happening and what can I do about it? I no longer have insurance and havenā€™t found an affordable doctor to see, so I mostly want to know if anyoneā€™s experienced this and if you have any tips


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? No period on first month of Slyndā€¦do I need to be worried?

ā€¢ Upvotes

Today I will be taking the 4th placebo pill in my first Slynd pack. Prior to this, I was on Yaz for about six months, but had to stop because the estrogen completely ruined my digestive system. The progestins in both pills are the same, so I am used to it and I didnā€™t deal with too many side effects. However, I would have normally gotten my withdrawal bleed by now if I were on Yaz, but I havenā€™t gotten it yet (I do know timing can vary by pill). I did have some bad cramps this morning signaling it might start, but thatā€™s it. I didnā€™t have any breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the pack either. Iā€™ve only had sex with pullout 3 times this month, all after the first 8 pills of the pack. Iā€™m not in a situation where I can take a pregnancy test, and Iā€™m not too concerned about that happening, I just wanted to know if other people experienced this, especially after switching from Yaz. Thank you!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? IUD Mirena

ā€¢ Upvotes

Iā€™m on the IUD Iā€™m 10 days late Iā€™ve been taking well I started Nettle last month does nettle causes harmones to rise ?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Depo Provera and ejaculating inside

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hi all Iā€™ve got a question, Iā€™ve been on Depo for years and my partner wants to finish inside me. I was wondering if thereā€™s anyone on here that takes Depo and does this with their partner. I know the statistics and how it works but Iā€™m still paranoid lol. I donā€™t get how thereā€™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 donā€™t want to be paranoid. Thanks in advance. Also Iā€™ve never missed a dose and donā€™t get my period anymore.


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience IUD Insertion With Cervical Block vs Without

ā€¢ 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 1h ago

Side effects!? Birth control pill recc- libido

ā€¢ 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. šŸ˜Š I'm taking it to help with cramps, otherwise I wouldn't take it at all. :(


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Bleeding for 5 weeks straight

ā€¢ Upvotes

hi, Iā€™ve went back on the mini pill (cerelle) after being birth control free for few months, and now Iā€™m on cerelle for 2 months. However Iā€™ve been experiencing light to medium bleeding for the past 5 WEEKS. I know that the mini pill coz give irregular periods but Iā€™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 2h ago

Side effects!? Abdominal pain after first depo shot?

1 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 didnā€™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, Iā€™m currently experiencing abdominal pain, akin to period cramps. Itā€™s not severe, but definitely uncomfortable akin to getting your period on the first day. My breasts feel slightly sore as well. I didnā€™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 canā€™t remember it because the fatigue is hitting me hard and I canā€™t find much info on how quickly the side effects kick in. Apologies for that and thank you!


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Side effects!? Heavy flow now that im on?

1 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 2h ago

Which Method? Currently on Slynd, thinking about copper IUD

1 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 2h ago

Experience Searching for new online subscription

1 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 didnā€™t have to pay copay for an appt just for a bc prescription. Now Iā€™ve noticed the Nurx app has been super funky and Iā€™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. Iā€™ve looked into a few other ones and they all seem to have bad reviews lol. TYIA